《The CEO鈥檚 Hidden Love Midnight Temptations and Deep Desires》
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
¡°Ever done it with a guy?¡±
Dorothy Sanchez, away on a business trip and a little tipsy, should have been fast asleep. But the
moment she closed her eyes, Karen Miller¡¯s words started ying in her mind like a record on repeat.
¡°It¡¯s more than just awesome; you¡¯ve gotta grab a hottie while you¡¯re young and try it. If you can¡¯t find
one, teach yourself a thing or two. Don¡¯t be shy, I¡¯ve got all the materials you need to open the door to
a new sex world.¡±
What was her response at that time?
She couldn¡¯t remember.
Shey on the hotel bed in a daze. Her delicate face was flushed from the alcohol, and her thick, long
hair was spread out all over.
In a month, she¡¯d be 26. She¡¯d be a full-grown woman who had never had a boyfriend. She still hadn¡¯t
had her first kiss yet, let alone the other stuff.
That wasn¡¯t the first time Karen brought it up. She cracked dirty jokes every day. But today, it
unexpectedly stirred up a desire in her, and the alcohol just made it worse.
Dorothy turned over. Feeling like something was about to burst out, she abruptly sat up.
While licking her dry lips, she reached for her phone. Having taken out her contacts and being
somewhat drunk, the screen was a bit blurry. After seeing the name ¡°Lopez¡¯ in her WhatsApp contacts,
she clicked on it.
¡°Send me some clips. I want to watch.¡±
The reply was quick. He just sent a question mark.
Dorothy¡¯s eyebrows furrowed, her drunken boldness made her more yful. ¡°Don¡¯t y dumb! Send
me a guy or some clips. I¡¯m in room 1501.
She ended the message with a lipstick kiss emoji.
After sending the message, she waited for a while with no reply. Just as she propped herself up to go
get a drink of water, the doorbell
rang.
Without much thought, she walked over to open the door.
Surely Karen wouldn¡¯t actually send a guy over in the middle of the night, would she?
But when the door opened, Dorothy instantly sobered up.
¡°Lopez¡ Mr. Lopez?¡±
He seemed to have just taken a shower. His hair was still dripping wet, and he was wearing a dark silk
robe loosely tied around him. His corbones, adorned with a few dark numbers, were clearly visible.
His well-defined muscles trailed down his abdomen, disappearing at his V-line.
His tall, lean body almost blocked the entire doorway. His handsome face was half-hidden in the
darkness; his eyes were no longer cold and distant but more like a beast¡¯s in hiding, focused on its
prey.
¡°You came to¡ Uhm¡¡±Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.
Before she could finish her sentence, she found her head held in ce by a pair of strong hands. All
the sound was stolen from her.
She tasted the alcohol on his breath. It was different from hers, but they blended together.
After a moment of dizziness, she found herself pinned to the bed, her white nightgown mingling with his
dark robe, stirring up fantasies and filling the room with a sensual atmosphere.
Everett Lopez was clearly drunk. How else would the CEO of the Prosperity Consortium end up in her
room?
She struggled a bit, then stopped. After all, giving her first time to such a handsome, rich, and powerful
man wouldn¡¯t be a loss.
He wouldn¡¯t remember who she was. Just like he didn¡¯t remember that they were ssmates in junior
high. He even forgot that they sat next to each other for nearly a year.
A one-night stand, that was all it was.
As a low-level assistant, she rarely got to see her boss at the office. And with her status, no one would
believe her if she said she slept with Everett.
After a few seconds of thought, under the moonlight streaming through the window, she gathered her
courage and reached up to pull
him closer.
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
In the wee hours, Dorothy woke up. The man beside her was still deep in sleep, his strong arm
wrapped around herpletely. His steady breathing tickled her neck.
Herst bit of drunkenness hadpletely faded away due to the aching and numbness between her
legs, and so had her reason.
What the hell had she done?
She had actually slept with her boss?!
Dorothy¡¯s breath hitched. She carefully extricated herself from his arms and hurriedly got out of bed,
dressed up, packed her stuff, and bolted from room 1501, heading for the hotel reception to book
another room.
It was when she was paying with her phone that she realized that it wasn¡¯t Karen¡¯s contact she had
asked forst night.
That was clearly Everett¡¯s contact.
Years ago, at a junior high school reunion, the ss monitor created a WhatsApp group, and everyone
added each other as friends.
Dorothy clearly remembered that it was Everett who had added her first, but he never said anything
after that, so she just renamed him.
And now this had happened.
She sat in her newly booked room for a while to calm down. Then she took out her phone, left the
junior high school group, changed her online name from Dorothy to Lily, and reced her profile picture
with a photo of a girl she found online.
That way, he wouldn¡¯t know who she was.
After all, room 1501 was booked by thepany, and nothing could be traced.
After all the maneuvering, she finally pulled up the quilt and went to sleep.
The rm rang early the next morning. Today, Dorothy had to apany her manager, Percy, to
Harmony Ventures to discuss the issue of additional funding.
The asset value of this convertible bond project had dropped below the stop-loss line. The other
party demanded to increase the investment; otherwise, they would sell the securities assets.
It was urgent, so their investment department was fortunate to be in the light of the president and took
a private ne to Fujinon City for a business trip.
After washing up, she rushed to the hotel lobby with her documents. Not long after, Karen came down,
mumbling unhappily. ¡°Mr. Percy insisted that we, the Prosperity Consortium, were not the ones to add
more investments. But when I went to the trustpany to adjust the agreement, his name was clearly
written on the copy.¡±
¡°Alright, Mr. Percy ising soon. Don¡¯t let him hear you.¡± Dorothy pulled Karen to one side. Before
she could say anything, she saw a tall figure surrounded by a crowding out of the elevator.
It was Everett.
He had changed out of his robe fromst night and was now in a ck suit that fit him perfectly. His
thick eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and his thin lips were tightly pursed. He seemed to be listening
to a report from his secretary, not sparing a nce in their
direction.
Everett¡¯s aloofness was infamous in the business world. His deeply handsome face was always sharply
defined, and nobly arrogant. His oppressive aura could make the surrounding air temperature plummet.
Dorothy tried to recallst night¡¯s events, but she couldn¡¯t reconcile this man with the one who had
gently kissed her tears awayst night. It seemed like she must have been hallucinating.
¡°Mr. Lopez is so handsome. I¡¯d be okay with dying right after spending a night with him.¡± Karen,
oblivious to Dorothy¡¯s stiffness, muttered, ¡°Hey, Dorothy, what are you thinking?¡±
Karen nudged her, and Dorothy snapped back to reality and took a step back, trying to avoid Everett.
But just as he and his secretary were about to leave, they suddenly stopped not far from them.
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He nced down from under his heavy eyelids, then whispered to his secretary, ¡°Find out who stayed
in room 1501st night.¡±
When Dorothy heard those numbers, she felt like her legs were tied down with lead, unable to move.
Her mind buzzed, and all she could hear was Karen¡¯s excited voice cutting in.
*Room 1501? Mr. Lopez, Dorothy stayed in room 1501st night.¡±
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Karen sure had a big mouth. She would just blurt out something and all eyes would be on her in an
instant, and this time so were Everett¡¯s.
Luckily, he just shot her a nce and then walked out of the hotel without saying anything.-
After everyone left, Karen, with her gossip-loving face, approached.
¡°Huh? Why did Mr. Lopez ask that?¡± She was confused. She thought there would be some big news,
but it turned out to be nothing. Dorothy, on the other hand, seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. It was as
if she had been granted a stay of execution. When she opened her mouth to speak, her voice was
hoarse. ¡°¡My room has a good view. He might want to switch.¡±
¡°That¡¯s all?¡±
¡°He¡¯s the CEO.¡±
Karen pouted. She also felt that there wouldn¡¯t be any connection between them. Their gap was too
big.
¡°Do you think a cool guy like Mr. Lopez would be passionate in bed? With his height, I bet his little
friend is definitely big.¡±
Did she have no shame?
Passionate was a bit of an exaggeration, and as for thetter¡ his little friend should be considered
big, although she had no idea what was considered big or small. But it did take almost an hour for him
to get to the pointst night.
Wait. What was she thinking?!
Indeed, you be what you are near
Being near Karen made she naughty.
Soon, Mr. Percy arrived at the lobby. He was a man with a receding hairline, so even when he was
dressed in business attire, he didn¡¯t look that good. He took the documents from Dorothy¡¯s hands and
flipped through them, his voice tinged with displeasure. ¡°The IOP has tightened up these past two
years. It was hard to get this project going, and now this happened. If the fund for covering the
positions is too much, forget about your bonuses!¡±
Dorothy didn¡¯t say anything, but Karen shot him a disdainful look.
Wasn¡¯t it Mr. Percy who messed up in the first ce? He had the guts to agree to the position covering
just for the project?!
Suddenly, he looked at Dorothy as if he were calcting something. His voice softened quite a bit.
¡°Dorothy, I remember¡ you¡¯re from Havenbrook, right?¡±
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¡°Yes. Havenbrook in Shenwood City¡±
¡°Mr. Lopez is also from Havenbrook. I¡¯ll try to invite him for dinner tonight. Can you use the pretext of
being from the same hometown to probe his intentions?¡±
He said this as if he were seeking her opinion, but where was there room for Dorothy to refuse?
But the thought of meeting Everett sent shivers down her spine.
Dorothy tactfully said, ¡°Mr. Percy, I¡¯m afraid my status is not high enough to converse with Mr. Lopez.¡±
¡°When you¡¯re at the same table having a drink, it¡¯s normal to chat a bit, right?¡±
¡°But__¡±
¡°That¡¯s settled then. Dress up nicely tonight. Don¡¯t embarrass me!¡±
With that, Mr. Percy walked out of the hotel. Karen rolled her eyes behind him and then dragged
Dorothy to follow him.
In the evening, after the first round of negotiations with the person in charge of Harmony Ventures,
Dorothy was urged by Mr. Percy to go back to the hotel to get ready.
He must have done something underhanded because Everett really did show up in the hotel¡¯s private
room.
As soon as Dorothy walked in, she saw him sitting in the chair at the head of the table.
Everett had taken off his suit and draped it over the armrest. He had unbuttoned a few buttons at the
top of his white shirt, his pale skin contrasting with his gold-rimmed sses that were perched on his
nose. He looked very abstinent.
There were four people in the room in total. Herself, Mr. Percy, Everett, and his personal secretary.
Seeing that Dorothy was still just standing there, Mr. Percy went over and pulled out the chair closest to
Everett for her. ¡°Come on, Dorothy You sit here.¡±
#
Mr. Percy really wasn¡¯t giving her any room to breathe, huh?
She hesitated for a moment, but then walked over stiffly.
But before she could sit down, she heard Everett¡¯s cold voice.
¡°Isn¡¯t Dorothy an assistant? Did she switch to PR?¡±
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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The PR job in an investment bankingpany sounded good, but everyone knew it was just
schmoozing and booze.
Who would have thought that he would lump her in with the PR folk? He didn¡¯t thinkst night was
arranged by Mr. Percy, did he?-
Everett¡¯s words burned Dorothy¡¯s cheeks, but she had to swallow her pride for the time being because
others were present. She couldn¡¯t leave just yet.
She needed this job badly. She needed the money for her mother¡¯s medical bills.
Now that the atmosphere was cooling down, Mr. Percy quickly put on a cheerful smile. ¡°She¡¯s always
been an assistant, Mr. Lopez. I just thought since you and Dorothy are both from Havenbrook, you
might have something inmon. That¡¯s why I asked her here. If you¡¯re unhappy, I can tell her to
leave.¡±
With that, he shot Dorothy a look.
She was about to leave when Everett spoke, ¡°Sit down.¡±
¡°Dorothy, didn¡¯t you hear? Mr. Lopez asked you to sit.¡±
Barely sitting down with a straight back, Dorothy got a harsh stare from Mr. Percy, urging her to pour
wine for Everett.
She reached for the wine bottle, but his big hand blocked the ss.
¡°Mr. Percy, if you want tost in Prosperity Consortium, underhanded methods won¡¯t work. I¡¯ve been
following the Harmony Ventures project. The Prosperity Consortium is in a tight spot. Submit a request
to replenish funds as soon as possible and try to minimize the loss.¡±
Everett was undoubtedly giving Mr. Percy an ultimatum. His furrowed brows indicated his displeasure.
¡°Right, right, Mr. Lopez. This was my mistake. Next time, I will¡¡±
¡°There won¡¯t be a next time.¡±
With that, he left the room with his secretary, leaving no dignity for anyone, without giving her a second
nce.
When he left, Mr. Percy¡¯s anger finally erupted. He directed it all at Dorothy.
¡°What did I bring you here for? Can¡¯t you even smile? Did Mr. Lopeze here to see your cool face?¡±
¡°Mr. Percy, being a drinking buddy isn¡¯t part of an assistant¡¯s job. I wasn¡¯t trained for that.¡±
¡°You¡¯re talking back now? Do you know how much effort I put into arranging this dinner? Usually, I think
you¡¯re pretty and efficient, but you¡¯re useless when it counts! I should fire you!¡±
After venting, Mr. Percy red at her and stormed out.
This was the most embarrassing experience Dorothy had encountered since she started working.
She thought she would cry, but apart from a slight sting in her eyes, there were no tears. She knew
when she entered this field that the lower her rank, the humbler she had to be.
She just didn¡¯t expect Everett to be so cold. She thought¡ she thought with their connection, and
knowing that it had been herst night, he would at least give her some dignity.
Turned out that the rumors about him being difficult were true.
While walking to her hotel room in her heels, her phone rang in her bag. It was Karen.
¡°Why did Percy kick you out of the work group for Team 3? What happened?¡±
¡°Nothing.¡±
¡°Did your beauty trap fail?¡± Karen was sometimes quite sharp. ¡°I always thought it wouldn¡¯t work on
someone as celibate as Mr. Lopez.¡±
Dorothy forced a smile. ¡°Celibate?¡±
If he was celibate, then who was the man who tormented herst night?
¡°I¡¯m just saying that¡¯s the impression he gives. Mr. Lopez does have a love interest. It¡¯s someone he¡¯s
been in love with for many years.¡±
Karen¡¯s casual remark reminded Dorothy of the tattoo on Everett¡¯s corbone.
¡°0825¡±
It was clearly a date.
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
The tattoo looked kind of old. It was sunk deep into his skin; it didn¡¯t look like it was freshly inked.
If what Karen said was true, then 0825 must be the birthday of his sweetheart, right?
After all, she knew Everett¡¯s birthday was in April, and the birthdays of Everett¡¯s parents, the chairman
and his wife, were in July.
Certainly, it had nothing to do with her either.
Her birthday was November 14th.
None of those four digits matched up.
What could possibly drive a guy like Everett, who was cold to the bone, to do something as crazy and a
bit childish as getting a tattoo? He must have seriously fallen for the person.
Dorothy suddenly regretted her impulsive behaviorst night. Why didn¡¯t she think to ask if Mr. Lopez
was single?
Even though Everett was handsome, fit, and capable, she still had morals. No matter how good other
people¡¯s men were, she couldn¡¯t just make a move on them.
¡°Karen, do you know anyone close to Mr. Lopez who has a birthday on August 25th?¡±
¡°How would I know?! The Prosperity Consortium is just a branch of the Lopez Corporation, and we¡¯re
already dominating 70% of the domestic hot investment market. Everett is the CEO of the entire Lopez
Corporation. I¡¯m not worthy enough to know his gossip.¡±
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Really Karen?
She wasn¡¯t worthy enough to know, yet she seemed to know quite a bit.
Suddenly, Karen remembered something. ¡°Wait, I think the chiefwyer of the Lopez Corporation,
Heather Garcia, has a birthday in August. I¡¯ve seen her resume before. She¡¯s a total, rich beauty. She
even made it to the trending list when she attended an event with Mr. Lopez. I¡¯ll find a picture for you.¡±
¡°No need.¡± Dorothy cut her off.
With just that, she could already imagine a whole soap opera unfolding.
No wonder Everett was so harsh today. He was all business, not giving her any dignity. He must have
been worried that she would spill the beans, so he intentionally gave others the impression that he was
not close with her to distance himself. That way, even if she did spill something, no one would believe
her.
Ha!
To sit in the CEO¡¯s position, indeed, one must be cunning.
After hanging up the phone, Dorothy went back to her room to wash up, changed into a loose outfit,
and started working on new project materials on herputer.
Lately, her mom¡¯s hefty medical bills every month left her no time to think about love and rtionships.
She was typing away on her keyboard, totally oblivious to the silent phone next to her, which had lit up
several times.
When Dorothy was too tired to keep going and decided to finish the rest tomorrow, she noticed that
Everett had sent her three voice call requests four hours ago and a message on WhatsApp.
¡°Call me when you wake up.¡±
What could he possibly want from her?
It was probably just a warning not to b, or maybe he was offering some hush money. If she took that
money, it would be no different from selling herself.
Dorothy paused for a moment and typed, ¡°Let¡¯s pretendst night never happened. I won¡¯t tell anyone.¡±
But at the moment she was about to send it, she changed her mind and deleted Everett¡¯s contact
altogether.
That should put him at ease.
She put down her phone and went to sleep.
Until Mr. Percy¡¯s call woke her up. ¡°Hand over the project contract to Anna.¡±
¡°Mr. Percy, L¡ Before she could finish, he hung up. Not giving her a chance to speak.
Dorothy had no choice but to get up to look for the contract, but after rummaging through her luggage,
she couldn¡¯t find the folder.
She clearly remembered checking it when she first checked into the hotel.
Suddenly, Dorothy froze.
Oh no¡.
She must have left the contract in room 1501 in her hurry to escape that morning. Everett must have
picked it up.
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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¡°Karen, it¡¯s urgent. Super urgent! Can you somehow get Mr. Lopez¡¯s phone number?¡±
Dorothy had deleted Everett¡¯s contact. She even left the online group they shared, so the only person
she could turn to now was Karen.
The voice on the other side was clearly still groggy from sleep. ¡°Who?!¡±
¡°Everett.¡±
¡°If you¡¯re sleepwalking, go back to sleep.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t have time to exin. It¡¯s really urgent!¡±
The project partner¡¯s supervisor had signed the contract and left the country. She couldn¡¯t possibly ask
him to return just to sign another contract with her.
Karen sensed her seriousness, sat up in bed, and said, ¡°I can¡¯t get his number, but you can go find him
in his room, right?¡±
Right!
Dorothy quickly hung up the phone, threw on a random piece of clothing, and ran towards the hotel¡¯s
presidential suite.
However, when she got to that floor, she was stopped right out of the elevator by the CEO¡¯s secretary.
¡°Hello, I need to see Mr. Lopez¡±
The secretary looked her up and down and asked sternly, ¡°Do you have an appointment?¡±
¡°No.¡±
The secretary was straightforward. ¡°Then please leave.¡±
¡°Can¡¯t you bend the rules a bit? Just pass a message for me. Tell him Dorothy urgently needs to see
him; he¡¯ll definitely want to see me.¡± But the secretarypletely ignored her plea.
Just as Dorothy was feeling defeated, a deep voice came from the suite.
¡°Let her in.¡±
Upon hearing Everett¡¯s order, the secretary finally let her in.
Dorothy cautiously opened the suite door and saw Everett still in his dark silk robe, standing by the
window with a cup of ck coffee, sipping it from time to time.
When his gaze fell on her, Dorothy awkwardly tugged at her lips. ¡°Mr. Lopez, did you find a contract the
other day?¡±
¡°Which day?¡± Everett raised an eyebrow and walked towards her. ¡°Which day are you referring to?¡±
The pressure he radiated was intense, causing Dorothy to instinctively step back.
She knew Everett was doing this on purpose. Changing the subject wouldn¡¯t help, so she justid it all
out.
¡°Mr. Lopez, I sent a text to the wrong person that night. I don¡¯t remember anything after that. I¡¯m really
just here to get the contract today.¡±
¡°Dorothy, I need a wife.¡± He suddenly interrupted her, so Dorothy didn¡¯t catch on at first.
¡°What?¡±
¡°I said marry me.¡± Everett moved closer as his eyes locked onto her stunned face. ¡°Think about it.¡±
He said it casually, as if he were talking about the weather, but to Dorothy¡¯s ears, it was like she was
hallucinating.
It took her a while to respond. ¡°Mr. Lopez, you don¡¯t need to test me.¡±
Dorothy wasn¡¯t stupid. If Everett needed a wife, there would be a line of women willing to do it. It
certainly shouldn¡¯t be her.
So this had to be a test to see if she had ambitious intentions of wanting to climb the socialdder.
Everett ignored her and went on. ¡°Your mother is in the hospital, right? I can help her find the best
doctor, including covering all her expenses. If you agree, we can go register tomorrow.¡±
He was very serious, and, from the expression on his handsome face, he didn¡¯t seem like he was
joking.
¡°Why?¡±
¡°I told you, I need a wife. As for why it¡¯s you¡¡± Everett paused. ¡°I think you¡¯re the most suitable.¡±
¡°Mr. Lopez.¡±
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Dorothy pondered for a few seconds before replying, ¡°I¡¯ve got a boyfriend.¡±
She didn¡¯t buy into this pie-in-the-sky kind of luck. She¡¯d never had such a lucky break in her life and
she didn¡¯t n to start believing
now.
Whether he was trying to test her further or genuinely needed a wife for some reason, she had no
interest in ying along. A simple lie about having a boyfriend should solve all her problems..
Upon hearing this, Everett¡¯s lips tightened, and his gaze deepened.
¡°Is that so?¡±
¡°Why would I lie to Mr. Lopez?¡±
Before he could respond, Dorothy bowed slightly. ¡°I won¡¯t bother you anymore, so could you please
pass me the contract?¡±
¡°Sure.
Everett coldly nodded, not trying to keep her any longer. He simply stated that the contract was with his
secretary and closed the door of the suite.
Dorothy left quickly with the contract, wishing the conversation she just had was a figment of her
imagination.
Everett wanted to marry her?
What a joke!
After getting the contract, Dorothy didn¡¯t go straight to Anna for the handover. Instead, she went to Mr.
Percy.
very l
She had been working on this project for a very long time, so it wouldn¡¯t make sense to suddenly back
out. Of course, she knew that, as a leader, Mr. Percy¡¯s dignity needed to be saved. So, even if she felt
wronged, she had to apologize for the sake of her job.
As soon as Mr. Percy saw Dorothy, his face fell.
¡°What is it?¡±
¡°Sorry, Mr. Percy¡ I made you angry yesterday. I thought about it, and I was indeed in the wrong.¡±
Dorothy stepped forward with a smile. ¡°But I¡¯ve been in charge of the SinoSess Enterprises project
all along. I¡¯m afraid if I suddenly hand it over to Anna, there might be oversights that could affect this
project. I hope you could let it slide and give me another chance.¡±
She humbled herself and sincerely advised Mr. Percy not to act rashly.
The Harmony Ventures issue had already upset the higher-ups. If there were any problems with
SinoSess Enterprises, it wouldn¡¯t just be her, Dorothy, who¡¯d get fired.
After some thinking, Mr. Percy gave her a sidelong nce.
¡°So, you¡¯re saying that you¡¯re indispensable to the SinoSess Enterprises project?¡±
¡°Oh, no! I just want the SinoSess Enterprises project to go smoothly. Look at the contract. I¡¯ve
negotiated with the other party many times to finally get the price to its highest point. I¡¯m sure you
understand how much effort that took.¡±
Mr. Percy scanned the contract, and indeed, Dorothy had negotiated a higher price than expected.
He cleared his throat and furrowed his brows. ¡°This is yourst chance. You saw yesterday how strictly
Mr. Lopez controls the entirepany. If there are any issues with SinoSess Enterprises, you can
just pack your bags.¡±
After seeing him relent, Dorothy finally breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°I¡¯ll do my best. Thank you, Mr. Percy.¡±
Around the corner of the hotel, a tall man withdrew his gaze while snuffing out the cigarette in his hand
with a cold expression. Standing nearby, Jeffrey Turner chuckled while exuding an air of roguishness.
¡°Wow, she¡¯s quite a looker, no wonder even a demigod like you fell for her. Don¡¯t worry, leave it to me.
It¡¯s not hard for me to get a woman. Just say the word, and I guarantee she¡¯ll be in your bed tonight, all
docile.¡±
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Everett remained silent, half-submerged in the darkness.
Since he didn¡¯t respond, Jeffrey got more excited. ¡°For a small-time employee like her, I don¡¯t even
need to use force. Just a little intimidation, and she¡¯ll be putty in my hands.¡±
¡°If youy a finger on her, don¡¯t bothering back home.¡±
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Finally, the matter was swept under the carpet, and Dorothy went back to her room to pack her bags.
Thankfully, this business trip was more bark than bite, and she wasn¡¯t just referring to Mr. Percy¡¯s
tantrum.
Dorothy tried hard to put Everett¡¯s face out of her mind, but her brain had a mind of its own. Suddenly,
her phone on the table started ringing off the hook.
She quickly walked over, and the moment she saw the number from the hospital, her heart sank.
Even her hand pressing the answer button was shaking involuntarily.
¡°Is this Ms. Sanchez? Your mother just had a heart attack. It¡¯s critical. She¡¯s been rushed to the
emergency room. You need to get here
ASAP!¡±
Dorothy fell silent.
Her vision blurred, and she could hardly stand.
But she had no time to waste. After a few seconds, she immediately changed her flight. It wasn¡¯t until
she was on the ne that she remembered to ask Karen to exin this to Mr. Percy.
By the time Dorothy arrived back in Eldorria City, it was almost dark.
She hailed a taxi to the hospital.
Her mother had just been transferred from the ER to the ICU.
Upon seeing her mother¡¯s pale face on the bed, Dorothy struggled to hold back her tears, but they
slipped down her cheek,nding on the white hospital nket.
¡°Don¡¯t cry¡¡± Be weakly opened her eyes. She even tried to reach out to wipe her daughter¡¯s tears,
but she didn¡¯t even have the strength to grasp her hand.
Dorothy quickly wiped her face and forced a smile. ¡°Mom, I¡¯m not crying. I just got something in my
eye. The doctor said you need to rest and not think about anything.¡±
Be nodded. Soon, her primary doctor came over and called Dorothy out
¡°Dr. Oliver, how could my mother suddenly have a heart attack? Didn¡¯t you say she was stable?¡±
¡°We did everything we could. Her disease has always been dragging on.¡± Dr. Oliver sighed. ¡°What are
you nning to do? If she doesn¡¯t have surgery soon, today¡¯s situation will happen often. You need to
be prepared.¡±
Upon hearing this, Dorothy immediately asked, ¡°How much does the surgery cost now?¡±
¡°You should prepare a million. After we get the surgery done, subsequent treatment is not so urgent.¡±
One million was easy for the doctor to say, but for Dorothy, it would take years to eam. By then, it would
be toote.
¡°You think about it.¡±
With that, the doctor left.
Dorothy stood alone in the empty corridor, filled with the smell of disinfectant. She stood there for a
long time.
When Karen called, she was still standing in the same spot.
¡°How¡¯s your mom?¡±
¡°The doctor said if she doesn¡¯t have surgery¡ I should be prepared.¡± Dorothy clenched her fist, forcing
herself to speak. ¡°Karen, do you have any spare money to lend me?¡±
Over the years, no matter how hard it was, she never borrowed money from anyone. But this time, she
was really out of options. Almost every penny she earned was spent on prolonging her mother¡¯s life.
¡°I do! I have two hundred thousand. I¡¯ll transfer it to you right now!¡±
Karen didn¡¯t hesitate and agreed immediately. ¡°Send me your ount number!¡±
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¡°The doctor said the surgery costs a million. Karen, am I really going to lose my mom this time?¡±
Dorothy leaned against the wall and slowly slid down. ¡°I can¡¯te up with a million. I really can¡¯t!¡±
Karen was also frantic on the other end. ¡°Don¡¯t give up yet. There must be other ways!¡±
Other ways?
Dorothy suddenly froze.
Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Chapter 9
She thought about what Everett had said to her..
He said he could cover her mom¡¯s medical bills and even find her the best doctor.
Now, this was her only option.
Dorothy started frantically searching for her middle school ssmates¡¯ phone numbers like a
madwoman. Thankfully, she found one and begged him to add her back to the WhatsApp group. But to
her shock, after she left the group, so did Everett.
¡°Can anyone get in touch with Everett now?¡±
She quickly sent a message in the group, not caring about the gossip that might follow.
Soon, her ssmate Mason replied, ¡°Eh? Wasn¡¯t he in the group before? I saw him just a few days
ago. Why did he leave?¡±
¡°Isn¡¯t it normal for him to leave? He¡¯s now the CEO of the Lopez Corporation. His life is way different
than ours; he¡¯s got nothing to chat about with usmon folks.¡±
¡°Haha, listen to how sour you sound.¡±
The group chat started to stray from the topic, and Dorothy¡¯s message was soon buried.
Just as she was racking her brains for another n, someone in the group mentioned her.
¡°Dorothy, I have Everett¡¯s phone number. I haven¡¯t contacted him for years, though, so I¡¯m not sure if
he¡¯s changed his number. I saved it thest time he asked me to add him to the group.¡±
The message was from their middle school ss president. He quickly sent her the number in a private
message.
Dorothy dialed the number like she had found a treasure.
But all she got was a cold, female voice. ¡°Hello, the number you have dialed is currently unavable.¡±
This voice was like a bucket of cold water sshed on her face, waking her up instantly. She even left
the WhatsApp group.
Material ? N?velDrama.Org.
What was she doing?
Was she taking Everett seriously?
He had someone he loved. Maybe he proposed to her because he had a quarrel with his girlfriend.
How could she forget the huge gap between them? Now she couldn¡¯t even see him, and she actually
fantasized that after rejecting him, he would still agree to help her.
She put down the phone and went back to the ICU.
Her mother was so quiet that it scared her. She didn¡¯t know if she was asleep or unconscious.
Behind her, the doctor checked Be¡¯s data and whispered to Dorothy, ¡°Have you decided? Are we
going to do the surgery?¡±
¡°Doctor, can I pay the money in installments to the hospital?¡±
Dorothy¡¯s voice was dry. Because she hadn¡¯t eaten or drunk anything all day, her lips were cracked and
bleeding. She looked a little
messy.
¡°That¡¯s impossible.¡± Dr. Oliver was helpless. ¡°I really want to help, but considering your mother¡¯s
condition and the fact that neither of you have any fixed assets, the hospital would not agree to perform
the operation first. You have to understand.¡±
This answer didn¡¯t surprise Dorothy.
She really had nothing.
¡°You should go eat something. I¡¯ll watch her here for a while. Your mother needs to stay in the ICU
tonight. It¡¯s no good if you copse first.¡±
Dorothy nodded and thanked him.
But how could she eat? She only bought a bottle of mineral water. When she was paying with her
phone, she got a reply from the number she called earlier.
It was Everett.
She immediately answered the call. ¡°Mr. Lopez¡¡±
¡°Hello, who is this?¡±
Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Chapter 10
But the voice on the other end wasn¡¯t Everett¡¯s. It was his assistant returning the call.
Dorothy felt a tad bummed, but she still gave it a try. ¡°I¡¯m Dorothy Sanchez. A ssmate of Mr. Lopez.
Could you please ry a message to him? I¡¯d like him to call me back.¡±
¡°Alright, Ms. Sanchez. Is there anything else?¡±
¡°No, thank you.¡±
After hanging up, she suddenly felt a twinge of understanding towards her mother¡¯s desperate leap
from the building.
When you¡¯re backed into aer by all sorts of unexpected events, you really just feel like throwing in
the towel.
The hospital was frigid.
By the wee hours, Dorothy jolted awake on the patient¡¯s chair, realizing she had dozed off out of sheer
exhaustion.
She checked on her sleeping mother and tucked her in.
Her phone was flooded with messages from Karen.
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¡°Dorothy, don¡¯t worry: I¡¯ve already called my parents. They agreed to lend you another 200k, so you¡¯ll
have 400k. We¡¯ll piece it together bit by bit. 111 reach out to some other friends tomorrow; we¡¯ll
definitely reach our goal.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t scare me! Reply, Dorothy! Don¡¯t do anything stupid¡±
¡°Dorothy, where are you? I¡¯m in Eldorria City, and I¡¯m going to my parents¡¯ ce to get the money.
We¡¯ve raised 450k so far.¡±
Dorothy quickly left the ICU to call Karen back.
¡°You were about to scare me to death, you know!¡±.
¡°I¡¯m sorry¡ I was in the ICU, so my phone was on silent.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t despair. Who said there¡¯s no hope? Remember, if money can solve the problem, it¡¯s not a
problem.¡±
Just as Dorothy was about to respond, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a tall figure appearing
at the other end of the long hospital hallway.
It was like a deity had descended.
In her ear, Karen was calling out, ¡°Hello? Dorothy! Hello? Why can¡¯t I hear you?¡±
The man strode towards her, removing his coat and draping it around the frail Dorothy.
¡°It¡¯s cold at night. You¡¯ll catch a cold.¡±
His voice was as icy as ever, and his deep eyes were focused on her.
Dorothy momentarily thought she was hallucinating out of despair.
¡°Who¡¯s that? Hello, Dorothy!¡± Karen was still talking on the other end.
Dorothy quickly told Karen that she had something to deal with and hung up.
¡°You¡ Why are you here?¡±
¡°Didn¡¯t you call for me?¡±
She quickly moistened her dry lips, instinctively smoothing her hair. ¡°Yes, I did¡ I needed to see you¡±
But when it came to it, Dorothy realized she didn¡¯t know what to say.
Everett, on the other hand, only stayed silent for a few seconds before speaking, ¡°Have you made up
your mind?¡±
Without hesitation, Dorothy nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll marry you! No, no, I mean, I¡¯m willing to help you out. Can
you¡ help my mom?¡°
He had never seen Dorothy this flustered before. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, but then he
seemed to remember something.
¡°What about your boyfriend?¡±
Dorothy fell silent.
¡°I won¡¯t be the third wheel. You¡¯d better break up with him first.¡±
Instinctively, Dorothy wanted to say she didn¡¯t have a boyfriend, but wouldn¡¯t that mean she purposely
rejected him earlier?
If she changed her mind now, wouldn¡¯t Everett think she was ying him?
So after a moment of hesitation, she just nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll break up with him right now.¡±
¡°Ok, it¡¯ste. We¡¯ll get our marriage license tomorrow morning.¡±
Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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It seemed that things had escted quickly. But for now, his word wasw. Who was she to object?
d in Everett¡¯s clothes, she could faintly smell the scent of his tobo. It was strangelyforting.
Maybe it was because the tension from earlier had eased, but her stomach started to growl at the most
inopportune moment. She was so embarrassed that she couldn¡¯t even lift her head.
¡°You haven¡¯t eaten?¡±
¡°I have.¡± She was too embarrassed and didn¡¯t want to continue the conversation.
Everett didn¡¯t press further. He just nced at his watch and said, ¡°I¡¯ve arranged for your mother to be
in a VIP room. There¡¯s a nurse with her. The doctor will notify you when she wakes up. For now,e
with me.¡±
Dorothy was taken aback. ¡°Where are we going?¡±
¡°To eat.¡±
¡°I really did eat.¡±
He smirked. His usually aloof and handsome face softened a bit. ¡°Just keep mepany.¡±
Dorothy didn¡¯t dare object. She nodded. ¡°Okay¡±
She watched as Everett turned and walked ahead. She hesitated for a moment before following him.
Did this mean that she had found a sugar daddy? So that was what it felt like to have a backer.
As Everett got into his car, Dorothy kept her head down, staring at her shoes, until she heard the
steady breaths of the man next to her. She then cautiously turned her gaze to him.
He seemed exhausted. He leaned back in his seat and fell asleep.
The asional light from outside the car made his thickshes and sharp jawline stand out. Even in
sleep, he seemed intimidating. This wasn¡¯t the first time Dorothy had seen him asleep.
She remembered that back in middle school, she was alwayste for sses because she was
working. A sympathetic teacher would give her free tutoring after evening self-study.
During that time, her deskmate, Everett, also stayed behind after self-study, for reasons unknown. But
unlike her, he just slept, waiting for his ride home.
Dorothy could vaguely recall Everett from back then. He was always wearing his basketball uniform
under his school uniform. He was a handsomed with a youthful vibe. Not only was he good-looking
and tall, but he was also the top student in the school.
He received countless love letters; some were even mistakenly sent to her.
Who would have thought that after so many twists and turns, she would be the one to end up
connected to Everett? They were even nning to register their marriage the next day.
Of course, Dorothy knew this marriage had nothing to do with love. She was just a shield, or something
like that, to him.
They drove through the busiest street in Eldorria City and finally stopped in front of a modest-looking
restaurant.
Everett slowly opened his eyes, causing Dorothy to quickly avert her gaze.
He got out of the car first, and his phone started ringing. It was probably work-rted.
Dorothy was unsure whether to follow him out of the car. She looked up and met the eyes of Everett¡¯s
personal assistant.
¡°Ms. Sanchez, I was the one who returned your call earlier.¡±
She forced ¨¢ smile. ¡°Ah¡ Thank you so much.
¡°That¡¯s my job. Mr. Lopez was in a meeting when I told him. He tried to call back but got no answer, so
he rushed to the hospital right
away.¡±
Dorothy could see a hint of ttery in the assistant¡¯s eyes.
He must have misunderstood her rtionship with Everett. He probably thought she was very
important to him.
Not knowing how to respond, after a long pause, Dorothy awkwardly said, ¡°Yeah, Mr. Lopez is a good
guy.¡±
Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Dorothy waited until Everett finished his call outside before she stepped out of the car to meet him.
¡°It provides Havenbrook¡¯s special cuisine.¡± His voice was cold and deep, like a cello..
¡°Oh.¡± Dorothy was a bit surprised. Did this mean Everett remembered that they had been middle school
ssmates?
Or perhaps he knew from the start.
Dorothy felt out of ce when standing next to Everett. He was dressed to the nines; he was clearly a
golden boy. And there she was, with ¡®assistant¡¯ written all over her face.
Feeling ufortable as soon as they sat down in the restaurant, Dorothy didn¡¯t know what to do. She
couldn¡¯t possibly start reminiscing about middle school, could she?
Everett, on the other hand, seemed more at ease. It was as if he were with a friend who he saw every
day. He casually rolled up his shirt sleeves and ordered a few dishes.
¡°The SinoSess Enterprises project, was it you who handled it?¡±
Caught off guard by the sudden work-rted question, Dorothy hastily nodded. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s me.¡±
¡°Have you inspected their financial situation in detail?¡± Everett leaned back slightly, awaiting her
¡°Yes, I have. Their financial data is urate. I¡¯ve checked. There¡¯s no fabrication.¡±
response.
He smirked, taking a sip from his water ss. ¡°Dorothy, just because the data isn¡¯t fabricated doesn¡¯t
mean there aren¡¯t financial issues.¡± She was stunned as Everett presented a document to her.
¡°SinoSess Enterprises only has 50 million in liquid assets, but theirmitment letter states they
have 80 million. Who do you think will make up the difference?¡±
Dorothy fell silent.
¡°Don¡¯t rush with the projects.¡± Everett¡¯s tone was different from when he scolded Mr. Percy. It was
almost¡ paternal.
Dorothy bit her lip, feeling both regret for her carelessness and admiration for Everett¡¯spetence.
He had spotted the problem so quickly in the project she had just submitted.
After such a discussion, she lost her appetitepletely. All she wanted to do was return to the office
and conduct a more detailed due diligence on SinoSess Enterprises.
Perhaps seeing her intent, Everett put some of the newly served dishes into her bowl. ¡°Finish your
meal. We have all night¡±
A whole night?
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Dorothy looked up in surprise. ¡°Am I spending the night with you?¡±
Everett raised an eyebrow. ¡°It saves time for the registration tomorrow morning.¡±
¡°That¡¯s not what I meant.¡± She clenched her fists under the table, gathering the courage to ask directly.
¡°After the registration, do we have
to live together?¡±
Did she really have to share a bed with him?
¡°Otherwise?¡±
Everett¡¯s retort made it feel like she had asked a really stupid question.
To save her mother, he not only had to pull strings to get a top-notch doctor but also pay high medical
fees. It couldn¡¯t be just about getting a piece of paper.
Like Karen said, fnen were simple creatures. She was just too naive.
¡°Is there a problem?¡±
¡°No.¡±
¡°Good. Eat more.¡±
Everett¡¯s gentle tone and the way he served her food made it feel like they were a soon-to-be married
couple.
Throughout the meal, Dorothy had no appetite. Her heart was heavy.
Especially on the drive to Everett¡¯s ce, the closer they got to the destination, the more nervous she
became.
Everett didn¡¯t look at her. Instead, he quietly instructed his assistant about some work-rted matters.
And then, he casually added, ¡°Oh, and pick up a few boxes of condoms on your way.¡±
Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Not just Dorothy, but even the assistant was taken aback.
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Having worked with Mr. Lopez for so many years, no woman had ever been involved in his life. Now, he
was asking his assistant to buy that kind of stuff? Everyone knew what was up.
¡°Alright, Mr. Lopez.¡±
Dorothy¡¯s face went hot with embarrassment upon hearing this conversation. But in front of Everett,
she couldn¡¯t act all shy and reserved. So she pretended to be calm and looked out the window.
She had thought it through, and she had agreed to Everett¡¯s proposal willingly. If she acted all coy, it
would only turn him off. Besides, what was the point of ying hard-to-get when faced with absolute
wealth and power?
To put it bluntly, it was a mutual agreement. He was paying, and he was putting in the effort.
The most important thing now was to keep Everett happy. This way, at least she wouldn¡¯t have to worry
about her mother¡¯s medical bills. for a while, and she could learn a lot about work from Everett.
However, as open-minded as she was, when she actually got into bed after taking a shower and
changing into a nightgown, she couldn¡¯t help but feel nervous.
When Everett finished his international video conference and returned to the bedroom, this was the
scene he saw.
She was lying neatly on one side of the bed, dressed in his nightgown. Since it was so big, the loose
fabric barely covered her fair skin and her long, straight legs.
He would be lying if he said he had no dirty thoughts. But he chose not to indulge himself. At least not
tonight.
¡°Dorothy.¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
¡°I¡¯ve circled all the problematic parts of the SinoSess Enterprises project. Ask me if you don¡¯t
understand tomorrow. Go to sleep for
now.¡±
Dorothy blinked. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to¡¡±
¡°Not tonight.¡±
He got into bed from the other side and put his arm around her slender waist. ¡°I¡¯m tired. Turn off the
light.¡±
Dorothy thought she would have insomnia that night with him, but surprisingly, she slept until seven
o¡¯clock the next morning.
After she opened her sleepy eyes and looked at the unfamiliar ceiling, she quickly sat up. She nced
at the side instinctively, where only a dent in the pillow proved that someone had indeed slept therest
night.
Dorothy quickly freshened up and went out of the bedroom. Only then did she take a closer look at
Everett¡¯s home.
The house was located in one of the most luxurious neighborhoods in Eldorria City, with floor-to-ceiling
windows on three sides, offering an incredible view from any angle.
She thought she would see a top luxury house like in the TV shows that was all gold and full of luxury.
But surprisingly, the house was minimalist. It was d in ck, white, and gray, with a vast living room
that gave a sense of cold solitude.
Well, after thinking about it, wasn¡¯t that just like the cold and aloof Everett?
The dining room was filled with a faint aroma. Dorothy thought it was the servants making breakfast,
but when she went over, she found Everett in the kitchen.
He was cooking?!
Hearing her footsteps, Everett nced at her. ¡°The porridge is ready. You can serve it.¡±
Dorothy nodded in surprise. She still hadn¡¯t recovered from the shock.
Everett guessed what she was thinking. ¡°I don¡¯t like others in my house, including servants.¡±
Sheughed awkwardly. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to cook.¡±
Dorothy was pleasantly surprised.
Mr. Lopez was not as hard to approach as she thought. Well, in private, at least.
Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Chapter 14
But she didn¡¯t forget about her duty. She thought for a moment and said, ¡°Guess I¡¯ll be on breakfast
duty tomorrow, eh?¡±
Since when did the sugar daddy serve himself?
Everett chuckled lightly. He was wearing a dark-colored robe, lookingfortablyzy. He walked over
and pulled out a chair to sit down on at the dining table. ¡°Don¡¯t be so formal, love. After we register
today, you¡¯ll officially be my wife. At least in the eyes of thew¡± Since he was so upfront, Dorothy
decided to stop beating around the bush. ¡°So, Mr. Lopez, how long is this contract marriage gonna
last? Maybe we should seal the deal in writing. What do you think?¡±
After all, it was all about business, and she needed to set a time limit for herself.
If Everett said their mamage needed tost a long time, she would need to think it over.
Men had a golden age thatsted for quite a while. When the time came and Everett needed a divorce,
he would still be a hot bachelor. But for her, it would be a disaster. Who would want an old, divorced
woman?
Everett, who was holding a fork and knife, paused for a moment, seemingly considering the question.
Eventually, he nodded. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll have my assistant draft a contract. Let¡¯s sign for a year first.¡±.
¡°Sounds good.¡± Dorothy finally rxed a bit and tasted Everett¡¯s porridge..
Hmm, it was really tasty.
After breakfast, she and Everett went to register their marriage.
After signing and leaving her fingerprints, she was officially Mrs. Lopez. The whole process took less
than half an hour.
¡°Ill have my assistant take you to the hospital to see your mother. After work, you cane straight to
my ce.¡± Everett, already in his suit, was back to his aloof CEO demeanor. His tone left no room for
argument.
Dorothy nodded and left with the assistant.
Not long after they left, another ck Maybach slowly pulled up next to Everett.
The car window in the back seat rolled down, revealing Jeffrey¡¯s devil-may-care handsome face.
¡°Sometimes I really don¡¯t get you, man. You¡¯re taking such a big risk by registering a marriage with her
without even confessing your feelings. What¡¯s your game?¡±
Everett gave him a cold nce, opened the car door, and got in.
His voice was icy as he said, ¡°She doesn¡¯t have any feelings for me yet.¡±
¡°So?¡± Jeffrey¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You do realize what the consequences will be if your parents find out
about this secret marriage, right? Is she worth it?¡±
¡°They won¡¯t know if you don¡¯t tell them.¡±
In Jeffrey¡¯s eyes, if a woman was not to his liking, he would just hit it and quit it. If he was really into
her, he might keep her around for a bit longer. He just couldn¡¯t understand why Everett would go to
such lengths for a mere assistant.
¡°You¡¯re just burying your head in the sand.¡± Jeffrey rolled his eyes in disbelief. ¡°Honestly, I¡¯m quite
curious to see how this story ends. What if this little assistant never develops feelings for you? WhatBelongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.
will you do?¡±
Everett ignored him and opened hisptop to work.
He couldn¡¯t put these things off until the night. Tonight was their official wedding night, and he had no
intention of ying the generous benefactor forever.
As the car started, Jeffrey suddenly remembered something and nudged Everett¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Oh, by
the way, Heather ising back next week. We should all get together and catch up. Have you seen
her on Twitter? She¡¯s absolutely stunning now.¡±
Jeffrey was excited, but Everett didn¡¯t even look up. ¡°We¡¯ll talk about it next week.¡±
¡°Hey! She¡¯sing back just to help you, man. You¡¯re being quite cold-hearted.¡±
Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Chapter 15
All the way there, Jeffrey wouldn¡¯t stop yapping about their memories from childhood to adulthood, but
none of it reached Everett¡¯s ears. Once they arrived at thepany, he didn¡¯t even bother to say
goodbye to Jeffrey and just went straight up in the CEO¡¯s private elevator. ¡°Mr. Lopez, about the
infringementwsuit against N&P Enterprises, do you need to gather morewyers?¡± The secretary
knocked on the door and just happened toe in with some documents. ¡°I heard they¡¯ve got some
big-shotwyer on their side.¡±
Everett adjusted his gold-rimmed sses. He was unfazed and signed his name at the bottom of the
document.
¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll let Ms. Heather handle all legal matters when she gets back.¡±
¡°Ms. Heather ising back to the head office?¡± Upon hearing this, the secretary¡¯s previous worry
disappeared like smoke in thin air. ¡°That¡¯s great. We¡¯ve got thiswsuit in the bag then!¡±
He wasn¡¯t exaggerating.
In the past few years, any majorwsuit that the Lopez Corporation faced was dealt with easily as long
as Heather was their defensewyer.
Just as the secretary was about to leave, feeling relieved, Everett stopped him.
¡°Grab some fruits and supplements on your way out and send them to room V1 at the City Hospital.¡±
¡°Sure thing, Mr. Lopez¡±
After he left, Everett took out the marriage certificate he had just received from the pocket of his suit
jacket. Everett¡¯s fingers lightly brushed over it. After a good while, he got up and neatly ced it in the
safe.
In the hospital, the smell of disinfectant was still everywhere.
Dorothy had been waiting in room V1 for almost two hours before Be woke up from her deepa.
Her condition was better this time. At least she had the energy to lift her hand.
¡°Mom, you finally woke up! The doctor just came by, and I¡¯ve signed all the surgery consent forms. You
can have the surgery in a few days.¡±
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When signing the papers, she was so excited that she could barely hold the pen.
In contrast to Dorothy¡¯s joy, Be just frowned.
¡°Dorothy, where did the money for the surgerye from?¡±
¡°I borrowed it.¡±
Dorothy obviously wouldn¡¯t tell her mother the truth.
But saying she borrowed it wasn¡¯t exactly a lie, since she was using Everett¡¯s money for the surgery
now, but she would pay him back once she saved up enough.
¡°It¡¯s one million, right? Who would lend you that?¡± Be said as she tried to sit up, getting agitated. ¡°Tell
me the truth! Did you get this money through some shady means?¡±
¡°No¡± Dorothy, having no other choice, said, ¡°I¡¯m dating a guy. He lent it to me.¡±
Upon hearing this, Be was even more upset.
¡°No way. I¡¯m not doing the surgery. Give him back his money!¡±
Dorothy furrowed her brow, feeling helpless. ¡°Mom, not having the surgery could put your life at risk.¡±
¡°I¡¯d rather die that let you spend a man¡¯s money! Haven¡¯t I always told you that men are no good?
Especially the rich ones. They¡¯re not reliable!¡±
Be was tricked in the same way back in the day. Her husband was full of sweet promises before they
got married, but he cheated on her after only two years of marriage. He even fathered a child out of
wedlock.
¡°So, what do you want me to do?¡± Dorothy was too exhausted, so she couldn¡¯t control herself. She
unwillingly raised her voice slightly. ¡°My dad might as well be dead, and if something happens to you,
I¡¯ll be an orphan!¡±
She took a breath and gently rubbed her mother¡¯s hand. ¡°Mom, I promise you. I¡¯ll definitely pay him
back, okay?¡±
She wanted to strive to settle the debt with Everett by the time they divorced.
Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Chapter 16
After seeing her daughter¡¯s tired face, Be could only heave a long sigh.
¡°Sorry, it¡¯s all my fault. I¡¯ve dragged you down with me.¡±
She knew she shouldn¡¯t always feed her daughter with fears of men. After all, she¡¯d get married
someday, but she was scared that her daughter would get hurt again out of foolishness.
¡°What are you talking about, Mom? After your surgery, the doctor said you might be able to walk again.
Promise me you¡¯ll make pastas
for me then. I miss it.¡±
¡°Alright Be nodded, then suddenly thought of something. ¡®Call your boyfriend over. I want to meet
him.¡±
Dorothy was taken aback and quickly averted her gaze to peel an apple. ¡°He¡¯s too busy with the
company¡±
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¡°Just like your father back then¡..¡±
¡°Mom¡± She interrupted softly. ¡°Not everyone is like him.¡±
At least her intuition told her Everett wasn¡¯t that type of person.
To Be, it sounded like her daughter was defending her boyfriend. She immediately frowned and didn¡¯t
say anything else, but she also didn¡¯t take the apple that Dorothy handed over.
Outside, the sky was gradually darkening.
With her mother taken care of, she had to return to work early the next morning. So, after her mother
fell asleep, Dorothy left the hospital.
After stepping outside, she took a deep breath before hailing a taxi and heading to Everett¡¯s ce as
he had instructed.
Just as she got off, her phone in her bag started ringing.
It was a number she didn¡¯t recognize.
¡°Are you home?¡± Everett¡¯s deep and maic voice was too distinctive to be mistaken.
¡°Yeah, I¡¯m here.¡±
¡°I have to attend ast-minute event, so I¡¯ll be backter. You go in first.¡± He paused. ¡°The door code is
0825¡±
Startled by the sudden mention of the code, she hesitated before agreeing.
Upon entering, while changing her shoes, Dorothy thought that the meaning behind 0825 was probably
deeper than she initially thought He didn¡¯t remove the tattoo or change the code, which meant this
person still matters to Everett.
So, when he said he needed a marriage partner, it was probably to spite this person in his heart. It was
probably thatwyer named Heather that Karen mentioned.
Dorothy wasn¡¯t sure how she felt at the moment. She was most likely being used as a substitute.
She nned to take off her coat and start working on herptop. However, as she looked up, her gaze
was drawn to arge bag of condoms sent by Everett¡¯s assistant in the hallway.
Large was not an exaggeration. There were at least a dozen boxes in various colors.
Dorothy instinctively coughed a few times. Her face was flushed, and she quickly retreated from the
area as if avoiding a virus.
On thepany¡¯s internal software, Karen immediately messaged Dorothy when she saw her online.
¡°Who was that male voice on the phone?¡±
¡°The hospital¡¯s doctor¡± Dorothy chose not to tell her about this. It wasn¡¯t something to be proud of. The
contract was only for a year, so she should be able to keep it a secret.
After replying, she opened the files for the SinoSess Enterprises project and started checking them
one by one.
After some time, she heard the sound of the front door unlocking.
Dorothy got up and walked over. Before she could say anything. Everett¡¯s tall and slender figure
pushed her against the wall in the living room, and then a kiss with a strong smell of alcohol
overwhelmed her.
¡°Um¡ Mr. Lopez¡ Not here, please¡¡±
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Chapter 17
Chapter 17
¡°Alright.¡±
She couldn¡¯t tell if he was drunk or not. If he was, he still managed to pick her up and carry her to the
bedroom. If he wasn¡¯t, his hasty actions were so unlike the usuallyposed and almost cold Everett.
Dorothy felt like she was the one who had been drinking. Her head began spinning. Time seemed to
stretch out, and even the ceiling light seemed to sway with her.
Eventually, she couldn¡¯t take it anymore, and her gazended on the tattoo on his corbone. She bit
down hard.
Feeling the pain, Everett finally stopped.
¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¡±
¡°Mr. Lopez¡ can this be thest time for today?¡± Her voice was husky, and her tone was almost
pleading.
Everett didn¡¯t respond, but after they finished, he got up to head to the bathroom.
Dorothy thought she had found Everett¡¯s pause button. She had bitten his tattoo in desperation, trying
to remind him of his loved one.
And it worked.
He let her off the hook.
While Everett was in the shower, Dorothy quickly got dressed and grabbed herptop.
As soon as he emerged in a ck robe, she immediately asked, ¡°I¡¯m going to do some due diligence
on the SinoSess Enterprises project. I¡¯ll talk to their head tomorrow. I¡¯ve already rewritten the
contract, emphasizing the breach uses. Can you take a look?¡±
With her formal tone, she sounded like a secretary who had followed her boss home.
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Everett raised an eyebrow as his hand absently rubbed his still-damp hair. ¡°Weren¡¯t you saying you
were tired?¡±
Dorothy caught his meaning and blushed. ¡°IL
¡°Dinner will be delivered soon.¡±
¡°What?¡±
¡°Eat while we talk.¡±
Dorothy was puzzled as she watched his retreating figure.
He had just gone out for a social event, so why was he having dinner delivered?
But it worked out well. She hadn¡¯t eaten dinner yet.
In the dining room, the assistant had brought seafood and other delicacies. Just from the disy,
Dorothy knew it was out of her price
range
¡°Go ahead. There¡¯s no garlic.¡± Everett gestured for her to start eating while he began to peel a crab.
She hadn¡¯t noticed before, but his hands were quite handsome, and all his fingers were elegantly
slender.
This guy seemed to have no ws.
¡°Mr. Lopez, you don¡¯t eat garlic either?¡±
Everett¡¯s attention was on the crab in his hand. It took him a few seconds to hum in response.
Dorothy was really hungry, and since he had offered the food, it would be awkward to refuse.
After eating for a while, she realized that all the crab meat Everett had peeled ended up in her bowl.
¡°Mr. Lopez?¡±
¡°Just eat.¡± Everett clearly didn¡¯t n on answering her question. His voice was soft and warm. ¡°In
situations like this, you can¡¯t rely solely on the contract. If you want to cover the promised investment
with actual cash, there are many other solutions. You could negotiate with a third party to make up the
difference, or you could apply to the parentpany for a loan. This way, the project could potentially
restart.¡±
Dorothy¡¯s eyes lit up. She immediately put down her cutlery to write the application.
But her wrist was caught by Everett. After looking up, she met his narrow, clear eyes. The intensity in
his gaze was growing, making it almost too hot to hold his gaze.
¡°You still have this much energy?¡±
Dorothy opened her mouth in surprise. ¡°I said that was thest time for today.¡±
¡°I didn¡¯t agree
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Chapter 18
Chapter 18
That night, Dorothy slept for just three hours.
When she woke up the next day, Everett was already gone.
On the dining table, he had left her breakfast. It was still hot, and there was a note next to it.
¡°Gone on a business trip. I¡¯ll be back next week.¡± It was signed with a single word: Everett.
Dorothy looked at the note and then at the breakfast on the table. She really couldn¡¯t connect the
Everett she knew in private with the cold, iceberg-like man in the office.
At home, he could be considered gentle. Even when he demanded sexst night, he was gentle, as if
he were afraid to hurt her.
If it weren¡¯t for the tattoo, she would almost feel like Everett was interested in her.
Suddenly, Dorothy felt that the woman he had cherished in his heart for many years was really
enviable.
When she got to the office, Dorothy started writing a loan application after the morning meeting.
Material ? N?velDrama.Org.
Around noon, Mr. Percy suddenly barged into her office, looking unhappy. ¡°You¡¯re nning to apply for
a loan from the head office? Our team just made a major mistake; you think they¡¯ll approve?¡±
¡°They¡¯ll approve.¡± Dorothy was sure. ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡±
This idea was inspired by Everett, and, after their intimate timest night, he should give her this favor,
right?
Everett clearly understood how important this project was to her.
¡°I can see you¡¯ve improved, but getting this far is not easy. This does not seem very feasible. The
SinoSess Enterprises project itself is risky.¡± Mr. Percy frowned. ¡°Think of something else.¡±
¡°But this is the fastest way to start the SinoSess Enterprises project. Mr. Percy, just trust me this
once.¡±
She was more anxious than Mr. Percy.
If the SinoSess Enterprises project seeded, she could pay back Everett¡¯s money this year.
Mr. Percy pondered for a moment. Although he didn¡¯t know what exactly had happened, he, an old fox,
still sensed something unusual.
¡°Fine, I¡¯ll trust you this once. Do a good job. The next project is bigger than SinoSess Enterprises.¡±
Dorothy nodded with a smile as she watched Mr. Percy leave.
Back at her seat, she thought for a moment, then took out her phone and sent a message to Everett¡¯s
number.
¡°I¡¯ve submitted the application.¡±
While looking at the phone screen, Dorothy hesitated for a moment, then added another message. ¡°Are
you on the ne? Have a safe
trip.¡±
It took him a while to reply with just one word. ¡°Busy.¡±
Dorothy quickly deleted the messages and put away her phone, thinking about how the performance of
Team 3 will revive once the SinoSess Enterprises project started.
By then, Mr. Percy will most likely hand the next project over to her.
Not only that, her year-end bonus should be around a few tens of thousands. This plus the project
commission and her basic sry might be enough to cover her mother¡¯s medical bills without Everett¡¯s
help.
She suddenly felt hopeful about life. Even if she had to work overtime untilte in the night and then go
to the hospital to keep her motherpany during the days when Everett was on a business trip, she¡¯d
still cheerfully smile every day.
Every day when she got to the office, the first thing she did was turn on theputer to check if the
head office had approved the application.
Finally, on the fourth day after the email was sent, the head office responded.
Dorothy quickly opened it, only to see ¡°Application not approved¡± on herputer screen.
She was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly took out her phone to dial Everett¡¯s number.
After a few rings, he picked up.
¡°What¡¯s up?¡±
¡°Why wasn¡¯t the loan application for the SinoSess Enterprises project approved?¡±
Everett was silent for a few seconds, and then he replied coldly, ¡°Because the board of directors
assessed that the SinoSess Enterprises project was too risky.¡±
¡°But¡¡±
¡°Dorothy.¡± Everett interrupted coldly. ¡°It¡¯s working hours now. Anything else?¡±
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Chapter 19
A stern warning jolted Dorothy awake.
How could she be so sure that Everett would turn a blind eye to her application just because they had
slept together?
She shouldn¡¯t forget that he paid for that. It was a transaction, after all. There was no room for
emotions.
¡°Nothing more. I¡¯m sorry for bothering you, Mr. Lopez.¡± She quickly hung up the phone, not waiting for
his response.
This felt like a p in her face.
Meanwhile, Mr. Percy got the news and stormed into the room, fuming.
¡°I told you it wouldn¡¯t work, Dorothy! Who do you think you are? Do you think I can trust you again? I
did this time, and now look what happened!¡±
As Mr. Percy began to berate her, Karen rushed over to defend Dorothy. ¡°Mr. Percy, Dorothy¡¯s mother
just had an ident. Can you cut her some ck?¡±
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¡°Cut her some ck? Who the hell is going to cut me some ck?¡± Mr. Percy mmed his hand on the
table. ¡°Alright, Dorothy, don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you. The SinoSess Enterprises project was your
request. If it¡¯s notunched, you can pack your bags and get out!
Dorothy rose from her seat and bowed deeply. ¡°I apologize, Mr. Percy. I won¡¯t give up on the
SinoSess Enterprises project.¡±
¡°You better not be blowing hot air!¡± With that, Mr. Percy stormed out, mming the door behind him.
Karen was even angrier than Mr. Percy. ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid of him, Dorothy! If ites to it, we can just
quit. I¡¯m with you!¡±
¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Dorothy took a deep breath, adjusting her state of mind. She turned her gaze back to her
computer. ¡°I must secure the SinoSess Enterprises project. I need to regain the dignity I lost today.¡±
Suddenly, the office phone rang. Dorothy answered it. It was a familiar voice.
¡°Ms. Sanchez, Mr. Lopez asked you toe to his office.¡±
He was back from his trip?
Dorothy ascended the stairs in her high heels, arriving at the CEO¡¯s office.
She knew Everett had no obligation to give her any favors at work, so she had no right to hold any
emotions against him.
Knock, knock.
To her surprise, a woman¡¯s voice answered from inside.
¡°Come in.¡±
She stepped in, but Everett was nowhere to be found. Only a woman holding a wine ss was present.
The woman was beautiful and radiated unbreakable confidence from the inside out. She was wearing a
high-end pale purple dress that entuated her graceful figure. She carried an air of elegance simr
to Everett¡¯s.
What really took Dorothy aback was her face. It bore a striking resemnce to her own.
¡°Who are you?¡± The woman was also surprised to see her.
¡°I¡¯m Dorothy from the Prosperity Consortium¡¯s investment team. Mr. Lopez asked me toe.¡±
¡°Oh.¡± The woman, Heather, pointed towards the dressing room. ¡°Everett is changing. Please wait a
moment.¡±
Dorothy nodded. In the next second, she heard Everett¡¯s icy voice. ¡°She¡¯s only fit to be a substitute.¡±
Substitute¡
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Chapter 20
Ha! Who else could it be? Obviously, he was talking about her.
Clearly, he was trying to exin the marriage certificate issue to his real love.
Dorothy felt like a clown right now. She was intruding on the perfect couple¡¯s life.
She was puzzled before as to why Everett chose her, but now it all made sense.
No wonder he once said she was the perfect fit. After all, without blood ties, it was really hard to find a
face simr to his sweetheart. She was basically bom to be a ¡°Heather-stand-in.¡±
Dorothy didn¡¯t know whether to despise or be grateful for this coincidence. Without the title of
substitute, her mother wouldn¡¯t have had the money for her surgery.
After seeing Dorothy¡¯s conflicted expression, Heather knew she must not recognize her and probably
misunderstood something.
But she liked this misunderstanding.
After a brief pause, she put down her wine ss, gestured for her to sit down with a gentle look, then
walked to the lounge door, softly saying to the people inside. ¡°I¡¯m back now, and I n to stay for a
while, so we can face this together with you.¡±
¡°That¡¯s best.¡±
Dorothy couldn¡¯t take it anymore. A surge of emotion overwhelmed her, driving her to take two steps
back and lower her voice. ¡°It seems like Mr. Lopez is upied. I¡¯lle backter.¡±
Without waiting for a reply, she just left.
Heather watched the closing door as she lifted her red lips slightly. Her tone returned to normal.
¡°Everett, you can rest assured and fire that legal department substitute. With me here, no one can
nder the Lopez Corporation.¡±
The lounge door finally opened, and Everett came out with a solemn face while buttoning up his shirt
with his slender fingers.
¡°Thanks for your hard work.¡±
Heather wanted to lend a hand but was consciously avoided by Everett,
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He was always like this, never giving her any opportunity to get close.
Her fingertips stiffened briefly, but Heather covered it up with a smile. ¡°Your obsessive cleanliness is
still so severe. We¡¯re old friends, and you can¡¯t even touch me. What will you do when you get
married?¡±
Everett didn¡¯t answer. He took a look at the office door and then frowned. ¡°Was there¡ someone here
just now?¡±
¡°Nope.¡± Heather replied calmly. ¡°Who was supposed toe?¡±
¡°Hmm, someone you don¡¯t know.¡± He sat back in his chair with his long legs crossed. ¡°Go find Jeffrey
first. Text me when you¡¯ve decided where to meet.¡±
With this clear hint to leave, what else could Heather say?
¡°Alright, I won¡¯t disturb your work then.¡±
After she left, Everett picked up the office phone to call Dorothy again. But he hesitated and then sent a
text from his cell phone.
¡°Come straight to Bay Residence after work.¡±
Bay Residence was the name of his ce..
It took a while for her to reply
¡°I can¡¯t. I have to be with my mom tonight. Also, it¡¯s work hours, so do you need anything, Mr. Lopez?¡±
She really did throw his words back at him.
Everett couldn¡¯t help butugh.
Dorothy had always been like this since middle school. Despite seeming like she could endure and was
easy to get along with, she was actually sensitive, sharp, and had low self-esteem, always ready with
her ws to fend off anyone who tried to get close.
He knew that behind her tough exterior were countless grievances and heartaches that led to this.
¡°Yeah, about the SinoSess Enterprises project.¡±
¡°I¡¯ll work two hours overtime, so I should be there around eight.¡±
In the office, Dorothy looked at the text message on her phone again, somewhat puzzled.
Everett¡¯s real love was back, so why did he want her to go to Bay Residence? Surely he didn¡¯t want her
to watch them.
Could it be that he wanted to talk about terminating the contract?
After thinking about this, Dorothy started to feel agitated.
It wasn¡¯t that she couldn¡¯t let go of Everett, but mainly because her mother¡¯s surgery was imminent.
Without Everett¡¯s insistence, she was afraid the doctors wouldn¡¯t be as conscientious.
But the rightful person was back. She couldn¡¯t keep upying someone else¡¯s nest.
Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Chapter 21
With butterflies in her stomach, Dorothy hailed a cab right after work and headed straight to Bay
Residence.
She was halfway through punching in the door code when she suddenly thought better of it. What if she
walked in on something awkward? So, she quickly rang the doorbell instead.
In no time, the door was opened.
Everett had already changed out of his daytime suit. His usually immacte hair was slightly
disheveled. Dressed in white lounge wear, his tall figure no longer carried the aura of a business elite.
Instead, he gave off azy, boyish vibe.
He looked like he had just finished ying basketball at the gym, like a student who was a little tired
and ready to head back to his
dorm for a rest.
Fearing he might be in thepany of his ¡°true love,¡± Dorothy didn¡¯t go in. She stood where she was,
all business. ¡°Mr. Lopez, about the SinoSess Enterprises project you mentioned¡¡±
¡°Dorothy.¡±
He cut her off, calling her by her first name with his brows furrowed in a frown. ¡°I¡¯m off work now
Dorothy was taken aback, not understanding what he meant. Wasn¡¯t it him who texted her toe
over?
¡°So, should I leave?¡±
Before she could finish her sentence, Everett had already pulled her into the house. His towering figure
pressed Dorothy against the wall and started kissing her.
¡°Mr. Lopez!¡±
What the heck was going on?
She could even feel a certain part of Everett stirring.
Wasn¡¯t she here to discuss the termination of their contract?
In a blink of an eye, she had been relocated from the foyer to the bed.
¡°Everett, you, uh¡¡..¡±
Dorothy was cut off again. In her ear, his voice sounded strained. ¡°Dorothy. I¡¯ll try to be gentle.¡±
She didn¡¯t know when she fell asleep. She only remembered his countless kisses and his reassurances
of trying to be gentle, but he ended up being much rougher than the previous times.
When she woke up, it was already morning.
Dorothy instinctively reached out to the side. As expected, Everett didn¡¯t have a habit of sleeping in.
Feeling somewhat regretful, she took a shower, got dressed, and walked out. A ready-made breakfast
was on the dining table, along with his bold handwriting.
¡°The list ofpanies taking on third-party loans has been sent to your email. Add me back on
WhatsApp when you wake up. It¡¯s
inconvenient¡±
The signature was his usual one-word signature.
Dorothy really didn¡¯t get what Everett meant. It seemed like he didn¡¯t n on terminating the contract.
Wasn¡¯t he afraid of his ¡°true love¡± finding out about her existence?
This question troubled her until the morning meeting ended at thepany.
Karen came to Dorothy¡¯s office to get some documents photocopied.
¡°Karen, can I ask you a question?¡±
¡°Shoot¡±
¡°I have a friend who¡ got into a contract marriage with a guy for money. But the guy has someone he
deeply loves, who went back to her home country recently. But the guy doesn¡¯t seem to want to divorce
my friend. Why do you think that is?¡±
Karen thought for a moment, trying hard to analyze. ¡°I guess maybe his true love already has a
boyfriend. Or something else, anyway, they can¡¯t be together for some reason. But guys, you know,
they have needs. If he divorces your friend and his true love is out of reach, then he¡¯d be left high and
dry.¡±
Dorothy was taken aback. This reasoning, although crude, seemed to make sense.
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After thinking of Everett¡¯s relentless demands in bedst night, she realized that it might be as Karen
described.
¡°So do you think ¡®my friend¡¯ should take the initiative to bring up divorce?¡±
¡°That depends on whether your friend has feelings for him. If there¡¯s no emotional attachment, then
both are getting what they need. They¡¯re physicallypatible, and there¡¯s money to be made. So why
divorce?¡± Suddenly, Karen raised her eyebrows suspiciously.
¡°Wait a minute, this ¡®friend¡¯ you¡¯re talking about isn¡¯t you, is it?¡±
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Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Dorothy immediately denied it. ¡°No way!¡±
¡°Did your friend tell you whether this guy is any good in bed or not? If he¡¯s all bark and no bite, forget
about it.¡±
Dorothy instinctively replied, ¡°Not really.¡±
¡°Did your friend discuss this with you?¡± Karen¡¯s eyes widened; she loved these spicy topics. ¡°Who¡¯s the
friend? Don¡¯t beat around the bush.¡±
¡°Ah¡you don¡¯t know her. She¡¯s an old schoolmate of mine.¡± Dorothy, afraid of letting something slip,
quickly changed the topic. ¡°By the way, I¡¯ve arranged a meeting with the person in charge of the
SinoSess Enterprises project today. Are you free?¡±
Karen hesitated, looking a bit troubled. ¡°I can¡¯t today. The head office has transferred the
supplementary funds for Harmony Ventures. I have to go there.¡±
¡°That¡¯s okay. I¡¯ll go alone.¡±
Dorothy tidied up a bit, printed out the list of third-partypanies that Everett had emailed her,
compiled them into a folder, and then checked the time before heading out to the arranged meeting
ce.
The person in charge of SinoSess Enterprises was a middle-aged man. Although he was a bit old,
he looked well-maintained and dressed stylishly. Plus, he spoke with a bit of an ent.
¡°We can¡¯t shoulder all the risk for the third-party loans on behalf of the Prosperity Consortium, can we?¡±
His tone was tough from the
get-go.
Of course, he was well aware that their group needed this project.
Although the risk was high, the profit return was quite tempting.
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¡°Mr. Robert, reaching the amount stated in your investment guarantee letter is the contractual
responsibility of SinoSess Enterprises, isn¡¯t it?¡± Dorothy handed over the photocopy of the
guarantee letter with a smile. She carefully chose her words. ¡°We at the Prosperity Consortium have
certainly shown the greatest sincerity. We believe that SinoSess Enterprises would also want this
project to be sessful, which is why Mr. Percy hase up with this solution.¡±
¡°Hmph.¡± Mr. Robert didn¡¯t give her any dignity. He looked Dorothy up and down and then said, ¡°Since
the final contract hasn¡¯t been signed, you guys at the Prosperity Consortium are making fun of our
guarantee amount. Perhaps I should just forget it. The Lopez Corporation is indeed very big, but
SinoSess Enterprises doesn¡¯t need to climb up this high tree.¡±
As he said this, he got up to leave.
Dorothy quickly stood up. ¡°Mr. Robert, please wait!
He did stop, but intentionally took a few steps forward,ering Dorothy in the corner of the restaurant
booth.
¡°Hmm? Anything else?¡±
Dorothy frowned at his proximity; her rm bells were ringing. She lowered her head and tried to find a
gap to dodge him.
But Mr. Robert caught her wrist, his smile turning sleazy. ¡°You told me not to leave, and now you¡¯re
avoiding me? What¡¯s the deal?¡±
¡°Let go!¡± She tried to pull away but couldn¡¯t match his strength.
¡°Still ying innocent? Fine, this ce isn¡¯t great for business talks. Let¡¯s go somewhere else.¡±
As he said this, he tried to forcibly pull her away.
In a panic, Dorothy didn¡¯t think twice and kicked him hard in the groin.
Mr. Robert immediately grimaced in pain and then pped her hard across the face.
¡°You bitch! I¡¯ll kill you!¡±
This p was full of force. Caught off guard, Dorothy crashed into the wall, her vision starting to blur.
But she knew she wasn¡¯t safe, so she tried to make her way out of the booth based on memory.
Suddenly, she felt strong hands wrapping around her from the front.
Instinctively, Dorothy tried to struggle, until Everett¡¯s cool yet gentle voice came from beside her, like a
soothing illusion in the midst of
chaos.
¡°Don¡¯t be scared; don¡¯t be scared. It¡¯s me; I¡¯m here.¡±
Dorothy¡¯s stubborn consciousness suddenly copsed.
Chapter 23
Chapter 23
Chapter 23
Her body instinctively chose to trust Everett, and she fainted in his arms.
She didn¡¯t see the man¡¯s sharp face, but it was as tense as a bowstring. His usually stoic eyes now
also held ayer of ice.
¡°Everett¡¡± Mr. Robert was dumbstruck and trembling all over. He hadn¡¯t expected to meet such a big
shot today.
¡°You¡¯d better pray nothing happened to her.¡± Everett¡¯s voice was t, but it was chilling to hear.
After seeing him carry the woman away, Mr. Robert was so scared that he slumped onto the chair,
unable to stand.
Dorothy felt like she had had a long dream.
The scenes started with her mother¡¯s suicide, where there was blood everywhere, then school
ssrooms, then Mr. Percy¡¯s angry face. They were shing past like a slide show.
Suddenly, a wave of great pain woke her up.
She opened her eyes slowly. The white ceiling of the hospital made her feel ufortable, so she
instinctively wanted to raise her hand to block it.
But when she moved her hand, she noticed someone was holding it.
Dorothy turned her head and saw Everett, wearing a wrinkled shirt, sleeping with one hand on the bed
and the other tightly holding hers. The lights in the ward were on, so it must have been the middle of
the night. Had he been at the hospital with her the whole time? Otherwise, with his cleanliness, he
would definitely have changed his clothes.
After looking at his worried face, Dorothy could clearly feel something was changing inside her.
So, this was what it felt like to have someone with you when you were vulnerable.
She had forgotten how long it had been since she had someone by her side when she was sick.
Since her mother¡¯s suicide attempt and her hospitalization, Dorothy had been working tirelessly to
make money for over ten years. She had gritted her teeth through minor illnesses, and when she had
to go to the hospital, she was always alone.
Even though she had Karen, her best friend, she tried not to bother her as much as possible because
she felt that favors needed to be returned and she had nothing to offer.
Perhaps sensing her movement, Everett also woke up from his nap. Without speaking, he instinctively
raised his hand to touch her forehead.
Once he confirmed her temperature was normal, his tense face rxed a bit.
¡°Still hurt?¡±
Dorothy shook her head. ¡°Thank you for your concern, Mr. Lopez. I¡¯m sorry for the trouble.¡±
As soon as she said this, Everett¡¯s rxed eyebrows furrowed again.
He hated it when Dorothy addressed him so formally.
¡°The person in charge of SinoSess Enterprises has been handed over to the police.¡±
¡°Oh, that¡¯s good.¡± Her respectful yet distant gaze was irritating.
¡°How many years have you been working at the Prosperity Consortium?¡± Everett suddenly raised his
voice. He was both stern and unhappy.
Dorothy, if not for her weak body, would have stood up to answer him.
¡°A year and a half.¡±
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¡°Didn¡¯t anyone tell you the rule at the Lopez Corporation that female staff are not allowed to meet with
business partners alone?¡±
His reprimand was loud and clear, but it made Dorothy feel cherished.
¡°There won¡¯t be a next time.¡±
¡°Never again.¡±
Dorothy stared at his serious and old-fashioned expression and couldn¡¯t help butugh. Becausest
time, he also scolded Mr. Percy in
the same way.
¡°Stillughing?¡±
¡°Not at you! Not at you!¡± She quickly propped herself up, then looked at her phone. It was already four
o¡¯clock in the morning. ¡°Mr. Lopez, it¡¯s veryte. Why don¡¯t you go home and rest? I can¡
¡°Stop being stubborn.¡± He cut her off, gathered all theb reports and bills from the table, and then said
gently, ¡°Let¡¯s go home together.¡±
Chapter 24
Chapter 24
Chapter 24
Dorothy knew she should remind Everett that Bay Residence was his own home, and hering along
didn¡¯t mean she was moving in.
But when she opened her mouth, no sound came out.
Just once, she wanted to indulge herself and savor a moment of tenderness that belonged to another
woman..
¡°Okay, let¡¯s go home.¡±
Perhaps because he was so tired the day before, for once, Everett didn¡¯t wake up at six.
When Dorothy opened her eyes, the man beside her was still asleep.
His hand was lightly draped over her waist, and his body was slightly tilted.
The asional movement of the curtain allowed sunlight to spill onto his deep-set features, a sight so
beautiful that she couldn¡¯t take her eyes off.
If only she was the one he cared about¡.
That would be wonderful.
This thought suddenly sprouted out of nowhere. It startled Dorothy, so she quickly got out of bed.
She didn¡¯t know how she could have such thoughts.
Indeed, once people tasted sweetness, they would be greedy.
After washing her face with cold water, Dorothy discarded these thoughts and went to the kitchen to
make breakfast for Everett.
In both emotion and reason, she should thank him.
Just as the porridge started to boil, Everett woke up.
Still in his ck silk robe, his messy hair made him less intimidating and more approachable.
She rxed a bit and smiled at him. ¡°Breakfast will be ready soon. How would you like your eggs?¡±
¡°Medium.¡± Everett didn¡¯t sit down like a boss. Instead, he helped her bring the toast out of the toaster.
When a sudden burst of steam scalded Dorothy, she let out a hiss and quickly held it back.
She didn¡¯t want to give Everett the impression that she couldn¡¯t do even a small thing like this right.
When the porridge was ready, Dorothy brought out two bowls, only to find that Everett was gone.
¡°Mr. Lopez?¡±
¡°Don¡¯t you think that¡¯s too formal for home?¡± Everett appeared from somewhere, with a first-aid box in
his hand.
Dorothy was taken aback, and then she smiled. ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±
In truth, she didn¡¯t know what else to call him besides Mr. Lopez.
¡°You can call me Everett at home.¡± He strode over to Dorothy. ¡°Show me your hand.¡±
After he examined her hand, Dorothy realized that the spot she scalded earlier had already blistered.
¡°It might sting a little when I apply the ointment. Bear with it.¡±
Dorothy quickly shook her head, trying to pull her hand back. ¡°It¡¯s okay! It¡¯s just a minor burn.¡±
Back when she was working at a barbecue restaurant, she got burns like this all the time. She never
cared, even when they were worse.
¡°Dorothy, can you behave?¡±
After saying this, he began treating her wound.
But Dorothy seemed to hear a hint of indulgence and helplessness in his voice.
No, no! She must have heard it wrong! Or maybe Everett was treating her as a substitute again. This
gentleness didn¡¯t belong to her.
This was the first time they had breakfast together.
Dorothy seemed a bit absent-minded because her mind was filled with thoughts on how to handle the
SinoSess Enterprises project
Although the person in charge had been taken to the police station, and she was the victim, this also
made the cooperation between the twopanies more difficult. SinoSess Enterprises would
certainly give her a hard time in the future.
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After finishing his meal, Everett wiped his lips elegantly while she was still frowning over the matter.
There was more than half of the porridge left in her bowl.
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¡°So, you really want to take on the SinoSess Enterprises project?¡±
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Chapter 25
Chapter 25
¡°Yes.¡± Dorothy didn¡¯t hide her eagerness. ¡°Our team 3 suffered a blow with the Harmony Ventures
incident this year. It hit our year-end bonuses hard, but I see it as an opportunity, and I want to grab it.¡±
If she could secure the SinoSess Enterprises project at this time, rescuing her team from disaster,
Mr. Percy would certainly be happier and appreciate her more than ever.
Everett looked at her, his lips twitching slightly after a while. ¡°Headquarters is nning to pull a few
people from the Prosperity Consortium for financial training.¡±
¡°Can I go?¡± Dorothy almost immediately asked.
¡°Hmm, if you behave, I¡¯ll consider it.¡±
¡°Mr. Lopez, I will definitely listen to whatever you say!¡±
Was this even a question? Even without this issue, she, as an assistant, had to listen to the boss.
¡°I remember telling you not to call me Mr. Lopez at home.¡±
She froze.
He raised his eyebrows.
After a long time, Dorothy very awkwardly squeezed her leg, whispering, ¡°Everett¡
Everett seemed pleased. His eyes looked rxed as he stood up. ¡°Go get ready: I¡¯ll have my secretary
inform Mr. Percy. After the training, you¡¯ll know how to handle the SinoSess Enterprises issue.¡±
With that, he walked back to the master bedroom to change for work.
Dorothy watched his tall figure, contemting what was going on.
Just calling him ¡°Everett¡± made him this happy?
The issue with the person in charge at SinoSess Enterprises didn¡¯t blow up, so no one in the
company knew.
This gave Dorothy a sigh of relief.
She didn¡¯t want to recall this experience, nor did she want to repeat it to anyone, then have to force a
smile to ept their possibly well-intentionedfort.
After the morning meeting, Karen rushed to her office. ¡°How did it go? Did the talk with SinoSess
Enterprises go smoothly?¡± ¡°The person in charge had some issues, so it¡¯s on hold for now.¡±
¡°You¡¯ve been so unluckytely.¡± Karen patted her shoulder. ¡°How about we go to a nearby church this
weekend?¡±
Dorothy thought for a moment, then nodded. ¡°Okay.¡±
Although she didn¡¯t believe in God, her mother¡¯s surgery was approaching, and she thought praying
wouldn¡¯t hurt. It could at least provide some psychologicalfort.
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While they were talking, Mr. Percy walked in with a weird expression. ¡°Dorothy, when did you sign up
for the training at headquarters?! saw it was posted on the website at seven something in the morning,
and I received your eptance news at eight-thirty.¡±
¡°I saw it while having breakfast and just applied.¡± Dorothy didn¡¯t expect Everett to move this fast.
Couldn¡¯t he wait a day or two to ept her? Wasn¡¯t this suspicious?
¡°I don¡¯t know what the selection process at headquarters is, but since they chose you, get ready to go.¡±
Mr. Percy didn¡¯t want to say another word to Dorothy. He left as soon as he finished his sentence.
Karen made a face at his retreating figure, then shook her head smugly. ¡°Look, we haven¡¯t even prayed
yet, and the God has already shown his power.¡±
Dorothy suddenly wanted tough.
This wasn¡¯t the God showing his power; it was Everett showing his power.
At the same time, in the CEO office.
Everett, who had just finished a meeting, sat in his chair, rubbing his temples.
There was a pile of data reports in front of him; each one needed his personal review. At this time,
Jeffrey came knocking on his door.
¡°Mr. Lopez, if you want to bring that little assistant over, isn¡¯t it as easy as snapping your fingers? Why
did you need to go to the Lopez Corporation official website and create this financial training scheme?¡±
He nearlyughed his ass off when he saw this post on theputer.
¡°Let me guess, you must still be in the honeymoon phase of this rtionship. You¡¯re still on a high, so
you want to have some adult fun with the little assistant on your huge office desk, huh?¡±
Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Jeffrey used to think Everett was a block of stone. He seemed like he was as hard as nails, resembling
a monk who detached himself from worldly desires. He thought he was uninterested in any kind of
woman, be it a mature beauty, a cute girl, or a model.
But now Jeffrey realized that he was not that stubborn. It just depended on the person.
C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.
Even he had his own ways of picking up women.
He even insisted on tagging along when Dorothy was going to meet a manager. The big shot CEO of
the Lopez Corporation actually insisted on escorting her?! He said if anyone found out, they could just
say that they happened to be discussing work in this cafe.
What a joke!
¡°Do you have anything important to do?¡± Everett never responded to such banter. He was always
focused on work.
Jeffrey huffed a few times and deliberately went over to disturb him. ¡°Yes. I came to ask you why you
suppressed the workce harassment issue with the manager of SinoSess Enterprises. This
scandal could have been used as leverage to make the CEO of SinoSess Enterprises obediently
sign the contract.¡±
Everett¡¯s pen paused in his hand, and he frowned.
¡°Then Dorothy would be drowned in spit.¡±
This was about a girl¡¯s reputation. Although he hadn¡¯t lived at the bottom, with a little thought, he could
foresee that if this matter got out, the employees of the Prosperity Consortium and SinoSess
Enterprises would definitely gossip about it: The so-called truth would be distorted, and the focus would
inevitably fall on Dorothy being harassed.
Could Dorothy rify this issue herself?
Jeffrey obviously hadn¡¯t thought of this before and couldn¡¯t help but secretly admire Everett¡¯s thorough
thinking.
¡°But why didn¡¯t you tell her about this? She won¡¯t know if you silently do all this.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t need her to know.¡±
¡°Then when will she ever fall for you?¡±
Everett curled his lips and ced his hands, which were on his forehead, down onto his desk.
¡°You don¡¯t understand her.¡±
Dealing with Dorothy was akin to boiling a frog in warm water.
If his expression of love was too intense, it wouldn¡¯t move her, it would only make her want to escape.
She had been through a lot in her past and became too defensive. It was not easy to get into her heart.
But anyway, the marriage license was already in his hands.
The night he received her mistaken WhatsApp message and knocked on her door, he had already
decided not to let her go.
In the evening, Dorothy handed over her work to another assistant and left thepany.
Because it waste, she missed thest bus to the hospital.
Gritting her teeth, she raised her hand to hail a taxi, but Everett¡¯s car drove straight to her side and
slowly stopped.
¡°Get in.¡±
The car window was lowered, revealing Everett¡¯s exquisite side profile.
Dorothy quickly waved her hand. ¡°I can¡¯t go with you now. I have to go to the hospital to see my mom
today.¡±
Noticing that she seemed in a hurry to dismiss him, Everett sighed helplessly. ¡°I¡¯ll take you to the
hospital.¡±
Dorothy fell silent.
¡°Are you hesitating because you want the wholepany to notice us?¡±
Hearing this, Dorothy hurriedly opened the car door and got in.
Everett didn¡¯t bring his assistant today; he was driving himself. In such a confined space, Dorothy felt a
bit ufortable with just the two of them alone.
She nced at the flowers and gifts in the back seat and blurted out an awkward topic that made both
of them feel more awkward. ¡°Mr Lopez¡ are you going on a date?¡±
¡°With who?¡±
¡°With your true love, of course.¡± She thought to herself but was afraid to say it.
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¡°Also, didn¡¯t I tell you not to call me Mr. Lopez in private?¡±
Dorothy shrank her neck to hide her emotions. ¡°It¡¯s just to show my respect to you¡±
¡°Call me Everett He reminded her again.
Just as Dorothy was about to speak, she suddenly remembered that his true love, Heather, also called
him Everett
No wonder he insisted on changing the way she spoke to him.
Did Everett love Heather that much?
So much so that even if he knew he was using a substitute, he still treated her gently.
Chapter 27
Chapter 27
Chapter 27
Somehow, Dorothy just couldn¡¯t bear to call him this name, so she pretended not to hear him this time.
They arrived at the hospital. She grabbed her purse, ready to bid Everett goodbye and get out of the
car.
But he suddenly grabbed her wrist.
¡°Wait. I¡¯ll go with you.¡±
Everett was going to meet her mother?
Dorothy quickly waved her hands. ¡°You don¡¯t have to waste your time. My mom is much better now.¡±
Before she finished speaking, Everett was already standing in front of her with flowers and gifts from
the back seat.
¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±
Dorothy was helpless.
With no other choice, Dorothy had to take Everett into the hospital, all the while thinking about how she
was going to exin Everett¡¯s identity to her mother.
Now at the door of the ward, Dorothy hoped her mother was asleep, so the problem would be solved
easily. Unfortunately, as soon as the door opened, her mother was chatting with the nurse quite
spiritedly, in fact.
¡°Dorothy.¡± Be was naturally happy to see her daughter, but when her gaze fell on the tall man behind
her, her eyes became a bit heavy
Knowing her mother¡¯s temper, Dorothy was afraid that if Be gave Everett a hard time, it would cause
a disaster. So she quickly tried to smooth things over. ¡°Mom, this is¡¡±
¡°Is this your boyfriend?¡±
Be interrupted her directly. Her tone was not friendly.
Dorothy instinctively denied it, fearing that her mother would say something shocking.
¡°Of course not! He¡ he is my boss. He heard you were sick and came to visit.¡±
Upon hearing her daughter¡¯s exnation, Be immediately changed her face and said to Everett very
politely, ¡°Please sit down. I¡¯m sorry, I can¡¯t get out of bed. Dorothy, wash some fruit for your boss.¡±
¡°It¡¯s okay. I just came to see you.¡± There was no expression on Everett¡¯s handsome face. He just put
the things in his hand on the table. ¡°Did you schedule the surgery?¡±
¡°Yes, my daughter¡¯s boyfriend even found a specialist for me.¡±
¡°Mom! You should stop chatting about irrelevant things.¡±
¡°Go wash the fruit, Dorothy!¡±
As soon as Dorothy left, Be hurriedly said, ¡°My daughter has suffered a lot with me. She often
causes trouble at work because of me, so please take good care of her.¡±
Everett nodded with a smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Dorothy is doing a great job at work.¡±
Be started to talk more about her daughter.
¡°She¡¯s always been diligent and smart, and she works hard no matter what she does. If it weren¡¯t for
me holding her back, she wouldn¡¯t have ended up at a regr undergraduate school.¡± ¡°She had the
grades to get into Havenbrook High School, but because Lakeview High School offered her 50,000
dors, she chose not to go. If she had gone to Havenbrook High School, now¡¡±
¡°Mom! What are you talking to my boss about?¡± Dorothy saw her mother speaking passionately and
quickly interrupted her. ¡°Mr. Lopez, didn¡¯t you say you had something else to do? If you¡¯re busy, go
ahead. Don¡¯t let us hold you up.¡±
Knowing what she meant, Everett didn¡¯t make it hard for her and agreed.
¡°Then I¡¯ll head out. I¡¯lle to see you another day.¡±
¡°Alright. Dorothy, go see your boss off.¡±
Dorothy finally breathed a sigh of relief and quickly left the ward with Everett.
As soon as they stepped out, she felt a hint of displeasure from the man standing in front of her.
¡°Dorothy, I found the top doctor for your mother, but you gave the credit to your boyfriend?¡±
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Dorothy clearly hadn¡¯t expected Everett to take issue with this.
Chapter 28
Chapter 28
Chapter 28
Sheughed awkwardly. ¡°Mr. Lopez, you don¡¯t know my mom. She¡¯s old-fashioned and can¡¯t ept the
contract between us. I was afraid she¡¯d get mad if she found out, so I didn¡¯t tell her the truth.¡±
¡°So, you n to make up with your boyfriend once the one-year contract is over?¡±
His question was too sharp, and his gaze was too prating, leaving Dorothy at a loss for words.
She wished she hadn¡¯t made up this out-of-the-blue boyfriend. Now she was shooting herself in the
foot.
¡°Um¡ I haven¡¯t thought about that.¡±
She couldn¡¯t say that she definitely wouldn¡¯t get back together with him, fearing that he would suspect
that she was clinging to him.. ¡°You¡¯ve thought about it.¡± Everett said coldly, ¡°Otherwise, why wouldn¡¯t
you tell your mother that you guys have already broken up?¡± Dorothy, who wasn¡¯t good at making up
stories, was now at a loss for words. ¡°Um¡¡¡±
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¡°Think about the contract again.¡± Everett stood at the end of the hospital corridor. His tall figure was
half-immersed in the darkness, and his tone was cold and distant.
¡°Dorothy, I have cleanliness obsession. It¡¯s serious.¡±
Huh?
She had no idea how Everett had ended up talking about his cleanliness obsession. By the time she
wanted to speak, he had already disappeared.
¡°Everett¡¯s train of thought jumps too fast.¡± Dorothy furrowed her brows, finding it difficult to figure her
sugar daddy out. Not only did she have to handle his insatiable stamina in bed, but she also had to
learn to read this man¡¯s mind.
Back in the ward, the doctor was monitoring Be¡¯s heart.
Upon seeing her daughter walk in with a pained expression, she quickly asked, ¡°What happened? Did
your boss criticize you?¡±
¡°No.¡± Dorothy pulled up a chair to sit down and began peeling an apple for her mother.
¡°I didn¡¯t say anything. I just asked him to take care of you a little more. Be thought back and pouted.
¡°He¡¯s tall and handsome, but why is he so petty? I didn¡¯t even say anything, and he got m?d.
Dorothy sighed. ¡°Can you stop guessing? It has nothing to do with him. I¡¯m just upset about work.¡±
¡°Take it slow. If you¡¯re having difficulties, don¡¯t push yourself. Go home early today, get a good night¡¯s
sleep, and everything might be solved tomorrow.¡±
¡°Okay.¡± She handed the apple to her mother and nced at the time. ¡°I really have to go early today.¡±
Although she was going to be trained at the headquarters, she couldn¡¯t ignore her duties at the
Prosperity Consortium. Everything needed to be in order.
After chatting with her mother for a while, Dorothy left the hospital when it waspletely dark.
Since she didn¡¯t have to go to Bay Residence today, she went straight back to her previous residence.
Just as she had taken a shower and changed into her pajamas, her phone on the table rang.
It was Everett¡¯s number.
Hesitant, Dorothy picked up. ¡°Hello, Mr. Lopez!¡±
¡°Ms. Sanchez, it¡¯s me.¡± It was Everett¡¯s assistant. ¡°Mr. Lopez is drunk. We¡¯re at the Crimson
International Club; can youe pick him up?¡±
¡°What? Just send him back to Bay Residence.¡± She didn¡¯t have a car or the strength to support him, so
how could she pick him up?
¡°No can do! I¡ I¡ I¡¯ve been drinking too!¡±
Dorothy frowned. She wanted to suggest the assistant call Everett¡¯s true love, but she swallowed her
words.
She wasn¡¯t sure what kind of misunderstandings or grudges they had between them. If he hadn¡¯t called
her, it must have been
inconvenient.
¡°Alright, wait for me. I¡¯ll be there in half an hour.¡±
Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Chapter 29
To save time, Dorothy just tossed some clothes over her pajamas and bounced.
She figured she¡¯d drop Everett off at Bay Residence and then head back.
She took a cab to Crimson International Club, and the minute she hopped out, she spotted Everett¡¯s
ck Maybach.
¡°Ms. Sanchez, here are the car keys.¡± The assistant rushed over the moment he saw her.
Dorothy didn¡¯t smell any booze on him, but as soon as she got in the car, she smelled the dude in the
passenger seat. He smelled like a damn distillery.
*Please take Mr. Lopez home. Be careful on the road.¡± The assistant stood by the roadside, waving.
She was baffled. ¡°Aren¡¯t youing? Then who would help Everett in when we got there?¡±
¡°I¡¯ve got something else to handle.
Dorothy was speechless and resigned herself to the driver¡¯s seat.
She snuck a peek at Everett next to her. His suit and shirt were still immacte. His handsome face
was tense, and his lips were tightly pressed. He looked like he was screaming keep out.¡±
Well, at least he had his eyes closed, so she figured he was asleep.
When they got to Bay Residence, Dorothy gently called out to him after opening the passenger door.
¡°Mr. Lopez?¡±
No response.
She had no choice but to start moving the nearly 6-foot-tall man. She used all the strength she had.
Finally, she managed to get Everett onto the bed. Dorothy breathed a sigh of relief. Just as she was
about to leave, a pair of hands found her waist.
With a slight pull, she tumbled onto the bed with him.
¡°Mr. Lopez!¡± Dorothy shrieked after she found herself pinned under him. His hands weren¡¯t behaving¡
¡°Mr. Lopez, you¡¯re drunk! Let me¡ Let me get you some water.¡±
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She tried to get up, but his strong arm wasn¡¯t budging.
¡°Made up your mind yet?¡± His voice was a lot huskier than usual.
¡°I don¡¯t understand what you are implying.¡± She was serious. ¡°If you regret our marriage, we can get a
divorce, but my mother¡¯s medical expenses for now¡¡±
¡°Dorothy¡± He frowned at her. ¡°You heartless wench.¡±
There was a hint of resentment in his voice.
Everett was definitely stered.
¡°I know you saved my mother, and I should pay you back immediately regarding the contract
termination, but I really don¡¯t have the money right now.¡± She was truly desperate. For now, all she
could do was make promises.
After a long while, he sighed.
¡°I won¡¯t let you terminate the contract.¡± Everett rolled off her andy next to her. ¡°Turn off the lights and
go to sleep.¡±
¡°But Mr. Lopez¡¡±
¡°If you don¡¯t want to sleep, you can stay awake till tomorrow.¡±
Stay awake till tomorrow?
Dorothy remembered the night they registered their marriage and how he had drained her till she had
to lean on the wall the next day, so she quickly shut up.
She survived the night, but in the morning, she was awakened by a kiss.
After seeing Everett¡¯s magnified handsome face, Dorothy instinctively wanted to dodge, only to find her
clothes missing.
¡°Mr. Lopez!¡±
He ignored her and continued with his business.
It wasn¡¯t until she was out of breath from calling out his name that Everett let her go and get up to
shower.
While listening to the sound of water in the bathroom, Dorothy felt like she was the one who got drunk
last night How did she end up at
¡±
Bay Residence again?
¡°I had someone bring your clothes.¡± Everett walked out in a bathrobe and nced at the woman on the
bed. ¡°Take the day off, cance your rental contract, pack your stuff, and bring it here.¡±
Chapter 30
Chapter 30
Chapter 30
Dorothy propped herself up, asking, ¡°I¡¯m moving in here?¡±
¡°Got a problem?¡±
Hell yeah, she had a problem.
Moving in would mean they were practically living together, right? Then every time she got off work,
they¡¯d be in each other¡¯s faces.
Facing this moody iceberg all day long would probably take ten years off her life.!
And what about his true love? She would find out sooner orter, right?
If they got back together after she had given up her apartment, what was she supposed to do then?
Stick around and watch them be all lovey-dovey?
¡°Mr. Lopez, I think it¡¯s better if I don¡¯t live here. It¡¯s not convenient. Don¡¯t worry, during the contract
period, I¡¯ll be right here any time you
need me.¡±
¡°Dorothy, are you really ying the role of the victim here?¡± Everett frowned. His tone gave her no
room for refusal; hismand was sinct and clear. ¡°I said move in.¡±
¡°Okay, Mr. Lopez.¡±
How spineless was she?
After breakfast, Everett left.
Dorothy had no choice but to follow orders and pack up her stuff at the rental. At around lunchtime,
Karen called.
¡°Why aren¡¯t you at work today? Mr. Percy said you got permission from the head office. Way to go,
Dorothy; it looks like you¡¯re moving up in the world. You¡¯re getting transferred to the Lopez
Corporation¡¯s head office.¡±
¡°I¡¯m supposed to be doing some training, so I need to prepare in advance.¡±
¡°You sound so listless, like you spent the night with a man. Karen¡¯s usations were not for the faint-
hearted.
Dorothy was taken aback. She couldn¡¯t help but cough as she yelled, ¡°Stop it!¡±
Karen, on the other end, burst intoughter, but she didn¡¯t suspect anything. ¡°By the way, do you
remember that woman I told you about? The one Mr. Lopez is smitten with. The chiefwyer, Heather¡±
¡°Uh¡¡±
¡°She¡¯s back! Someone just saw her walking into thepany with Mr. Lopez They looked pretty cozy.
Everyone in the office is talking
about it.¡±
Karen¡¯s voice was so animated. It was like she was painting a picture. ¡°Anyway, the key point is that I
took a closer look at Heather¡¯s photo. I noticed you look a bit like her.¡±
Dorothy really didn¡¯t want to hear that.
She couldn¡¯t identify the exact reason; she just didn¡¯t want to hear it.
¡°Don¡¯t tter me; she¡¯s a rich girl.¡±
¡°But you¡¯re very pretty too! Remember Mr. Steven from the marketing department? His eyes nearly
popped out of his head when he saw you. If you just say yes, he¡¯d be over the moon.¡±
¡°Alright Karen. I¡¯ve got some stuff to do, so I¡¯ll talk to youter.
Dorothy quickly ended the call, sat on the couch, and, for some unknown reason, opened the employee
group chat of the Lopez Corporation.
This was the first time she¡¯d looked at the content since Karen added her in this group.
Soon, a photo of Everett and Heather entering thepany together appeared on the screen.
Everett still had the same cold and serious expression, but Heather, next to him, was all smiles as she
looked up at him and talked with eyes full of admiration.
The group chat was abuzz with chatter. They were all praising them for being a perfect match.
As Dorothy was scrolling, she suddenly cleared the entire chat.
Before she could put down her phone, a message notification popped up.
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¡°Add me back on WhatsApp¡±
Everett?
She paused, then added him on WhatsApp.
At the same time, his ount also sent a message in the Lopez Corporation employee group.
¡°Who is the admin? Disband this group immediately.¡±
This was definitely sent by Everett himself. Not a word was superfluous.
Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Looked like he had caught wind of the rumors too.
Dorothy waited a bit, but no message came from him.
She didn¡¯t have many belongings in this rental ce. She just had personal clothes and financial
industry books. After packing everything up, she called thendlord to discuss the remaining rent
relund.
After all the back and forth, he only agreed to refund her a hundred bucks, with the condition that she
move out today. She had no choice; after all, she was the one who broke the contract.
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After lugging two suitcases into the taxi, Dorothy finally had a moment to check her phone and found a
message from Everett.
¡°Ill be home by 6p.m¡±
Everett wasing back today?
Boy, she was really worn out.
When she got to Bay Residence, she didn¡¯t dare touch any of Everett¡¯s stuff. She just put her suitcases
in an inconspicuouser. After settling in, she took herptop to the dining table to work.
Just as she logged into the Prosperity Consortium¡¯s internal software, Karen sent over a screenshot.
¡°It¡¯s official Mr. Lopez is definitely married!¡±
After seeing the words ¡°Mr. Lopez is married, Dorothy jumped in surprise, thinking Karen knew
something. But when she opened the picture, she found it was a screenshot from Heathers Twitter.
It read, ¡°Everett and I value our private lives, so we hope people will stop sneaking pictures. If I were
having a wedding, wouldn¡¯t I let you all know?¡±
At the end, she added a smiley face.
She was very clever.
She neither confirmed nor denied the rumors.
With Karen¡¯s knack for gossip, it really sounded like they could have got the marriage license in secret.
They just didn¡¯t hold a
ceremony.
But her marriage license with Everett hadn¡¯t turned into a divorce license yet.
¡°Why are you not responding after reading? if Mr. Lopez is getting married, could he be happy
enough to give us all raises?!¡±
Just as Dorothy was about to reply, the male lead of the event walked in
She looked up at the entrance and saw this newly ¡°announced¡± groom, unsure of what to say.
It was not like she could directly ask him for the gossip.
¡°Had dinner?¡± Everett took off his suit jacket and walked over with his briefcase
Dorothy shook her head. ¡°No, but I¡¯m not hungry. Whatever you want to eat, Mr. Lopez, I can make for
you.¡±
Although her cooking wouldn¡¯t match up to a five¨Cstar hotels, she had learned quite a bit from various
part¨Ctime jobs over the years.
She had to show off her skills to Everett at this crucial time, so he wouldn¡¯t think she was only good in
bed. It was a good chance to earn some brownie points.
Apparently not expecting her to say that, Everett paused before nodding. ¡°Whatever.¡±
¡°How about pork chop and pasta?¡± Dorothy quickly shut off herptop and headed to the kitchen.
¡°There are no pork chop in the fridge. so I¡¯ll go buy some
Just as she was about to rush out, Everett caught her wrist with a stride.
¡°Ill change my clothes, then we¡¯ll go together¡±
Chapter 32
Chapter 32
Chapter 32
When Everct; emerged from his room again, he¡¯d changed into a casual white cutfit. The change took
years off him, and he now looked like a college kid, ready to hit the court with his basketball.
Dorothy was still trying to figure out how to ditch him. To be seen in public with Exerell was too
conspicuous. What if they were snapped by paparazzi
¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±
¡°Mr. Lopez, do you think there might be media arcund or people from ourpany? Don¡¯t you think it
might not look so good if they see us?¡± She hinted delicatel
However, Everett didn¡¯t seem to care. What¡¯s the big deal?
Dorothy fell silent
Well if he said so, all Dorothy could do was go with it
The supermarket wasn¡¯t crowded and had good security. Everyone was busy shopping, and hardly
anyone was rubbernecking.
Even so, Dority deliberately kept some distance from Everett and headed straight to the pork chop
section, urging the butcher to hurry up with the weighing.
Finally, with the pork chops in hand, she turned around, ready to tell Everett they could leave, only to
find a new face by his side. Heather
This was the second time she¡¯d seen her.
Even off work, Heather was dressed in a Chanel cardigan over a couture dress, looking graceful and
charming as the chatted with Everett
The two of them did look like quite a pair
Dorothy nced at herself. She was holding a bag of pork chops and dressed in a white see and jeans,
feeling utterly shabby inpanson,
Suddenly she noticed Everett¡¯s gaze sweeping acund. He was probably looking for her.
Instinctively she quickly ducked behind a nearby shelf
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Why was she hiding?
just didn¡¯t want Heather to see her
But as if the universe were ying a joke on her, the moment she looked up, Heather was right in front
of her.
¡°I remember you You¡¯re Dorothy, right?¡±
¡°Uh, yeah She managed to force a smile on her face, trying to hide her difort.
Heather pointed behind her and smiled. ¡°Everett was looking for you just now. He¡¯s ever by the
household goods now Better go catch up with him¡±
Busted. Dorothy could only nod and mumble an okay
Just as she was about to leave, Heather suddenly called her back. ¡°Please take care of him for me, will
you? I know about your arrangement with him, and I know he¡¯s doing this to get at me. But I can¡¯t help
it in a low more years, hell understand why I did what I did.¡± Heather stepped closer, eamestly grasping
he hand Please, for now, love him for me.¡±
Dorothy had no idea what was going on between Heather and Everett, but it sounded lise Heather had
her reasons.
And from what Heather was saying, she seemed sure that Dorothy¡¯s rtionship with Everett wouldn¡¯t
last
¡°Ms. Heather about me and Mr. Lopez, it¡¯s a contract between us. I¡¯m just fulfilling my obligation. The
contract doesn¡¯t include loving him for you
Perhaps she didn¡¯t expect the girl whoid been avoiding her to fee back so directly Heather frowned
slightly. ¡°Are you saying you¡¯ve fallen for Everett?¡±
¡°No. Don¡¯t get the wrong idea, Ms. Heather Dorothy replied promptly I am me, and you are you. There¡¯s
no recing anyone¡± ¡°Have you ever looked in the mirror?¡±
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Chapter 33
Chapter 33
¡°What?!¡±
¡°You should know why Everett picked you.¡± Heather instantly regained her noble and haughty
expression. She had a slight smirk on her red lips and began looking at her condescendingly. ¡°I¡¯m just
giving you a friendly reminder. If you don¡¯t want to hear it just pretendi didn¡¯t say anything¡®
Heather¡¯s demeanor was like a wife¡¯s when she wamed her husband¡¯s mistress.
But in reality, the name on Everett¡¯s manage License was Dorothy.
She really wanted to refert, but the words got stuck in her throat out of fear.
Thank goodness she didn¡¯t blurt it out.
That would cause such a big misunderstanding. Why arque with Heather about these things? She
didn¡¯t even like Everell, right?
On the way back, Dorothy was particrly quiet. She was just staring out the car window
She used to be awkward when alone with Everett, but today was different. Today, she wasnt and
distant
¡°Where did you go after shopping just now? Everett¡¯s long hand rested on the steering wheel casually
taking to her while waiting for the traffic light.
¡°Just strolled around.¡±
¡°See anything you liked?¡±
Dorothy shock her head. ¡°No.
Even a tube of toothpaste at that store cost thousands. She didn¡¯t have the courage to like anything
there at all
Everett took a deep breath, took a ck card out of the driver¡¯s side anmrest, and handed it to her.
¡°Take it¡±
1 don¡¯t need this! Mr. Lopez, I¡¯m already very grateful that you could help pay for my mather¡¯s medical
bills.¡±
¡°Dorothy, this for you to keep for emergencies ¡°Everett had quessed early on that she wouldn¡¯t want it,
so he prepared an excuse in advance. ¡®There¡¯s not much money in it, so you can use it to buy
groceries after work. I don¡¯t like eating out. It can also be used in case of an emergency with your
mother when you can¡¯t reach me.¡±
His excuse made it hard for Dorothy to refuse.
Now that she had epted it. Everett knew he couldn¡¯t dwell on this topic anymore sa head office,
youll be working on an EMC project of Social Netanking Service with Kevin¡±
As soon as she heard this, Dorothy perked up. This is a big project.¡±
brought up work. ¡°During your training at the
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¡°Yeah. Social Networking Service is nning a new found of financing to expand its operations and
then it will contact secunties firms for reform and prepare to go public.
Dorothy was a little stunned after being hit by this sudden big opportunity. ¡°But I dont know much about
this.¡±
¡°That¡¯s why youll be doing market research with Kevin. Comparing the performance of Sucial
Networking Service to other listed and non¨Clistedpanies in the industry will be a bit tough¡±
¡°I¡¯m not afraid of hard work?¡± She instantly shock off her inexplicably low mood from earlier and began
to seriously analyze this with Everett. ¡°Actualy, energy conservation is a big piece of the pie. Many
provinces and cities are heavily polluted, and environmental protection is ther top priority. There aren¡¯t
manypanies doing this now, and the market won¡¯t be saturated in the near future.¡±
Everett nodded with a hint of approval in his eyes.
He always knew that Dorothy was smart. He wanted her qualities to shine
If it weren¡¯t for the many pressures of reality limiting her, she would¡¯ve been in the position of
investment director long ago. She might have sowed to even greater heights.
¡°Thank you for giving me this opportunity, Mr. Lopez. Dorothy was genuinely grateful.
This project wasn¡¯t about bonuses. It was about being directly promoted to the core investment team at
the head office. This is what many peers dream of.
¡°You¡¯re calling me Mr. Lopez again.¡±
She was so happy that she let loose. ¡®How about I just call you Evereti in private? Like when we were
in school¡±
Chapter 34
Chapter 34
Chapter 34
Everett nodded, then turned his face to look at her. ¡°Done pretending a stranger?¡±
Dorothy squinted her eyes and smiled. ¡°I¡¯m just afraid you¡¯ll get the wrong idea you know. Mentioning
our old school connection right off the bat might make it look like I¡¯m trying to pull strings¡±
¡°I don¡¯t pull strings for anyone. His tone was calm but farm, carrying an air of authority. ¡°So, I can only
offer you an opportunity, not clean up your mess.¡±
Dorothy had leamed this during her business trip to Fujinon City
If the final amount needed to bail out Harmony Ventures was too high, she was absolutely sure that
Everett would ruthlessly cut off this rotten piece, along with the whole third beam.
¡°By the way, the headquarters of the Social Networking Service is in Havenbrook. The project should
require a trip there early next month. You¡¯lle along.¡±
Dorothy sneakily shed the OK hand sign, unable to hide the wide grin on her face
The next morning, as soon as Dorothy arrived at the Prosperity Consortium, she received an internal
email from Mr. Percy
SinoSess Enterprises had suddenly agreed to the involvement of a third¨Cparty loan and was even
willing to re¨Csign a quarantee letter
based on the actual funds.
¡°Did you go and talk to them again? Mr. Percy hadn¡¯t expected Dorothy to pull this off, so he made a
special trip to her office.
She shook her head. ¡°I guess SinoSess Enterprises finally got their heads on straight.¡±
She couldn¡¯t exactly tell Mr. Percy that it was probably because Everett had some leverage over the
head of SinoSess Enterprises. making them more cooperative.
¡°That was close¡± Although Mr. Percy¡¯s face remained stem, his attitude towards her softened
considerably. ¡°You should leam mare when you go to the head office this time. Don¡¯t embarrass out
team. Make sure you don¡¯t make any more tash promises.¡±
After he left, Karen snuck in and rolled her eyes at his back.
¡°If it weren¡¯t for you spotting the financial issues with SinoSess Enterprises, who knows what would
have happened? This project might have ended up like Harmony Ventures. He¡¯s such a hypocrite! If it¡¯s
a sess, he takes the credit, but if there¡¯s a problem, he mes you¡±
¡°What can you do? He¡¯s the boss Dorothy was very open¨Cminded. ¡°As long as our bonuses are safe,
it¡¯s all good¡±
Karen scoffed. ¡°Enough about him. How¡¯s your mom?¡±
¡°She¡¯s doing well. The hospital agreed to perform the surgery fast: I can pay them back slowly.¡±
¡°That¡¯s great! You don¡¯t have to worry so much¡± She spun her eyes around and pointed at the office
area across with her chin. ¡°So, when are you nning to find a boyfriend?
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The mention of a boyfriend made Dorothy react like she was allergic.
It used to be a taboo word in front of her mother, and now it was also a no¨Cno in front of Everett
*No ns.¡±
¡°How can that be? As your number one gal pat, I have to remind you that if all the good men get
picked, the leftovers won¡¯t be any good.¡± Karen pulled a chair over, sat down, and crossed her legs. 1
think Mr. Steven is pretty good. He¡¯s honest and not bad¨Clooking either. He pursued you once, and you
didn¡¯t respond, but he didn¡¯t turn around and pursue someone else. That¡¯s a plus!¡±
Dorothy was focused on herputer screen. After listening to Karen¡¯s chatter for a while, she
responded. ¡°I¡¯m not good enough for
¡°With your goddess¨Clike face, you¡¯re actually off the charts, and you¡¯re saying you¡¯re not good enough
for him?¡± Karen was instantly fired up. ¡°Even Mr. Lopez himself, fell for a face simr to yours. What
does that tell you?¡±
Dorothy tensed up
¡°If it weren¡¯t for Heather, maybe Mr. Lopez would have fallen for you!¡±
Chapter 35
Chapter 35
Chapter 35
Everett falling for her?
She wouldn¡¯t dare entertain such a thought unless Mars crashed into Earth
¡°Right now, all I want is to make money. Nothing else.¡±
¡°Ugh!¡± Karen sighed deeply. ¡°If only I had your good looks.¡±
Karen made Dornihy chuckle. As they were chatting, a message popped up on her screen from
someone named Mr.K.
¡°Hello, Ms. Sanchez, Mr. Lopez asked me to get in touch with you. This is my phone number. If it¡¯s
convenient, we could swap contact
Info¡±
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Dorothy quickly responded with her own number as excitement bubbled up inside her.
After seeing her like this, Karen decided not to push her about the boyfriend matter Given Dorothy¡¯s
mother¡¯s situation, it was rare to find a man who could ept it. It wasn¡¯t that they were heartless, it
just felt like a bottomless pit of unknowns. When would she get better? How much would it cost? So on
and so forth.
Maybe it was all just up to fate.
After exchanging contact details with Kevin, Dorothy took the initiative to add him or WhatsApp.
She knew this was all thanks to her connection with Everett Otherwise, how could she have the
opportunity to interact with the secretary
to the president of the Lopez Corporation?
Till guide you through the tial research for the Social Networking Service when you arrive in
Havenbrook. Feel free to ask me any questions.¡± Kevin wroic.
Even though she hadn¡¯t met him in person, his style of conversation sounded familiar. It was very
methodical
Clearly people around Everett were influenced by him.
¡°Great Thank you so much in advance for your help ¡°She replied
The SincSess Enterprises project was just one contract away from being finalized. Dorothy¡¯s main
task was to keep an eye on the legal department until the contract was finished. So, she spent her day
researching information on energy¨Csaving and environmental protection.
Air pollution and smog had be major issues. The government was supportive ofpanies
addressing these problems. The Lopez Corporations involvement in these high profit projects was
impressive.
Dorothy took diligent notes on all the information she found, coted it into a document, and even
printed out a hand copy. She looked at the performance of not only domesticpanies but also
simrpanies abroad and other developed countries.
She was so engrossed in her work that she forgot about lunch. When her phone ung, she finally looked
away from herpute
¡°Hello? Ms Sanchez, your mother has suddenly fainted!¡±
The doctor sounded senous, so Dorothy knew it was serious. She swiftly saved her work and lets the
office, only managing to text Karen to ask for leave on her behall
Upon reaching the hospital, she saw several doctors in her mother¡¯s room conducting vanous checks.
Her heart was pounding so much that she could hear it in her ear as she rushed in. The first thing she
saw was the heart rate monitor. which was thankfully stable.
¡°What happened? Why did my mom faint all of a sudden?¡± Dorothy asked the nurse, her brows
fumowed.
The nurse looser flustered as she tried to recall. I¡I don¡¯t know! This morning, I took her for a walk
around the hospital. At noon, she said she wanted sure pondge, so I went to buy it. When came back,
she was unusually quiet, and then she suddenly fainted¡±
¡°So, she was acting strange when you got back from shopping?¡±
¡°Yes! She didn¡¯t want to talk, and she didn¡¯t respond when I asked if she wanted her pondga heated.
Olt, and I noticed she was clutching something in her hand¡±
Chapter 36
Chapter 36
¡°What the heck?¡±
Chapter 36
¡°I really have no clue. It didn¡¯t look like any sharp object that could hurt her, so I didn¡¯t bother asking
further¡±
Dorothy rushed to the doctor. ¡°Dee, how¡¯s my mom?¡±
¡°There¡¯s nothing serious for now. She must have been upset about something, which led to a heart
attack. Did you guys upset her again?¡± The doctor frowned unhappily, sounding a bit reproachful. Tve
told you before that her emotional state is unstable. Don¡¯t upset her. It could put her in danger at any
moment.¡±
¡°I didn¡¯t even talk to her today¡± Dorothy paused, quickly walked to the bedside and pried open her
mother¡¯s clenched list.
Sure enough, there was a note in her palm.
Dorothy unfolded it and found a note with strange handwriting, which looked pretty sloppy.
¡°Still alive after all these years, huh? How much longer are you going to be a cuckoo in the nest?¡±
Her heart sank as she held the note and called for the nurse. ¡°Did you see who gave her this note?¡±
¡°No! We¡¯ve been careful to walk her around the neighborhood without stopping to chat.¡±
So, someone must have sneaked in and left the note while the nurse was out getting porridge.
Dorothy clenched her fists and headed straight for the hospital¡¯s surveince room.
¡°Hey, I need to check the surveince at the entrance of V1 ward.¡±
As the VIP ward patients were either rich or powerful, the surveince room staff didn¡¯t dare ck off
and immediately started looking up the footage.
dressed as a hospital cleaner entered her mother¡¯s mom.
Finally, the footage showed that ten minutes after the nurse left, someone dresser
¡°Do you know who this is?
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*I need to check. I¡¯ll let you know once I find out
¡°Alright, thanks¡±
Dorothy took a picture of the person¡¯s face before returning to her mother¡¯s room.
Be had woken up, but she was still pale
¡°Did you take that note? After seeing her daughter, she was the first to speak.
Dorothy was a bit angry and walked to her bedside. ¡°Mom, are you seriously still upset about this kind
of stuff? Upset enough to faint?¡±
She couldn¡¯t think about it. What if one of these times she didn¡¯t wake up?
¡°It must be that woman! I recognize her handwnting! As soon as Be mentioned this, she started to
gasp heavily
Dorothy hurriedly helped her soothe her chest. I don¡¯t care about that, Mom. I just want you to be safe!
Can we stop being affected by her? Just pretend my dad died a long time ago! All the affairs and
illegitimate daughters have nothing to do with you!¡±
*Dorothy how could I forget those things? I hate them! I hate them!¡±
If it weren¡¯t for them, how could she have fallen so low? Her daughter wouldn¡¯t have had to start
working since middle school, which
affected her studies.
What about his mistress? She was always well protected, asionallying out to provoke her.
Even her illegitimate daughter was sent abroad to study and lead a privileged life
¡°Mom, have you ever thought that they¡¯re doing thes to see you die? Are you going to give them what
they want?¡±
Be sneered ¡®She wishes! Dorothy, as long as in alive, that woman will always be a mistress. I will
never agree to a divorce.¡±
Even if he filed for divorce, it would be useless. Be was besidden for years, and he was the one at
fault, so the court would never grant a divorce
Chapter 37
Chapter 37
Chapter 37
Dorothy knew
well the grudge her mom had been holding onto for years
Did she harbor resentment herself? Hell yeah, she did Her dad had sneakily shifted assets and used
emotional abuse to drive her mom to suicide. Their world came crashing down overnight. She was
young then. She cried and begged her dad not to leave, but he didn¡¯t even spare her a nce.
While other kids were in school studying she had to work for money. She washed dishes and scrubbed
toilets every day. She had no idea what a vacation felt like. While other kids were sleeping, she was
studying. That was the only time she could squeeze in some study time in her cramped mom.
She was pissed too
But more than anything, she wished her mom was alive. At least in this cold, uncaring world, she would
have a rtive by her side.
11 look into this, Mom. If you don¡¯t want to see the mistress sess, don¡¯t let it get to you¡± Dorothy
tucked her mom in, gently patting her hand. ¡°Mom, you¡¯re all I have.¡±
¡°Alright, Dorothy. For you, I want to live too.¡±
After calming her mom down and waiting for her to fall asleep, Dorothy finally took a breather in the
hospital corridor.
She suddenly felt like having a smoke, wondering if it really could help relieve stress.
As Dorothy was about to ask about the investigation results, her phone rang. It was Everett
She checked the time. It was already 7p.m.
¡°Where are you?
¡°At the hospital Dorothy¡¯s voice was hoarse
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There was a pause on the other end. Wait for me.¡±
¡°Hey, there¡¯s no need. EveretF
Before she could finish, he hung up.
Dorothy didn¡¯t want to keep being a nuisance to Everett. He had already given her so much support in
her career. supposed to repay him for all this?
was
How was she
Everett arrived quickly. Just as as informed that the cleaner was not a hospital employee but someone
who had stolen a uniform, he was already standing behind her
The moment she saw him, she felt a sudden burst of confidence
After briefly understanding the situation, Everett immediately called the hospital director, demanding a
thorough investigation. Upon seeing Everett, the director was all nods and bows, promising that such
managerial oversights would never happen again. Since this involved patient safety, the hospital
reported it to the police immediately.
Dorothy was about to follow when Everett stopped her.
¡°Lat first.¡±
Im not hungry¡± She was womed that the mother¨Cdaughter duo woulde to harass her mom again. If
this n failed, there would surely be another one.
¡°You have a stomach problem.¡± Everett frowned. He was adamant. ¡°If you
Dorothy was taken aback. ¡°How did you know?¡±
what¡¯s going to happen to your mom?¡±
¡°I saw stomach medicine in your luggage.¡± He paused. ¡°How did your ex-boyfriend take care of you?¡±
Dorothy fell silent.
Eventually, Everett bought her a bowl of porridge nearby and stayed with her throughout the police
investigation.
She heard Everett¡¯s phone ring over and over again. She guessed there must be an emergency on his
end. He stepped out several times, but each time she thought he was going to leave, he returned.
1 can handle this on my own¡±
¡°Dorothy, we¡¯re already registered.¡±
He stated it calmly, as if stating a fact.
¡°You¡¯re not fine. You¡¯re just putting up a brave front.¡±
Chapter 38
Chapter 38
¡°Stop being se nice to me! I might get the wrong ides and start to want more! Dorothy really wanted to
say this. She was like a person who received a sp of water after being on the verge of dying from thirst.
She wanted more, and she wanted it consistently.
But she couldn¡¯t She didn¡¯t have the courage to say this, let alone show any interest in Everell
After following him back to Bay Residence, Dorothy was so timed that she copsed on the bed after
taking a bath. She didn¡¯t know how much time had passed when she vaguely heard some naise from
outside.
She opened her eyes and subconsciously checked her phone. It was three in the morning and the man
beside her was still not back in
the room.
She put on her robe
d
robe and went out, only to see Everett sitting in the living room chair, frowning slightly while having a
video conference with the head of the overseaspany
He must have been dyed because of het so the meeting had to be postponed until thiste hour
Feeling guilty, Dorothy saw him wearing only a white shirt, which seemed too thir, so she took a nket
from her suitcase.
Upon hearing he footsteps, Everett locked up at her and then muted the video conference. ¡°Did I wake
you up?¡±
Dorothy shook her head. ¡°No, just woke up to get som water. Here, wrap this around you. Don¡¯t catch a
cold.¡±
She saw Everett hesitate. She instantly thought that he must have found the nket dirty due to his
severe obsession with cleanliness. Just as she was about to exin that it was new Everett reached
out his hand ¡®Okay, Thanks
After seeing him take it and wrap it around himself, Dorothy headed to the dining room to get some
water
Behind her, she heard Everett say sorry to the person on the other end of the cell, and then, in a low
voice, he added, ¡°My wife woke up.¡±
Wife? His wile?
Was he referring to her?
He actually introduced her like that to the other person?
Alter drinking water and returning to the bedroom, Dorothy no longer felt sleepy, so she decided to
continue working on her documents.
I was almost dawn when Everett finally entered the master bedroom. His handsomece showed clear
signs of exhaustion.
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Dorothy quickly put down herptop and stood a ¡°You should get some rest. If you are worried about
not waking upter, I will wake you up.¡±
¡°Okay¡± He nodded and headed to the bathroom with his robe.
There she stood by the door, waiting like a dutiful with
When Everett came out of the bath, Dorothy cuickly plugged in the hair dryer, offering to help ¡°Shall I
dry your hair for you¡±
¡°Sure¡±
He sat on the edge of the bed, asionally gazing at her bustling around as a smirk yed on his lips.
Dorothy was a bit nervous. She was worried that he might catch a cold if his hair was not died properly
and that she might dy his sleep by being too slow
Everett suddenly held her slender waist and looked up slightly. ¡°I need to be at thepany in two
hours.¡±
wake you up.¡±
¡°What I mean is, I don¡¯t want to sleep.¡±
Before Dorothy Could react, he had already taken the initiative, pinning her beneath him.
¡°Lverell¡¡±
¡°Just once, okay?¡±
Alter being asked so bluntly, Dorothy naturally wouldn¡¯t answer, but she quietly wrapped her arms
around his waist
Everell was always gentle on this matter. He was very considerate of her feelings in the passionate
encounter Dorothy almostpletely forget about everything, but thankfully, the tattoo on his
corbone minded her
This man was just using her as a substitute.
His care and his protection might be withcawn suddenly one day.
Dorothy frowned slightly and raised the nket to cover the string of numbers on his corbone.
At least now, at this moment, her dream couldst a little longer,
Chapter 39
Chapter39
Chapter 39
When Dorothy wake up. Everett had already left
Since it was the weekend, she got up and cleaned the house after freshening up before heading to the
hospital with the food she had prepared.
Upon reaching Ward V1, she saw two men standing at the door. They were the typical bodyguard types
you see in TV shows, dressed in ck and stone¨Cfaced.
As she approached, they blocked her.
¡°ess to this ward requires the consent of the person inside!
¡°Im Be¡¯s daughter¡±
At first, Dorally thought this was something the hospital had arranged, but after inquiring, she found out
that they were actually Everett¡¯s personal bodyguards.
After verifying her identity, she was allowed into the ward.
Be, seeing her daughter, hurriedly asked, ¡°Who are these two men standing outs de? They¡¯re so
intimidating Even the doctors had to show their IDs today
Dorothy put down the lunch box and exined. The hospital has upped their security since strangers
have beening into your werd.¡±
¡°But isn¡¯t that a b1 over the top? I don¡¯t see this in alte words ¡°Be took a few bites of her food, then
remembered something ¡®Right! You haven¡¯t told me about your boyfriend What does he do for a living?
He sure seems loaded. I asked around about the price for a VIP room, and its 1,000 dors just for the
bed per day! You better spill the beans. Don¡¯t try to keep me in the dark
¡°M¡¯s 1,000 dors a day for this ce
This was the first time Dorothy heard the price for a VIP room. She knew it would be expensive. She
thought it would be around a hundred or two, but she hadn¡¯t expected it to be this much
Be became even more worried after seeing her daughter¡¯s surprised expression.
¡°What¡¯s this guy¡¯s game? Why is he spending money on you but not telling you why?¡± She thought
hard, then panicked ¡°This guy¡ he¡¯s not after your organs, is he?!¡±
Dorothy was gute mpressed with her mother¡¯s ability to jump to conclusions. She was probably the first
person to think that Everen was involved in organ trafficking
¡°Are you watching loo much TV? As she busily made her mother¡¯s bed and cleaned the wheelchair she
said, ¡°Mom, starting next Monday, Ill be working at the head office. Il a so need to go to Havenbrook on
a business trip, so I won¡¯t be able to visit for a few days. Please take care of yourself and don¡¯t worry
me.¡±
¡°You¡¯re going back to Havenbrook?¡±
Just the mention of the ce made Be look ke she¡¯d heard a trigger word. Her face suddenly
clouded over
¡°It¡¯s for work. It¡¯s not a vacation. I have to do as thepany says.¡±
Besides, she didn¡¯t have any qualms about Haverbrock. She didn¡¯t have any family or friends there, nor
any fond memories to reminisce about
*Just be careful, and bring your boyfriend over when you return from your trip.¡±
Why was she banging up the boyfriend issue again?
¡°He¡¯s very busy. He doesn¡¯t have the time. Helle when he¡¯s free
¡°You silly girl. Your mom just wants to vet him for you Just because we¡¯re using his money now doesn¡¯t
mean I ept any son¨Cinw Il ites to it, we can just not do the operation, and fil leave the
hospital.¡±
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-Dorothy was gelling a headache and didn¡¯t want to continue the conversation.
She pulled up a chair and sat down. Just as she was about to check her phone, she noticed a missed
call from an unknown number. Worried it might be work¨Crted, she quickly got up and stepped
outside the ward in retum the call.
After a few rings, it was picked up.
¡°Is this Dorothy? Can youe to the head off co right now? I need to discuss the contract for the
SineSess Enterprises project with you in detail,
The voice sounded familiar. She recognized it night away as Heather¡¯s.
¡°Winght. Tim heading over now.¡±
Chapter 40
Chapter 40
Chapter 40
When it came to work, Dorothy couldn¡¯t afford to ck off,
After a quick word with her mom, she hailed a cab to the head office of the Lopez Corporation.
hadn¡¯t been here often. She only ever came during the annual meetings of the Prosperity Consortium.
She was dumbstruck the moment she stepped into the lobby
This ce was just stunning. The hanging chandeliers alone, made of natural crystal must cost a
fortune. The surroundings resembled a museum. It was filled with antique pieces and original
masterpieces.
Following Heather¡¯s instructions, Dorothy took elevator number 12 straight to the ninth floor.
As soon as she stepped out, she spotted Heather¡¯s office. The words ¡°Chief Legal Officer on the door
signified the importance of Heather to the whole Lopez Corporation.
¡°You got here quick.¡± Heather was decked in a Chanel dress. Her makeup was subtle yet exuded an air
of sophistication
¡°is the contract from SinoSess Enterprises already ready?¡± Dorothy didn¡¯t want to make small talk,
given her awkward position, and cut straight to the chase.
¡°Mm¨Chmm. Mr. Percy from Team 3 was in a hurry, so the legal department sped up the process.¡±
Heather stood up from her chair to pour Dorothy a ss of water ¡°Normally, projects of this scale
wouldn¡¯tnd on my desk. But Everett asked me to help you out so i specifically requested this contract
Every time she mentioned Everett, there was an intimacy in her tone that suggested their rtionship
was rock solid and imprable.
Upon seeing Dorothy silent, she smiled. Sit down! There are some details in the contract that need to
be ironed out with you so you can¡¯t just up and leave.¡±
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Hearing this, Dorothy pulled out a chair and sat down, her manner impable. ¡°Thanks for the trouble¡±
¡°No need to thank me. All projects of the Lopez Corporation ultimately belong to Everett My return to
the country is simply to assist him.¡± Heather Laid out the contract from SingSess Enterprises on the
table ¡®Back to business, the breach of contract part in this agreement has major ws in your proposal.
Of course, I understand yourck of experience, but you need to know there are limits to legal
compensation for breaches. If you exceed them, not only will the court not support you, but the other
company won¡¯t care either
Dorothy nodded and started making notes on the contract.
¡°I get that you¡¯re trying to intimidate them, but you need to know your ce. Crossing the line is not a
good look.¡±
Although Heather said it casually Dorothy felt there might be some hidden meaning in her words.
¡°I have no intentions of overstepping my boundaries. I¡¯m simply an employee of the Lopez Corporation,
and I¡¯m doing my best within
the confines of the contract¡±
Heather paused, thenughed. ¡°We¡¯re discussing work here.¡±
Tm also talking about work
¡°Oh, that¡¯s good. I was worried you might misunderstand something¡±
After that, they continued discussing the details of the contract
There was no denying that Heather was exceptional in her field.
After hearing about her from Karen, Dorothy looked up Heather¡¯s profile out of curiosity
She had been involved in several major cases for the Lopez Corporation overseas and made
significant contributions to thepany.
It was no wonder she was Everell¡¯s in love.
¡°Were you and Everett ssmates?¡±
Heather¡¯s question snapped Dorothy out of her thoughts.
¡°Mm bom.¡±
¡°Middle school ssmates, right? Everett once told me about a deskmate his who ofton skipped school
to work¡±
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Every word she spoke was in a chill and casual tone. It was like a casual chat between Inlends, but
each word was a reminder to Dorothy of the gap between her and Everett.
Heather would never dig deeper after she finished speaking: she would just casually bber and then
naturally switch to the next topic. Sometimes, it even gave Dorothy the false impression that she was
being overly sensitive.
Finally, the contract was set in stone.
Dorothy let out a sigh of relief, stood up, and said. ¡°Thanks for your hard work, Ms Heather, Ill be
leaving now¡±
¡°Hey! What¡¯s the rush? Everett should be waking up seon. I¡¯ll go get him, and we can grab lunch
together
Everell was waking up?
She paused, then heard Heather¡¯s exnation. ¡°I don¡¯t know what he was up tost night, I asked him,
but he kept quiet about it. He looked so exhausted after two consecutive meetings this morning, so I let
him rest¡±
Dorothy thought it was normal for Everett to keep quiet, right? How could he tell his first love that he
was with another woman and that woman was just a substitute?
¡°Ill pass on lunch. I have some other things to do. Thanks, Ms. Heather
She turned to leave as soon as she finished speaking.
But Heather chose this moment to stop her, striding over in her high heels.
¡°I¡ Umm. I have something to say. Don¡¯t take it the wrong way. You should cover up the hickey on
your neck when youe to the head office. It doesn¡¯t look good.¡± She pointed at the red mark on
Dorothy¡¯s neck. ¡°You should also take precautions. Otherwise, neither the Lopez Corporation nor
Everett can afford the consequences¡±
Dorothy had intentionally covered it up with foundation, so even her mother hadn¡¯t noticed it in the
hospital
But perhaps it was a woman¡¯s innate sensitivity. Heather must have looked at her closely
¡°Ms. Heather Dorothy¡¯s voice was icy cold, without any emotional fluctuation. I take offense at your
reminder. Maybe you should remind Everett not to leave marks on me. That would be better.¡±
She really didn¡¯t like this kind of insinuation. It was dull and tasteless.
Unquestionably Heather was indeed Everett¡¯s true love. She was noble and capable, but for now at
least, she was still Everett¡¯s legally recognized wife
In terms of morals and ethics, Everett had given her the right to refute her
Dorothy walked out of Heather¡¯s office with her back straight. She didn¡¯t rx until she got into the elev
As soon as she reached the entrance of the head office, Everett called.
As soon as she answered, his voice was indeed a little groggy from just waking up. Heather hadn¡¯t lied
to her.
¡°Are you at the hospital?¡±Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.
¡°No. I¡¯m meeting a colleague at Enlightenment Church¡± Dorothy said while looking up at the towering
Lopez Corporation building. It was so high that it made her squint ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±
be home for dinner tonight.¡±
¡°Oh, text me what you want to eat, and i¡¯ll buy the groceries on my way home.¡±
There was a pause on Everett¡¯s end, then he suddenly said, ¡°Your tone is off. What¡¯s wrong?¡±
¡°What could be wrong? Dorothy quicklyughed. ¡°I was just thinking about work. I need to catch the
subway to meet up with my colleague, so I catch up with youter.¡±
She hung up the phone and then looked at the WhatsApp message from Karen.
¡°Dorothy, babe, I¡¯m already at Enlightenment Church. I¡¯m here with my brother, you don¡¯t mind, right?¡±
1 don¡¯t mind. Wait for me; be right there.¡±
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She had met Karen¡¯s brother before. They were actually cousins, but they were so close that they
called each other brother and sister He was the total opposite of Karen. He was super mature and
stable. He became a physics professor at a young age, so he was clearly an intellectual.
Just as Dorothy arrived at Enlightenment Church, she saw a woman frantically waving at her by a pir
She reluctantly walked over. ¡°There are so many people around. Aren¡¯t you afraid they¡¯dugh at you?¡±
¡°Who cares? There are a lot of people here, and I was afraid you wouldn¡¯t see me. Karen chuckled,
then nodded towards the man beside her. ¡°This is my brother, Keh, Remember him? The chatty
professor¡±
Dorothy chuckled. 1 remember¡±
Back then, both of them had just quit their previous jobs to work at the Prosperity Consortium. Her
brother being overprotective, bought a small duplex nearby for her that was fully furnished
was obvious that he was a considerate and caring brother, so they got along well.
Keh patted his sister on the head in exasperation. ¡°I did all that for your own good¡±
¡°Yeah, yeah, you and mom are always on the same side.¡± Karen rolled her eyes while throwing an arm
over Dorothy¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Let me introduce my bestie, Dorothy She¡¯s gorgeous, kind¨Chearted and
currently single.¡±
Dorothy was caught off guard by this introduction
Luckily, Keh was used to his sister¡¯s antics and extended a hand to Dorothy. ¡°Hi, I¡¯m Keh. We
met when I helped Karen move.¡±
¡°Nice to see you again¡± She shook his hand politely then withdrew it
The three of them went to the main hall to pray. Then Karen imed she was hungry, and Keh
offered to buy some shacks and
water
Once he left, Karen started winking at Dorothy
¡°What do you think of my brother? Any chance for the two of you *
Dorothy was taken aback ¡°Stop joking! Don¡¯t y matchmaker¡±
¡°I¡¯m serious! My brother came here yesterday and I found out he broke up with his girlfriend half a year
ago. He¡¯s single too!¡± Karen was overjoyed when she heard this ¡°I wouldn¡¯t trust any jerk with you, but
if it¡¯s my brother. Ill stake my life on it. He¡¯d make a great husband. He has a stable job with a high
ie, and he¡¯s the only child. You know my uncle¡¯s business, Everfresh Mart. It¡¯s more than enough
to cover your mom¡¯s medical bills¡±
¡°Stop!¡± Dorothy interrupted her. ¡°If that¡¯s your intention, then Im leaving.¡±
Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.
¡°Why? Don¡¯t you like my brother?¡±
¡°I never thought about him in that way¡± She knew Karen meant well, but it simply wasn¡¯t possible.
As they were talking, Keh came back with the snacks.
He gave Karen one and handed Darthy one without garlic.
*I remember Karen saying you don¡¯t eat garlic.¡±
¡°Thank you.¡± Dorothy was okay initially, but after what Karen said, she felt awkward.
After roaming around the church, she decided to go back to the hospital to see her mom.
¡°Let me drive you. I came in my car¡± Keh looked at Dorothy gently.
Karen nodded vigorously. ¡°Perfect! I want to shop around more. You guys, go ahead¡±
¡°No, it¡¯s fine. L¡®
Before Dorothy could finish, someone was calling her name from behind.
She instinctively tumed around to see a ck Maybach parked by the road. The window rolled down
halfway, revealing Everett¡¯s handsome face.
¡°Dorothy,e here¡±
¡°Mr. Lopez?¡±
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Before Dorothy could mact, Karen behind her had already blurted out a deafening question.
Everett¡¯s sudden appearance here was as unbelievable as hitting the lottery jackpot
Without even turning her head, she could imagine Karen¡¯s expression right now.
A helty interrogation from her was inevitable, so Dorothy quickly put on a very professional office smile
and briskly walked to the cat ¡°Mr. Lopez, is there something work¨Crted you need?¡±
Everett gave a cold nce to the person behind her without exposing anything further. ¡°Get in the car
¡°Alright¡±
Dorothy quickly nodded, then turned to Karen and waved. I¡¯ve got something to take care of. I¡¯ve gotta
bounce. We¡¯ll catch up nex
Taking advantage of the situation before it could escte, she quickly hopped in the car
Throughout the ride, both of them remained silent. The atmosphere in the car was somewhat weird.
But when it came to figuring out why, Dorothy had no clue
Could it be because he didn¡¯t sleep wellst night?
As they were about to reach the supermarket, Dorothy broke the silence. I haven¡¯t done my grocery
shopping yet. Could you pull over?¡± Everett kept his lips tightly sealed, but he did drive into the
underground parking lot of the supermarket.
Just as Dorothy was about to get out of the car he suddenly grabbed her wrist
¡°Who was that person just now?¡±
Just now?
¡°That¡¯s my friend, Karen. We work together at the Prosperity Consortium
So, he should know now how serious it was to suddenly shout out her name on the street
Especially since Katen was a big bbermouth.
But clearly, Everett¡¯s attention was elsewhere. ¡°The guy?¡±
¡°That¡¯s her cousin, but he¡¯s more like her brother.¡±
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¡°Hmm, go on
Dorothy blinked, not understanding his meaning. Did he think Keh was promising and wanted to
rope him into the Lopez Corporation?
¡°Then¡ he¡¯s a university physics professor His father is a businessman who owns Everlresh Mart, and
he¡¯s the only child.¡± She spilled everything she knew.
But Everett¡¯s face turned darker and darker.
¡°You seem to know a lot.¡±
Just as Dorothy was about to speak, he got out of the car first
Although she was not good at guessing other people¡¯s thoughts, she could see that Everett was angry.
It felt like a husband suddenly catching his wife in some improper behavior
Of course, if Everett didn¡¯t say anything, Dorothy wouldn¡¯t ask. She knew her ce well
Back at Bay Residence after grocery shopping, she cooked, and he worked, as if everything were
normal.
Except that night, Everett was exceptionally restless
The weekend flew by and finally, it was Dorothy¡¯s fast day at the head office.
Early in the morning, she made sure to freshen up, put on her professional attire, and double check
everything she needed to bring ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± At the entrance, Everett was already suited and booted. He
was always impable, even at home. His every move exuded elegance and refinement.
She¡¯was holding herptop bag, stunned. ¡°I can take the subway.¡±
of people gaw her getting out of the CEO¡¯s car, it would cause quite a stir.
¡°My car parks directly in a private spot. No one will see.¡±
¡°There¡¯s no need, I should get familiar with the subway route.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t want to repeat myself.¡±
His tone was getting even moremanding
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Everett hardly ever spoke that way in private, which meant he was dead sel
¡°Thanks, Mr. Leper.
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Once at the Lopez Corporation, Everett headed straight for the conference room.
Dorothy felt like all he did these days was attend never ending meetings.
She headed straight for Kevin with her bag.
After seeing him she finally understood why his style of conversation sounded so familiar. Wasn¡¯t he
the one who had blocked her from emmering when she had gone to see Everett Eat a contract in
Fujinon City?
¡°Ms. Sanchez.¡± Kevin didit seem surprised at all. fi seemed like he already knew who she was
¡°You don¡¯t have to be so formal. Just call me Dorothy She was here to learn, or, inyman¡¯s terms, to
be tutored by Kevin. She couldn¡¯t have him keep calling her Ms. Sanchez
This took Kevin aback a little.
¡°No. It was Mr. Lopez himself who asked me to lock after you so fill keep calling you Ms. Sanchez
Kevin had been with Everett for many years and had never seen any woman close to him, not even the
chiefwyer, Heather. Now, suddenly, he was asked to look after this girl. She must be special
At least in Mr. Lopez¡¯s eyes, she was something else.
Unable to convince him and unable to exin her rtionship with Everett, Dorothy simply nodded.
¡°Well, I be counting on you then. I¡¯m new to the falc, sa I might need your gudarce but I can handle
criticism. If make a mistake, just let me know and I¡¯ll correct it¡±
Kevin had never seen agid who was willing to lower her stance like this. It was quite a surpose
He had thought she would be some spoiled rich girl when he received the instructions from Mr Lopez.
After all, she was backed by Mr Lopez
With this his fondness for Dorothy increased spidly
¡°How about I show you around the project department first? And your office.¡±
¡°Sure. Thanks for your help¡±
After a tour of the headquarters with Kevin, she got a general idea of theyout. As she stood on the
observation deck at the top of the Lopez Building and looked at the luxurious building and the entre
Lopez Corporationndscape in Elderia City she genuinely fell impressed by Everett.
It wasn¡¯t about his wealth, but more about hus capabilities and dedication to work
pabilites
Despite owning so much property and status, he was still fighting on the front line. He was busy as hell,
working overtime and burning the midnight oil more often than she did.
No wonder he had been named Outstanding Young Entrepreneur of the country multiple times. He was
truly a role model in the Industry
After the tour Dorothy dove straight into work
The work atmosphere here was much more intense than of the Prosperity Consortium. Everyone was
glued to their screens, with hardly any casual nces around.
Although she was exhausted by the end of the day, she felt oddly satisfied:
When it was time to knock off, Dorothy tidied up her desk, confirmed her fight to Havenbinok with Kevin
for the next day and was about to leave when Everest¡¯s call came in right on time.
She even suspected Everett had put surveince in her office.
¡°Come to the ce we met this morning¡±
¡°Are you done for the day too?¡±
¡°Yeah I have an overseas project meeting at one in the morning. I can do it from home.
Dorothy hummed in agreement, hung up the phone, and headed straight for the underground parking
lot. She was all smiles until she saw Heather standing next to Everett from a distance.
Since abe hade to the headquarters, such scenes would be prettymon.
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Everett spotted Dorothy just as she was about to duck out of sight.
¡°Dorothy¡±
His voice was deep and maic, and his lone was steady.
Since she had failed her attempt at hide and seek, Dorothy had to brace herself and march over. ¡°Mr.
Lopez, Ms. Heather¡±
¡°We¡¯ll head out now¡± The moment she came over Everett slid into the cat
Heather waved and gave Dorothy a friendly smile. ¡°Take care on the road. We¡¯ll discuss our thing when
you¡¯re back from your trip.
¡°Uh¨Chuh.¡±
Only after Heather turned to leave did Dorothy get into the car,
She sneakily eyed Everett, wondering what Heather meant by ¡°our thing.¡±
¡°Tired?¡± Everett loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top of his shirt.
From Dorothy¡¯s angle, she could catch a glimpse of the tattoo on his corbone.
¡°It was okay. Kevin didn¡¯t dump too much work on me.¡±
¡°If the workload gets too much, tell him.¡± Everett had brought her to the head office to thrive, not to
work herself to death
Dorothy nodded, only to be interrupted by her phone¡¯s ring.
New friend request
¡®KN¡® wanted to add her as a friend.
Who was this?
Hesitant, Dorothy epted the request.
Before she could wonder too long, her phone rang, It was Karen.
¡°My cousin added you on Facebook. He said he had a research project he wanted to discuss with you
when you¡¯re free.¡±
This girl was relentless in her matchmaking efforts
¡°Im not pulling your leg. Mr. Percy would definitely be interested. If you introduce this to the seam 3.
your status will skyrocket¡±
¡°Alright, I epted the request. Thanks for leaving this opportunity to me¡± She hung up after a quick
conversation.
Everett didn¡¯t react this time
Phew, so his earlier displeasure wasn¡¯t due to jealousy
Back at Bay Residence, Dorothy started packing. In the spirit of being thorough, she knocked on the
study door.
¡°Everett, do you need help packing for your trip?¡±
He was leaning against his desk, reading somepany reports. His robe was loosely hanging off
him, revealing arge expanse of pale skin.
After hearing her voice, he straightened up. ¡°Yes. Bring a couple of white shirts and two suits.¡±
¡°Alright¡±
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¡°And pajamas, underwear, and condoms¡±
What?
She looked at him instinctively, but Everett seemedpletely calm.
How could he say that so casually and naturally? Didn¡¯t he feel awkward at all?
Moreover with the trip approaching so fast, he still had time to think about such matters?
Quietly leaving his study, Dorothy obediently inned his clothes, folded them neatly, and ced them in
the suitcase along with lies, socks, underwear, and a box of contraceptives
Before putting them in, she nced at the box.
Five pieces should be enough
Once everything was set, Dorothy was going to take a shower when she checked her phone, Keh
had sent several maastogos.
It was a greeting followed by a brief introduction of his colleagues¡® joint research on an intelligent
vehicle.
She watched the conceptual video Keh had made. Not only could it achieve driverless operation
and automatic parking but it also added four-wheel 360¨Cdegree rotation and an initial low¨Caltitude fight.
This surprised Dorothy
A car that could operate onnd and in the air was indeed a gap in the market. Domestic technology
was not quite there yet.
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Karen really didn¡¯t disappoint this time
Tm going on a business trip tomorrow. Ill bring this up with my boss when I get back. This really is a
solid project¡±
In no time a reply came. ¡°You¡¯re going on a bus ness trip tomorrow too?
¡°Yeah To Havenbrook¡±
¡°What a coincidence! I¡¯m heading to Haverbrock tomorrow too. I¡¯ve been invited to give a talk at
Techopolis University. If you¡¯re free. let¡¯s meet up. I¡¯d love to chat more about this project
This was sudden. Dorothy didn¡¯t know if he just wanted to talk about work or if Karen had a hand in this
and had some ulterior motives. But the project did seem really promising.
She couldn¡¯t afford to miss out on the project just because
was suspicious.
Alter a moment of thought she replied, ¡°Sure. We¡¯ll keep in touch¡±
After she put down her phone, Dorothy went into the bathroom. When she came out, she saw an
unread message on her phone. It was not from WhatsApp.
When she opened it, she saw that the number was anonymous.
¡°I heard you¡¯ve been a sugar baby for some rich guy. How do you Think your r mom would react?¡±
It hit Dorothy like a bucket of ice cold water.
She knew instantly that it was from her dad¡¯s mistress. She was unable to wreak havoc at her mom¡¯s
hospital, so she decided to mess with Durotly instead.
¡°What the hell do you want?¡±
you can get your mom to agree to the divorce, I won¡¯t tell her about this¡±
Dorothy was so furious that she started shaking. She had never thought someone could be so
shameless.
That woman had been the mistress for over twerty years, and she was still plotting to forse the wife to
divorce?
And yet, she was genuinely womed about her mom finding out.
If the news of her contract mamage got out, her mom would definitely refuse to have the surgery She
could even have mare health Issues due to the emotional stress.
Since Dorally didn¡¯t reply, the mistress added. ¡°Dor¡¯t think I¡¯m bluffing.
Ing. I mean what I say.¡±
Everett came in and saw Dorothy¡¯s troubled expression. He walked over and touched her shoulder
lightly. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?
She was steriled and instinctively hid the messages on her phone. ¡°No, nothing.¡±
¡®Dorothy, I think you should tell your friends that you¡¯re married now.¡±
She was taken aback and caught off guard by his sudden seriousness. ¡°Huh? But shell definitely ask
more questions. I¡¯m not good at making up stones, let alone fabricating a whole person.
She knew Karen too well. She wouldn¡¯t rest until she knew everything about her husband. There was
no way she could fool her with some made¨Cup person.
¡°Then just tell her Everell¡¯s eyes were fixed on her face, as if he were trying to read something from it.
¡°Tell her what?¡® Dorothy¡¯s instinctive response showed that she had never considered bringing their
marriage into the open
After a few secmics of silence, Everett asked, frowning, ¡°So, I¡¯m not good enough to be seen?¡±
¡°But our contract onlysts for a year.. She¡¯d have to exin the divorce then.
Dorothy analyzed rationally. ¡°I know you don¡¯t like Karen introducing me to guys. You¡¯re worried about
me having ambiguous rtionships during our contract period, which might affect you physically. Don¡¯t
worry; I have absolutely no intentions in that direction.
If you think my word isn¡¯t enough, we can add a penally use to the consact. I have no objections.¡±
She had thought deeply about what Everett meant when he said about his cleanliness obsession.
Basically he couldn¡¯t ept sharing a woman with other men.
Especially since he saw her as a stand¨Cin for his true love, his concern was quite understandable.
Actually. Dorothy had only been intimate with him so far. But she didn¡¯t want to tell him that he was her
first, since it felt like moral kidnapping.
1/1
Everett took a deep breath. ¡°Let¡¯s wait a bit more¡±
Maybe he was being too impatient.
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The next moming, their assistant came to take them to the airport.
The whole way, he was busy discussing business matters with the shareholders. He didn¡¯t even have
time for a sip of water. It wasn¡¯t until they were on the ne that he finally got a chance to lean back
and catch a break.
Dorothy wouldn¡¯t disturb him. This was the perfect time for her to check out the information Kevin had
sent.
The further she delved into the project, the more questions she had.
The prospects for the energy¨Csavingpany were indeed promising, but did it really require the
grand CEO. Everett, to personally take a business trip to Havenbrook? Even if the investment doubled
or tripled, it wouldn¡¯t be enough to stir this big shot.
He must have other things to deal with
The flight from Eldonia City to Havenbrook took three hours. Dorothy had already taken several pages
of notes, and the man beside her was still asleep.
Who knew what time thete¨Cnight meeting endedst night? However, it seemed like it was enough to
make him very weary. Afternding. Event slowly opened his eyes with his eyebrows furrowed. We¡¯re
here?
¡°Mm¨Chmm¡± Dorothy quickly handed him a cup of warm water. ¡°You didn¡¯t eat anything this morning,
and you¡¯ve been sleeping till now Your stomach might hurtter, so have some water first¡±
He took it and took a sip. ¡°Thanks.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t mention it.¡±
After saying this, she started to gather her materials.
This natural interaction between the two was exactly what Everett wanted
He didn¡¯t like how cautious Dorothy was around him. She was always looking up at him like how a
subordinate would look at a superior. After getting off the ne, the CEO of Social Networking Service
personally came to the airport to wee them. There were even local media waiting at the entrance
of the full to take photos.
As soon as Dorothy saw the cameras, she promptly stepped behind Kevin to lower her presence.
¡°Mr. Loper, your presence has made Hasenbrook shine today!
¡°You¡¯re exaggerating. I¡¯m a native of Havenbrook. It¡¯s only right to support my hometown.¡± Only Everett
could make such a formal statement sound so pleasant.
The media started taking pictures of him, and for some unknown reason, Dorothy secretly took out her
phone and snapped a photo of Everett¡¯s back
He was wearing a light¨Ccolored trench coat with a dark blue suit underneath, making him look tall and
straight. He looked like a star posing for a photo shoot. His simple attire gave off an air of luxury, and
his every move exuded refinement
This man, whether in his student days or after entering society, was always at the top of the pyramid. It
seemed like he was destined to stand at the peak and look down on everyone else.
Soon, Everett was escorted into a car. Dorothy saw this and quickly picked up herptop to follow
Kevin
Before she could even take a step, she heard Everett¡¯s voice.
¡°Dorothy, nde with me¡±
Upon hearing this, the people present inevitably shifted their gaze to her.
To avoid causing any further spection, Dorothy quickly put on her 100% professional assistant smile
and walked over. ¡°Sure thing. Mr. Loper
After finally getting in the cat she let out a sigh of relief.
I notice mal
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Seeing that the man beside her wasn¡¯t taking a nap, Dorothy lowered her voice and said, ¡°You keep
calling my name. They¡¯ll not She didn¡¯t understand why Everett wanted to call her out so publicly.
Wouldn¡¯t this affect his reputation? ¡°Are you afraid of being seen?¡±
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¡°I¡¯m not afraid of being seen. I¡¯m afraid of misunderstanding our rtionship¡±
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Ever since Everett entered the business world and made a name for himself, there hadn¡¯t been any
juicy gossip about him. The only piece of scandal might be something about him and Heather
Now, if people started spreading rumors about him taking a female assistant out on business trips and
acting all chummy, it could stir up a lot of unnecessary trouble.
Anyway, she was with Kevin, so she wouldn¡¯t be far from him, and she certainly wouldn¡¯t get lost in
Havenbrook.
¡°Why should we fear what people might guess about our rtionship? Everett said.
They were a married couple who just hadn¡¯t gone public yet. Why did they have to fear rumors?
But when Dorothy heard this, she took it differently
Was Everett being deliberately close with her, even in public? Could it be that he had another argument
with Heather and was trying to provoke her?
She found herself increasingly put off by her role as a pawn in this game.
But she couldn¡¯t avoid it. She had to be prepared at all
After all, Everett came to her, investing money and effort. This was what he wanted.
Dorothy didn¡¯t say anything more. She just turned her gaze out the car window
She hadn¡¯t been back here in five or six years. Thest time she came, it was just a quick trip to give
up her rented apartment and rush her mother to Elderna City for treatment.
Havenbrook had changed dramatically. It now had towering skyscrapers everywhere, and the IT
industry here had soared to great heights
Many tech viges had been built here, and the govemment was fully supporting economic
development. There were even more foreigners on the streets after the city started to attract foreign
investment
When they arrived at Social Networking Service, Everett was still the center of attention as he led the
way.
Dorothy deliberatelygged behind Kevin, whispering, ¡°Beforeing, I looked up the shareholders of
Social Networking Service. The man in the gray suit following their president is named Edward. His
shares in the Social Networking Service changed three times. It seems like he wanted to split from
Social Networking Service before, but when he saw the Lopez Corporation was interested, he held
onto his shares.¡±
The timeline matched up perfectly
Kevin followed her gaze and nodded. ¡°Your analysis makes sense. We¡¯ll need to talk to ourwyers
and ountants about itter
¡°Okay¡±
Because Everett personally came to the Social Networking Service, it attracted quite a lot of attention.
So today, he wouldn¡¯t be able to slip away easily.
In the afternoon, Kevin was getting tired and called Dorothy over, ¡°You¡¯re from Havenbrook, right? Any
good food around here?¡±
¡°Huh? Well, there is¡ But don¡¯t you have to apany Everett.. Uh, Mc Lopez, for some socializing?
They seemed to have mentioned going to a hotel for a chat
¡°Mr. Lopez brought his PR secretary today. Not only will people from the Social Networking Service be
coming, but also will leaders. from the Environmental Protection Bureau. I¡¯d better not tag along¡±
Dorothy finally understood. ¡°I see. Well, let¡¯s go for some pizza then Quick in and out. We can get it
done in half an hour, no dy¡±
Kevin raised his eyebrows in satisfaction. ¡°Mr. Lopez has good reason to value you.¡±
Such a perceptive assistant, stuck in a subsidiary like the Prosperity Consortium, was a bit of a waste.
Dorothy squinted and smiled, finding Kevin not as stiff and old¨Cfashioned as she had thought. In fact,
he smiled a lot more than Everett
dd
After checking a nearby pizza ce on her phone, they halled a cab and headed straight there.
Just as they sat down and ordered, Dorothy suddenly sow a figure that was both strange and familiar,
Maxton Sanchez.
Her father
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Talk about a small world!
Dorothy had imagined she might run into someone from the Sanchez family before she came, but she
didn¡¯t expect to seem right off the bat.
No wonder that woman started stiming the pot again. So they were back from abroad.
This couldn¡¯t be good.
¡°Do you think Edward wants to cut and run from the Social Networking Service because there¡¯s
something fishy with thepany?¡± Kevin¡¯s voice brought her back from her thoughts.
Dorothy nodded making sure to sit with her back to Maxton, Otherwise, even without the backing of the
Lopez Corporation for going public, the revenue of the Social Networking Service isnt shabby, unless
he has a better ca lined up. Leaving money on the table and pulling out his shares is a big decision¡±
Anyone who invested in apany from the get go definitely had high hopes for it.
Either they were really good friends, or they were family. Given this, as an original shareholder, he
would have to think long and hand before making a move.
Also, share changes take time from deration to realization, which meant Edward was dead set on
leaving.
¡°Could you lock up Edward¡¯s shareholdings in otherpanies?¡±
Dorothy smiled. She quickly flipped through her phone and handed it to Kevin. ¡°Here¡¯s thetest
¡°Dornity. I¡¯m starting to see you in a new light.¡± Kevin was a workaholic. The pizza just awed, and he
started reading the information without ever bothering to eat
Hispliment for her didn¡¯t matter, but it did catch the attention of Marton behind her.
¡°Dorothy?¡±
¡°It really is you!¡±
Maxton walked over. He was about to say something when she stood up first
¡°Kevin, I have something to deal with. Ill be back in ten minutes.¡±
Kevin waved his hand ¡°Sure, go ahead.¡±
Dorothy walked ahead, with Maxton following her cut of the pizza ce
He started speaking in an unpleasant tone as soon as they stopped, ¡°What brings you back to
Havenbrook?¡±
¡°Work¡±
If it werent for work, she wouldn¡¯t step foot in this ce again,
¡°You need to work? Didn¡¯t youtch onto some rich guy?¡±
Maxton didn¡¯t mince his words. He was okay with embarrassing his own daughter in public, not even
bothering to lower his voice
¡°Is that any of your business? Dorothy was getting impatient. ¡°We haven¡¯t asked for your money or
ridden on your coattails. You¡¯d better stay out of my business¡±Content provided by N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Who do you think you¡¯re talking to? Dorothy, I¡¯m your father! Don¡¯t put on airs with me: you¡¯re just like
your mother!¡±
His voice raised unconsciously when she gave him the cold shoulder.
Onginally, Dorothy just wanted to deal with him quickly and return, but she couldn¡¯t stand it when he
spoke about her mother like that.
¡°Huh, such wordsing from a man who abandoned his family and had on affair, that¡¯s augh!¡±
¡°You¡®
¡°Save it, and tell that woman to save it too! We¡¯ve backed down this far, not because we¡¯re weak, but
because we don¡¯t want to fight over trash! If you keep pushing us. I won¡¯t hesitate to spill the beans to
the media! The Sanchez family has a reputation in Hawenbrook, so you can think about the
consequences.¡±
Dorothy left him with that and walked back into the shop.
Behind her, Maxion was fuming. You dare to threaten me? Finel Don¡¯t me me for not holding back!
You better prepare to collect your mother¡¯s body!¡®
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his the
Dorothy took his threat as an empty bark from a tired dog
That woman had been itching to be the man wife all along. She was constantly pushing Maxton to
get a divorce. Desp le countless attempts. Be just wouldn¡¯t sign the damn divorce papers, leaving her
stuck with thebel of a mistress.
She could understand her mother. That was the main reason why her mom kept going.
When Dorothy got back, even though her face was extremely pale, Kevin didn¡¯t prod any further and
acted like nothing had happened. They ate and then were summoned back to the Secial Networking
Service headquarters.
Everett and his crew must have just finished their meal since they were lounging on the couch in the
reception room. His suit jacket was casually draped over his arm, and his long legs were crossed.
Seeing Derally, he waved her over
Not wanting to keep him waiting, she quickly made her way over to him, greeting him with a polite
smile. ¡°Mr. Lopez¡±
¡°Let me introduce you. This is Mr. Ryan from the Social Networking Service.¡±
¡°Hello, Mr. Ryar Dorothy didn¡¯t get why he was suddenly introducing this man to het but she knew she
had to keep up the aretense of politeness. She couldn¡¯t embarass the Lopez Corporation.
Since Everett was making an effort to introduce this woman to him, Mr. Ryan figured she must be
someone special. He extended his hand with a ¡°nerdly smile. ¡°Nice to meet you.¡±
Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.
¡°Dorothy is the one I¡¯ve assigned to handle our coboration. If there¡¯s anything you need, you can go
directly to her.¡±
This hit her like a bomb.
Dorothy waspletely stunned
Since when did she be the project manager? She¡ She was still green!
¡°Ms. Sanchez looks so young. I wouldn¡¯t have guessed she¡¯s your right¨Chand. M: Lopez. My bad.¡± Mr.
Ryan instantly saw Dorothy in a new light, and his eyes held a hint of ttery
After all it was hard to get on Everett¡¯s good side, so he might as well try his luck with others.
¡°You tter me. Dorothy was forcibly dragged into their small talk.
They didn¡¯t leave the Social Networking Service until it was dark.
On the way back to the hotel, she couldn¡¯t help but ask. ¡°Most of the credit for this project goes to
Kevin. I can¡¯t just take all the glory,
Can 17
If she made enemies right after amiving at the head office, she could kiss any chance of promotion
goodbye.
¡°Kevin handles many projects. He won¡¯t mind this one ¡°Everett rubbed his forehead, clearly worn out
from a day of socializing
¡°Whether he minds or not, that¡¯s his business. But for me, it¡¯s hical.¡±
¡°Dorothy Sanchez.¡± Everett suddenly called her by her full name, his voice stern. ¡°Everyone at the head
office, even the lowest¨Clevel employees, have impressive resumes. If you want to y, you need one
too.¡±
That was the only way to shut people up.
¡°If it¡¯s because of this, then I¡¯d rather not stay at the head office. fill return to the Prosperity Consortium
after the training Dorothy was stubbom. If she took what wasn¡¯t hers, she¡¯d feel deeply guilty
And she would keep thinking about it, day and night.
Everett frowned/He went silent for a few seconds before speaking. ¡°This project was originally meant to
be yours. Kevin knew from the start that he was just an assistant.¡±
What?
¡°Don¡¯t doubt it. I¡¯ve sad before that I won¡¯t do any favors for anyone. But I believe in your ability to lead
this project. It¡¯s just that you¡¯re Inexperienced In many aspects, which is why Kevin was assigned as
your mentor¡±
Dorothy looked at Everett, finding him more and more enigmatic
The same man who coldly rejected her application was now suddenly cing her in an important
position.
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She suddenly stooped talking, and that¡¯s when Everett met her gaze.
¡°What? Doubting your own skills?¡±
There was a brief pause before she replied, ¡°Thanks for the trust, Mr. Lopez Ill do
my best
Dorothy decided to stop overthinking. She chose not to look too closely even if things were unclear to
her. An opportunity was right in front of her. No matter what his motives were, it was a good thing for
her.
If that project went smoothly, not to mention paying back Everett within a year her mother¡¯s medical
expenses wouldn¡¯t have been a problem in the f.dure.
¡°Stop at Tranquil Crossroads.¡± Everett suddenly spake
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The driver quickly nodded and found a ce to ston.
Only then did Dorothy realize they were near her alma mater.
¡°Would like to take a walk? Everett asked, raising an eyebrow.
She nodded and said, ¡°Sure
Dorothy didn¡¯t have many memories of her junior high days. but Everett was definitely a vivid one.
Walking down the school road again, she nosta gically took out her phone, took a photo, and carefully
stored it in her cloud album.
¡°Do you still y basketball?¡± Seeing the newly built sports field she remembered Everett from back
then,
Other boys came back from basketball all sweaty, but only he didn¡¯t. Even if it meant beingte for
ss, he would run to the dormitory¡¯s public bathroom for a shower.
She was st young back then and hadn¡¯t realized th
that he was a clean freak. She had even identally dirtied his uniform a few times.
¡°I y asionally Everett walked her outside, his tall figure blocking some of the mlight, casting a
shadow on her
Suddenly, Dorothy spotted the fast¨Cfood joint across the school gase
It was still open! She used to work there in junior high. The owners were a Iriendly couple.
The ce used to stay open even after her evening sell study giving her a chance to enjoy the only sit¨C
down meal of the day
¡°I want to go check it out
Without waiting for Everett¡¯s response, she quickly ran over
To Dorothy¡¯s surprise, the owners hadn¡¯t changed. It was still the same couple! They were cleaning the
ce, seemingly about to close for the day.
¡°Can I get a hamburger?¡±
She hesitated sightly but asked anyway.
If she missed that chance, she didn¡¯t know when she¡¯d be back in Havenbrook.
¡°Sure, take a seal over there.¡± Thedy pointed to a spol nearby, and just as she was about to get the
utensils, she had a realization and said, ¡°Hey, you look familiar
Dorothy smiled, ¡°I¡¯m Dorothy, I used to help out here in junior high.¡±
¡°Ah, you¡¯re that little girl! I knew you looked familiar!¡± Thedy was warm¨Chearted and started chatting
with her, ¡°You must have graduated from junior high school by now!¡±
¡°It¡¯s been a few years since I graduated¡±
¡°You¡¯re even prettier now! I told my husband back then that you¡¯d grow up to be a beauly, and now
look! I was right!¡±
Dorothy simply similed. She liked their friendly who. Even after so many years, there was no
awkwardness.
¡°Do you close up early now? I remember you used to wait until after junior high¡¯s night self¨Cstudy
sessions¡±
¡°We always close when it gets dark. The ludy thought for a moment, and then remembered something,
¡°Oh, right! Back then, there w a tall handsome boy. He gave us some money to keep the ce open
until 10pm. avery night¡±
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¡°A boy?¡±
Seeing the surprise on Dorothy¡¯s face, thedy boss raised her eyebrows and asked, ¡°Oh, you didn¡¯t
know? I thought he spcafically requested this for you¡±
After all, back then, it was usually only she who would go to eat hamburgers after evening self¨Cstudy
instead of rushing home.
¡°It was probably not because of me.¡±
She didn¡¯t think anyone would have done that for her in middle school.
After chatting with thedy boss about the changes in the school, Durothy didn¡¯t want to dy their rest
and decided to take the hamburger before leaving.
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Leaving the shop, she saw Everett waiting for her across the street
He hadn¡¯t followed her into the shop. He just stood there smoking a cigarette.
¡°You¡¯ve never been here before, have you?
Dorothy thought. ¡°He, a young master from a wealthy family, probably wouldn¡¯t deign to eal such
ordinary food that onlymon folk
¡°I¡¯ve been here.¡± Everett stubbed out his cigarette, tock the takeaway bag from her hand, and
continued to walk beside her.
Dorothy looked up slightly. ¡°Really?¡±
I¡¯m not as noble as you think
Although the Lopez family had been indeed wealthy back then, they were still far from their curent
status
¡°Do you think their food is good?¡±
¡°It¡¯s okay, I ate there for two months straight.¡±
That really surprised Dorothy. Sheughed a few times before saying. Till let you in on a secret. I
secretly worked here for two months in middle school! Luckily, I¡¯m tall. Otherwise, they would have
realized they were employing childbor, and I would have let the couple down! Back then, I was
begging them to hire me.¡±
Everett gave a slight smile, quietly listening to her talk about the past
As they walked and chatted, they arrived at the backed hotel
Dorothy tried a bite of the hamburger.
¡°still tastes like I remember¡±
wanted to have another bite, but Everett took it away from her.
¡°Stop eating. It¡¯s cold. It¡¯s not good for your stomach
He seemed to care a lot about her stomach issues.
Dorothy was taken aback, thinking that Heather must also have had stomach problems, hence why
Everett always reminded her.
It was not that she always intentionally thinks about Heather. It was just that every time Everest showed
concem for her, Dorothy¡¯s mind involuntanly drifted to his tattoo on the corbane, the password to his
ce, and Heather¡¯s intimate calls of ¡®Everett¡±
*Hungry?¡±
Seeing her silence, Everett thought she was upset that he took her hamburger, so he gently said, ¡°I
have my assistant bring some food
¡°No need! I bought the hamburger on a whim.¡± She got up and grabbed her pajamas from the side of
the bed. ¡°I¡¯m going to take a shower.¡±
Dorothy hastily went into the bathroom. Looking at her reflection in the minar, she felt an indescribable
imitation.
She suddenly hated her own face!
Although it was because of her face that she caught Everett¡¯s attention and gave her mother the
opportunity for surgery, it also constantly reminded her of her status as a substituto.
Ever since she signed the agreement with Everell, his gentleness, his consideration, and his
attentiveness, if Dorothy said she wasn¡¯t moved at all, that would be a liel Because she had very rarely
boon cared for in her life.
But the cruelest thing was that she knew very clearly that all those heartwarming good deeds were
given to Heather through her face.
Without that face, she probably wouldn¡¯t have even had the chance to talk to Everett alone!
14:57
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That night, Dorothy was particrly proactive. Even when she was extremely exhausted and she didn¡¯t
have the strength to rise her hand, she didn¡¯t call for a stop.
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The next morning, when Dorothy wake up, Everett had already left.
On the living room table outside the suite, there was breakfast he had ordered for her in advance. Next
to it was a handwritten note. There¡¯s a charity event today. Il contact you when it¡¯s over]
She knew it! There must have been other reasons for Everett to go to Havenbrook City.
After washing up and having breakfast, Dorothy met up with Kevin,
Since she had thoroughly checked Edward¡¯s information yesterday, all she needed to do today was to
look into the operation of Social Networking Service! Even though the person in charge sent over all
the reports overnight, to be cautious, they still went to thepany for a site examination.
After a busy day. Dorothy¡¯s admiration for Everett went up a notch.
That was why Everett insisted on introducing himself as the project leader to Mr. Ryan! As soon as she
arrived at Social Networking Service, from the top leaders to the basic staff, they were all very cautious
around her, thinking twice even before answering anything. That way, it was much easier for Kevin to
investigate the actual situation. After all, not many people were paying attention to him. In the evening,
she and Kevin found a restaurant. As soon as they sat down, Dorothy began to review the due
diligence materials. Kevinughed, ¡°I was wondering why you were so shifty when you first saw me
today! Turns out you were afraid I¡¯d be upset.¡±
¡°This project has a huge investment. It¡¯s one of the core projects of the Lopez Corporation. You¡¯ve done
a lot of preparation for it, b just swooped in and took all the credit. If I were you, I¡¯d be unhappy loo.¡±
¡°That¡¯s because you¡¯re new to the workforce Kevin didn¡¯t seem to care at all. ¡°Mr. Lopez knows exactly
who did what and how much Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have made the Lopez Corporation so big!
Although you are the project leader, the pay that should be given to me is not a penny less. This way,
we can distract the otherpany¡¯s attention, improve the uracy of our investigation, and reduce
investment risks. Why should I be upset?¡±
After such an analysis, Dorothy really felt that she was still a novice in the investment banking industry.
¡°Of course, this also depends on whether Mr. Lopez is willing to support you¡± Kevin continued, ¡°Having
such a big project on your resume is like jumping straight to the level of an investment banking director!
When the timees, if you want to leave the Lopez Corporation, otherpanies will definitely
compete for you¡±
¡°I won¡¯t leave the Lopez Corporation.¡±
¡°Of course! Ive been with Mr. Lopez for so long and I¡¯ve never seen him take such good care of
anyone.¡± Kevin said, raising his eyebrows at her ¡®Except for Ms. Heather, you¡¯re the only one!¡±
Dorothy was silent
The topic of Ms. Heather again.
two. Ms. Heather has made a great contribution to the Lopez Corporation, so it¡¯s normal for Mr.
¡°But there¡¯s a difference between you to
Lopez to pay attention to her.¡±
Dorothy took a few bites of food, then casually asked, ¡°Have you heard that Mr. Lopez and Ms. Heather
seem to be childhood sweethearts?¡±
¡°I know that they got to know each other quite early. Other than that, I don¡¯t know much.¡±C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.
¡°Oh
¡°Speaking of which, you and Mr. Lopez were pretty close, too, right? Last time in Fujinon City when you
came to find Mr. Lopez, he had just finished a meeting and hadn¡¯t rested long, but he still let you in
when he heard your voice.¡±
Normally, he wouldn¡¯t have seen anyone at that time
Suddenly reminded of the past, Dorothy felt a bit awkward, ¡°Well we were not only ssmates, but also
deskmates¡±
¡°Ah! I remember now! Were you the one staying in room 1501 during that business trip?¡±
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Dorothy didn¡¯t say anything, which pretty much gave him his answer.
1 knew it. The name Dorothy seemed so famber¡±
Dorothy knew she had to switch the topic. If he dug any deeper, he would have uncovered the
scandalous events of that night!
She definitely didn¡¯t want anyone to know about her arrangement with Everett. It would be best if
everyone thought Everett was only being nice to her because they were ssmates.
¡°Hey, Kevin, have a look at their patent registration¡
The Lopez Corporation didn¡¯t just pretend to be charitable,
Every batch of impoverished students they sponsored was carefully selected, and their situations were
verified. They would also secretly investigate if there were any families mare in need but not on the list.
If a student had parents with severe illnessed, Everett would pay extra attention to them, trying to
ensure the student¡¯s studies wouldn¡¯t be affected.
At the end of the day he was quite exhausted.
As soon as he got in the car back to Haverbrook Cily, he called Dorothy.
¡°Hello? Mr. Loper
He knew Kevin was with her ¡°Hmm, I want to see the due diligence report you guys did today. Bring it
to me tonight.¡±
¡°Okay¡±
After hanging up, Everett rubbed his forehead just as
55 Jeffrey called.
¡°You just dropped everything at thepany and run off to Havenbrook City! So, did the girl cry her
eyes out when she found out all the things you¡¯ve done for her?
¡°She won¡¯t know¡±
That also included why he hadn¡¯t followed her into the shop near the school gate. He was ahaid the
shopkeeper would have recognized him as the ¡°young boy who gave them money.
Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.
Sometimes Everett found himself so be quite ridiculous. Weren¡¯t his actions even more limid than
Dorothy¡¯s cautiousness?
¡°Our Mr. Lopez is so noble, huh? So, when are you parning toe back? Im almost done here. Let¡¯s
get Heather and have a good meal, and driex till we drop
¡°We can eal. I don¡¯t drink.¡±
¡°Hal Its not like you¡¯re the one who got yourself drunk!¡±
Everett smirked and said, ¡°I¡¯ve never been drunk¡±
When he arrived at the hotel, he went back to his sulle alone.
He knew that Dorothy had booked a separate room to avoid raising Kevin¡¯s suspicion. She must have
been in that room right now.
He sent her a text and soon there was a discreet whack on the door
He opened the door and nced at the documents in her hand, ¡°You actually brought the repen.¡±
¡°I was worried Kevin nighte looking for you.¡±
Everett smirked and started unbuttoning his shirt, mvealing his muscr figure,
Caught off guard by his sudden undressing, Dorothy blushed and quickly turned around, ¡°Um¡are you
going to take a shower?¡±
Seeing her flustered and shy expression, Everell chuckled and took out a new set of pajamas from his
suitcase.
He rummaged through the suitcase and asked, ¡®Have you only brought one box?¡±
¡°What?¡±
¡°This.¡±
He walked to the bedside table and shock the empty little box.
There were contraceptives in it
¡°Oh, yeah¡¡±
Did we run out of home?¡±
Dorothy steeled herself and shook her head, ¡°No, I just thought you¡¯d be tired from the trip¡±
Who would¡¯ve thought he¡¯d use up all five in one night?
Everett crossed his arms and looked at her ¡°So, what now?¡±
What could she have done anyway?
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Dorothy just stood there, dazed, with no clue what he was on about
¡°Whatever Everell stretched his long legs and walked towards the bathroom, cracking the door ope
Just as she was about to breathe a sigh of relief, she heard the rest of his sentence. ¡°Ill go out and buy
someter.¡±
¡°No!¡± Dorothy immediately objected. ¡°Til go¡±
Her acting as a simple assistant and going to the supermarket wasn¡¯t going to raise any eyebrows.
Besides, being a woman, nobody would have thought too much about it.
But if Everett were to go out, that would have been a whole different story!
If someone spotted him or took a photo of him buying that thing, then that would have been a
bombshell piece of news
¡°Everett saw right through her worries. ¡°You don¡¯t need to be so cautious.¡±
¡°How can I not be? What if we get found out?¡±
Not only would it have tamished Everett¡¯s reputation, but if her mother were to find out, she would have
been scared out of her wits, While Everett was showering. Dorothy quickly ran out to buy a box of
something. To throw people off the scent, she also bought a bunch of snacks.
Worried about bumping into Kevin in the elevator, she decided to take the stairs.
She tiptoed into the room. He had already finished showering, but he seemed to be working since,
apart from his voice, she could hear a few foreigners talking
Dorothy didn¡¯t dare interrupt. She grabbed her phone and quietly sat on the couch by the door.
As soon as she sat down, she noticed a message.
It was from Keh.
Sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to disturb you. I just finished my speech. Are you free tomorrow?
She quickly replied. [Yes, I¡¯ll get in touch after finishing up work in the morning.]
[Great! Still awake, huh? Thought all you girls would be getting your beauty sleep 1
Seeing that he seemed eager to continue the conversation, Dorothy thought for a moment and replied.
[I¡¯m about to turn in]
It was not that she was being aloof, but right now, she had to reject any advances, regardless of the
intentions behind them.
It wasn¡¯t just about the contract with Everett. Given her situation, how could she have even thought
about a rtionship?
Even if the guy¡¯s family was loaded, she shouldn¡¯t have gone after their wealth, let alone ask for help
with her mother¡¯s medical bills.
After sending the message, she paused for a moment, only then noticing someone behind her.
She asked, ¡°Are you
d
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Everett was wearing a bathrobe, his eyes dim and inscrutable as they fixated on her
He didn¡¯t see her chatting with Keh, did he?
Dorothy instinctively wanted to exin, but then thought, ¡°What if he isn¡¯t thinking that at all?¡±
That would have made her look guilty for no reason.
¡°Hmm.¡± His voice was always cold and low, betraying no emotions. ¡°Did you buy the stuff?¡±
Dorothy was silent momentarily.
She still couldn¡¯t bring herself to discuss that with him openly. She simply handed him the bag.
Everett pulled out the main item from a pile of snacks.
¡°We still have three days left on this trip. Do you n to buy more tomorrow?¡±
Dorothy blushed at his question, avoiding his gaze. ¡°We can make do.¡±
Seeing her like that, Everett raised an eyebrow slightly.
¡°Dorothy we¡¯re not in a position to have a child right now¡±
That came out of the blue.
She was instantly taken aback.
How did they suddenly get on the topic of children?
¡°Mr. Lopez, I didn¡¯t mean that?
Did he misunderstand something? Did he think she was hinting at something?
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Who knows if he was tired, or if he just didn¡¯t feel like going out to buy stuff again the next day,
unusually for him, he only asked once that night.
Even once managed to wear Dorothy out to the point where she didn¡¯t even want to lift a finger.
After Everett cleaned up, hey down behind her, his arm gently resting on her waist. He, too, was
exhausted, and soon the sound of steady breathing came from him.
She waited a while before slowly turning over and putting some distance between them.
Having lived alone for so many years, it was a bit strange having someone suddenly in her space.
Feeling thirsty, Dorothy tiptoed out of bed and poured herself a ss of water. As she was about to
head back to bed, she noticed a shing light on the phone on the table.
It was Everett¡¯s personal phone!
Pausing momentarily, curiosity got the better of her, and she went over to check it out, only to find a
message from Heather.
Your mom, Amanda¡¯s depression is acting up again. I can go back next week to see her. Don¡¯t worry
about it. Your work is important. I¡¯ll stay with her for the check¨Cup.]
There was a message before that one, but she couldn¡¯t see it without unlocking the phone.
Dorothy took a sip of the water and went back to bed, but she couldn¡¯t sleep anymore.
They were the perfect couple, indeedContent provided by N?velDrama.Org.
That was something that everyone in thepany and Everett¡¯s family hade to ept.
It was clear that the Lopez family really liked Heather. She was even trusted to take care of Everett¡¯s
mother.
As for her, she was bing more and more of an awkward presence.
She wanted to terminate the contract and withdraw, but she didn¡¯t have the financial means to do so.
She wanted to pretend she knew nothing, but all signs pointed to her being a substitute for Heather.
Everything she had was thanks to Heather.
After a lot of thinking, the only option she had was to make money as quickly as possible and get out of
this awkward couple situation.
The next morning. Dorothy woke up and was about to stretch when she realized that Everett was still in
bed!
He had already taken a shower and was then leaning against the headboard, reading some documents
¡°Awake? I asked the hotel to send breakfast over¡®
There was a husky tone in Everett¡¯s voice. It was low and gritty.
He hadn¡¯t tied his bathrobe. It was loose on his chest, revealing his firm abs.
Seeing that first thing in the morning made Dorothy swallow hard.
It was quite the thrill
Everett sensed something, so he turned his head to look at her, ¡°Hmm?¡±
Caught red¨Chanded, she quickly diverted her gaze, ¡°Sure, let¡¯s have breakfast!¡±
¡°From the sound of it, you seem more interested in eating me?¡±
¡°No! Absolutely not!¡±
She was so adorfiant, it was like she was back in middle school, ying by the rules, taking everything
seriously. She took every joke as the real deal.
¡°How¡¯s the due diligence for this project?¡± Everett didn¡¯t tease her anymore and started dressing while
asking.
Dorothy averted her eyes and quickly got out of bed to get the documents she had prepared.
¡°We¡¯re almost there. There are just a few things that need some more time. I suspected they might try
to falsily some information, so I left my number when retrieving the documents. This way, if they want to
view or switch them, the Commerce Bureau would have to notify me first.¡±
Everett nodded approvingly, ¡°You¡¯ve thought this through¡±
¡°It¡¯s all thanks to you, Mr. Lopez, for giving me this opportunity!¡±
¡°If you¡¯re so grateful, would you do something for me?¡± He paused while buttoning up his shirt.
Dorothy nodded immediately. ¡°Go ahead!¡±
¡°Apany me back to the Lopez family¡¯s home this weekend¡±
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Back to the Lopez family¡¯s home?
Dorothy¡¯s first thought was the message Heather sent to Everett
¡°Is it a good idea for me to go with you?¡±
Her status made it quite awkward.
¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with it. You¡¯re just there to apany me. If you don¡¯t want to get out of the car
you can wait for me.¡±
Hearing that his intention was really just to ¡°apany him and there was no need for her to step in,
Dorothy finally breathed a sigh of relief.
¡°All right, give me a heads up the day before so I can arrange my work.¡±
Everett nodded, seeing her rx from her high¨Cstrung state, he wasn¡¯t sure whether bringing her to the
Lopez family so hastily was the right thing to do.
He simply wanted his mother to get an impression of Dorothy and then slowly find a way to ept her.
In the morning. Kevin efficiently dug up almost everything about the Social Networking Service,
That made Dorothy silently admire that those who worked with Everett were indeed extraordinary
was almost noon when she suddenly remembered her appointment with Keh
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She sent an emoji, and he responded immediately
I was thinking of checking on you but didn¡¯t want to disturb you in case you were busy
I¡¯m free now, let¡¯s meet up and discuss the project in detail]
She always spoke in a straightforward and direct manner, not giving the other party any room for
imagination
Soon, Keh sent Dorothy an address.
After a few days together Dorothy felt that she got along well with Kevin, who seemed grumpy but was
indeed warm¨Chearted. Both were focused on work, sharing amon goal.
So she asked, ¡°Kevin, I have an interesting project. Would you like to tag along?¡±
¡°I have to make a trip to the Bureau of Industry and Commerce, and I can¡¯t go with you! You also need
to be back before four since there are some confirmation documents for you tomunicate with the
legal department.¡±
Dorothy gave an OK sign, tidied up a bit, and took a taxi to the appointed ce.
On the way, she asionally looked out the window, thinking Havenbrook City had really changed! The
old rundown houses were almost all demolished, reced by skyscrapers.
Though she didn¡¯t have any particr attachment to the ce, it was after all the city she was bom in,
where she spent the most important student days of her life.
Looking at it then, the bitter days in the past didn¡¯t seem so deeply etched in memory.
The taxi stopped by the roadside, and the driver handed her the receipt.
Dorothy nced at The fore was 10 dors, and the date was August 20th
Then she realized something. ¡°In five days, isn¡¯t it Heather¡¯s birthday
No wonder Evej¨¦tt suddenly wanted her to go to the Lopez family¡¯s home, and she didn¡¯t even have to
get out of the car She just needed to go there with him.
It seemed that she was probably going to be just a pawn that day! The purpose was to make Heather
jealous.
Sometimes she really wanted to ask Everett what exactly was the misunderstanding and problem
between him and Heather, why he had to torment her and drag her into it.
Walking into the restaurant in aplicated mood, Dorolly found Keh was already waiting for her.
Different from his usual conservative and old¨Cfashioned dress, today he wore white sportswear, looking
young and energetic, but the gold¨Crimmed sses on his nose still revealed his schrly aura.
¡°Order anything you want.¡± Keh pushed the menu directly to her.
Dorothy waved her hand, ¡°No, I¡¯ve already eaten.¡±
¡°So, shall we get straight to the point?¡±
She nodded, ¡®Sure. Shoot!¡±
Keh coughed, paused, took a deep breath, and then started, ¡°Do you think i¡¯m suitable to be your
boyfriend?
¡°Huh?¡±
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His topic was too abrupt. Wasn¡¯t he there to discuss the project?
Looking at Dorothy¡¯s bewildered face, Keh couldn¡¯t help but curve his lips,
¡°Did I scare you?¡±
She hesitated a bit before answering, ¡°Yeah, a bit.¡± Her smile was stiff, totally unprepared for that
situation
It was Keh who broke the awkward silence, ¡°Sorry, I was too sudden! I dide for the project
today, but I couldn¡¯t help but make a little joke when I saw how beautiful the sunlight was on you¡±
He finished speaking and pushed the filles next to him to Dorothy, ¡°Take a look. These are the designs
and a few nationally certified patents.
She took them and flipped through them. The introduction inside wasprehensive, showing signs of
careful organization), There were a few patents obtained jointly by several people, and some were
signed by Keh alone.
¡°As for the project coboration, I need to take these back and discuss with the higher¨Cups, but
personally, I think this would be a great project that the country would strongly support if mass
production can be achieved.¡±
Technological development was always of paramount importance!
¡°I rushed here this time. After going back to Eldoria City, we have produced a concept car in ourb. ll
invite you to try it out. Keh always had a warm smile on his face, like a big brother, his tone was
gentle. ¡°Im in charge of this project, so rll be waiting for your news. If you guys decide it¡¯s not feasible,
I¡¯ll contact anotherpany,¡±
¡°Then I better hurry up!¡± Dorothy finally smiled a bit. After all, he had shown a lot of sincerity
For high¨Ctech projects like that, they usually look for many investment banks at the same time during
the financing period, and then the highest bidder won!
Today Keh saying this, undoubtedly gave her the right to choose.
Although she knew in her heart that the Prosperity Consortium would have 90% approved that project.
She didn¡¯t dare to make any promises for the sake of caution.
¡°There should be many interested in your first round of financing announcement, right?¡±
Keh paused and nodded, a bit embarrassed, ¡°Yes, many have contacted me, but my sister had
already told me to give the first choice to the Prosperity Consortium.¡±
¡°If we end up coborating sessfully, I¡¯ll definitely request the leader to add Karen¡¯s name as well
¡°You two have a really good rtionship.¡± Heughed, ¡°My sister is too active. Initially, I really thought
your friendship wouldn¡¯tst long. I didn¡¯t expect you could tolerate her.¡±
Dorothy thought of Karen, and her lips curved slightly before saying. ¡°She¡¯s really good to me.¡±
In her life, the concern and warmth she could feel were pitifully few. Karen was the most constant that
had been with her for many
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years.
¡°Every time we meet, she couldn¡¯t stop talking about you. If you were a guy, I¡¯d suspect my sister was
in love with you¡±
Keh and Dorothy chatted about some funny stories from Karen¡¯s childhood for a while. The
atmosphere between the two finally became more rxed despite the initial restraint and
awkwardness.
They ended their conversation only until Kevin called.
Dorothy immediately took a taxi to the Bureau of Industry and Commerce in Havenbrook City.
On the way, she suddenly received a call from Heather.
¡°Do you have the core technical blueprint of the SinoSess Enterprises project?¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
¡°Send it to this email. I need it¡±
Dorothy paused, frowning slightly, ¡°But, this is not in ordance with the regtions. If you need it
urgently, you can speak to Mr. Percy, and he can send it to you.¡±
After all, blueprints have confidentiality obligations, let alone core technology.
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¡°There is no time to lose. The contract needs to have an appendix noted, I must take a nce before
the legal department can finalize the contract.
Heather seemed really in a hurry, her voice even had amanding tone, ¡°Stop wasting time. The
Prosperity Consortium¡¯swyer is
tome. ¡°Stop wasti
waiting. Send it to this email:
With that, she hung up abruptly.
Soon, an email address was sent to Dorothy¡¯s phone.
Thinking that Heather, as the chiefwyer of the Lopez Corporation, wouldn¡¯t do anything harmful to the
company, Dorothy decided to open the SinoSess Enterprises project document and send what
Heather needed
Arriving at the Bureau of Industry and Commerce, Dorotly got out of the car and found Everell standing
next to Kevin.
Dorothy thought, ¡°Has he finished his business?¡±
¡°Hurry up. We¡¯re just waiting for your signature ¡°Kevin waved his hand, urging her
Dorothy quickly trotted over in her high heels, saying ¡°Hello, Mr. Lopez¡± as she walked past Everett.
Following Kevin, she was secretly memorizing hismunication techniques with the staff, reminding
herself that she was there toContent provided by N?velDrama.Org.
leam
Once everything was settled, the business trip mission was sessfullypleted. All they had to do
then was wart
Stepping out of the Bureau, Everell was still standing there, a cigarette held betweer his slender
fingers.
He was always impably dressed during working hours, in a crisp suit, his hair neallybed, and
even in summer, he never switched to short sleeves.
¡°All good?¡±
¡°Yep. ¡°Dorothy nodded.
¡°Il treat you guys today.¡± Everett put out his cigarette and tossed it into a nearby trash can
¡°Thanks, Mr. Lopez!¡± Kevin had already gat in the car with him, while Dorothy was slowly following
behind.
After arriving at the hotel, the waiter led them directly to the reserved private room.
Suddenly, Dorothy heard someone calling her rame
She turned around instinctively and saw a guy hurrying over She recognized his face, but couldn¡¯t
recall his name.
¡°Dorothy, it¡¯s really you!¡±
Seeing her looking puzzled, the guy smirked, ¡°Forgot me? I¡¯m your middle school ssmate, David!
Remember? I confessed to you, and you tumed me down!¡±
At the mention of middle school, Dorothy instinctively looked at Everell
Following her gaze was David.
¡°Everett? Am I hallucinating?!¡±
That was someone he could have only seen on TV screens!
¡°You¡¯re not hallucinating. Compared to Dorothy¡¯s shock, Everett seemed quite calm. He strode up to
her and motioned for Kevin to go inside with the others.
¡°It¡¯s been years, and you¡¯ve only gotten more handsome. You were the tallest and most striking guy in
our ss¡± David was a chatterbox,pletely oblivious to any nwkwardness. ¡°Hey, why did you guys
suddenly leave the group chat?¡±
Dorothy wanted to say something, but he kept bringing up the past.
¡°It was deleted by ident¡± Everett Glood in front of her and picked up the conversation.
¡°Let¡¯s add each other on WhatsApp. I¡¯ll add you guys back! They¡¯re nning a reunion. You guys
shoulde!¡±
Everett didn¡¯t put on any airs, readily pulling out his phone.
After David humedly added him, he handed his phone to Dorothy.
Suddenly, Everett spoke up, ¡°Just add me. ll add her.¡±
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¡°Uh, okay¡¡± David finally sensed something was off. He looked at Dorothy, then at Everett, ¡°You two..¡±
¡°I work at hispany Dorothy didn¡¯t wait for Everett to speak. She blurted out before him.
¡°Oh, I see!¡± David felt a sense of relief, tantly eyeing Dorothy
She had always been beautiful.
Back in middle school even when she was dressed in rags, with her hair tied up with a frayed hairband,
it couldn¡¯t hide her delicate features. Especially at that time when she was dressed neatly, with her long
algae¨Clike hair cascading over her shoulders, her radiant eyes still pure, her petite and delicate nose,
her features could have been the standard for stic surgery hospitals.
Seeing that he was about to say something to Dorothy, Everett subtly pulled her back a step before him
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¡°Let¡¯s catch up another day. We¡¯re busy today.¡±
¡°Oh! Then you guys carry on! We can catch up at the reunion¡±
Being a man, David could sense Everett¡¯s detached politeness, so he didn¡¯t insist on adding Dorothy¡¯s
contact right away.
He figured once she was added to the group, he could add her too.
As Everett and Dorothy entered the private room, some of the ordered dishes were already served.
Kevin had already saved the head seat for his boss and left the seat next to it empty
So, Dorothy had no choice but to sit next to him casually.
¡°Mr. Lopez, regarding our subsidiary¡¯s acquisition of Joy Group¡¯s three hundred million in bad assets,
we have chosen their Joy Dairy Company as our debt¨Cto¨Cequity target. The contract part has been
handed over to Ms. Heather
Kevin was a workaholic. He seized every opportunity to report on work since Everett was usually too
busy.
¡°Hmm, she will know how to leave a way out for thepany.¡± Everett murmured.
His confident tone and casual attitude showed his trust in Heather.
Dorothy subconsciously looked at his deep profile. It was difficult to describe her feelings when she
heard those words.
It was like the understanding between him and Heather didn¡¯t require him, usually a cautious person, to
remind her of anything.
Everett looked up at her
She quickly turned her face and picked up the fork on the table. She nced at the dishes but had no
appetite. She didn¡¯t want to eat any of them. In the end, she just picked a piece of green vegetable,
chewing quietly.
¡°After signing the ¡®Debt Restructuring Agreement, we will hold 23% of Joy Dairy Company¡¯s shares.
After I return to Eldonia City, I will confirm the specific repayment method and amount with them.¡±
¡°Is the interest rate calcted at 6%?¡±
Kevin nodded, ¡°They naturally want it as low as possible, but 6% is our bottom line.¡±
¡°Good job¡±
In fact, Everett¡¯s bottom line was 5%. How much more could have been squeezed out depended on
Kevin¡¯s negotiating skills.
He never let the Lopez Corporation down,
After dinner, Dorothy went back to the hotel and started refining Keh¡¯s project. It wasn¡¯t until
Everett finished his meeting in the living room that she put down her keyboard.
¡°Oh, you haven¡¯?dded me to the ss group yet.¡±
She suddenly remembered that and thought Everett had forgotten.
However, his hands paused unbuttoning his shirt, ¡°Why do you want to join?¡±
Dorothy didn¡¯t say anything.
¡°You¡¯re quite the flirt, aren¡¯t you?¡± He casually changed into his robe and walked over to her, ¡°You don¡¯t
need another David. He¡¯s not good enough¡±
To be his love rival, David was far from qualified.
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Everett was already in the bathroom, and Dorothy was still puzzling over what he had meant by his
words.
It seemed like he didn¡¯t want to mingle with the middle school crowd and, moreover, he didn¡¯t like
David.
During her business trip to Havenbrook City, she leamed a lot from Kevin, Not only about due diligence
but also about the art ofmunication.
After returning to Eldoma City, Dorothy had two days of special leave, but she spent all her time
discussing Keh¡¯s project with Kevin. Finally, after sorting out the project and submitting it, she was
about to tidy up and go to the hospital to see her mother when Be called.
¡°Mam.¡±
¡°You¡¯re back in Edernia City, right?¡±
There was something off about Be¡¯s voice. There was a slight harshness.
¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve finished handlingpany affairs and was just about to head to the hospital to see you¡±
¡°Let¡¯s talk when you get here.¡±
With that, she hung up.
Locking at the dark screen of her phone. Dorothy began to worry that her father was bothering her
mother again. After all, she had just retumed and hadn¡¯t done anything to upset her mom.
She was just about to leave Bay Residence when she opened the door and saw Everetts car pulling
up.
¡°Are you going to the hospital?¡±
He guessed from the look on Dorothy¡¯s face as he got out of the car.
¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve been away on business, so I want to check with the doctor about my mom¡¯s condition.¡±
¡°Ill go with you.¡±
¡°No need!¡± Dorothy reflexively refused, then read and her tone was a bit harsh and quickly added. ¡°My
mom doesn¡¯t like visitors, it¡¯s not about you.¡±
Everett didn¡¯t push her, just nodded lightly. ¡°Then let me give you ande
Dorothy didn¡¯t refuse his kindness that time. After all, it was hard to get a cab from Bay Residence.
At the hospital
She stood still and waved as Everett¡¯s car left, then turned and walked towards the hospita
At the entrance to VI ward, two tall bodyguards stood. People passing by always look a curious nce
at them.
Dorothy walked in with the fruits she bought and saw Be on the hospital bed.
Her face was stem. She nced at her daughter and said, ¡°Come here
Without any guard, Dorothy closed the door and walked to the bedside. Before she could speak, Be¡¯s
p hit her face hard.
The p was so harsh that her fair face immediately showed red marks.
It was shocking.
¡®Mom¡¡±
¡°Do you know why I hit you?¡±
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1-
Bello was so angry that she clenched her fists and her breathing became rapid. That was the first time
she had everid a hand on her daughter.
Dorothy Immediately thought of the massage that woman had sent her.
*You¡¯re young and foolish, running after men to take advantage of you! Don¡¯t call me mom again. I
don¡¯t have a shameless daughter like
Dorothy was stunned into silence.
Faced with her mother¡¯s usations, ale just covered her cheek, listening, but didn¡¯t refert.
¡°Hurry up and discharge me. I¡¯m not waiting for any surgery here. I¡¯d rather die than use this dirty
money to prolong my life!¡°,
Be¡¯s voice was loud, shaking Dorothy¡¯s ears. She didn¡¯t know if it was because of the p or
something else.
¡°The experts have already scheduled the surgery. It can¡¯t be canceled¡±
¡°Then let me die now Be¡¯s emotions started to re up again,
Dorothy ignored the pain on her cheek and quickly went over to hold her mother¡¯s hand.
¡°Mom, they told you, right? You should be very clear about their motives!¡±
don¡¯t care who told me. Is it true that you¡¯re being kept by a man?¡±
Her mother¡¯s blunt questioning left Dorothy at a loss
She didn¡¯t expect her affair with Everett to be discovered so quickly.
But she wanted her mother to live.
When did she ever have a choice?
¡°Mom, it¡¯s not true.¡±
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¡°Really? Fine! Then you tell me, where the money for the sumery came from, and how your so called
boyfriend agreed to lend you so much money all at once!¡±
Dorothy licked her parched lips and lowered her eyes for a while, ¡°I really wasn¡¯t kept by him. We got
married¡±
She didn¡¯t want to tell her mom about that, but there was no other way around it!
Dorothy know Be too well. She was the type who would have rather died than spend a man¡¯s money.
Maybe if she threw the marriage license, there might have been a chance to persuade her.
Perhaps Be didn¡¯t expect her always obedient daughter to even get married without telling her. She
looked at her, operied her mouth a few times but didn¡¯t say anything for a while.
Afraid that her mother would faint again. Dorothy quickly went out to find a doctor.
Fortunately, she was given a pressure lowering injection in time, but it also made the doctor busy for a
while.
Not until the sun set outside, and the night fell, did the ward regain its quietness
Bey on the hospital bed, not saying a word, not closing her eyes, just looking at the ceiling
Dorothy stood aside like a child who had done something wrong
¡°Is it true that you got married?¡± Suddenly, Be spoke.
¡°Yeah¡±
¡°Let him core want to ask him in person¡±
Dorothy pursed her lips tightly, refusing to say anything it¡¯s not that he won¡¯te. He¡¯s just too busy
with work.¡±
¡°You married him to gather the money for my surgery, didn¡¯t you?¡±
Be was not stupid just because she couldn¡¯t move her legs! How could she have not known that her
daughter did all that for her?
But she only had that one daughter. She was scared that her daughter would have followed her old
path.
¡°No.¡± Dorothy answered simply. We have feelings. Mom. He¡¯s really good to me.¡±
He really was.
¡°Good? Then why doesn¡¯t he dare to see me?¡±
Dorothy was unable to answer that question..
¡°You say he¡¯s busy, then fill give him time! I must see this man before my surgery. Otherwise, no matter
when the surgery is scheduled, I definitely wont do it¡±
After leaving the hospital, Dorothy didn¡¯t go straight back to Bay Residence but walked to the beach.
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Because it waste at night, without the hustle and busile of the day, all that could be heard was the
sound of the waves hitting the beach.
The wind was a bit strong, whistling past her slightly swollen cheeks, causing a faint sting.
Dorothy rubbed her cold arms, her gaze unfocused,
When she was in Havenbrock City, she also liked to go to the beach at night. Especially when she
encountered something that bothered her and she couldn¡¯t figure out, she always felt that the vastness
of the sea could give her the strength not to escape.
She had been fred for a long time.
But the problem still needed to be solved. The root cause still existed. Her mother needed to have
surgery
She sat on the beach for who knows how long until Everett called, then she stood up.
¡°Where are you?
¡°I¡¯m at the hospital!¡±
¡°Dorothy¡± Everetts voice sank a bit, ¡°My man is at the door of the ward.¡±
Dorothy was silent.
She forgot!
¡°I¡¯m opming to pick you up. Send me your location. He would never ask too much, his first reaction was
always to see her first
Chapter 62
Dorothy nced at the taxis passing by not far away, ¡°No need. I take a taxi back! It¡¯s alreadyte. You
go to bed first.¡±
She didn¡¯t want to face Everett now, because she hadn¡¯t figured out how to ask him to help her see her
mother
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Chapter 63
Quickly hanging up the phone, Dorothy hurriedly hailed a cab.
At that time, she treated Everett just like her job, always on call and at his beck and call.
Thinking about her mother¡¯s scolding for her shamelessness, she wished she could have had it if
possible.
Once Dorothy arrived at the Bay Residence, she saw Everett still in his suit, looking every bit the
business elite, sitting behind the living room table in a video conference.
Being a CEO wasn¡¯t all fun and games, and it was especially the case for Everett. The sess of the
Lopez Corporation was all due to his meticulous work attitude.
Hearing a noise, he nced towards the entrance and gestured for her to wait
Dorothy didn¡¯t dare to disturb his work, so she bypassed the living room and went into the bedroom.
After some thought, she picked up her phone and dialed Karen.
She told her about her mother asking to meet her boyfriend. But of course, she didn¡¯t mention the
marriage or Everett
¡°So, you just need a guy to put on a show in front of your mom, huh?¡±
Karen nailed Dorothy¡¯s predicament with pinpoint uracy
¡°Yes.¡±
¡°Then what are you worrying about? My brother! Ill call him now!This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.
As she was about to hang up, Dorothy quickly said, ¡°No way! I know my mom too well. She definitely
won¡¯t say anything
Most likely she would have given him a hard time from beginning to end.
Keh wasn¡¯t rted to her in any way. Why should he have put up with such humiliation?
That was exactly why Dorothy didn¡¯t dare to mention that to Everett
What if her mother scolded him harshly and he decided to terminate the contract?
¡°Don¡¯t worry. My brother won¡¯t mind.¡±
¡°But I won¡¯t be able to face your brother again. I worked several all¨Cnighters on his project. I don¡¯t want
my personal issues to affect work.¡±
¡°Then I ask my other guy friends if they can help! Let¡¯s get your mom¡¯s surgery done first, and we can
figure out the restter¡± Karen knew she was always stubbom about her principles, hence the added
sentence.
Dorothy sighed, ¡°All right, I¡¯m counting on you! Make sure you tell them my mom will definitely give
them a hard time and might even get physical
Judging by the p she received today, the extent of Be¡¯s anger was clear
¡°Rx! By the way, you should put some medicine on your face, hear me? Don¡¯t be so careless.¡±
¡°Okay¡±
After hanging up, Dorothy took a deep breath. She was only going to be able to rx after her mother¡¯s
surgery wasplete.
Suddenly, the bedroom door was pushed open.
Everett walked in, noticing the abnormality on her cheek at first nce.
¡°Did your mon hit you?¡±
Being as sharp as he was, he guessed it right away.
Dorothy instinctively covered the affected area, awkwardly pulling at her lip, ¡°No, I just bumped into
something.¡±
She didn¡¯t want to expose her pain to anyone. Whether it was Everell or anyone else, they had no
obligation to receive her negativity
¡°You can tell me anything you need.¡± He strode over, getting closer with each step, causing Dorothy¡¯s
heart to race.
Thankfully, Everell was just opening the bedside drawer, looking for anti¨Cinmmatory pain ointment in
the first aid kit.
Im fine. It¡¯ll be better by tomorrow!*
¡°Dorothy, if you keep covering a wound, it won¡¯t heal. It will only get worse.¡±
He was talking about the wound, and he was talking about her.
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Everett fetched the ointment. He made a special trip to the bathroom to wash his hands before
returning to apply it for her.
Dorothy finched back a bit. Even though they had been quite close before, his sudden proximity made
her ufortable.
¡°I can do it myself! it¡¯s not like it¡¯s in a ce I can¡¯t reach.¡±
With that, she reached for the ointment.
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Everett didn¡¯t hand it over. His eyes gradually hinted at annoyance. ¡°Lean your face over here.¡±
¡°Really, I don¡¯t need.
He didn¡¯t say anything more. He just stared at her
Helpless. Dorothy obediently leaned in like a child.
Because they were so close, she could even see the tiny fuzz on Everett¡¯s face. His skin was so
exquisite that she wouldn¡¯t have noticed it if they weren¡¯t that close.
Everett carefully spread the ointment evenly on her face. It was cool andforting
Dorothy unintentionally looked up at him
His focused and serious gaze was as if he was dealing with something he cherished very much. He
was careful not to apply too lightly. lest it would have been ineffective. But he didn¡¯t apply too heavily
either, fearing that it might have caused her pain
Everett was really good-looking. It wasn¡¯t the kind of beauty that appealed to women, but a natural,
masculine charm
His features were deep and three¨Cdimensional, his jawline firm and striking. His eyes were like ink,
inviting and captivating, even his eyshes looked as if they had been grafted on!
¡°If it¡¯s still swollen tomorrow III take you to the hospital after work.¡±
The sound of his voice brought Dorothy back to reality and she lowered her head. ¡°Im not that delicate.¡±
It was safe to say that at that point, he was the only one who truly cared about her, which was why she
asionally felt feelings she shouldn¡¯t have.
¡°When you¡¯re with me, I allow you to be delicate.¡±
His words were soft, but his tone was resolute and undeniable.
Dorothy looked up at him, and their eyes met.
Neither of them looked away until he spoke, ¡°You need something from me, right?¡±
Dorothy didn¡¯t say anything.
¡°Tell me. No matter what it is, I help you solve it.¡±
Images shed through Dorothy¡¯s mind. She wondered how her mother would have reacted when she
saw Everett. Would she beate him, insult him, or even resort to violence?
His words were too gentle, his tone too sincere, that she felt s
He said, no matter what, he would have solved it with her.
¡°Everell, L¡¡±
Just as Dorothy was about to speak, his phone rang.
she was drowning
Everett frowned, and both of them turned their gaze towards the sound.
It was a call from Heather.
¡°Hold on, Ill take this call,¡±
He picked up the phone and walked to the bedroom door before answering.
¡°Are you alone? You can¡¯t get a hold of the driver? Okay, stay home. Fil be right there.¡±
After hanging up, Everett returned to Dorothy and asked, ¡°What were you about to say? Continue¡±
But Dorothy had snapped out of it.
She pulled a smile on her face, reverting back to her usual nonchnt self.
¡°Ah, it¡¯s nothing! I just wanted to say thanks.¡±
Clearly, Everett didn¡¯t believe her.
14:58
Dorothy urged him, ¡°Did something happen to Ms. Heather? You should go check on her!¡±
Distracted by the change in topic, he hesitated for a moment before nodding picking up his suit jacket
and standing. ¡°You should sleep first. Don¡¯t stay up. I don¡¯t know when I¡¯ll be back. I¡¯ll see you
tomorrow.¡±
¡°Okay¡±
Dorothy watched as Everett hurriedly left, then she let out a bitterugh.
What was she thinking?
She was just a stand¨Cin, and yet she was thinking about bringing Everett to meet her mother!
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Chapter 65
After Heather moved back to the country, she stayed in a fancy neighborhood not far from Bay
Residence.
That was initially her parents
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
they had moved abroad and left it to her.
The Lopez family had always seen her as their future daughter¨Cinw.
Everett parked the car in front of the vi and called Heather, ¡°Come out. I¡¯m at the door?
¡°Sorry, could you¡ could youe in and carry me out? I¡¯m in so much pain I can¡¯t stand up.¡±
¡°That bad?¡± He furrowed his eyebrows, Tm going to call 911 then, and let theme directly
Heather paused for a moment before saying. ¡°No need. It¡¯s just appendicitis. Ill rest for a bit thene
out. Wait for me. ¡°Okay¡±
Everett didn¡¯t leave the car, thinking it wouldn¡¯t have looked good for him to meet Heather ale at
night. So, he brought Jeffrey along to the hospital.
Jeffrey immediately agreed toe along when he heard Heather was sick
Soon, Heather, pale as a ghost, walked out of the vi
She got in the passenger seat and looked at Everett, who seemed to want to say something but didn¡¯t.
¡°Buckle up, Jeffrey has already contacted the hospital. If it¡¯s an emergency, you could have surgery
tonight¡±
¡°Thank you¡
Heather tugged at her bloodless lips and leaned back in the seat
the car, it was just the two of them. A slight turn of her head and she could see his deeply handsome
side profile.
Bathed in the light filtering through the windshield, Everett¡¯s facial lines were sharp and refined, as if
meticulously sculpted by God himself.
at it felt like to be
From the moment she firstid eyes on Everett, she knew what it felt like to be smitten.
Heather remembered back then, Be was adamant about not divorcing and even attempted suicide.
She and her mother had to hide out all over Havenbrook City before finally being taken in by the Lopez
family due to her mother¡¯s old schoolmate connection with Everett¡¯s father.
Everett was just thirteen that year, already towering over her and seemed so good¨Clooking standing
next to his parents!
But it was also that year that she and her mother were forced to leave the country under the pretense
of studying abroad and were sent to Elysian Country
So, she resented her father, Be, and especially Dorothy!
Heather always had one thought in her mind, ¡°Why should I struggle and work my guts out just to get
close to Everett, while Dorothy could easily move into his house?
For all those years, Heather had never once had the chance to enter Everett¡¯s private space, not even
once!
¡°Will she¡throw a fit if you leave her alone at home?¡±
Heather still couldn¡¯t bear to say Dorothy¡¯s name, so she referred to her as ¡°sho¡°,
Maybe it was because of the pain, her voice was weak, but she was obviously concerned for Everett
¡°That¡¯s why Jeffrey will Joke care of youter¡±
Hearing about her situation, and considering that he lived close by Everett decided to help
After all, ever since Heather moved back, she¡¯d been constantly busy withpany matters. He even
saw that she was online in thepany¡¯s internal software just now it wouldn¡¯t have been right to
refuse her.
¡°Oh, then you should have brought her along earlier so she doesn¡¯t get the wrong idea.¡±
¡°She wasn¡¯t feeling well today.¡± Everett figured that Dorothy probably wouldn¡¯t have wanted anyone to
see her face swollen from a p.
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Heather¡¯s hands only clenched into a fist, but she could only manage a smile on her face. ¡°Sorry for the
trouble thiste at night.¡±
¡°No worries.¡±
The car quickly arrived at the hospital, with Jeffrey already kindly waiting at the entrance.
Unlike Everett, he immediately walked over, opened the passenger door, and scooped Heather up.
¡°Everett, don¡¯t leave yet. Come give me a hand if she needs to be hospitalized, the doctor needs the
patient¡¯s information filled out. I¡¯ll take her for examination first. You handle this.¡±
Hm.
He nodded coolly, parked the car in a nearby spot, and walked into the hospital while sending Dorothy
a message
[Get some rest, if your face is still obvious tomarow, you can work from home. I¡¯ll talk to Kevin.)
The message was sent, but there was no reply.
Everett thought that she must have fallen asleep.
Everett, reassured that Dorothy had no intention of rep ying, finally walked into the hospital with peace
of mind.
That night, without Everett by her side. Dorothy surprisingly had insomnial How long had it been, and
she had already goller used to his presence?
She saw the message from Everett but didn¡¯t want to reply.
Early the next moming, Dorothy, with still somewhat reddened cheeks, went to the bathroom to wash
up. Because she hadn¡¯t slept much, she looked somewhatckluster in the mirror with dark circles
faintly appearing under her eyes.
After applying twoyers of foundation, it nicely covered the fingerprints as well.
Just as she changed her clothes and left the bedroom, she found that there was some movement in the
kinchen!
Shuffling over in her slippers, she found Everett, surprisingly, in an apron preparing breakfast.
When did hee back?
¡°You¡¯re awake? Wait for me, il be ready soon.
Dorothy nced at the couch in the living room, where there was a neatly folded nket
¡°Did you sleep in the living room?¡±
¡°Yeah. I didn¡¯t want to disturb you.¡±
Because the house was well insted. Dorothy hadn¡¯t heard any noise outside.
Everett brought out the toast and fried egg, only to find that Dorothy was already dressed, ready to go
to work.
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He frowned, ¡®If I don¡¯te back, you just don¡¯t n to eat breakfast?¡±
I¡¯m not hungry anyway, and I need to sort out some data in the office early.¡±
*Dorothy, stomach problems are caused by imegr eating
¡°Oh.¡± She didn¡¯t feel touched after hearing it. After all, those concems should have been directed at
Heather
¡°Come and eat.¡¯
¡°Okay.¡±
They both sat down, maintaining silence without any interaction. She didn¡¯t even lift her head.
Eventually, it was Everett who broke the silence, ¡°You didn¡¯t finish what you were sayingst night.
Have you encountered any trouble?¡±
¡°Last night? I finished! You¡¯ve already found the best doctor for my mother the most expensive ward,
and now we¡¯re just waiting for her physical condition to ept surgery. What trouble could I have?¡±
¡°Really? None?¡±
Dorothy quickly waved her hands, ¡°Why would I lie to you? Ah, you really have to press me, leaving me
no dignity! It¡¯s just because my mother and I had a little argument over a minor issue, and she was in a
bad mood, so she hit me.¡±
Everett stared at her face, somewhat fooled by her.
¡°What about Ms. Heather? I see her working so hard for thepany. I sent her a document at two in
the moming the day before yesterday, and she received it immediately.¡±
¡°She¡¯s fine. She had appendicitis surgery.¡±
¡°Oh! Then you should take more care of her at this time.¡±
Being a woman herself, Dorothy knew that at a time like that, a woman¡¯s heart was most easily moved!
In that way, Everett and she should have reconciled faster.
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¡°If it¡¯s a work injury, thepany has a specific department for that.¡±
He didn¡¯t need to worry his pretty little head about it.
Event¡¯s response was smooth as si his expression as casual as if he was talking about the weather.
If it wasn¡¯t for the tattoo, and the passcode to his house, it was difficult to tell whether he really gave a
damn about Heather.
¡°But aren¡¯t you guys¡ friends?¡±
¡°So, you n to visit her with me?¡±
Dorothy shook her head, I¡¯ve been quite swampedtely¡±
¡°Busy with that project from a guy named Keh?¡± Everett¡¯s hand, holding a cup of milk, paused as
he looked at her.
¡°Not entirely busy with just that. I¡¯m also working on the Social Networking Service project with Kevin,¡±
She didn¡¯t seem guilty at all, even under Everett¡¯s gaze.
¡°Mhm, keep up the good work.¡±
Then he didn¡¯t say anything more. After they finished breakfast, they both went to work.
In the hospital, Heather, who just had an acute appendicitis surgery, was slowly waking up
Her vision was a bit blurry when she saw a man¡¯s shadow in front of her!
¡°Everett¡¡±
Hearing her voice, the man turned around
H was Jeffrey
¡°You finally decided to open your eyes! If you didn¡¯t wake up. I was about to call the doctor!¡±
Not seeing the man she loved, Heather slowly closed her eyes and moistened her dry lips.
¡°Just you?¡±
¡°Yeah! I¡¯ve been sitting vigil by your side all night. Look, I even have bags under my eyes!¡± Jeffrey
could talk non¨Cstop whenever he opened his mouth.
Heather felt a dull pain from her lower abdomen, but it was nothingpared to her heartache.
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She never thought that even after working her ass off for Everett, she still couldn¡¯t see him when she
woke up!
¡°Thanks¡± Heather was always polite and distant to Jeffrey. Because his family, the Turner family and
the Lopez family were long¨Ctime friends, if anyone saw her being too close to Jeffrey, she was afraid
that Everett¡¯s parents would have despised her
After all, no parents would ept their daughter¨Cinw having scandals.
Everything she did was in preparation for marrying Everett
¡°We¡¯re friends! No need for formalities!¡± Jeffrey may have seemed careless, but he was pretty diligent
when it came to taking care of people. He asked, ¡°Do you want some water? The doctor said you can¡¯t
eat anything for now.¡±
Heather shook her head. Her delicate face was pale and bloodless.
¡°Tell me if you need anything.¡±
¡°I want you to c¨®ll Everett over¡±
Even Jeffrey, who
asn¡¯t exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, understood what Heather meant, ¡°Why bother? He really
likes that girl.¡± Perhaps Jeffrey once thought that when Everett said he liked someone, it was just an
excuse not to get married. But ever since he saw his efforts for her he knew Everett was serious.
¡°Don¡¯t you think he likes Dorothy because she looks a lot like me?¡±
Jeffrey blinked, recalling Dorothy¡¯s face in his mind.
To be honest, they did have some simrities.
¡°But he doesn¡¯t need a substitute.¡±
¡°Because he doesn¡¯t want to obey his family¡¯s arrangement.¡±
Jeffrey didn¡¯t say anything, because he felt this reason was a bit of a stretch.
14:50
Not to mention that Everett was very iial and had a good rtionship with his parents among the
wealthy families. Just talking about
his personality, he didn¡¯t seem like the type to casually put a woman in his heart.
Just give him a call, tell him I¡¯m in bad shape, okay? I want to see him.¡±
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Her voice was weak, with a plea that was impossible to me.
Jeffrey had known Heather for many years. She always maintained a noble and elegant demeanor.
That was the first time she was begging
¡°Ah fine¡±
He sighed, tumed around and left the ward
At the corner of the hospital corridor, Jeffrey lit a cigarette, took a puff, and dialed Everett¡¯s number
After a few rings, his deep, gravelly voice finally came through
¡°What¡¯s up?¡±
¡°Well, things are pretty bad over here with Heather. I could use a hand if you¡¯m free
Tneed to get home early¡±
Jeffrey knew he would say that. He took a Frustrated drag of his cigarette. ¡°Dant you think you¡¯re being
a bit harsh on Heather? After all, she developed acute appendicitis from working overtime. Putting
aside the fact that we¡¯ve been friends since childhood, as a leader of the Lopez Corporation, shouldn¡¯t
you at least visit a hardworking employee?¡±
¡°If it was a guy, I would have gone already. But I¡¯m married now, and it¡¯s not appropriate.¡±
¡°Married, married! You¡¯re always using that as an excuse Have you forgotten all about friendship?
Jeffrey raised his voce, Indignation for Heather, ¡°What if your wife doesn¡¯t want you toe? Would
you also refuse to help me if Im in trouble?¡±
nl
There was a noticeable pause from Everett, who finally said after a few seconds, 11 ask Dorothyter.
If she has time well go together¡± Then the call ended. Looking at the ended call, Jeffrey seriously
regretted agreeing to Heather¡¯s request.
Having Dorothy visit Heather was worse than noting
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Inside the Lopez Corporation¡¯s conference room, Dorothy listened to Kevin¡¯s exnation, frantically
taking notes, afraid to miss anything.
Whenever Kevin stopped talking, the only
1. a. the only sound in the room was her pen scratching against the paper.
After the meeting, Dorothy meticulously organized her notes.
Kevin walked over ¡°I have a feeling you¡¯re going to make a big ssh in investment banking¡±
Dorothy squinted and smiled, ¡°That¡¯s because Thave a good teacher! Your case analysis is so urate
and detailed, I¡¯ve earned a lot!
That was something she could have never leamed in her team of the Prosperity Consortium!
¡°I see you ve taken a lot of notes, but understanding is what matters. If you have any questions, just
ask me.¡±
¡°Okay!¡±
She packed up her things and was about to leave when her mother called.
Not wanting anyone to overhear, Dorothy hurriedly found a secludeder before answering.
¡°Hello, Mom.¡±
¡°When are you nning to introduce him? Is it that hard to arrange a meeting with your husband? Is he
working 24/77
Be¡¯s barrage of questions left Dorothy speechless.
¡°He¡¯s busy I¡¯m busy too.¡±
¡°Fine, then you guys take your time. I¡¯m checking out today¡±
¡°No!¡± Dorothy knew her mother was capable of doing just that, ¡°Give me three days, okay? I definitely
bring him to meet you! I¡¯ve talked to him about it. He said he¡¯s nervous and doesn¡¯t know how to face
you¡±
¡°Kidnapping my daughter, not even telling me about the registration, and he¡¯s nervous! Ha!¡±
¡°Why do you have to talk like this? isn¡¯t it good that he¡¯s busy with work? Should he be a penniless bum
with nothing to his name so that we can start from scratch?¡±
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Dorothy didn¡¯t mean to look down on the poor, but she just couldn¡¯t get her mom!
She believed that marrying a dishonest man, whether rich or poor would have led to him cheating. If he
was poor and having an affair it would have just aggravated her even more.
And with Be¡¯s attitude, which man would she have dared to bring home?
He would have probably gotten beaten half to death as soon as he walked through the door!
¡°So, I need to see this guy myself. He has to pass my test before I¡¯ll ept your marriage
¡°I got it. 11l bring him.¡±
Dorothy¡¯s tone was full of frustration.
Work pressure was already enough, and her mom had to add another burden on her.
Finding a fake boyfriend was even harder than staying upte to write a few more project proposals!
After hanging up, Dorothy leaned against the wall and let out a long sigh
She didn¡¯t have much time to think about those things, because the evaluation meeting for the Social
Networking Service was about to start. Whether the project could be invested in depended on that step.
Collecting hersell, Dorothy hurried back to the office to organize the materials
After a busy day, the good news was that the Social Networking Service project passed the evaluation,
and they decided to invest! The bad news was that Everett wanted her to visit Heather in the hospital.
Dorothy really wanted to ask Everett how many more times he had nned on making Heather jealous
in front of her on purpose!
Couldn¡¯t that guy have been more flexible?
She felt like just telling Heather the truth for Everett
But she only thought about it. After all, breaking the contract then would have been a disaster for her.
Close to getting off work, Dorothy started praying for Kevin to ask her to work overtime Preferably all
night
Unfortunately, her prayers fell on deaf ears, and as soon as the clock struck, Everett called.
¡°Meet me in the underground garage.¡±
There was a brief pause before she replied, ¡°Okay¡±
Dorothy sluggishly left the office, took the elevator, walked to the president¡¯s parking space.
Everett saw her and stepped out of the driver¡¯s seat, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
¡°Nothing. I¡¯m just a bit tired.¡± She wished she could have pretended to be sick and say she couldn¡¯t go!
But, Everett had paid so much money and rarely asked her for anything, if she made an excuse to get
out of that, she might have been very close to being released
from the contract.
And it was all because she was broke.
¡°I take you home to rest.¡±
He said it very naturally, without a hint of hesitation.
It even surprised Dorothy & bit, ¡°Can 17¡±
She could get out of this?
Everett gave a helpless smile, ¡®Of course, but I¡¯m afraid I have to make a trip.¡±
Even Jeffrey had used him of being unsociable. He reflected on himself and felt something was
wrong.
Because Everett always kept a distance from women, when faced with possible misunderstandings, he
would instinctively stay away.
¡°You go ahead. Don¡¯t worry about me. It¡¯s not a big deal. 111 be fine alter a little rest!¡±
When Dorothy felt like she¡¯d been pardoned, she let out a sigh of relief, and her mood improved all the
way home.
Everett nced at her in the rear view mirror.
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She didn¡¯t seem tired of all.
After dropping Dorothy off at Boy Residence, Everett drove to the hospital.
As soon as he entered the ward, he saw Jeffrey helping Heather to stand up
As soon as she saw Everett, Heather instinctively pushed Jeffrey away.
¡°Everett, you¡¯re here!¡±
¡°Yeah.¡± He put the fruits and supplements he¡¯d just bought on the table.
Seeing that, Jeffrey frowned, ¡°You two chat. I go get her medication.¡±
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As soon as he left, Heather, despite her fmil cerdition, managed to squeeze out a polite smile. ¡°Sorry,
Everett. I¡¯m afraid III have to postpone a few contracts I¡¯m working on! But don¡¯t worry, Ill be back on
track soon. Jeffrey promised to bring myptop to the hospital!*
Everett admired her work ethic, but as president, he had to discourage such kind of reckless behavior
¡°You need to rest. The legal department doesn¡¯t solely depend on you. 111 get Kevin and Dorothy to
pick up the ck.¡±
¡®Nol
Heather¡¯s voice rose at the mention of Dorothy¡¯s name. She realized her outburst was inappropriate,
¡°Sorry, I just don¡¯t like others getting involved in my work. It¡¯s not personal! Besides, I have nothing to
do in the hospital. Working might actually be fun.¡±
¡°Your healthes first.¡±
¡°I¡¯m really fine¡® By the way, Everett, because of my sudden surgery, I can¡¯t fly out to see Amanda this
week. She called me just now, and ¡®she¡¯s heard about it. So she¡¯s nning toe back to the
country¡±
Everett¡¯s mother wasing back?
His eyebrows furrowed, ¡®She¡¯s not fit for long fights.¡±
¡°I told her the same, but she insists oning to see me, worried that I won¡¯t have anyone to take care
of me after the surgery¡±
¡°We can hire more nurses for you. She won¡¯t be able to take care of you even if shees.¡±
¡°Yeah, I told her the same.¡±
He had a headacheing on, ¡°Til talk her out of it.¡±
¡°Everett Heather started suddenly. ¡°Are you against Amandaing back because of her health, or
because of Dorothy?
Caught off guard, Everett just gave her a nce, not responding
¡°You know Amanda won¡¯t like Dorothy. I suggest you don¡¯t tell her yet Heather switched back to her
friendly tone. ¡°Otherwise, all the previous treatment would be wasted, and it could even be worse.¡±
1ll consider it carefully
When Dorothy returned to the Bay Residence, her sense of relief didn¡¯tst long.
Seeing the spacious house empty, she couldn¡¯t help but imagine Everett and Heather at the hospital
Were they hugging each other tightly?
Or was Everett gently stroking Heather¡¯s face, tencerly applying medicine, just like he had cone for
her?
Frustrated, Dorothy shook her head to rid herself of such thoughts.
She decided to do some housework!
Keeping busy would have prevented her mind from wardening
However after dusting from the bedroom to the living room, she realized something
Everett, the clear freak, kept his ce spotless! There was not a speck of dust anywhere.
What time did he wake up in the morning?
Just as Dorothy was L¡¯about to give up and return to her room, she noticed his study door was ajar
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He wouldn¡¯t mind if she went in to pick a book, right?
Sneaking in like a tivel, she switched on the light and scanned the book lined walls.
Then suddenly, Dorothy spotted a few neatly aranged middle school textbooks!
Those were more. She had no idea where her can were.
Intrigued, she pulled one out, but before she could flip through it, she noticed atter that came out with
it.
Dorothy picked it up from the floor. The envelope had a few words written in a strong and forceful
handwriting
¡°Do you know the secret of 08257¡±
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Just how much did Everett actually love Heather?
She couldn¡¯t even begin to imagine that a guy as serious and rigid as him, would have been willing to
go to such lengths for love. Setting passwords, getting tattoos, writing love letters.
Each one of those things seemed unlike something Everett would have done, yet he did them all for
Heather.
Dorothy didn¡¯t read the letter. She just silently put it back where it was, along with the book, and slowly
walked out of the study. She felt like she crossed a line. That was Everett¡¯s business. She had no right
to pry, to think, or to feel anything about it.
She was just a hired stand¨Cin, and she didn¡¯t have the right.
Everett waited for Jeffrey to return, then left the hospital
He got in his car, but instead of starting the engine, he dialed his mother¡¯s number.
¡°Ah, Everett, have you finished with your work?¡±
Because of the lime difference, it was alreadyte where Everett¡¯s mother was
¡°Yeah.¡± Everett Iraned back in his seat, rubbing his temples, ¡°I heard from Heather that you¡¯reing
back to the country?¡± ¡°Yeah! It¡¯s her birthday and she¡¯s having surgery Se, I wanted to go see het
Amand
angry.
But from her tone, it was clear that she considered Heather as part of her family.
voice was gentle as water as if she was never
Everett knew, though, that his mother wasn¡¯t what other people thought she was. She had a strong
desire for control.
¡°It¡¯s not a major surgery. I just came from the hospital. You¡¯re not well. The doctor has advised you to
rest and not to travel long distances.¡±
¡°I haven¡¯t been back to the country for a long time. I n to stay there for a while this time. I can rest
there too, and I can see you and Heather more often.¡±
¡°Mom, you should focus on getting better first. Then we can talk about this
Everett had originally nned to let his mother gradually get used to Dorothy. From meeting her,
getting to know her, to bing familiar with her.
But if she suddenly went back to the country now, the news of their marriage wouldn¡¯t have stayed
hidden for long.
¡°Do you not want me toe back?¡± Amanda detected something in her son¡¯s tone and asked, ¡°Did
you and Heather have a fight? You two..
¡°We¡¯re friends in private and superior¨Csubordinate at work. There¡¯s no such thing as fighting. He cut off
his mother, not wanting her to specte further ¡®Ille to see you once I¡¯m done with my work.¡±
His original n was to take Dorothy with him.
Unfortunately for him, Heather messed up his ns
¡°You¡¯re already so busy with work. Just let mee back to the country! I¡¯ve already bought the ticket.
I even told Heather not to tell you about this. I wanted to surprise you, but she couldn¡¯t keep her mouth
shut and told you!¡±
Amanda chuckled ¡°After you two get married, she¡¯s definitely going to be wrapped around your finger.¡±
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Everell didn¡¯t say anything in response to that
¡°I won¡¯t keep you any longer. It¡¯s almost midnight here. I need to take a rest. Goodnight, son.¡±
With that, she hung up.
Everett felt his headache gelling worse!
It seemed like his mother returning to the country was a done deal. He would have had to avoid
anything that might have upset her, and then find a chance to send her away again
He put his phone on the passenger seat and started the car, speeding back to Bay Residence.
As soon as he entered, he saw Dorothy lying on the living room table, seemingly asleep and not
moving
Everett tiptoed over and took a nket from the sofa to cover her.
The action, though, woke her up.
¡°You¡¯re back so early?¡°
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Chapter 72
Dorothy blinked at the man in front of her, almost convinced she was dreaming.
Shouldn¡¯t he have been at Heather¡¯s side, keeping a sleepless vigil after her surgery?
¡°Another friend is there. No need for me.¡± Everett shrugged casually, shedding his suit jacket.
Dorothy blinked again. ¡°A guy?¡±
¡°Huh?¡±
¡°Your other friend. Is he a guy?¡±
Everett nodded. ¡°Yeah. He¡¯s actually better at taking care of Heather.¡±
Well, that exined a lot!
Dorothy had been puzzling over what kind of cssal misunderstanding stood between Everett and
Heather. Two people so clearly in love yet obstinately not together.
Then it all made sense. A third wheel was in the picture.
Everett, being the reticent and tight¨Clipped type, was probably no match for that other guy¡¯s
attentiveness and charm. That exined Heather¡¯s indecision.
No wonder he was always trying to use Dorothy in make Heather jealous.
¡°Have you eaten yet?¡®
Everell was oblivious to Dorothy¡¯s analysis. His first concem was always whether she was hungry or
not.
¡°No, I¡¯m on a diet.¡± Dorothy genuinely had no appetite.
¡°No can do. Eat less at night. I have my assistant send something over.¡± His words always had a
compelling force to them that made it hard to mfuse.
It¡¯s as if he was bom a leader and others were just meant to follow hismand.
Dorothy got up and watched as he took some fruit cut of the refrigerator, washed them, and put them in
front of het He picked out the biggest reddest strawberry and handed it to her
This was specially brought back for you.¡±
Dorothy took it, puzzled. ¡°How did you know I like strawbemes?¡±
She did, but she had not specifically bought them for a long time. Come to think of it, it had been over a
year
¡°That time in middle school when you ate them all during lunch break.¡±
Middle school?
With his reminder, Dorothy suddenly remembered the first time she ate strawberries in her life was
indeed in middle school!
She vaguely remembered a ssmate being rather generous, giving each student a box of
strawberries, and she got to taste such fruit
¡°You even remember that?¡± She said, taking a b
It was very sweet
He just smiled and didn¡¯t say anything, holding another strawberry in his slender hard, ready to hand it
over at any time.
Of course, Everett didn forget. Because that ¡°ger erous¡± ssmate was him.
They were learning the word ¡°strawberry¡± in English ss, and as her deskmate, he identally
noticed Dorothy staring at the strawberry illustration in the textbook for a long time.
Everett knew that if he only bought for her, Dorothy would have definitely refused. So, he used the prize
money he won from apetition, contacted a fruit farm, and sent one box to each of his ssmates
in the name of the ss president.
¡°Why arent you eating? Dorothy nced at him and picked a strawberry to his mouth. It¡¯s really sweet¡±
C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.
He didn¡¯t refuse, opened his mouth to take a bite, and identally bit her fingertip.
Like being electrocuted, Dorothy quickly withdrew her hand, her chooks flushingson.
Having been around the block, she knew well enough what to do under such circumstances.
¦°
Everett gently ted her in a princess carry and headed for the bedroom. He nted a kiss on theer
of Dorothy¡¯s mouth, lingering until she was almost breathless. Her face flushed as red as strawberry
pulp.
¡°Hmmm, it is sweet.¡±
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Chapter 73
Just in time, his assistant bought dinner.
He only messed with Dorothy once. then let her be
But he still drained most of her energy. Even ealing required him to carry her to the dining room
Before sleeping. Everett propped himself up on the bedhead and read a book.
Facing his deep profile. Dorothy wanted to ask about Heather several times, but in the end, she stayed
silent.
She nced at her phone. The day after the next day would have been the 25th of August
Everett should not be retuming to Bay Residence that day, which was also the deadline her mother had
given her.
The next day. Derathy got busy the moment she arrived at the office
Kevin still had a few big projects in his hands, and he couldn¡¯t focus solely on Social Networking
Service, so he handed over almost everything else to Dorothy.
It was almost noon when she finally lifted her head from a pile of files and documeris, found a staircase
and called Karen.
¡°By tomorrow, at thetest, I need a guy to apary me to see my mom.¡±
¡°Huh?¡± Karen was obviously taken aback. ¡°I tried to find someone for you, but he said he can only do it
next week, cant you wa¡¯t a hit -longer?¡±
¡°My mom said I have to bring someone to see her within three days, or she will be discharged from the
hospital.¡±
If possible, Dorothy would have preferred to push the deadline back. It would have been best if it was
pushed back so far that her mother forgot about it.
¡°Your mom really knows how to squeeze you. Karen clicked her tongue, ¡°What to do? I try to
communicate with my friend agan. worry for now.
After hanging up. Dorothy returned to her office and saw a message from Everell
[The hospital said your mother wants to postpone the operation]
She quickly replied the message.
[No need to postpone! I¡¯ll handle the matter. Thanks for your concern.]
She knew her mother was giving her a veiled warning because she probably thought Dorothy wouldn¡¯t
be bringing anyone.
Dorothy sighed. The thought of Be made her feel dispirited and frustrated but mostly helpless.
Do you need my help?
Everett¡¯s messagee again.
She pulled a wry smile.
Don¡¯t
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.
She would have loved to type, ¡°Yes. I need to take you to the ward to see my mom, be scolded and
threatened. Can you take 117¡±
But she sighed and replied, ¡°No, she¡¯s just throwing a tantrum over a small matter. fil talk to her. She¡¯s
just a bit scared of the surgery.¡±
She exited the chat and sent her mother a text.
[Tomorrow, I definitely bring someone over. Don¡¯t make a fuss about postponing the surgery. Its hard to
gather all the specialists]
She had said he piece but Karen didn¡¯t reply even by the end of the workday
With a heavy heart, Dorothy returned to Bay Residence. She couldn¡¯t concentrate on the documents on
herputer at all. Her mind
was full of the maler
It was not like she could have conjured up
nut of thin air to apany her the next day.
Perhaps sensing Dorothy¡¯s restlessness, Everett returned to the bedroom after finishing his work. His
tall figure stood beside her exuding an overwhelming presence.
¡°Whats wrong?¡®
¡°Nothing. I just a little headache from reading contracts.¡±
¡°You can deal with it tomorrow.¡±
Everett forcefully shut down herputer, theny down on the bed.
Aftere intimate moments, he got up to take a bath.
15001
Suddenly, he paused at the bathroom door, ¡°Tomorrow, I have an important matter¡±
Dorothy could still feel the warmth of his lips on hers, the next second it was as if she was thrown
directly into
¡°Oh¡¡± She knew that it was Heather¡¯s birthday.
¡°Don¡¯te back before 10 pm tomorrow. Go to your mother first.
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¡°All right.¡±
No need to worry. Even if it meant she didn¡¯te home all night, it was fine.
After giving his instructions, Everett went to take a shower.
Dorothyy on the bed and took a deep breath,
Should she have started looking for a house in advance? So that if she was kicked out, she wouldn¡¯t
have been homeless at least.
That night, Dorothy tossed and tumed, only falling asleep when dawn was about to break.
When she woke up, she was alone. All that was left was the breakfast he¡¯d prepared in the dining room
and the usual note
She sat down to eat and got in touch with Karen
¡°My friend isn¡¯t in the country right now What should I do?¡±
¡°Can I hire someone with some money?¡± That was the only solution she could think of!
¡°What time are you nning on visiting your mom at the hospital?¡±
Dorothy thought for a moment, ¡°After work. At around five.
¡°Then wait for my news. I¡¯ll try to find someone who can fool her. If I can¡¯t, then just discuss it with your
mom and wait a few days. My friend will be back!¡±
She felt a headacheing on, but what could she have possibly said? Karen was clearly trying her
best to help. She packed her stuff and went to work
Even Kevin noticed that something was off with her. After the morning meeting, he called Dorothy into
his office. ¡°Have you been overworking? You can tell me.¡±
¡°No, I just didn¡¯t sleep wellst night
She had finally managed to get into the project, and there was no
was letting go then.
¡°Then don¡¯t work overtime when you get home, itll affect your work the next day. It¡¯s not worth it¡±
¡°Okay, I got it.¡±
Emerging out of the office, Dorothy checked her phone again.
There was still no news from Karen.
She was already drafting a script in her head. Otherwise, she might have been caught out when lying
to Be.
An hour passed, several hours passed, and for the first time Dorothy was wishing that Karen, the
chatterbox, would contact her sooner! But there was no sign of her even when it was time to clock out.
Reluctantly, she gathered her files, picked up her bag and trudged out of the Lopez Building
Suddenly, she spotted a familiar figure standing at the entrance, waiting for someone
It was Keh.
Unlike the previous time they met, he was dressed formally today, in a suit and leather shoes.
Especially in front of the Lopez Building. this gave him a businesslike air
It was quitting time and many of the passing girls looked at him, then whispered to each other.
Well, it made sense.
While not as handsome as Everett, Keh was still very attractive, with thick eyebrows and big eyes,
and a pair of intellectual gold rimmed sses on his face.
He had a schrly gentlemanly aura, which was a stark contrast to Everett¡¯s cold and aloof demeanor
¡°Mr. Nelson, are you here for a project with the Lopez Corporation? Dorothy hesitated, but decided to
go over and say hello.
¡°No, I¡¯m here to pick you up.¡± He smiled gently, ¡°Karen told me everything.¡±
Dorothy was paused momentarily.
¡°Don¡¯t worry too much, we¡¯re friends and I¡¯m happy to help.¡±
Dorothy awkwardly pulled at her lip, ¡°Did she tell you about¡¡±
¡°She told me everything.¡± Keh interrupted softly, 1 understand your mother¡¯s feelings. However,
this is my first time pretending to be
1/2
15:00
someone¡¯s newlywed husband, so I¡¯m a bit nervous. I hope you won¡¯t mind,¡±
The phrase ¡®newlywed husband sounded odd to Dorothy no matter how site thought about it
But it seemed like she didn¡¯t have any other choice at the moment.
¡°Mr. Nelson, you¡¯re too kind!¡±
He smiled and raised an eyebrow, ¡°Are you nning on calling me Mr. Nelson in front of your mother
too?¡±Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.
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Chapter 75
Dorothy clearly hadn¡¯t thought that fat and she was taken aback when she heard it.
¡°Just call me Keh. That¡¯s what everyone at lome calls me
She nodded, feeling a bit awkward, but under those circumstances, what else could she have been
picky about?
If she could find a guy to introduce to her mother, that would have been good enough! She just needed
to appease her until the surgery
was over
After getting into Keh¡¯s car, Dorothy realized he was well prepared.
Not only had he bought a basket of fruits, but also several hours of expensive supplements. How much
did they even cost?
She sneakily pulled out her phone and checked her bank bnce
There was only few thousand bucks. She wasn¡¯t even sure if it was enough to pay Fim back.
Keh followed her gaze and smiled, ¡°Karen said you¡¯ve been busy with work and probably didn¡¯t
have time to prepare anything. So, I picked up some stuff along the way! I can¡¯t meet your mom empty
handed. Your mom would never believe it¡±
He was so considerate that it made Dorothy feel even more embarrassed, Tim already taking up your
time, and now I¡¯m making you do all this thinking for me. I really appreciate it! How much do I owe you
for all this stuff?
¡°No need, it wasn¡¯t much, Consider it as me visiting your mom on Karen¡¯s behalf! Otherwise, she would
have to buy something too
¡°Let¡¯s be clear about this. You must take the money. Darothy knew that her words sounded a bit harsh
and distant, but what she feared the most was awing others.
Whether it was money or favors, she needed to pay them back to the best of her abilities.
¡°How are we supposed to develop that couple vibe if you¡¯re this uptight? Won¡¯t your mom see through
us in a second?¡± Keh had also noticed her character and tried to reassure her, ¡°How about this?
First get into the mindset, think of me as your boyfriend, and as for these matters, we can talk about
them after we get through today.¡±
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She looked at Keh and managed to squeeze out a stiff smile.
She knew his suggestion was right, but the thought of pretending to be in a loving rtionship with her
best friend¡¯s brother made her feel ufortable from head to toe.
The car soon arrived at the hospital Before they could walk in, Bes call came in.
We¡¯re downstairs. We¡¯ll be night there.¡±
After saying that, Dorothy hung up the phone, and turned to Keh with a worried look ¡°Mr. Nelson,
you¡¯d better brace yourself. My mom is very angry about this. She might overreacl.¡±
*Don¡¯t worry, Karen has already reminded me many times¡±
After saying that, Keh ced hisrge hand gently on her shoulder and curled his lips. ¡°Once we
go in, I¡¯ll start calling you Dorothy. and you call me Keh. Don¡¯t forget.¡±
The sudden physical contact made Dorothy feel ufortable, as if all the hair on her body were
standing on end.
But she only had one shot at that. If her mom found out he was a stand¨Cin, things could have gotten
even worse! So, she had to y her part well today
She nodded, closed her eyes, and tried to convince herself not to reject his closeness.
As she was thinking, the image of Everett popped into her mind!
It seemed that she could only lower her guard if she imagined Keh as Everett.
¡°Are you ready?¡±
There was a touch of indulgence and gentleness in his voice that would have made anyone believe he
wasn¡¯t just pulled in at thest
minute.
Dorothy thought that he must have been treating her as his sister Karen, right? That¡¯s why he was able
to get into character so quickly.
¡°I¡¯m ready. Let¡¯s go.¡±
There was no escaping this anyway.
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Chapter 76
Chapter 76
Dorothy and Keh walked up to the door of ward V1 together. The two bodyguards on either side
looked at them, hesitating, seemingly tom about whether or not to stop them.
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
After all, Keh was a fresh face.
¡°This is my boyfriend¡± Dorothy said, knowing her mother could hear from inside, so she had to say it
out loud.
Keh, standing to the side, couldn¡¯t help but smirk, turning his body to whisper to her, ¡°You don¡¯t
sound like you¡¯re introducing your boyfriend at all. It¡¯s more like we¡¯re about to sit down and negotiate a
contract or something.¡±
She thought about what she had just said, and then it hit her and sheughed at her own stupidity.
So, the first thing Be saw when she looked at them was them smiling at each other.
¡°Mom!¡±
Seeing her mother lying on the hospital bed with a stern face, Dorothy quickly stoppedughing and
walked over standing by the bed, trying to put as much distance as possible betweer Keh and her
mother.
Because she was really afraid that He would start ranting, get all worked up, and actually p him!
¡°Hello, I¡¯m sorry, Ive been really busy with work recently and haven¡¯t been able toe and see you.
It¡¯s my fault,¡± Keh said.
He was ying his boyfriend role very well His handsame face was full of apology and fear, looking
genuinely nervous and lost, like meeting his parir n¡±s parents for the first time.
But Be was not easily fooled
She scanned them both from head to toe, finally locking her gaze on Keh¡¯s face. You two really
registered your main age¡±
¡°Um. He lowered his head, sounding sincere, ¡°A though I know it¡¯s wrong to do so, I really do love
Dorothy and want to spend my life with her!
¡°And what about you?¡± Be suddenly turned to her daughter.
Dorothy was taken aback, still not as natural as Keh, T¡ I¡¯m definitely sincere too. Otherwise, I
wouldn¡¯t have impulsively gotten the mariage license¡±
¡°What do your parents think of my daughter? They surely don¡¯t know about this, do they?¡±
¡°They know Keh quickly said, ¡°And they really like her. They said I¡¯m lucky to have married such a
beautiful girl.¡±
¡°Huh.¡± Be suddenlyughed coldly. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, why didn¡¯t theye today?¡±
Dorothy, knowing her mother was about to start giving them a hard time, quickly interjected, ¡°Mom!
Wasn¡¯t it agreed that I would just bring him here myself today?¡±
¡°But if they really ept you, why would they just let hime alone? Who gets their daughter
manied, has the license already, and hasn¡¯t even met the inws yet? No one would believe it if you
told them?
Dorothy knew her mother had already thought up a series of tests waiting for her here!
It was not that easy to bluff her way through.
Just as the situation was about to enter an extraordinarily awkward stage, suddenly, Keh said in a
surprised tone, ¡°You mean, you¡¯re willing to meet my parents?¡±
Not expecting him to say that, Be raised an eyebrow at him.
They knew I wasing today and mentioned several times that they wanted toe too. They
thought it would show our family¡¯s sincerity and their approval of Dorothy as their daughter¨Cinw! But
Dorothy told me earlier that you prefer quiet and are afraid of being disturbed, so I didn¡¯t let them
come.¡±
Dorothy silently gave Keh a thumbs¨Cup in her heart thinking that as a teacher he was quick on his
feel
But the next second, He spoke up directly. ¡°If that¡¯s really the case, then could you please ask them
toe over now? Otherwise, your parents might think I¡¯m a difficult person in get along with!¡±
That was very abrupt.
¡°Mom! Don¡¯t you dare.
¡°Well, since you don¡¯t mind, I¡¯ll call them now I¡¯m sure my parents
hrilled toe and meet you?¡±
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Chapter 77
The plot had strayed so much from the script that it was giving Dorothy the heebie,ecales!
Where the hell was Keh going to find two people to y his parents? And with the way the drama
was ying out, if his mum kept ying hardball, it was about to tum into a full¨Cblown soap opera
As he turned to make a phone call outside the hospital room, Dorothy furrowed her brows. ¡°Mom, this
is too much! His parents have jobs! They can¡¯t just drop everything ande.¡±
¡°He¡¯s the one who said his parents wanted to meet me. What¡¯s wrong with me agreeing?¡±
Be had thought of a thousand ways to verify whether her daughter was really maired or just ying
house with some rich guy!
Dorothy was stuck between a rock and a hard ce. She nced at the door, T¡¯m going to see how
he¡¯s talking to his parents. If its not convenient, can you stop giving him a hard time? Maybe let them
come another day when they¡¯re prepared.¡±
¡°No.¡± Be refused firmly. ¡°If you guys are conspiring to trick me, should I give you time to find an
actor?¡±
Around theer outside the hospital room, Dorothy found Keh by following his voice,
Seeing her, he smiled,forting her in a low vnice, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, my parents said they¡¯ll be here as
soon as they¡¯re ready?¡±
Dorothy was taken aback. ¡°You really called them?¡±
¡°Yup!¡± Keh knew her concerns and wanted to put her at ease, ¡°Since I promised to help you today,
fill definitely see it through! After Karen told me about your mom¡¯s situation, id already thought about
how she would test our rtionship and gave my parents a heads up. They were more than happy to
help and even camalimented you for being filial
Dorothy felt gmictul as she said, ¡°Mr. Nelson¡ really dont know how to thank you.¡±
For a moment there, she was ready to throw in the towel and tell her mom everything!
¡°Don¡¯t call me Mr. Nelson, call me Keh! Or like Karen, call me Brother Keh! I¡¯m a few years
older than you, so it¡¯s a fitting nickname.¡±
to say for a
moment
Dorothy nodded, forgetting what she was supposed to say
¡°Brother Keh.¡±
¡°Good girl. For now, let¡¯s put our principles as de for the sake of our goal
She lowered her gaze, her resilience making him ache.
¡°Thank you, and I¡¯m sorry on behalf of my mom¡®
¡°Why apologize for her? its only natural for a mother to want to about you. Ipletely understand.¡±
now about her daughter¡¯s boyfriend. She¡¯s doing it because she cares
Especially as a teacher, he had met so many parents over the years and knew their concerns.
Dorothy moved her lips, but in the end, she didn¡¯t any anything
It was hard for her to exin her twisted family dynamics, let alone describe her mother¡¯s extreme
control issues.
When they relumed to the hospital room, Herema ned silent, arms crossed, waiting for his parents to
arrive.
Dorothy brought a chair over for him and sat next to her mother¡¯s bed.
She absentmindedly checked her phone and was startled to see two messages from Everett!
[Remember, don¡¯te back to Bay Residence before 10 p.m.)
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That was sent shortly after she finished work.
The most recent one was sent just five minutes prior.
[Who are you with?|
Dorothy hesitated for a moment before replying with a few nonchnt words.
[At the hospital with my mom.]
Everett quickly replied.
I¡¯m on my way to the hospital.
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Chapter 78
Everett wasing?
Dorothy almost dropped her phone, standing straight up from her chair.
That startled Be, ¡°What now?
¡°Nothing. I just got a message from the boss. Need to send some data: Fll make a call outside
She didn¡¯t even have time to give Keh a look, rushing out the door.
Everett couldn¡¯tel it took so much effort to cover up the lie. If he showed up, who knew what would
have happened?
Wasn¡¯t it Heather¡¯s birthday that day?
How did he have time toe to the hospital?
Dorothy frantically called Everett, but after several attempts, the phone rang, but he didn¡¯t pick up!
She was on pins and needles, sending him several messages.
(Don¡¯te right now! We can talk when I get back]
My mom¡¯s not in a good mood now. Really, don¡¯te
But those messages also got no response. It was as if Everett had suddenly disappeared!
Dorothy waited for ten more minutes at the hospital entrance, but there was still no sign of him
So, Everett must have seen the message, right? Or maybe something came up at thepany, and he
went back for a meeting! Otherwise, he should have arved at the hospital by then
Confirming his car wasn¡¯t there, Dorothy finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Back in the ward, Keh¡¯s parents had arrived, carrying more expensive supplements than Keh
had bought!
Be scrutinized their faces, ensuring Keh was not trying to lool her with two temporary actors. Her
attitude improved a bit.
¡°Please sit. I¡¯m sorry that I can¡¯t stand and greet you properly. Dorothy, go get some fruits for them.¡±
¡°Okay¡±
After all the hustle, the result was good, and Be agreed to the scheduled surgery.
After sending Keh¡¯s family away, Dorothy nced at the time.
It was nine oclock.
One hour until Everett wanted her back at Bay Residence.
She rechecked her WhatsApp, but st no message from Everett.
Dorothy was a bit puzzled. Even if he had a meeting, it surely couldn¡¯t havested that long!
Then suddenly, her phone rang
She thought it was Everett, but when she checked the screen, it was Heather¡¯s number.
¡°Hello, Ms. Heather.¡±
Although she didn¡¯t want to pick up, for the sake of her job, Dorothy had to.
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¡°Where are you?)
Dorothy nced at the hospital gate behind her, ¡°I just left the hospital where my mom is. I¡¯m about to
go for dinner¡±
¡°Everett had a car ident. Come to City General Hospital. I need to ask you something¡±
Everett had an ident?
Her heart sank, and she immediately hailed a cab to City General Hospital, not having time to worry
about the awkwardness of seeing Heather, only thinking of Everett
Upon arriving at City General Hospital, Dorothy rushed into the ER.
From a distance, she spotted Heather in a hospital gown, with a tall man by her side.
As she walked over briskly, Dorothy was about to ask.
Heather gave her a harsh p on the face! The blow left Dorothy¡¯s ears ringing.
¡°If anything happens to Everett, you won¡¯t get away with it!¡±
¡°What are you doing?
Jeffrey didn¡¯t expect the always elegant Heather to he viclent, quickly stepping forward to steady het
¡°You just had surgery! This woman isn¡¯t worth your effort. What if you hurt yourself?¡±
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Chapter 79
¡°It¡¯s all because of her! She¡¯s the reason Everetts in this mess!¡±
if it wasn¡¯t for Jeffrey holding her back. Heather would¡¯ve already thrown herself at Dorntry without a
care for herdy¨Clike image.
¡°Everett is being treated nght now. We can settle the scoreter!¡±
Seeing the onlookers, Jeffrey somehow managed to drag Heather away.
When he returned, he found Dorothy still standing in the same spot, the mark of a p still visible on
her face.
With her delicate face, she looked somewhat pitiful, which only made him even angrier!
¡°Why the hell are you still here?!¡±
Jeffrey already had a low opinion of Everett¡¯s little assistant, thinking his buddy. Everett, was just going
through a phase, and once the novelty wore off, he¡¯d have lost interest.
But after all that happened, he didn¡¯t even want to look at her
¡°Everett had an ident because of me?¡±
Dorothy had picked up on clues from their conversation, but she didn¡¯t know the whole story.
Wasn¡¯t Everett supposed to be with Heather? How was the ident rted to her?
¡°Today¡¯s August 25th, didn¡¯t you know?¡±
Dorthy was silent.
Of course, she knew. So, what?
Jeffrey scoffed, ¡°Stop ying innocent! Think about what you¡¯ve done! You¡¯re already registered as
Everett¡¯s wife, and you¡¯re still flirting with other men! Darathy, you¡¯ve outdone yourself! You¡¯re the only
one who can cuckold Everett!¡±
Flining with other men?
¡°Everett found out about me bringing Mr. Nelson to the hospital?¡±
¡°If you don¡¯t want anyone to know don¡¯t do it¡±
1 can exin¡± She had no idea her actions would have led to Everett¡¯s ident! She would¡¯ve never
connected the dats if Jeffrey hadn¡¯t pointed it out
¡°Just get lost already. Leave now! Or I might break my rule about not hitting women,¡±
Leaving those words behind, Jeffrey walked away.
Dorothy was left alone in the bustling hallway, gently touching her swollen cheek. Her gaze never left
the red light of the emergency
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
room.
An hour passed. And then two hours passed.
Dorothy waited from dusk till dawn, but Everett never emerged, and there was no news about him.
Until Kevin called, ¡°Why did you miss the meeting this morning?¡±
When she tried to speak, she found her voice had gone hoarsel
¡°Can I take a day off today?
¡°Is it something imporant? Perhaps noticing Dorothy¡¯s raspy voice, Kevin paused, ¡°All right, thene
early tomorrow.¡±
As he was about to hang up, Dorothy suddenly asked, ¡°Wait! Kevin, did Mr. Lopeze to work
today?¡±
¡°Mr. Lopez? | Feard he had an ident and didn¡¯te to the office today. But I just received a notice
that he¡¯ll be going on a business trip tonight as nned, so it must not be serious.¡±
¡°Did he call youhmself?
¡°Yeah, why?¡±
Dorothy forced a smile, ¡°Oh, nothing. Thanks.¡±
So, Everett had already left the hospital, and she was the only fool waiting around!
She had been thinking about how to exin Keh to Everett all night, but it seemed unnecessary
then. He didn¡¯t need it.
Chapter 80
Chapter 80
Chapter 80
Dorothy felt like her mind was a mess, as if it had been slimed into a muddy puddle, unable to think
about anything. She stumbled out of the hospital, her legs swollen from standing all night, aching as if
they were filled with lead.
Unable to walk any further, she saw a breakfast shop open nearby. She walked in, ordered something
randomly and sat down to take a
breather
The shop owner, a woman, went over to her with fried eggs and milk and was taken aback when she
saw Dorothy¡¯s condition.
¡°Good Lord, girl, what happened to your face? You¡¯re bleeding! You have to clean that up!¡±
She hurriedly went back to get some medicine and lodine for Dorothy.
Only then did Dorothy use her phone¡¯s front came to look at the wound on her cheek,
It was quite a sight
Heather¡¯s nails had scratched the skin near her eye, and perhaps because she had been frowning, it
had reopened and started bleeding again.
She thought, her left cheek must have pissed off some deity to get hit twice like that.
¡°Ouch. Doesn¡¯t that hurt? And you¡¯reughing!¡±
The shop owner was kind¨Chearted and continued to help her clean and disinfect the wound.
Despite the obvious pain. Dorothy had startedughing for some reason.
The shop owner wondered if there was something wrong with that beautiful girl¡¯s brain.
¡°Thank you, I can handle it,¡± Dorothy took the medicine from her hand, her gaze falling on the fried
eggs and milk on the table.
Everett always liked to have them for breakfast
She must have ordered them unconsciously.
Habits are indeed a scary thing
She didn¡¯t eat, nor did she continue to medicate her wound. She just sat quietly for a while, then ced
the payment for the breakfast and iodine on the table before leaving
Dorothy hailed a cab back to Bay Residence.
After all, all her clothes and luggage were there. Even if she were to terminate the contract with Everett,
she would have had to pack up first
all over the
was rose petals scattered all over the floor!
As she pushed open the door with her passcode, the first thing she saw was rose a
Following the trail, Dorothy was stunned to see the number formed by countless fresh, red strawberries
in the living room!
[0825]
Everett was truly romantic
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.
So, that was why he didn¡¯t want her to return to Bay Residence before ten. He was nning a surprise
for Heather!
She knew Event was meticulous and didn¡¯t like others entering his house, so he must have arranged all
that himsell.
Knowing that, Dorothy felt like the ugly duckling
She was the joke in the middle of the prince and princess¡¯s love story!
In fairy tales, theugly duckling eventually turns into a beautiful swan. But what about her? From a
young age, almost every step she took was forced by life, forcing her to make countless choices she
didn¡¯t want to make
For money, she had to give up better schools.
For money, she had to do countless exhausting jobs.
For money, she had to sign that ridiculous contract with Everell.
Then there was Heather, who could earn figures that Dorothy couldn¡¯t even dream of just by casually
taking a case!
Dorothy had to constantly remind herself of her ce, not to fantasize, not to be self¨Ccentered, and not
to have thoughts that she shouldn¡¯t have.
She squatted down, hugging herself as she began to sob quietly.
It turned out that there really were different sses of people. And they were all at heights she could
never reach!
So, having feelings for Everett was a sin.
The spacious living room suddenly felt cold. A sense of helplessness and loss swept over her like a
tidal wave, but that time, there was no Everett to pick her up and say, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. It¡¯s me.¡±
Chapter 81
Chapter 81
Chapter 81
Keren, who was at work, was taken aback by Donery¡¯s raspy voice when she called.
¡°What happened to you? Didn¡¯t my brother say your mam didn¡¯t find out?¡±
¡°It¡¯s not about my mom.¡± Dorothy hesitated for a while on the other side of the phone, before finally
speaking with difficulty. ¡°Can L.can stay at your ce for a few days? I find a ce as soon as I can.
It¡¯ll be for a week at most!¡±
Karen was taken aback. ¡°You¡¯re not renting your ce anymore?¡±
Dorothy hesitated a bit before saying, ¡°Yeah, you could say that.¡±
¡°Then just move in with me! Why bother staying temporarily?¡± she sighed, ¡°I suggested this before, but
you were adamant about not agreeing! How great would it be if we lived together? You could help me
cook and clean and keep mepany! That¡¯s settled then. Move in tonight¡±
¡°Okay, we¡¯ll talk more when you get off work.¡±
After hanging up, Karen sat at her desk, her eyes spinning, before quickly calling Keh.
¡°Just a heads up that Dorothy is moving into my ce today. We might need a strong guy to help move
her stuff!
Keh chuckled on the other end. ¡°You sly fox, new you¡¯re talking in circles.¡±
¡°Tak! What do I have to talk in circles for? I¡¯m not the one pursuing her
¡°All right!¡± heughed, ¡°Ille after work. Thanks for setting this up, okay?¡±
¡°That¡¯s more like d!¡± Karen snorted, ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate Dorothy because she¡¯s strugging now. Given
time, she¡¯s bound to make big strides in her career. By then, you¡¯ll have a bear ful and talented wife,
and you¡¯ll be aughing up your sleeve!¡±
¡°Yeah, yeah, yeah.¡±
¡°That¡¯s settled then! See you tonight.¡±
Putting down the phone. Karen let out a long sigh
Then all she had to do was wait for the day her best friend became her sister inw! If that could really
happen, she and Dorothy would have truly be family!
Dorothy packed up all her belongings, even cleaning the master bedroom one more time before picking
up the strawberries in the living room one by one and putting them in the fridge.
Although they weren¡¯t hers, it would have been a shame if they went bad.
Standing in front of the fridge, she looked at the abundance of red strawberries and, on a whim, tasted
one of the strawberries.
It was really sweel
Dorothy suddenly understood what Everett meant by his obsession with cleanliness! it meant that even
as a substitute, she had to be pure in both body and mind.
So, when he found out she brought another man to her mother¡¯s hospital mom, he was so angry that
he rushed to the hospital, even missing his date with Heather.
So, that time, it was really over between her and Everett, right?
ording to the contract if he proposed to terminate it first, he wouldn¡¯t pursue the medical expenses
for her mother.
Dorothy thought that once she cared enough, she would have definitely repaid him to buy back her
dignity.
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At six in the eyning, she took a taxi to Karen¡¯s ce with her luggage.
That little mine, Karen, came bouncing down the stairs to greet her, followed by Kernell.
¡°You¡¯ve finally agreed to stay at my ce! My dear Dorothy, do you know how happy I am?¡±
I¡¯m just staying temporarily. Once I find a suitable ce, III move out* Dorothy still insisted on not owing
anyone any favors.
She was afraid out if she stayed for too long and epted too much of Karen¡¯s kindness, she wouldn¡¯t
be able to return the favor!
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Chapter 82
Chapter 82
¡°I won¡¯t let you! You have to stay with me Karen peuted rendy to voice herints.
Keh¡¯s gaze suddenly fell on her cheek.
¡®Dorothy, your face¡
Reminded by him. Karen also looked over, and her eyes widened instantly!
¡°Oh my gosh! What happened to you? Your mom didn¡¯t hit you again, did she?!¡±
¡°No, no, I really did bump myself this time.¡± Dorothy awkwardly covered her wound, clearly not willing to
talk about it.
Just as Karen was about to call her out, Keh lugged at her from behind and shot her a look,
signaling her to stop talking
¡°Let¡¯s go. Il help you carry your luggage upstairs. Karen says today is a day of celebration for your
moving in. I¡¯ll treat you guys to a nice
meal¡±
¡°Yay! Keh, you¡¯re the best! Let¡¯s go, Dorothy. Lets go upstairs!¡±
Dorothy nodded and followed them.
She habitually took out her phone to check messages.
There were still no messages from Everett No WhatsApp messages, no calls, no activity at all.
But Kevin said he had called Kevin himself in the maming, which means he was awake. He just didn¡¯t
want to contact her
Well, that exined a lot.
She wasn¡¯t anything important. Why would Everett have bothered in contact her after waking up from a
car ident?
In the VIP ward of the hospital
The doctor was changing the dressing on Everetts wounds.
Fortunately, hisce wasn¡¯t too damaged. There was just a slight concussion from hitting has forehead
and leaning forward due inertia, plus various scrapes on his arms and legs.
¡°Where¡¯s my phone? Give it to me¡± He frowned slightly. Perhaps because the medication was reacting
with the wound.
Jeffrey handed over the phone, watching him open WhatsApp and the chat with Derothy, where thest
message she sent was disyed
[My moms really emotional right now. You really shouldn¡¯te!]
¡°You can lock at it a thousand times, but it won¡¯t change the fact that she doesn¡¯t care about you at all.¡±
At those words, Everett looked up at him abruptly, s gloomy handsome face instantly dropping the
temperature in the room.
I
Jeffrey instinctively shrank back, I¡¯m just telling the truth. She¡¯s clearly feeling guilty, that¡¯s why shes
afraid of youing! I sent you the hospital corr der surveince video. She told someone else that the
guy she brought was her boyfriend! Tell me, Everell, has she ever introduced you like that to her
mom?¡±
Obviously not
She was always cautious, keeping a safe distance
As if she was alrad of getting involved with him beyond their contract.
¡°Does she know about my car ident?¡±
His voice was fembly hoarse when he spoke.
¡°Yes, Heather felt bad for you and called her,¡±
¡°Did shee? Freti asked quickly
Jeffrey frowned, the words on the tip of his tongue, but he suddenly changed his mind, ¡°Yes, she came,
but she left quickly! She didn¡¯t even wat outside the emergency room.¡±
Everett didn¡¯t say anything
Like I said, she has no feelings for you. Ne maller now much you give, all you get in return is
heartbreak! You¡¯re the CEO of the Loper Corporation, and you can have any woman you want. Why
hang yourself on this too?¡±
Jeffrey rambled on and on, but Everett obviously wasn¡¯t listening.
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.
After a while, he slowly spoke, ¡°Did she really leave quickly?¡±
15.01
Jeffrey was taken aback, and it took him a few seconds to nod. ¡°Yes! Did you see her when you were
pushed out of the emergency room?¡±
He did not
Of course, it was because he was transfered to another emergency room hallway through, but Dorothy
didn¡¯t know that.
¡°Let¡¯s stop talking about this! So far, has the initiated contact with you? Everett, if she cared about you,
how could she not send you a message?
Jeffrey¡¯s words hit Everett right in the feels.
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Chapter 83
Chapter 83
It was indeed true that since the blow up, Evertas phone hadn¡¯t even buzzed with a single text from
Dorothy
¡°Wake up, Everell, Jelfiey said, ¡°There¡¯s someone else better for you. Someone who actually cares
about you¡±
He might as well have said Heather¡¯s name
But Everett just pursed his lips, eyes glued to his phone screen without a word
Seeing him like that, Jeffrey sighed and said, ¡°Wi right, I¡¯ll stop bbering. You must figure this out
yourself! Need hep packing? You¡¯ve got that business trip tonight¡±
¡°No thanks, fil drive myself back to Bay Residence¡±
¡°You¡¯re going back to her Jeffrey knew Dorothy lived at Bay Residence
left some clothes there¡±
can
go get them for you¡±
¡°No need.¡± Everett¡¯s reply was curt
His feelings were written all over his face.
Everent thought that maybe it was all just a big misunderstanding
¡°Everet, listen to me this once. Don¡¯t go back! See when shell finally reach out! You can¡¯t keep fooling
yourself.¡±
On the other hand, even though Keh was throwing a housewarming dinner, Dorothy was quiet the
whole time, constantly checking her phone.
It was already half past seven. Everett should have been on his way to his business trip, right?
Didn¡¯t he notice she had left Bay Residence?
Or was that whole thing not worth a phone call for the busy Mr. Lopez?
¡°Dorothy, eat up! This is really good. Karen kept piling faad into her bowl. Call the people at the table,
she was the happiest
¡°Okay¡± Dorothy forced a smile, trying not to show she was distracted
Suddenly, her phone on the table lit up. There was a new WhatsApp message
She grabbed it immediately, only to find it was from her mother
[After the surgery, you two must hold a wedding ceremony Just getting registered isn¡¯t enough.]
It wasn¡¯t Everni.
Dorothy took a deep breath and replied, [Gat it [
Everything would have been over after her moms surgery.
She hadn¡¯t nned to drag it out that long
¡°You seem distracted. Are you waiting for a call? Now, even Karen noticed,
Keh quickly shot his sister a look, signairg her to stop asking.
But Karen didn¡¯t care. She was upset that her best friend was keeping secrets!
is it work? Cris your mom giving you a hard time agon?
Dorothy shook her head and smiled, ¡°No, I¡¯m just trunking about what kind of apartment to get
¡°Don¡¯t bother with that, just stay with me! If you insist on paying rent, you can pay me¡±
Dorothy was helpless. But speaking of money. Doretly took out a wad of cash from her bag. I was
money she withdrew from a nearby bank after packing her things in the afternoon. She handed it to
Keh acsoss the table, ¡°Thank you for helping me out. I don¡¯t know if this is enough to cover the
cost of those supplements. If it¡¯s not, ill make up the difference next month when I get paid.¡±
Karen¡¯s eyes went wide when she saw the mono, ¡°Keh, you¡¯re so cheap! You¡¯re actually charging
Dorothy for supplements?!¡±
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Keh looked wronged, ¡°Dorothy, what are you doing? I just bought some stull for your mom¡±
¡°No, I¡¯m already grateful that you¡¯re helping me out. I can¡¯t let you pay out of your own pocket.¡± Dorally
put the money on the table ¡°Karen, if you still consider me a friend, let your bmiher take the money.
Otherwise, lill be awkward between us in the futuro.¡±
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Chapter 84
Chapter 84
Keh was about to push it back, but Komen beat him to it. She snatched up the money and stuffed it
into his arms.
¡°Wright, he is going to take it then!¡±
¡°Huh?
Dorothy chuckled, got up with her phone in hand, Tm going to the restroom, you guys carry on.¡±
As she left, Keh looked at the wad of cash, helpless and frowning, ¡°What does it mean if I take this
money?¡±
¡°You don¡¯t understand Dorothy! She¡¯s always super cautious and likes to keep track of every penny. If
you still want a future with her, you can¡¯t be so hasty¡± Talking about her best friend, Karen seemed
helpless 100.
After all those years, her most vivid impression of Dorothy was that she was incredibly insecure
And yet she loved to put on a brave face.
¡°She¡¯s in need of money right now, and her mom¡¯s surgery is costly. Does she really need to be this
calctive? Keh realized Dorothy wasn¡¯t the girl he imagined she was.
Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.
It seemed like she was always cutting ties, any kind of ties. As if she was afraid of getting too close and
100 intimate with anyone.
¡°Just take the money anyway Is it enoughs*
¡°More than mough. I didn¡¯t spend much¡± Keh pulled out a few bills, ¡°Give the rest back to her
¡°Okay¡±
Inside the restroom, Dorothy sshed cold water on her face to wake herself up
Maybe because she didn¡¯t sleep the previous night, she felt lightheaded, as if she could faint anytime
Looking at her swollen and bruisedce in the minat Dorothy clenched her fists, suddenly pulled out
her phone, and dialed Everett¡¯s
number!
She told herself she just wanted to talk about canceling the contact with Everett and nothing else
But as soon as she dialed the number, Dorothy held her breath
Until a voice came from the other end
¡°Hello, the number you dialed is powered off..
Riding on that momentum, Dorothy dialed Kevin¡¯s number.
¡°Hey, Kevin, Im looking for Mr. Lopez¡±
¡°Mr. Loper? He¡¯s already boarded the ne. I dropped him off at the airport. Now I¡¯m on my way back.
You can send him a message on WhatsApp. Hell see it when hends.¡±
Dorothy pursed her lips, ¡°Can I know where he¡¯s gone for his business trip?¡±
¡°Verdant City, for a technology development cooperation exchange meeting¡±
Everett was out of the country
Kevin finally sensed something was off in her tone, ¡°Is it urgent?¡±
¡°No, not really Just heard he had a car ident. As an old ssmate, I should show some concem¡±
Sheughed with a hint of self mockery
¡°Oh, no need to worry. I just saw him, and he¡¯s finel By the way, can youe to work normally
tomorrow?¡±
¡°Yes, see you tomorrow.¡±
¡°Okay¡±
Alter hanging up, Dorothy felt as if all the remaining strength in her body had been sucked out.
This was herst bit of courage.
Even Dorothy herself didn¡¯t know if she had gotten through to Everell just now and heard his voice,
what would she have said?
Would she have exined why she and Keh were at the hospital together or directly discuss
canceling the contract, or just asked about his well¨Cbeing?
Even then, standing in front of the mirror in the restroom, she felt relieved it didn¡¯t get through!.
That way, she could have pretended that she never called and waited for Everett to take the initiative to
find her either to discuss the
contract or perhaps something else.
Chapter 85
Chapter 85
Chaper 85
After dinner, Keh dropped the girls back at their ce, made sure the door was locked, and then
took
Dorothy waspletely wiped out. She took a bath and hit the hay
She had a restless night, curling up like a shrimp, clutching her nket tightly.
In the morning, she was startled awake by the rm clock.
Staring at the unfamiliar ceiling, it took her a moment to remember she was crashing at Karen¡¯s ce.
She got dressed and cleaned up.
Karen finally emerged from her room phone in hand. ¡°Just hang on a second. Ive ordered breakfast on
my phone. We can eat and then head to work together¡±
Dorothy nced at the time, ¡°No can do the Lopez Corporation is a tirk from here, I have to dash for
the subway now! I can¡¯t grab breakfast with you¡±
¡°Just take a cab then! It won¡¯t break the bank. Karen blurted out but then realized Dorothy was too
frugal to splurge on a cab when there was a cheaper subway option
¡°No womes. I can grab a bite at lunch. I have to go now. See youter
She grabbed herptop and bag and headed out the door. It was her first daymuting from here to
the Lopez Corporation, and she fumbled a bit with the route
Luckily, she left early and didn¡¯t clock inte at the Lopez Corporation.
¡°Morning¡± As soon as she got to the office, she saw Kevin at the door with a bag in his hand.
¡°You look like you¡¯ve skipped breakfast, am I right?
Dorothy grinned, Tm not hungry I eat at lunch.
¡°Here, I bought exta. Try this strawberry toast from this ce,¡± Kevin put the bag on her desk.
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
¡°No way. Their stuff is pricey!
¡°That¡¯s why I can¡¯t bear to chuck it. It¡¯s perfect for you to munch on Kevin dropped that line, ignored her
protests, and took the elevator back to his office.
Dorothy reluctantly sat down and opened the fancy bag
Toast from L&H Bakery Company cost more than a hundred bucks a slice! And Kevin about to toss half
a bag of it?
She looked at the toast in her hand, and a thought suddenly popped into her head ¡°Could it be that
Everett had Kevin buy it for me
But the next second, she shook off that thought!
No way!
Lately, she had been quite the daydreamer
Dorothy turned to herputer munched on her toast while tidying up the data, and sent it to legal for
review.
After the morning meeting, she checked her inbox but there was still no reply on the new
Usually that would have been ample time for legal to look it over
Dorothy dialed the internal line to legal, and a familiar female voice answered, ¡°Hello, Ms. Sanchez.
Ms. Heather went on a business trip with Mr Lopez yesterday, so she can¡¯t sign and stamp the
documents now 11 let her know. She should review it when she sees it¡±
¡°Oh.¡± So, they were on a business trip together.
¡°Didn¡¯t Ms. Heather just have surgery?¡±
She remembered it was Everett who took Heather to the hospital.
¡°Yes, but Ms. Heather is really dedicated! A true chiefwyer of the Lopez Corporation.¡±
That time Dorothy was sure she heard correctly
Ha, she just couldn¡¯t let it go and had to probe further
She hung up, rubbed her forehead, and her gazended on the bag of toast on her desk
She had actually fancied the idea that perhaps Everett had asked Kevin to get the toast for her Wasn¡¯t
that augh riot?
Chapter 86
Chapter 86
Chapter 86
It was close to noon when Dorothy finally managed to take a breather from her keyboard.
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.
Subconsciously, she nced at her phone beside her, unlocked it, and opened WhatsApp
There was dead silence and no messages.
The chat with Everett was the third on the screen, and thetest message was the one sh
¡°Knock knock.¡±
The office doar was knocked
Dorothy looked up and saw that it was Kevin.
¡°Keep an eye on Genesis Creations Inc. at Lumina Bay. They¡¯ve been acquiring assets left and right
this year and they are mostly new tech. Mr. Loper is on a business trip because of this and our Lopez
Corporation is thinking about investing in promising publicpanies through private cement
¡°Got it¡± She immediately opened herputer and began a quick look into Genesis Creations Inc¡¯s
recent activities.
Kevinughed at her eagemess. ¡°There¡¯s no need to rush. The deal with SinoSess Enterprises is
signed, and the project is underway. You¡¯ve contributed a lot to the Social Networking Service project.
So, don¡¯t worry about your bonus this year.¡±
¡°Mr. Lopez is willing to promote me to the head office for training, so doing more for thepany is
only right
Besides, she found that keeping busy with work helped her avoid unnecessary worries
¡°You¡¯ve got a good spint, but remember to take care of your health. In our industry, the real grind
comester.¡± No sooner had Kevin finished his sentence than his phone rang
Without avoiding Dorothy, he answered it immediately
¡°Mr. Lopez¡±
At the sound of the name. Dorothy instinctively held her breath.
Unfortunately, she could hardly hear anything from the other end. Kevin just responded a few times,
apparently receiving a task from Everett
Soon, the call was over
Kevin¡¯s face was visibly pleased, ¡°Our Mr. Lopez is indeed impressive. He secured a multinational
investment partnership, Import and export trade has always been a big fish¡±
Dorothy was naturally pleased too
She had long admitted that Everett was very good at business. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have been able
to bring the Lopez Corporation to its current status.
¡°Keep up the good work, strive to stay in the head office after your training period.¡± Kevin had high
hopes for his apprentice.
Having her help at work really sped things up, mainly due to her execution, which was very satisfactory,
¡°Im afraid I might not be qualified enough¡±
¡°As long as there are no idents during the cooperation period with SinoSess Enterprises, plus
the achievements of the project about Social Networking Service, even if Mr. Lopez doesn¡¯t make a
move, you can apply to be transferred to the head office. Don¡¯t worry. I help you arrange a meeting with
HR when the timees¡±
Upon hearing that, Dorothy¡¯s spirits were lifted.
Before, she was womed that after angering Everett, he might havepletely cut off her opportunity to
work in the head office just to avod seeing her
d the price on the official website and transferred the money to you¡±
¡°Thanks an advance! Also, the toast was delicious. I checked the
¡°I was going to throw it away anyway Why are you giving me money?¡±
¡°Consider it me buying it from you isn¡¯t that better than throwing it away?¡® She smiled, still in a polite
manner.
However, that time, Kevin refused to take the money no matter what, so Dorthy decided to buy some
more for him the next day and give it back to hem
Before leaving. Kevin suddenly stopped at the door, ¡°By the way. Mr Lopez has a remote video
conference at eight o¡¯clock tonight You should join in too¡±
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Chapter 87
Chapter 87
About to meet Everett, huh?
Dorothy couldn¡¯t quite put into words how she was feeling at that time. It was like hanging in mid air, not
knowing whether to go up or down.
Part of her war led to find an excuse to bail, but then again, why run?
After all, she and Everett had to sort things out sooner orter, be it breaking up or whatever. They
were bound to cross paths eventually. Kevin had given his instructions and left, which left Dorothy
unable to focus on work the rest of the afternoon, Her mind was preupied with the uing
evening meeting.
After work, she stepped out of the office and saw Keh¡¯s car parked in the distance, with Karen
waiting by the side. Dorothy quickly headed over ¡°What brings you guys here?¡±
1 figured the head office is far from my ce, and Keh here was free, so I asked him to give ¡°No
need. I can just take the subway.¡±
e us a ride.¡±
C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.
Karen looped her arm through Dorothy¡¯s affectionately, giggling, ¡°I just wanted to spend more time with
you! When we were at the Prosperity Consortium, we could see each other every day. Now that you¡¯re
here, I got no one to chat with!¡±
Dorothy was left speechless by Karen¡¯s anties, and she simply shrugged and replied. ¡°Then you better
buckle down and work hard. Mr. Percy has been too busy to bother youtely, but some year¨Cend, he¡¯ll
be all over your performance.¡±
¡°Scared of him?¡± Karen milled her eyes dramatically. And if he does, I¡¯ll just qui!! I¡¯ve had enough of his
way of doing things. He¡¯s always trying to grab the glory but ming others when things go wrong¡±
Karen wasn¡¯t under pressure to earn money. Her family didn¡¯t depend on it
But things were different for Dorothy.
Keh, who had been silent all that while, chimed in. ¡°That¡¯s just how it is in the workce these
days. Not just in yourpany, even among teaching staff and principals¡±
¡°Do you get bullied by your principal too?¡±
¡°No way. He wouldn¡¯t dare,¡±
Keh¡¯s reputation and status at school meant the principal wouldn¡¯t dare to act recklessly towards
him.
Karen smirked, ¡®Enough chit¨Cchat Let¡¯s go and grab some grub. I¡¯m starving
With that, she tried to pull Dorothy along.
¡°I have a meeting at eight, and I need to prepare some documents now, so I cant join you¡±
She did have work to do, but also, she didn¡¯t want to spend too much time with Keh outside of
work. She knew he was a good guy and could guess what he was trying to imply, but at least for the
time being, Dorothy cdn¡¯t have the energy or the heart to deal with romantic issues.
Especially considering her current situation with Everett, which was still up in the air. She couldn¡¯t
afford any furtherplications.
¡°Huh? You¡¯re still working after hours? Karen¡¯s face fell.
She had been hoping to help her best friend and Keh get closer
¡°Yeah, I have a lot on my te. It¡¯s a good thing, in any case. I want to eam more money so that my
mom can have a stable ce to live after she gets discharged from the hospital.¡±
She could handle renting a ce on her own, but her mom was a different story. If she encountered a
difficultndlord, she might not have been able to cope.
Karen was about to argue some more when Keh beat her to it.
¡°Let me take you home, then, After that, I take Karen out for dinner.¡±
¡°No, really. 111 just take the subway
¡°Stop turning us down! You¡¯re making Keh feel awkward.¡± Karen¡¯s words made it clear that if
Dorothy refused again, the¡¯d be making things unconfortable for everyone.
night then. Thanks for the ride, Mr. Nelson.¡±
Chapter 88
Chapter 88
Chapter 88
After Dorothy got back to Karen¡¯s house, she didn¡¯t even have a moment to take a sip of water before
she started sorting out the materials for the uing meeting.
She¡¯d just received the task from Genesis Creations Inc that day, and it was a big deal from the
headquarters, so her understanding of the project was still at the beginner stage. She knew she¡¯d have
to pay extra attention during the meeting
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for the
Once she¡¯d prepared everything she could think of, Dorothy sat on her chair, turned on herputer,
and opened the interface fo
The text disyed on the screen was: 20.00 Channel One Technology Development Project Meeting
Main Attendee: Everett
As she stared at the words on the screen, Dorothy suddenly
Would she be able to see how badly he was hurt? Would his face he disfigured?
She nced at the lower right corner of herputer screen. There was still nearly or hour before the
meeting started! Under normal circumstances, she would have gone and found something to eat since
she wasn¡¯t sure how long the meeting would havested.
But Dorothy didnt want to leave herputer screen,
She just wanted to watch the time and wait for the meeting to start.
Thest time she remembered time passing so slowly was at the dinner Mr. Percy had taken her to
meet Everett. Every second felt like sitting on pins and needles.
So, Dorothy just watched the clock, ticking away minute by minute
As it got closer, her growing nervousness continued to unseille her
Finally, with ten minutes left to eight, she saw Channel One open up, and a notification popped up on
the software telling relevant personnel they could enter
On impulse, Darathy was about to click it but hesitated and waited a few more minutes
What if it was just her and Everett in the meeting room? Wouldn¡¯t that have been awkward?
But it turned out that she was overthinking it.
After entering the meeting room, even Kevin was there, but Everett¡¯s camera was still ofl.
Then Dorothy received a message from Kevin on her private chat
My inte is a bit shaky today, so record the meeting and send me a copy tomorrow:
She sent back an OK emoji, then switched back to the main screen, only to see Everett¡¯s handsome
face appear before her eyes!
He seemed thinner
Just from the angle of his gaze at the documents, the tredness lurking in his eyes could have been
seen
His exquisite face was still deeply attractive, with a piece of gauze on his forehead that stood out. That
must be from the car ident.
That was the first time she had seen him since the incident, and Everett seemed to have regained his
usual coldness, severe and aloof, with no hint of warmth in his eyes.
Dorothy subconsciously covered her heart, where she felt a twinge of pain.
It felt empty as if something had been lost.
¡°The matenals from today¡¯s exchange meeting have been uploaded. You can check them out,¡± Everett
said.
As soon as he spoke, everyone in the meeting immediately went to check.
Dorothy was ¡®beatte in opening it. The materials contained thetest progress of the technology
exchange, with asional pictures. She was quick to spot Everett¡¯s figure in the pictures
He was dressed in a ck suit, holding a goblet and chatting with a foreign partner with his usual polite
smile on his face.
Next to him, it was clear that Heather had also attended the exchange. Perhaps because she¡¯d just had
surgery, she was sitting down, but her custom red dress was still quite conspicuous. It seemed to
match Everett¡¯s sult perfectly
Chapter 89
Chapter 89
Chapter 89
Kevin gave a detailed report on the due diligence of Genesis Creations Inc, covering all aspects from
finances, future development, to shareholder changes. He really did his homework on it.
He also analyzed the prospects of all the current teclinological developments.
Suddenly, Dorothy heard her name being mentioned.
¡°Dorothy recently proposed a tech project about new cars to the Prosperity Consortium. It¡¯s now under
review by the headquarters. I took a look at it, and if it¡¯s legitimate, it might just be what we need right
now¡±
The speaker was the investment director a big shot in the Lopez Corporation.
Behind the camera Everett nodded slightly, not even batting an eyelid. ¡°Kevin, keep an eye on it¡±
1 checked it out. It¡¯s a project by several university professors, led by a man named Keh. He holds
quite a few patents and is definitely a talent.¡±
Dorothy had a weird feeling that Everett stiffened up a bit when Kevin mentioned Kernell, but he quickly
returned to normal. The meeting went on
Dorothy didn¡¯t have much say in such an important meeting, so she just kept her head down and took
notes
Almost ten at night, and the meeting showed no signs of ending However, she began to feel her
stomach acting up.
If only she had eater something earlier!
She couldn¡¯t have possibly started eating in front of the camera.
Dorothy clenched her fists, trying to suppress the difort, but it only got worse, and she even
started to sweat.
Karen, who was supposed to be out for dinner hadn¡¯t retumed yet. She must¡¯ve gone on a date with
some hot guy. There was no one else in the house who could have handed her some stomach
medicine.
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Gradually, she was sweating more, and the stomach pain was so intense that she almost lost her
hearing
Suddenly. Everett¡¯s voice rang out.
¡°Meeting adjourned for 30 minutes¡±
Dorothy was relieved. She didn¡¯t even bother to tum off the camera before scrambling to find her
stomach medicine.
Just then, Karen returned with Keh in tow.
Seeing Dorothy with the stomach medicine and a ss of water, he walked over with the cakes in his
hand, ¡°Hungry huh? You¡¯ll feel worse H you take the medicine on an empty stomach Eat something
first, then take the medicine. Ill get you some warm water.¡± Karen quickly chimed in. ¡°My brother is
always sa thoughtful. Dorothy go back to your room. Hell bring it to you.¡±
Because her stomach was hurting so badly, Dorothy didn¡¯t put up any resistance and obediently went
back to her room
She saw that everyone had left the meeting screen, and Everett¡¯s camera was off
She forced a few bites of the cake, and soon Keh knocked on the door, water in hand. ¡°Dorothy,
can Ie in?¡±
¡°Sure¡± Dorothy looked up, gratefully epting the water from him. Thank you for getting me food as
well¡±
¡°Don¡¯t mention it. I figured you¡¯d still need to eat even if you¡¯re workingte. If Karen hadn¡¯t insisted on
buying some clothes, we could¡¯vee back earlier fill ask her to stock up on some food, so you¡¯ll
have something to eat when you¡¯re workingte.¡±
Keh¡¯s voice was always so gentle and warm like he was incapable of getting angry
Dorothy drank the warm water ate some food, and tuck the medicine. Her stomach pain soon subsided.
Half an hourter, the meeting resumed.
Everett¡¯s handsome face reappeared on the screen. He frowned, seemingly displeased.
¡°From now on, everyone should eat dinner before attending evening meetings
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Was he talking to himself?
Seeing everyone else replying with an acknowledgment, Dorothy quickly typed out her own and sent it
The meetingsted until one in the moming, but no one dared to yawn because the host was the
President.
Finally, Everett¡¯s secretary summed up the meeting and announced. ¡°That¡¯ll be all for today¡±
Relieved, Dorothy was about to tum off her camera and stretch when Everett suddenly added, ¡°The
person in charge of the new car technology project mentioned earlier, pleasee see me privately¡±
¡°Are you referring to Keh¡¯s project?¡± Kevin asked directly
¡°Yep.¡±
¡°All right! Dorothy, please connect with Mr. Lopez privately.
¡°Dorothy did not expect that surprise. Under everyone¡¯s watchful eyes, she quickly nodded. ¡°Okay¡±
After leaving the meeting room, she stared at Everett¡¯s personal ount for several seconds,cking
the courage to request a connection..
She felt a little scared and awkward.
Earlier, she could hide behind the numerous employees in the meeting, but then, she had to talk to him
one¨Con¨Cone!
Dorothy sincerely wished herputer would crash night at that moment.
The
The conflicting emotions really tortured her.
After standing up, sitting down, standing up, sitting down, repeating the cycle three times, Dorothy
finally took a deep breath and sent a request
The connection took almost a minute before Everett picked up
He chose not to turn on his camera, so only his voice could be heard
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¡°I just took a look at Kehs project. The due diligence was insufficient, the mass production data is
vaque, raise funds while still in the trial phase, which is high risk.¡±
t¡¯s already starting to
Clearing her throat, Dorothy immediately switched to work mode, ¡°There is indeed some risk, which I
have noted in my report. However the majority of the project¡¯s patents have been approved by the
state, which indirectly verifies its feasibility. I believe, after investment analysis, that if it passes for
mass production, the return on investment will be quite significant.¡±
¡°But if it fails during the conceptual phase, all invested funds will be lost.¡±
¡°That won¡¯t happen! Mr. Nelson told me they have already produced an actual vehicle, and not just the
concept car video. And he himself is very confident in this model. He seems to have everything under
control.¡±
¡°Dorothy Sancher¡±
Everett suddenly called her by her full name, ¡°This is work. What thepany needs is a quantifiable
risk reduction, not just the investor¡¯s confidence.¡±
Dorothy lowered her head, speechless
Indeed, she had a habit of judging the risk of a project based on her impression of a person
¡°Also, what is your rtionship with him?¡±
Everett¡¯s voice was deep, with a gravelly quality, as if he were interrogating her
She lifted her head abruptly, hurriedly exining. ¡°We¡¯m just friends! The time at the hospital..¡±
¡°You give this project to Kevinter Projects introduced by employees like you cannot be handled by
you personally, as it¡¯s necessary to avold suspicion Everett didn¡¯t let her exin but interrupted her in a
businesslike manner, ¡°Regardless of your rtionship, based on what you just said, I think you¡¯re no
longer able to assess the feasibility of this project correctly¡±
¡°Oh, okay, I get it¡±
So, he only wanted to talk about work and didn¡¯t want her to exin.
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Before Corothy could utter another word, Everett had already hung up
It felt like their rtionship had suddenly returned to the whole boss and secretary dynamis
It made sense. He was back with Heather. What ce could she, the stand¨Cin, have possibly held?
After shutting down herputer, Dorothy took a shower, and changed into her pajamas but then
found herself lying in bed, unable to sleep.
She was tossing and turning, yet sleep eluded her.
It was already the early hours of the morning, and if she didn¡¯t get some shut eye soon, it would have
been time for work!
Dorothy closed her eyes tightly, but no matter what, she just didn¡¯t feel sleepy, so she reluctantly got up
and rebooted herputer to continue werking.
Just as she logged onto thepany software she noticed that Everett was still online.
Was he also not sleeping?
After staring at the screen for a while, it suddenly ured to Dorothy that Everett was abroad, with a
time difference. It was aflemoon for him at that time
She tugged at her lips, a self¨Cmocking smile ying on her face
She was seriously getting ahead of herself, ever bathenng about the buss¡¯s every move!
Dorothy archived all the data of Genesis Creations Inc. and then handed over all the projects rted to
Keh to Kevin.
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As for Everett¡¯s decision, she had noints
She understood that after considering all aspects, he felt she was notpetent or prone to emars, so
he asked her to hand it over
But his cold and calcted analysis and decision, devoid of any trace of emotion, made Dorothy feel
estranged.
Everett was still the high and mighty hoss, holding the power of Ele and death over the entirepany
as if the gentle and considerate him from before was a figment of her imagination, and the cold him
was the real deal
Early the next morning. Dorothy had to go to work with dark circles under her eyes due to a sleepless
night
Thank God for foundation, which could somest at conceal them, along with the smal wound on her face
saw you handed over the new car development project to me. Are you upset with Mr. Loper?¡± Kevin
came over as soon as he saw her.
Dorothy shook her head, ¡°Mr. Lopez said at yesterday¡¯s meeting that I¡¯m too emotional and can¡¯t
objectively handle the project. Handing it over is a good thing. Otherwise, if thepany suffers a loss
because of me, fil be the viin¡±
Kevinughed of herment. ¡°You don¡¯t have to think like that. Mr Lopez is quite fair. I¡¯ve been
working with him for years, and I¡¯ve never seen him target anyone. Every decision he makes is well
thought out.¡±
Every decision?
Did that include their absurd contract?
¡°Don¡¯t worry, I really have no ulterior motives. I¡¯m just grateful to be working in the head office.¡±
¡°That¡¯s good. I was afraid you didn¡¯t understand Mr. Lopez¡¯s personality and held grudges against him!
And you don¡¯t have to rush. Since you brought this project to thepany, if it seeds, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll
get your share of the credit¡±
¡°You really don¡¯t have to exin all this. I understand.¡±
Kevin nodded and said with a smile, ¡°All right, you get back to work I¡¯ll handle this project. You can rest
assured, filmunicate well with the other party¡±
Dorothy gawean CK sign and then sat back down at her desk.
Beep beep.
Her phone on the side beeped indicating unread messages
She quickly picked it up and unlocked it.
I was a message from Be [You and Keh ruste with me for my surgery this weekend!
Dprothy frowned
Mom, he¡¯s swamped]
(Don¡¯t make excuses! I just called him, and he said he¡¯s free this weekend.
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Her mother actually called Keh directly?
Deathy¡¯s eyebrows were about to tangle into a knot. A wave of anger in her chest was on a rampage,
threatening to burst out!
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The feeling of being controlled and coerced in everything was really infuriating her
¡°You just went and contacted him without even telling me I already told you he¡¯s really busy He only
agreed to save your dignity!¡± ¡°Are you questioning me? Be¡¯s temper red up on the other end. ¡°Who
do you think I¡¯m doing all this for?! You just went and got marned without even telling your own mother!
I should be the one pissed off here! just want him to do more for you, to spend more time with you.
What¡¯s wrong with that?!¡±
Dorothy mmed the phone down, the loud bang echoing in the room.
There it was again.
All for her own good!
But what did
mean to be for her own good? Was it whatever she thought was good?
Dorothy ined to reassure herself, not wanting to be affected by those things. After all, her mom¡¯s
uing surgery was the primary
concem
After a moment¡¯s pause, she called Keh,
Soon, a scothing and warm voice came through
¡°I was just about to call you. Howe a gentleman named Kevin contacted me today?¡±
¡°It¡¯s like this, because your project is a key one. Thepany, to be safe decided to assign a more
competent person tomunicate with you!¡±
Keh chuckled, ¡°I think your capability is already enough.¡±
¡°Thanks for thepliment.¡± Dorothy hadn¡¯t forgotten how he helped her with the water the previous
night. ¡°And thanks forst night! I was in such a rush for the meeting that i didn¡¯t get a chance to thank
you properly
¡°That was nothing. It was just a piece of cake. Keh had guessed the purpose of her call. It
definitely wasn¡¯t to chat about such Irivial things. ¡®Wbout your mom¡¯s surgery, I¡¯ve agreed to be there¡°.
The mention of that gave Dorothy a headache
¡°Sorry about that I didn¡¯t expect her to go over my head and contact you directly
¡°it¡¯s fine. In her eyes, I¡¯m her son¨Cinw isn¡¯t it a given that I apany my mother¨Cinw for her
surgery?¡±
He said that but Dorothy felt ufortable.
She thought that once thest scene was over, everything would have been all right. She didn¡¯t expect
that twist.
¡°You don¡¯t have to go that day. I can exin it to her myself. Everything¡¯s ready, and the micrey¡¯s been
spent, so she cant back out.¡±
¡°Dorothy.¡± Keh called her su smoothly since he changed the way he addressed her ¡°If my going
can relieve her worries, even make her happy, why not? I¡¯m free this weekend anyway.¡±
¡°But
¡°We don¡¯t need to make it so clear¨Ccut. Just think of me as a friend doing a small over.¡±
Dorothy thought for a moment but still declined
¡°Once you tell a lie, you have to cover it up with countless more. I don¡¯t have the time to maintain the
lies I¡¯ve told before. Better to let her know the truth Souner¡±
On the other end of phone, there was a long silence befarm Keh sighed.
¡°All night, I do as you say. If anythinges up, feel free to call me.¡±
¡°Mmm, thank you!
After hanging up, Dorothy finally noticed a message from Heather
Because she was on a call, the message had just arrived.
Sorry to bother you, but do you know the size of Everett¡¯s clothes? I¡¯m afraid I might buy a size too
small and it¡¯ll be tight on him.]
Dorothy was kind of impressed by Heather.
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She had the guts to ask her about such private malters, without even a hint of embarrassment.
That was about Everett, the guy who had been crushing on Heather for years. And then Heather was
into him too What the heck was her role in all this, being asked to give advice on such matters?
And if she did the math it must have been the middle of the night in Verdant City. At that hour, when
passions on high, it was hard not to wonder what they had been up to, that Everett would need to
change into fresh clothes
¡°Sorry, I have no idea¡±
Feeling anneyed from the previous conversation, she simply turned off her phone and tossed it aside,
not wanting any more distractions during wors
Meanwhile, at a star¨Crated hotel suite in Verdant City.
Everett had just finished handling somepany matters and was about to change the dressing on his
wound before resting.
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¡°Knock knock
There was a sudden knock at the door
He walked to the door with a stern face and opened it partially.
It was Heather.
¡°Everett, the dector told you to change your dressing after 36 hours when you were discharged. You
can¡¯t reach the wound on the back of your leg, can you? Let me help.¡±
No need. The hatel has staff.
She chuckled, ¡°You¡¯re such a clean freak. You definitely never nned to ask them to help you¡±
Indeed, Everett had no such ns.
But he also never thought of letting Heather help him.
¡°I can handle it myself.¡±
Seeing his distant and indifferent demeanor, Heather lelt a surge of sadness.
¡°After all these years, can¡¯t you even give me the status of a friend?
That was the first time she had tried to break the ice and talk to him about that matter,
Although Everett¡¯s parents had tried to set them up countless times, Heather always knew what Everett
was thinking. So she helped him dodge the issue, staying by his side as a friend rather Pan epting
the title of ¡°luture daughter¨Cinw bestowed upon her by his
parents.
¡°We are friends, very good partners.¡± His answer was always impable, gentlemanly, and official
Heather forced a smile, ¡°So, am I the same to you as Dorally?¡±
Mentioned out of the blue, a different emotion finally appeared on Everett¡¯s handsome face.
¡°Not the same¡±
¡°Because you two are mamed?¡±
He frowned, knowing that Jeffrey must have spilled the beans
¡°You don¡¯t need to me Jeffrey! It¡¯s because you had a car ident, Jeffrey and I were upset and
called Dorothy over. He blurted it out
Reculling the scene, the lowered her eyes, ¡°Jeffrey said, you two got married, and Darocity was still
trying to seduce other men
Although Jeffrey had pulled her away, she was close enough to hear.
¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about this, is there anything else?¡± Everett¡¯s expression darkened oven more, and
his aura became even colder
Heather kept silent for a long time before sighing, ¡°You¡¯re really not afraid that if your mom finds out,
her illness will rpse¡±
What she really wanted to say was that he had just married Dorolly on easily.
That position was supposed to be hers.
The name on their marriage license should have been Heather
She thought Dorothy was someone Everett was attracted to, liked, had been infatuated with since his
youth, and felt fresh sensations towards upon reuniting. But she had never imagined that he had
actually thrown caution to the wind and nned everything in advance.
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Everett made things official with Dorothy, giving her the legal status of being his wife!
That¡¯s what the Lopez family had always wanted for her!
¡°Let¡¯s keep it a secret for now¡±
Everett look into consideration his mother¡¯s illness, but he also knew that if he didn¡¯t lock down Dorothy
then, take advantage of the situation, he might have really missed his chancete
It¡¯s like what they say strike while the won is not
¡°Okay, calm down. I won¡¯t spill the beans Heather stepped back a few paces, ¡°Since you don¡¯t need my
help, I won¡¯t bother you anymore. Get some sleep.
After she finished speaking, Everett just gave a slight nod. He didn¡¯t even say goodnight before
shutting the door.
He strode back to his bed, recalling the conversation he heard from Dorothy¡¯s end during a meeting
¡°Dorothy, can Ie
¡°Don¡¯t be shy. Even if you¡¯re working overtime, you still have to eat! If it werent for Karen insisting on
buying clothes, we could¡¯ve been home earlier. Tomorrow. I have her prepare some food at home so
you won¡¯t have to worry about going hungry when you¡¯re working
That was definitely Keh¡¯s voice.
Although it seemed like there was a Karen involved, it waste at night back in their home country, and
the two of them were still
together!
With a frown, Everett sent a message to Kevin.
[Go to Lurrina Bay and check out Genesis Creations Inc. and bring Dorothy
Receiving the news of another business trip. Dorothy was a bit dazed.
After all, the project at Genesis Creations Inc, was so crucial that it was pretty much the biggest move
the Lopez Corporation was going to make this year. And they were letting her be involved?
She thought that since her rtionship with Everett had be strained and ended, her favorable
treatment at the main office would have also disappeared.
I know your mother is having surgery, so let¡¯s leave on Monday. How does that sound?¡±
Kevin was considerate enough to schedule the date, not leaving her any room for negotiation.
¡®I¡¯m good with that, but will my name be on the Genesis Creations Inc. project?¡±
If she was going to run around, she might as well have gotten something out of it, right?
Although the opportunity to gain experience was rare, if thepany was willing to give her some
credit on the project, it would have looked good on her resume!
I¡¯m not sure, that¡¯s up to Mr. Lopez. I mention it for you.¡±
¡®No need.¡± Dorothy didn¡¯t dare to show up in front of Everett at that time.
¡°Scared of what?¡± Kevin didn¡¯t know what she was thinking, assuming she was just intimidated by the
CEO, ¡°When Mr. Lopez¡¯s nends in Lumina Bay after his trip, Il arrange for you to pick him up
alone. You can butler him up. Whether or not your name is on the project will just be a nod from Mr.
Lopez.¡±
It wouldn¡¯t be a problem if she were actually involved. But without Mr. Lopez¡¯s napraval, no one would
have dared to make the decision. ¡°Everell is returning for a business trip and will go straight to Lumina
Bay?¡±
dout his first name after she had already spoken.
Dorothy was subconsciously startled and assed, only realizing she had called out his
Kevin was also started, ¡°You should still call him Mr. Lopez at thepany.¡±
¡°Tim sorry¡ I thought Mr. Lopez would relum directly to thepany¡±
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¡°The original n was for him to go directly to Lumina Boy from Verdant City¡±
the original n, however, they didn¡¯t n on bringing Dorothy to Lumina Bay.
Keyin gave her a reassuring look, ¡°You just need to seize the opportunity
¡°Okay, got IL¡±
15:02
Dorothy watched as Kevin left, then suddenly remembered what he had just said.
What did he say?
She had to go to the airport alone to pick up Ever?
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The night before Be¡¯s surgery, Dorothy didn¡¯t stay at Karen¡¯s ce, but apanied her mother in
the hospital.
She knew that Be, though acting tough, must have been scared inside.
No matter how it was sliced, surgery was still a scary thing.
¡°The doctor said your surgery has a high sess rate. And in about a fortnight, you should be able to
get discharged.¡± Dorothy could only bring up positive things to lighten her mother¡¯s mood.
¡°I know. The chief surgeon came and talked to me yesterday.¡± Be was required to fast before the
surgery, so she had to lie in bed and minimize her movements. Even the amount of water she could
drink was limited, ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about me. I¡¯m more worried about you.¡±
As she was wiping her mother¡¯s arm, she paused slightly. ¡°Ive got nothing to worry about¡±
¡°You two are married but haven¡¯t had a wedding yet! That guy isn¡¯t pulling your leg, is he? He¡¯s legally
married to you but not sneaking off with other women behind your back, is he?¡± Be¡¯s biggest fear
was this.
She had been burned before and was naturally more worried about her daughter walking the same
path.
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¡°That won¡¯t happen,¡± Dorothy knew that in her mother¡¯s eyes, no man was a good guy
¡°When I was young. I thought so too.¡±
Dorothy didn¡¯t say anything
¡°You look just like I did back then! No, I need to have a word with this Keh His parents also need to
come over and bear witness.¡± With that Be was about to make a phone call
Dorothy quickly stopped her ¡°What are you doing? Histe, they¡¯re probably resting
¡°It¡¯s only 7 pm! And I want to disturb them at inconvenient times to see how sincere Keh and his
family are!¡±
Her mother¡¯s approach and ideas always caught Dorothy off guard.
She thought. ¡°If she keeps this up, my marriage will be in trouble even if there isn¡¯t any to begin with¡±
Luckily, Keh was just a ruse. Once her mother¡¯s surgery was over, the whole act would have been
over too!
ool if she had really married, what men could have put up with her mother¡¯s dramatic nature?.
That was the real reason why Dorothy had no interest in romance for so many years.
She didn¡¯t want to inflict her warped family environment on an average person.
¡°Are youining about me again?¡± Be was not pleased to hear this. ¡°Dorothy, have you thought
about how everything I do is for your sake? I¡¯m your mother, and I don¡¯t want you to be duped like I
was!¡±
Dorothy sighed, ¡°I know you mean well. How about this? Alter your surgery, once I¡¯ve finished my
project at work and received my bonus, I¡¯ll repay him and then get a divorce.¡±
Of course, ¡°him¡± referred to Evereit
¡°No way!¡± Be immediately rejected the idea. ¡°You¡¯re a young woman. You can¡¯t just divorce him like
that!
¡°Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s better to be single than to be calcting in a rtionship?¡±
She was talking to her mother but also to herself.
Ever since Everett suddenly entered her life, she was beginning to get used to his presence and
asionally tangled up over his rtionship with Heather.
It was so tiring
It was better when she was alone, just working and earning money every day, not having to think about
anything else, let alone being emotionally affected by another person.
That feeling was awful
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It¡¯s even worse than working overtime for a whole week.
Be let out a sigh too. ¡°Honey I know I shouldn¡¯t always instill this fear of marriage in you. After all,
youll have to get manied eventually and have a home of your own to rry on, But just can¡¯t help
worrying! Heel like all men are up to no good.¡±
Thinking back, Dorothy¡¯s father was also gentle and considerate, without a single w. It was that fact
that made Be fall head over heels for him, even blocking her own way out
¡°Mom, don¡¯t think about those things. You have surgery tomorrow You should rest more. She tucked
her mother in and smiled. ¡°Finally, the surgery is happening. Nothing else matters to me.¡±
She had been waiting for that day for a very long time.
After she put her mother to sleep, she found herse I too excited to sleep.
She opened the internal software of the Lopez Corporation on herputer, wanting to organize her
fides again, but every time, she couldn¡¯t help but look at Everell¡¯s ount.
He was still crine.
Everett, the CEO, was really dedicated
Dorothy stared at the screen for a while before she realized she was doing something only a love¨C
struck woman would de
She quickly looked away, but she couldn¡¯t get Everett¡¯s face out of her mind. That made her lose the
mood to work, so she closed herputer and forced herself to sleep
After who knew how long she finally managed to fall asleep in her drowsy state, she heard someone
calling her name
She opened her eyes and
mother dressed and sitting on hed. Next to her were Keh and his parents
¡°You¡¯re finally awake. You were workingte against night, weren¡¯t you? My daughter is just so
career¨Cdriven¡±
Her mother¡¯s words brought her back to reality. She quickly got up, ¡°Why¡why are you guys here?¡±
Keh gave her a reassuring look and told her not to panic
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Be out in,¡± asked them toe. I was worried you would be too busy waiting outside the operating
room by yourself. If Keh is here with you, III feel more at ease.
¡°Yes, Dorothy, we¡¯re here to keep youpany¡± Kehs mom was a very amiable woman. Even
though she had only met Dorothy for the second time, she really liked her and warmly took her hand.
Watching that scene, Be felt that she had achieved her goat
Her aim was to repeatedly secure a ce in the family for her daughter to let the Nelser family know
that if they mistreated her daughter, she would not have taken it lying down.
Soon, a nurse came to lead the patient to the operating mom.
The red light outside lit up, and the words ¡®in surgery¡± made Dorothy¡¯s heart race.
Suddenly, she fell a jacket being draped over her. A refreshing mint scent filled her nostrils.
She turned around subconsciously
It was Keh,
¡°You¡¯re not dressed warmly enough Youll catch a cold.¡±
Tm fine.¡± Dorothy declined his jacket. Also, I¡¯m really sorry! I didn¡¯t know my mom went in bother you
again.¡±
Tve told you belove, as long as your mom is at ease, it¡¯s finel Karen told me earlier that you¡¯ve been
working like crazy to save up for this surgery: Now that we¡¯re finally hem, the most important thing is to
make sure nothing goes wrong.¡±
Dorothycked down and thought for a long time belom she finally spoke in a soft valse, ¡®Mr. Nelson,
you¡¯ve seen the situation in my family. The doctor said that my mother¡¯s surgery won¡¯t be a one time fix
and could rpse of any time in the future. So, we¡¯re not suitable.¡±
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Call it wishful thinking or overthinking, either way, Dorothy decided toy it all out on the table.
That revtion let Keh a bit stunned
¡°I don¡¯t care about any of that.¡±
He was firm in his response.
Actually, from the moment he firstid eyes on Dorothy Keh was deeply impressed Coupled with
his sister always singing her praises, he found himself growing more and more interested in the girl.
But because he had a steady girlfriend before, he didn¡¯t entertain any other thoughts. However after
breaking up when his sister suggested selling him up with Dorothy, he admitted that he was very
interested
It wasn¡¯t just because Dorothy was pretty but more so because of her strong spirit which made him
want to protect her.
¡°But I do care¡±
stated calmly, ¡°I want an equal marriage, but under these circumstances. I can only be a burden
to a family.¡±
¡°How car that be? Even if your mom needs a few more surgeries, it¡¯s just a few milicr at most! My
family can totally afford it Keh¡¯s tone was somewhat urgent, ¡°if this is the only reason why you¡¯re
keeping me at arm¡¯s length, then there¡¯s no need
Dorothy shook her head. ¡°You don¡¯t understand what I mean.¡±
do understand!¡± Keh looked unusually anxicus. ¡°My parents don¡¯t care about all that social status
stuff, and as for the several million in medical fees, we can give it to you as a cash gift Emean, I have
to give cre when I get mamed anyway.¡±
¡°Mr. Neiser, besides money can you tolerate my mother calling you at all hours? Even when you¡¯re in
ss, in a meeting or even when you¡¯re tired from working overtime and haven¡¯t slept for days, you
must go immediately, or you¡¯ll be scolded to high heavens.¡±
1 can!¡±
¡°That¡¯s because you haven¡¯t experienced it.¡±
Dorothy knew her mother all too well. She wouldn¡¯t have let go of her daughter¡¯s marriage so easily
The way she has tormented herself over the years, she would have done the same to her son¨Cinw.
¡°Dorothy, I havent experienced it, but I want to try. Give me a chance¡± Keh took a deep breath, 1
know it¡¯s not the best time to say this, but I¡¯m serious, and my parents are very supportive
¡°Don¡¯t step into this messy situation.
After speaking, Dorothy bowed slightly, ¡°Mr. Nelson, thank you for everything. Please take your parents
and leave. With my with Karen, you wouldn¡¯t want our future encounters to be awkward, would you?¡±
rtionship
After a long while, Keh could onlyugh and nod, ¡°All right, we¡¯ll leave for now. But remember, you
can alwayse to me if you need anything.¡±
Dorothy watched as they left her nose suddenly stung, and she almost shed tears.
She had to face the reality.
She wasn¡¯t good enough for Keh, let alone for Everett
Her mother¡¯s surgery was
The doctor Everett had personally asked for did an excellent job and evenid a good foundation for a
potential second surgery.
¡°The patient noids to rest well, and when she goes home, make sure she doesn¡¯t get too emotional, as
it could lead to heartplications¡±
¡°All night, Jundend. Thank you, doctor¡±
As Dorothy pushed her mother¡¯s bed back to the V1 ward, she noticed the table was full of fresh fruit
and expensive supplements!
She didn¡¯t see Keh bring them in the morning
She went over to look and found a note from the merchant next to the fruit basket, besides the ward
address, it also had the name M Lopez willen on 1.
¡°Was it Everett who sent it?¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.
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Chapter 98
Dorothy rushed to the door to ask the two bodyguards, but they imed they didn¡¯t know
Owned by N?velDrama.Org.
She pulled out her phone, thinking about calling Everett to ask, but her fingers hesitated on the dial pad
and she didn¡¯t end up making
The call.
Even if it was him who sent it, so what?
At most, it was just a constion gift sent by the bass to the subordinate
In the hotel suite in Verdant City.
That was already the fifth time Everett had checked his phone.
But there was still no news.
Did the stuff he ordered not get delivered to the ward? Or, was it that she simply didn¡¯t want to contact
him
That woman was usually so cautious, always polite to everyone, but when it came to receiving things
from him, there was
Finally, his phone rang.
Everett answered it immediately, but it was Jeffrey¡¯s voice that came through
¡°You answered so fast. Who were you waiting for a call from?¡±
¡°I was just using my phone¡±
a perpl
Jeffrey, on the other side, wished he could roll his eyes at him, ¡°Don¡¯t pretend I don¡¯t know. You
contacted that little assistant again! Didn¡¯t we agree to test how long it would take her to call and check
on you?¡±
¡°I just sent some constion gifts to her mother¡±
¡°So, after sending it, you¡¯re waiting for her to contact you?¡±
Everett¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Do you have something to say, or can I get back to work?
¡°I mean, she¡¯s gone this far, it¡¯s clear she¡¯s not into you. Aren¡¯t you going to let go?¡±
¡°We¡¯re married.¡±
Although Everett was displeased, he didn¡¯t think that because of Keh, he and Dorothy would have
ended up divorcing.
He was just mad at her for not being savvy!
¡°Only you take this marriage seriously: Jeffrey couldn¡¯t help feeling indignant for his friend, ¡°She
introduces a guy as her boyfriend back home, and you can forgive that. But Heather flew here for you
right after surgery, clutching her belly, to negotiate contracts for you, and you¡¯re not the least bit moved.
What¡¯s with that?¡±
¡°I told her not toe.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t y dumb! Don¡¯t tell me you don¡¯t know Heather¡¯s feelings for your
¡°As a married man, that¡¯s something I cant know¡±
With that, Jeffrey was left speechless.
After hanging up, Evergif rubbed his temples, asking his assistant to move up his return flight by one
day
Her mother¡¯s Surgery went smoothly. Dorothy took care of her in the hospital for two days, and only
rushed back to Karen¡¯s to pack her business trip luggage on Sunday evening.
¡°You look exhausted. Why not tell your boss and skip this trip!¡± Karen felt sorry for her Inlenda
¡°How can I do that? This is a core project. Not only can I broaden my horizons, I can leam a lot.¡± Other
people would kill for this opportunity. She absolutely can¡¯t refuse!
¡°But what about your health?¡±
¡°When I make moneyter, 111 have plenty of time to recuperate Dorothy finished packing her
suitcase, put it aside, finally breathing sigh of relief, ¡°Karen, while I¡¯m away on business, if anything
happens to my mom, I¡¯ll have to ask you to take care of her for me
Karen nodded, ¡°No problem! I¡¯m just worried about your health.¡±
Dorothy was already thin. Wouldn¡¯t she have lost even more weight?
¡°I can handle it. This is nothing¡±
Dorothy patted her on the shoulder, then tumed to sort out her bag.
Then suddenly, she found a condom
It was the only one left from herst business trip with Everett
¡°How the hell did you get this?¡®
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From behind, sharp¨Ceyed Karen almost popped her eyeballs out when she saw that
In her eyes, her best fnend was someone who had never even dated. So where would have she gotten
a guy from? in her wildest dreams, she never thought she would have seen that thing from her,
Derothy was also embarrassed. She didn¡¯t intend to y the innocent, but she thought the thing was
quite private, and felt awkward when someone saw it
¡°Just¡ leftovers
Karen blinked, and used a lot of effort to digest that sentence.
¡°You don¡¯t have a boyfriend. Who did you use it with?¡±
Just a guy who fulfilled a need.¡±
Knowing that Karen was not easy to fool. Dorothy could only dodge the main issue
And to describe Everett like that, it should have been quite urate, right?
Wasn¡¯t ther rtionship just like that?
Upon hearing that, Karen yfully pped her shoulder. Her gossip spint ignited, ¡°You naughty girl!
Your went all the way without telling me! Come on, what¡¯s this guy like? Is he in good shape?¡±
Dorothy felt her face buming and hurriedly stuffed the culprit back into her bag, ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about
this.¡±
¡°What are you afraid of? You¡¯re not a newbie anymore, night?¡± Karen raised her brows and chuckled,
¡°To capture your frozen heart, this guy must be pretty handsome! Have you got any pictures? Is he
from ourpany? Have I met him?¡±
He was very handsome.
There were pictures.
He was sort of from thepany.
She had indeed met him.
And the urrence of that whole thing was primarily thanks to Karem.
But Dorothy didn¡¯t dare answer any of those questions and could only vaguely reply. ¡°We were drunk
that night. I don¡¯t remember¡±
¡°Oh? Just one night? No contact afterward?¡±
Karen was like discovering a new world, and her cur osity was off the charts, How could she have let
her go?
¡°He has a girl he likes.¡±
Dorothy directly blocked all her following questions.
Karen almost chcked on her own saliva. ¡°Then he still
¡°Like I said, we were drunk.¡± She attributed their first time to Everett being drunk.
As for what happenedter, it was probably that he found out she looked like Heather and then
proposed a marriage agreement.
¡°Well, that guy really has no ss. He was ying around when he had someone he loved! You should
forget him as soon as possible, I¡¯m telling you. It¡¯s not the yboys that ose scary. It¡¯s the ones who
have someone else in their hearts!¡±
As she spoke, Karen even grabbed the condom from Dorothys bag and threw it away as if it was the
guy himself.
Dorothy raised an eyebrow puzzled, ¡°Why? Aren¡¯t yboys more annoying?¡±
¡°yboys will have a day when they¡¯ve had enough and settled down. And maybe they be more
passionate and devoted because -they¡¯ve ser it all Futa man who has someone else in his heart will
never give you his whole heart! No matter how outstanding you
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.
are, how much you love him, none of it canpete with his pining.¡±
¡°You don¡¯t want to be someone else¡¯s recement, do you?¡± Karen asked directly.
Dorothy shook her head, ¡°No, I don¡¯t.¡±
¡°That¡¯s right! Let me tell you, love is quite a delicate thing. The more you care about someone, the less
they care about you. Since you two are using each other, and it seems like you¡¯re quite sailsfied with
him in that aspect, that¡¯s enought Just consider a freeble.¡±
Dorothy silently listened to her words.
Ironically, the whole reason why she dared to sleep with Everett that night was because she was
brainwashed by Karen.
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Karen was afraid Dorothy was falling in love or something. She kept repeating over and over that she
should just sleep and not get emotionally involved.
Then, for some reason, the conversation shifted to Keh
¡°Keh really digs you. If you¡¯re not considering it now, could you consider him first when you¡¯re
ready for a boyfriend?¡±
Dorothy sighed, ¡°Given my situation, don¡¯t you think lim not good enough for him?¡±
¡°Are you kidding me? if he can marry you, it¡¯s his lucky day! Besides, what¡¯s wrong with you? All you
did was have some fun. It¡¯s normall Keh won¡¯t judge you over this¡±
That cracked Dorothy up
Sometimes she really envied Karen. She seemed to be a loudmouth, but she really knew how to live
freely.
¡°Karen, I know you mean well, and Keh is indeed a good man. But I¡¯m really not in the state for a
rtionship¡±
¡°Ill make him wait then! After all, you¡¯ll have to get married sooner orter Karen grabbed her arm and
cooed. ¡°I just want you to be sister inw. Then we¡¯ll be a real family!¡±
Dorothy looked at her and said sincerely. No matter what happens, I always see you as my family¡±
Right now she was just struggling. There were too many issues that needed to be solved. But Dorothy
never thought about giving up! She knew that her day woulde
She barely slept that night. Luckily, she could catch up on sleep on the ne
Kevin went to pick her up early in the morning, which made Dorothy feel embarrassed.
¡°It¡¯s okay I can go to the airport by myself. No need to trouble you?
s not a big deal. It¡¯s on my way¡± Kevin helped her with the luggage and briefed her about the business
trip. ¡°You don¡¯t have to attend the meeting on the first day. Another assistant and I can handle t
As Dorothy buckled up in the passenger seat she asked. ¡°Then what¡¯s my task?¡±
¡°Not much¡±
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
Mainly because Mr. Lopez personally called her, Kevin couldn¡¯t refuse.
¡°Oh, right, you can pick up Mr. Lopez from the airport on Tuesday. His fightnds at 10 PM¡±
As soon as he mentioned that, Dorothy suddenly remembered, ¡°Can I not go? I¡¯m not familiar with
Lumina Bay¡¡±
¡°You don¡¯t want to be credited to the project?¡±
She did, but there were problems
¡°it¡¯s bothersome, forget it! I don¡¯t want people to think that I have a special rtionship with Mr. Lopez
and got a shortcut. It¡¯s not good to smear Mr. Lopez¡¯s reputation.¡±
Kevinughed. ¡°Do you think anyone in ourpany has time to gossip?¡±
His words were not exaggerated. The ones who loved to gossip were employees from the branch
offices, like those from the Prosperity Consonium!
Although there might have been some employees from the head office in the chat groups, but very few
of them actually participated in the gossiping
¡°Getting into the Loper Corporation head office is a milestone! Many people are dying to get in, and the
company changes employees anytime. Everyone is afraid that they might be kicked out due to
underperformance. Who has time to gossip?¡±
Dorothy could be taken as an example. She was busy when she was in the Prosperity Consortium, but
she did have weekends off! Ever
as an as Cha since she joined the head office, when did she not work overtime?
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¡°You just go. If you¡¯ve done nothing wrong, you¡¯ve got nothing to fear. Besides, Mr. Lopez doesnt mind¡±
She remained silent
But she felt she did do something wrong
Dorothy was already feeling suffocated. She couldn¡¯t imagine when she actually met Everett Lopez,
alone in a car with him, in a confined space. She¡¯d probably be so awkward that she¡¯d break out in
goosebumps!
¡°Mr. Lopez has a car at Lumina Bay. I give you the keys when we get there
¡°Um. Im not a great driver. I don¡¯t want to wreck Mr. Lopez¡¯s car
Kevin gave her a mysterious smile and raised his eyebrows, ¡°Don¡¯t worry! Mr. Lopez has dozens of
cars parked in his garage a
garage at Lumina Bay, even if you wreck one, no one will know if it wasn¡¯t for the fact that you can¡¯t
transfer ownership, you could sell a few¡±
Dorothy pulled a face, unsure whether to marvel at Everett¡¯s wealth first or mourn the fact that her
excuse had been shot down,
On the ne, Kevin and a few colleagues who were traveling together held a small meeting
She listened in, but didn¡¯t understand much; she eximed to herself about how smart her mentor was
After the flight attendant distributed the meals, Kevin returned to his seat.
Dorothy nced at the contract in his hand. It was a hedge report..
¡°Is this Genesis Creations Inc. research project that big a deal to the Lopez Corporation?¡±
¡°Yeah, the profits are huge, but so are the challenges.¡± Kevin waved the stack of research materials,
Tim going to be tied up with this for the next few months.¡±
¡°You¡¯re working so hard. Doesn¡¯t your family mind?¡± She noticed Kevin practically lived at the Lopez
Corporation.
C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.
Kevin picked up his coffee and took a sip. ¡°My parents are overseas.¡±
¡°What about your wife?¡±
1 don¡¯t have a wife. I¡¯m not married.¡± Kevin made a point of showing his bare ring finger. Tim in my
prime right now so I need to focus on my career!¡±
¡°No wonder, Kevin. You¡¯ve achieved such a high position at the Lopez Corporation because you¡¯ve put
your all into it.¡±
Kevin waved his hand andughed, ¡°Less of the ttery. Tell me who gets married early in cur industry?
I¡¯m so busy I wish there were 48 hours in a day. If I have a girlfriend, get married, and have a kid with
her, it wouldn¡¯t be fair to her. I won¡¯t have time for her or our family¡±
Dorothy nodded in agreement.
There were so many married men who failed to do their duties to attend kids, thus leading to a divorce.
The children were the ones who suffered the most.
¡°Look at Mr. Loper. He¡¯s not married either, is he? Ms. Heather has been with him for so long and
they¡¯ve made no moves to take the next step. It¡¯s because they have to focus on their careers too¡±
Dorothy was taken aback. She let out an awkwardugh.
¡°Hey, was Mr. Lopez a catch as a schoolboy?¡±
Kevin suddenly felt in the mood for some idle chit¨Cchat
That was the first time
Dorothy though asked Dorothy about something not work¨Crted.
a moment. ¡°He was just chased by almost every girl in school¡®
She still remembered Everett¡¯s desk, which was overflowing with love letters. Many of them ended up
on her desk because there was no room on his! It was so disruptive that she even considered asking
the teacher for a new deskmate
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Sheter decided to drop the issue because she didn¡¯t want to cause her teacher trouble. She was
always afraid of causing others trouble. The teachers at school had already taken good care of her, so
Dorothy fell she was the least entitled to be picky.
¡°Did that include you?¡±
Kevin asked this question while turning his gaze to her face at the same time.
Dorothy shook her head the whole time. ¡°It didn¡¯t In middle school, besides going to ss, I had to work
in a B&B in the morning and worked the night shift in an inte cafe after leaving the library. My
schedule was even tighter than it is now!¡±
Thinking about it, this was probably why the homeroom teacher felt it was okay to let her sit next to
Everett
Any other girl would probably be so infatuated that she wouldn¡¯t have the heart to study
¡°Huh? How old were you in middle school?¡±
¡°Still gotta be a breadwinner regardless of my age, right?¡± Dorothy shrugged. She w rather than
bing trapped in the shadows of her childhood.
was just d she trudged through all the difficulties
Things could get worse if she did that. After all, trapping herself in couldn¡¯t bring her the power she
needed.
Kevin looked at her. He couldn¡¯t help but admire the girl in front of him.
¡°Keep at it. Youre definitely going to make it in investment banking.¡±
¡°Yeah!¡± She thought so too.
The nended at Lumina Bay Airport. Someone was already there to pick them up and take them
directly to the hotel
Kevin didnt even have time to rest before he started working.
Dorothy put down her luggage. She didn¡¯t have any work assignments so she went to the window after
tidying up and looked at the scenery below
It was so beautiful!
The whole ce was filled with high-rise buildings that she couldn¡¯t afford.
She opened her phone and saw a WhatsApp message from Karen Miller
[Sweete, I always feel like something is off about the way you talk about that man. I must remind you
again, dont fall for guys like that. You¡¯ll be the only one who gets hurt in the end!
Fall for him?
Dorothy sighed and replied, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, there¡¯s a world of difference between him and me. There
won¡¯t be any story and I¡¯m very clear
about that.¡±
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
After sending this message, she got up to pour herself a ss of water. When she came back, Karen¡¯s
reply almost made her drop her phone.
[Don¡¯t tell me this guy is Mr. Lopez]
Dorothy realized she really wasn¡¯t good at lying or hiding anything.
Afraid of giving herself away, she decided not to reply.
As it neared evening, Kevin came and knocked on the door, cing a car key in her hand, ¡°You drive to
the airport now. There¡¯s still time, just take it slow¡±
¡®Now?!¡±
Wasn¡¯t it supposed to be Tuesday?
¡°We¡¯ve run into some problems with work here so Mr. Lopez has pushed it forward a day! Don¡¯t waste
any more time. Go now, you¡¯ll be dyed on the road¡±
Kevin left in a hurry after saying that, not giving Dorothy any chance to argue
Left with no choice, she could only brace herself and take up this task.
On the way, Dorothyforted hersell
Everett probably wouldn¡¯te to Lumina Hay alone.
His¡¯assistant always apanied him on business trips, and there was also Heather Garcia She had
gone to Verdant City with Evere and should being back with him!
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Chapter 102
She would never get the chance to talk to Everett if his true love was also amund,
After giving herself a solid pep talk, Dorothy parked the car and walked into the arrival hall.
It was quite easy to spot Everett among the crowd.
As always, he was very conspicuous with his tall figure. His presence was strong just by standing
there.
He was wearing a dark suit, his shirt and tie were ironed and tidy. The way he casually rolled up his
sleeves exuded a natural sense of nobility and ease.
Dorothy put a hand on her left chest as she watched.
Because her heart just skipped a beat.
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Everett spotted her in no time and with long sindes, he started heading her way.
As he got close: Corothy felt a sudden urge to turn ta and run.
Nobody was apanying him here: he was all by himself.
Everett came to a halt next to her. The sense of oppression was making her lose her breath
She saw him pressing his thin lips together, brows slightly furrowed. The white bandage on his
handsome face was a bit conspicuous. He looked somewhat displeased, as if he was mulling over how
to scold her.
Sensibly, Dorothy reached out to grab his luggage first. Her face was stiff and she was uncertain what
to say first.
Finally, it was Everett who broke the silence.
¡°So you will never call me if I don¡¯t contact you first, right?
Dorothy was taken aback by his words and ended up saying nothing at all.
¡°Forget it, give me the car keys.¡± Everett extended his hard, his tall figurepletely blocking the light
that should¡¯ve been on her.
¡°Huh?¡±
¡°You n on chatting with me at the airport?¡± He asked.
Dorothy quickly shook her head and handed over the car keys.
She ended up in the passenger seat with Everett driving.
Wasn¡¯t I supposed to pick him up? She thought.
On the way back there were times that Dorothy wanted to say something. But in the end, she couldn¡¯t
find a starting point and swallowed her words.
She didn¡¯t expect their reunion to be like this. Why did it feel like¡ like Everett was more helpless than
angry?
¡°Your mother¡¯s surgery was sessful¡±
Once again, it was Everett who broke the silence.
¡°Yeah I really need to thank you for finding the doctor. Thest few physicians all said the sess rate
wasn¡¯t high after learning about her condition.¡±
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¡°Now you are thanking me. But your mother thanked Keh Nelson.¡±
¡°Uh¡¡±
Everett nced at her in the rear¨Cview mimar, ¡°Isn¡¯t it?¡±
Dorothy suddenly realized that he seemed to care a lot about this. And now it felt like he wanted to
show all his cards and settle the
scores.
But no matter what, she decided to clear things up first.
¡°Let me exin. My mother she found out about the agreement I signed with you for the money. She
thought I was selling my body and absolutely refused to have the surgery. I had no choice but to ask
Karen¡¯s brother to pretend,¡±
¡°Uh¨Chuh, that¡¯s very usible.¡±
Everett¡¯s voice was low and cool, devoid of any discemible emotion.
This only made Dorothy feel more anxious.
¡°It¡¯s true, I didn¡¯t lie to you¡±
¡°I know you didn¡¯t lie to me. But you never thought about telling your mother the truth from the start,
right?¡±
You¡¯d rather find a stand¨Cin than reveal my identity, he thought.
¡°Of course,¡± Dorothy stated it as if it was a natural thing.
Everen mmed on the brakes, cousing them both to lurch forward for a low seconds before the car
came to a stop on the side of the road.
insu
Dorothy looked at him in surprise, not understanding why.
The next second, Everett ravished her lips as a punishment.
He didn¡¯t know why he was so fond of this clueless woman. He could even be dumbfounded by the
way she pissed him,pl
Everything happened so suddenly. Dorothy only pushed the man off her when she felt like she was
about to pass out fromck of
oxygen.
¡°What are you doing?!¡±
At this moment, Everett¡¯s lips were stained with her lipstick; his shirt was disheveled from her pulling,
adding a sense ofziness to him.
The air in the car suddenly became quiet.
After a while, he spoke softly, ¡®Dorothy, what do I have to do to make you understandTM
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Dorothy was still bbergasted,pletely at a loss.
To be honest, she had started to doubt if Everett had his head during the car ident. Why else would
he be saying stuff she didn¡¯t understand all the time?
¡°I¡¯ll give you some time to think it over. Let¡¯s head back to the hotel.¡±
Everett said that and resumed his position in the driver¡¯s seat. His words were heavy with a sense of
defeat.
Dorothy blinked her eyes. Noticing his hesitation, she finally plucked up the courage to ask, ¡°Mr. Lopez,
are you¡ nning to terminate our contract? You can just say it. I have no objections
She would even happy support him getting together with Heather!
Everett raised his hand to rub his temples.
Jeffrey Tumer was right: Everett had no idea how he got himself into such a mess.
He couldnt understand why he insisted on making life difficult for himself.
The car arrived at the hotel
-Kevin and a few assistants were already starding there to wee them.
ey were quite surprised to see the bossing out from the driver¡¯s side
They
¡°Dorothy, weren¡¯t you supposed to pick up nur boss?¡±
Why was the boss dring her instead?
Dorothy gave him an awkwardugh, ¡°Maybe Mr. Lopez feared I¡¯d wreck his car.¡±
Kevin got nothing to say.
Everett took out the luggage from the trunk and walked over to Kevin, it¡¯s toote now, let¡¯s have a
meeting tomorrow morning. Everyone can go gel some rest¡±
¡°Sure, Mr. Lopez¡±
Kevin nodded while giving Dorothy a look indicating that she could leave.
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.
But Everett suddenly ushered his suitcase into her hands.
¡°Dorothy, help me bring my luggage up.¡±
¡°Sure¡±
She followed Everett stiffly. She could already imagine the shucked expression on Kevin¡¯s face.
Why couldn¡¯t Everett have talked to her in the car? Why did he have to bring her to his room in front of
everyone?
Thankfully, Kevin was good at keeping his mouth shut; otherwise there would have been rumors all
over thepany by tomorrow.
Dorothy fallowed him into his booked room with his luggage. Before she could even open her mouth to
say something, he handed her a
tube of cintment
¡°Apply the ointment on me after I finish showering.¡±
After saying this, he took his robe and went into the bathroom.
Listening to the sound of water, Domthy was still in shock.
What was happening? It waspletely different from what she had anticipated.
Everett had neither brought up the termination of the contract nor chastised her for taking Keh to
the hospital on her own initiative.
She could still sense his anger at the airport just a while ago!
After a while, Everett came out of the bathroom.
His robe was loosely tied around his waist. He walked over to the bed in a few strides andy down.
Steing Dorothy standing still, he furrowed his brows, ¡°Are you noting over?¡±
¡°1¡± She quickly walked over to the bed. Only then did she see therge wound on Everett¡¯s leg. The
skin around it was already bing ck and blue. It looked homifying.
15.00
¡°Should I call a doctor? I¡¯m afraid I might hurt you more.¡±
¡°No need. I don¡¯t like others touching me¡±
After speaking, he pulled his robe up a little more, revealing his ck briefs. They were tight and filling
perfectly. The cutline of his package was clear and bulging
Everett seemedpletelyfortable with this.
On the other hand, Dorothy quickly averted her eyes. Her cheeks were burning as she began applying
the ointment on him,
While applying, she suddenly thought of the text Heather had sent her
She hadn¡¯t seen the ck briefs when she was packing for Everettst time, so these must be new
ones Heather bought for him during their trip!
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Chapter 105
Dorothy was spacing out for a second so she identally pressed a bit too hard¡
Prople applied medicine to heal wounds, but when she did it, she somehow made Everett¡¯s almost¨C
healed wound bleed again!
¡°You, you¡¯re bleeding! I go get the doctor!¡±
Dorothy was about to dash off, but Everett grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms.
¡°I¡¯m fine¡± He said
¡°You¡¯re not fine! Your wound has re¨Copened! I¡¯m so sorry¡I didn¡¯t mean it!¡± She was like a kid who¡¯s
done something wrong, spinning around like a headless chicken.
Everett gave a helpless smile; he just couldn¡¯t handle her sometimes
It¡¯s just a small wound, no biggie.¡±
¡°But ¡¡±
¡°You didn¡¯t have dinner, right? I ask room service to send something up.¡± He interrupted her gently,
then followed with a slightly awkward cough, ¡®Ga take a shower first¡±
Dorothy suddenly realized that given their positions, any movement could easily cause a stir, of all
ces, she was pressed up against his lower body
He couldn¡¯t hide his bulge much longer¡
¡°Okay! M¡I¡¯ll go take a shower!¡±
She couldn¡¯t think about anything else so she even forget to grab a change of clothes. And she bolted
into the bathroom just like that
Watching Dorothy¡¯s retreating figure. Everett¡¯s lips curved into a small smirk.
She really was something else.
Dorothy, in opposition to Everett, wished she could shrink and escape through the drain in the
bathroom¡®
That didn¡¯t go as she nned. Now she was taking a shower after him. Why?
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Shouldn¡¯t they be sitting down in discuss the dissolution of their contract and when they¡¯d head to get
their divorce certificate?
Everett and Heather had already reached the paint of buying each other underwear or this business
trip. She wouldn¡¯t buy it if heter told her they werent back together.
Dorothy paced around the bathroom a few times before Everett¡¯s voice came from outside.
¡®Dinner¡¯s here.¡±
¡°Okay, I¡¯ll be right out. She clenched her fists, opened the bathroom door, and saw Everett standing at
the door. His eyes were scanning over her
¡°You didn¡¯t shower?¡±
¡°I think we need to have a serious talk, Mr. Lopez. What do you say?¡±
Everett nodded with a calm look, ¡°Sure, let¡¯s talk while we cat¡±
He walked over to the dining table and even thoughtfully pulled out the chair for her.
Dorothy took a deep breath, ¡°I think you should reconsider our contract!¡±
Everett paused in cutting his steak. He raised an eyebrow, ¡°Now that the surgery is over and you don¡¯t
need me anymore, huh?¡±
¡°No, no, thats not what I mean!!¡±
¡°Ms. Sanchez, there¡¯s something you should be clear about. We signed the contract written in ck
and white, so you should honor it¡±
If she wanted to be formal about it, he could y along
the penalty¡±
¡°Of course, if you¡¯re adamant about breaking the contract, fil have mywyer contact you tomorrow to
discuss the p
Penalty?
Dorothy was stunned, ¡°Aren¡¯t you the one who wants to break the contract?¡±
Why would she have to pay a penalty? She hadnt even asked him for anything yell
¡°Did I say that?¡±
1/2
15:08
¡°No.¡±
But Everett was already hack together with Heather. Was he still nning to keep her, the substitute,
around?!
¡°So, anything else you want to discuss?¡± Everett pushed the cut steak in front of her
Lifting his eyes to look at her
¡°No.¡±
¡°Then have some food and get some rest early. I¡¯m tired today¡±
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Now they were lying in bed, hisrge hand resting on her waist and his steady breathing filling the
room, but Dorothy still couldn¡¯t figure it out. Was this¡ a continuation of the contract?
She struggled with it almost all night, and it wasn¡¯t until she was dead tired that she finally drifted off.
When she woke up the next morning, the man beside her had gone.
Dressed in her pajamas, Dorothy walked out of the bedroom to see the breakfast that Everett had left
behind on the dining table. It locked like there was no tiff between them at all.
Suddenly, the phone on the bedside table rang.
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
She ran over to check it. It was Karen.
¡°Didn¡¯t you see the message I sent you yesterday?¡±
¡°Well, I was really busy yesterday. I got lots of business stuff to handle,¡±
¡°I¡¯m asking the guy you were talking about it can¡¯t be Mr. Lopez, right? Karen had been waiting for her
reply all along.
Dorothy¡¯s heart skipped a beat, ¡°You sure have a wild imagination.
¡°So it¡¯s not Mr. Lopez then?¡± Karen seemed relieved. ¡°You scared the hell out of me! I thought you
didn¡¯t reply because I hit the nail on the head! Mr. Lopez is indeed a catch. But his rtionship with Ms.
Heather is an open secret, and the Lopez family is all in on it. Marriage is just a matter of time. If you¡¯re
really thinking about it, girl, I would advise you to think twice!¡±
Sure enough, even Karen thought Heather and Everett were the perfect couple
¡°Don¡¯t worry, I know my limits.¡±
¡°It¡¯s not that you¡¯re not good enough. Don¡¯t sell yourself short. It¡¯s just that Mr Lopez is taken. He
mentioned it during an interview once. He said he only has eyes for one person. He was so charming in
that video that I¡¯ve kept it on my USB to this day. Il send it to youter.¡±
Dorothy forced a smile, ¡°No thanks.¡±
¡°Ugh! It¡¯s okay to fantasize about him from time to time. If you¡¯re really looking for a boyfriend, I¡¯d still
rmend Keh!¡±
Karen was really pushing it now. She longed to get her bestie into Keh¡¯s bed
¡°That¡¯s enough, girl, I think about it when I¡¯ve made enough money¡±
After hanging up, Dorothy sat down and picked up a piece of toast. But before she could take a bite,
the video from Karen came in.
After hesitating for a moment, she decided to open it.
In the video, Everett was wearing a dark suit with a ck shirt underneath, which gave him a cold and
aloof look. His chiseled face was calm andposed as he faced the camera.
¡°Mr. Lopez, do you have any ns to get married recently?¡± The reporter asked.
¡°No.¡±
¡°Do you prefer the soft type or the career type?¡±
¡°Career type.
The reporter smiled, ¡°So, Mr. Lopez, you¡¯ve got someone in mind?¡±
Everett paused for a moment, then nodded, ¡°Yes, and it¡¯s just for one person.¡±
The reporter asked him a lot more questions, and Everett answered each one professionally.
But Dorothy didn¡¯t continue to watch. She turned off her phone and started biting her toast.
For some reason, the toast didn¡¯t taste good today. Not at all.
After breakfast, she cleaned up the table and went to ask Kevin about her schedule for the day.
In the elevator she took out her phone and deleted the video.
No point in watching it again.
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Chapter 107
Chapter 107
Downstairs of the Lopez Building in Eldoma City
Since Heather went on a business trip just days after her surgery, her wounds have been healing
poorly.
So right after Jeffrey picked her up from the airport, they went straight to the hospital for a medication
change and a thorough check¨Cup before heading back to thepany.
¡°The Lopez Corporation can survive a day without you, it won¡¯t go bankrupt just like that.¡±
Seeing her rushing back to the office to work overtime, Jeffrey couldn¡¯t help but tease.
Heatherughed, ¡°On this business trip, Everett has made connections with many overseas
executives. They value the rigor of contracts
and also focus on the capabilities of the legal department during due diligence. I can¡¯t be a drag.¡±
¡°Do we still need approval from our overseas partners given the achievements of The Lopez
Corporation?¡±
¡°Of course we are not considering those who beg us to cooperate. But when we meetpanies of
equal status as The Lopez Corporation, we still need to strive to be the best.¡±
She was so thoughtful and so dedicated to the Lopez Corporation.
Jeffrey didn¡¯t know why he felt so ufortable about that.
Can¡¯t Heather see Everett hasn¡¯t paid her any mind? He thought in his mind.
¡°While you¡¯re here busting your ass, he¡¯s off gallivanting in Lumina Bay with his assistant¡±
Heather heard Jeffrey¡¯s grumble.
She suddenly burrowed her brows. ¡°What did you say?
¡°Nothing¡±
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¡°Everett¡ did he take Dorothy to Lumina Bay on a business trip?
Heather didn¡¯t know the specific arrangements of thepany. After all, nothing had been finalized,
and the legal department couldn¡¯t get involved yet.
But she knew that the first thing Everett was going to do when he returned was to head to Lumina Bay
for a major tech development project
And now he was taking Dorothy with him? Wasn¡¯t that tant favoritism?
Dorothy wouldn¡¯t be qualified to get involved in such an important project even if she worked for
another decade!
¡°Yep, he took her on a business trip. Maybe you¡¯ll even see that junior assistant¡¯s name on the credits
of Genesis Creations Inc¡¯s research development.¡±
Jeffrey also thought his friend was being unfairly biased.
He had always said he¡¯d give Dorothy a fair shot to let her grow up! Now, if it weren¡¯t for the fact that
the junior assistant didn¡¯t have the capacity to handle the project on her own, Everett would probably
want to make her the team leader!
Heather¡¯s face was grim. She didn¡¯t want to meddle in these trivial matters before She felt Dorothy
wouldn¡¯t get far in The Lopez Corporation with her ability. But if Everett continued promoting her at this
rate, Dorothy might climb up sooner orter if she still didn¡¯t intervene.
This was absolutely uneptable.
¡°Everett is being so tant, and the shareholders are okay with it?¡±
Jeffrey shrugged, ¡°What can they say? He¡¯s the CEO. He doesn¡¯t need anyone¡¯s permission to choose
his assistant.¡±
¡°Dorothy is also beating my expectations. I checked the projects she¡¯s handled, and them¡¯s actually
nothing to pick on.¡± Really?¡±
Heather suddenlyughed. Her lips were curling, but her eyes were devoid of humor, ¡°She¡¯d better
keep up the good work.¡± Jeffrey nced at her instinctively. He had a chill down his spine for no
apparent reason.
Due to the heavy workload of this business trip, Kevin had to delegate some of the less important
documents to Dorothy for verification
For one thing, Kevin thought she was always doing a good job. And he also wanted to pull her into this
project to justify adding her
name to the credits.
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When the thick stack of man foldersnded in her hands, Dorothy had an inkling that a trip to the
optician was in order once she returned to Eldora City.
¡°Make sure to give it a thorough look. We can¡¯t afford any slip¨Cups! I might be able to help you double
check if I have the time after finishing my work, otherwise we¡¯re gonna have to go with what you got!¡±
¡°Got it.¡±
Dorothy took a deep breath, put on her sses, and started cross¨Cchecking from the first section of
market research.
Once she got started, she was stuck in it for hours.
I came to her room that she managed to take a slight breather,
It wasn¡¯t until Everett and Kevin¡¯s group finished their meeting and c
The sudden influx of unfamiliar colleagues into her room left Dorothy feeling a bit awkward. And she
worried that someone sharp might notice she hadn¡¯t slept there the night before.
But Everett seemedpletely unfazed. He strode over to her side, eyes falling on the pile of
documents.
¡°Just do your best.¡± He said, acknowledging the enormous amount of paperwork that would likely
exhaust her.
¡°Mm¡± Dorothy nodded, deliberately trying to put some distance between them.
Nobody had been picturing things until he suddenly broke the silence with a low voice..
¡°Did you have breakfast?¡±
Now Kevin was also looking their way! The managers and assistants behind him all turned to look as
well,
¡°If you have a stomachache, it will affect your work.¡± Everett said
Everett¡¯s expression was natural as if it was a natural thing to be concerned about Dorothy, and
everyone else was simply making a fuss over nothing
¡°Til take care of it. It won¡¯t dy the progress.¡±
¡°Mm.¡± He gave a light nod, then pointed to a spot in the documents ¡°Here, the R&D investment of
Genesis Creations Inc. is pretty vague. Usually, there are problems behind such reports.¡±
Dorothy nodded and made a note of it with a pencil.
Kevin, who was standing behind them, cleared his throat, ¡°Mr. Lopez, I think I¡¯ll take the managers to
my room for a due diligence summary. Call me if you need anything¡±
¡°Sure.¡±
Kevin quickly ushered everyone out upon getting the green light
The moment the door closed, Dorothy finally let out a breath of relief.
He looked at her and chuckled. ¡°What are you nervous about?¡±
What do you think? She wanted to demand.
She gave a wry smile, ¡°Kevin usually describes you as someone who doesn¡¯t get close to women, but
you¡¯ve been hanging around me quite a bit recently. I¡¯m worried they¡¯ll get the wrong idea.¡±
¡°There¡¯s nothing to get the wrong idea about.¡±
Dorothy watched as he calmly started unbuttoning his shirt, revealing his pale chest one button at a
time.
She quickly looked away; her voice was filled with panic, ¡°What, what are you doing?¡±
¡°i spilled coffee on my sleeve during the meeting. I¡¯m going to change.¡± Everett started undressing
nonchntly, making Dorothy¡¯s shyness an overreaction.
She could only lower her head, wishing she could bury herself in the documents.
Thankfully, Everett quickly grabbed a change of clothes and went into the bathroom, otherwise
Dorothy¡¯s neck would¡¯ve been in pain from all the caning!
Listening to the sound of running water from the bathroom, she rubbed her temples and felt a
headacheing on.
Everett had a car ident and went abroad for a business trip right after that. He was clearly trying to
distance himself from her probably intending to break the contract. But why hadn¡¯t he mentioned
anything since he came back?
Maybe he had another argument with Heather?
So that was why he returned to Lumina Bay from Verdant City alone?
Chapter 108
These questions were even more sticky than cross¨Cchecking the documents! And every time she
brought it up, he¡¯d sidestep the issue and even bring up the penalty for breaking the contract!C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.
So what¡¯s the deal now?
Was she, the substitute, still on the job?
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Everett, fresh out of the shower, saw her sitting there and knitting her brows in deep thought.
He walked over while towel¨Cdrying his still dripping hair
¡°Go to my room and grab the medicine from the table. The room code is 0825.¡±
Darathy immediately got up and nodded upon hearing his voice. ¡°Sure thing, Mr. Lopez.¡±
Since the Lopez Corporation had a stake in this hotel, the presidential suite where Everett stayed was
exclusively his. So he became the
one to set the code.
She went to get his medicine, and on the way back, she couldn¡¯t help but punder
His code hadn¡¯t changed, which meant his feelings for Heather probably hadn¡¯t either. Were they
having another liff?
Even though her original n to break the contract might be down the drain, she found herself oddly
relieved.
Dorothy was really messing with her own head.
On one hand, she was desperate to escape the emotional entanglement of Everett and Heather, to
stop being someone¡¯s standin
On the other hand, the thought of having no connection with Everett once the contract ended made her
feel a pang of loss.
That¡¯s right, loss. The feeling was crystal clear
She could fool ethers, but not herself.
Back in the room, Everett had already changed his clothes and waited for Dorally to apply his
medication.
She shuffled over slowly, trying her best to keep her eyes off his well¨Cbuilt physique
¡®Did the doctor say it would leave a scar? To avoid the awkward silence. Dorothy stated a conversation
¡°Didn¡¯t ask¡± Everett¡¯s thin lips moved slightly, ¡®Do you mind?¡±
What did that have to do with me? She thought
¡°If you think it¡¯s unsightly, it can be removed. Everett when he woke up in the hospital, was too
consumed with displeasure and anger to care about his wound.
Especially since Dorothy hadnt called or texted him since he woke up!
¡°Was the ident happening while you were rushing to the hospital to find me?¡±
She finally mustered the courage to ask after a second of hesitation.
Everett¡¯s gaze fell on her face.
If she hadn¡¯t brought it up, he would¡¯ve let it slide. After all, when he decided to pursue Dorothy after
they reunited, he knew it wasn¡¯t going to be easy.
It would require endless patience and time.
But since she had mentioned it, Everett sat up, ¡°Why did you decide to let Keh pretend to be your
boyfriend without even asking me?
¡°You¡¯re so busy. How could I bother you with my trivial matters?¡±
¡°Dorothy! How many times have I told you before to share your troubles with me?
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
¡°But the problem¡ its not easy to solve! I brought you, I¡¯d have to exin to my mom why you went
from being my boss to my boyfriend, and¡
And how could she dare to let Everest face her mother¡¯s harsh criticism!?
She even felt guilty when she was facing Keh.
¡°You¡¯ve never believed that I could face any problem with you, right?¡± He asked,
She blinked her eyes and met his gaze.
After a long silence, she nodded. ¡®No, I don¡¯t believe.¡±
Dorothy smirked, ¡°You¡¯re the golden boy grown up with everyone¡¯s adoration. We¡¯m not from the same
world! Your time is spent on controlling a massive corporation, while I have to deal with all the trivial
and clinatic stuff that can¡¯t be solved with monry
How could they possibly face these together?
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¡°So I can¡¯t, but Keh can? Everett furrowed his brow his eyes not missing a beat of her emotional
fluctuations.
She mused for a few seconds but didn¡¯t answer the question. Instead, she countered, ¡°My mom
insisted on me bringing a boyfriend to see her this time, or she wouldn¡¯t have surgery. I brought
Keh, thinking I could fcol her, but she suddenly demanded that Keh¡¯s parentse to the
hospital immediately! If I had brought you instead, could your parents havee?
The answer was a big no of course.
Both of them were well aware.
After all, everybody knew his highfalutin status!
¡°So, can you understand?¡± Dorothy asked carefully
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
But Evereti didn¡¯t say another word.
He buttoned up his shirt before she could apply the medicine, and left the room straight away.
Dorothy could only sigh as she watched his retreating figure.
She hoped that Everett could keep his possessiveness over Heather in the future! She also wished he
could realize that she was not Heather but just a low status stand¨Cin
Everett never came back after he left. Dorothy washed her face and sat back down at her desk to work
Around six in the evening, Kevin came knocking
you dont need to leave the hotel, try to do as much as
¡°Give me the parts you¡¯ve checked and you¡¯ve got three days for the rest! Since your you can. Ill
mention your contributions to Mr Lopez when the timees.¡±
Dorothy gave him a thumbs up, but there was something she didn¡¯t understand
¡°Kevin, why did you bring me to Lumina Bay if you guys don¡¯t need me to tag along for meetings or due
diligence?¡±
He could have just emailed these documents to her and she could have checked them at the main
office. She was brought all the way to Lumina Bay, but she didn¡¯t even need to step out of the hotel
it was Mr. Loper¡¯s decision. I don¡¯t know the spec fics. He might have other uses for you.¡±
¡°Mr. Lopez¡¯s decision?¡±
¡°Yeah! I¡¯m just a secretary, no matter how important I am, I can¡¯t decide who gets to join the project.¡±
Dorothy frowned slightly, ¡°He asked for me spezfically?¡±
¡°Uh¨Chuh,¡± Kewin nodded. He was puzzled about this too. ¡°But I think he might feel sorry for you. He
knows that you¡¯ve had a tough lime in the investment banking world and wants to help you out a bit! If
you are in Lumina Bay, your contribution could be recognized more legitimately¡±
So that¡¯s it. He felt sorry for her.
¡°Dorothy don¡¯t overthink it. In our line of work, performance is what speaks. It doesn¡¯t matter where you
come from, it¡¯s not like we¡¯re choosing a crown princess! Mr. Lopez always appreciates those who are
serious and responsible at work. He¡¯s probably looking out for you because he sees potential in you!¡±
She smiled, ¡°He and I were ssmates so he knew all about my family s about. Instead, I should be
thanking Mr. Loper
situation back in middle school. I don¡¯t have much to think
After Kewn left, Dorothy returned to her room, feeling a little empty inside.
She couldn¡¯t quite put her finger on why
She picked up her phone, thought for a while, and sent a message to Karen.
Do you think the stronger a man¡¯s possessiveness, the more he loves the woman?)
Everett was even getting jealous over her as Heather¡¯s stand in.
Karen replied almost instantly
[Of course! Isn¡¯t that obvious? The two are directly proportionall He must be crazy in lovel
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Before Dorothy could reply, Karen shot off a second message.
You¡¯re acting so weird! Dorothy, am I your bestie or not?)
[Of course.
Then spill the beans! Who is this boy you¡¯re all twisted up about? Don¡¯t deny it. From the looks of it,
you¡¯re clearly smitten with someone.]
Smitten with someone¡
Did she mean Everett?
But Dorothy¡¯s first thought was she didn¡¯t dare. Everett was a deity to a votary like her. How could she
dare to have personal feelings towards a deity?
I¡¯m just curious about guys in rtionships so don¡¯t get all touchy]
Karen wasn¡¯t having it.
I knew you wouldn¡¯t admit it. But let me warn you, it¡¯s all fun and games until you lose yourself over
some guy¡¯s sweetness. You think he¡¯s nice to you but maybe he¡¯s even nicer to others! If guys are
overly nice to you right off the bat, they usually have ullenar motives it won¡¯tst]
Dorothy really wanted to tell Karen her situation with Everett and have her analyze it.
But after reading her message, she didn¡¯t feel the need anymore.
Because Karen had pretty much answered all of her burning questions! What¡¯s left to ask?
It seemed that rich guys were all ying the same game, or maybe all guys were
That¡¯s why Karen could guess so urately about why she was so conflicted. She felt that way just
because Everett was too gentle and 100 considerate.
Dorothy thought she better brace herself. Or she would caught off guard if Everett suddenly took back
all his niceness.
After leaving Corothy¡¯s ce, Everett went straight back to his room.
He suddenly realized that what stood between him and her wasn¡¯t just her slow¨Cto¨Cwarm¨Cun
personality, but also the huge social ss difference
Dorothy¡¯s earlier question was to exin why she chose to take Keh to meet her mem
But to Everett, it was his most thomy and unsolvable problem!
He couldn¡¯t let his parents know about Dorothy¡¯s ex stence for now, let alone take them to the hospital
to see her mother.
But Keh could.
Everett furrowed his thick brows. He grabbed a bottle of red from the wine cab and took a few sips
just as Amanda called.
Im in Eldoria City. Heather picked me up. She take good care of me, so don¡¯t worry.¡±
He frowned, ¡°I¡¯ll arrange for my assistant to take care of you. Ms. Heather has other things to do.¡±
¡°No! I¡¯m not familiar with your so¨Ccalled assistant. Why are you sending him here?¡± Amanda sounded a
bit annoyed and resentful,¡± finallye home for a visit and you are away on a business trip. And nowOwned by N?velDrama.Org.
you want to drag Heather into work too? Who¡¯s going to keep mepany?¡±
Before Everett could say anything, Heather¡¯s gentle voice came from the other end.
¡°Amanda, Ill keep youpany! Tell Everett not to worry; my work won¡¯t be affected¡±
Amanda was always satisfied with Heather. She nodded and praised, ¡°You¡¯re so thoughtfull Thank God
you¡¯re here, otherwise, I would be all aloneing back home. What¡¯s the point of having a son then?
You two better have a bunch of granddaughters in the future. I don¡¯t want any grandsons!
Listening to their conversation, Everett felt a headacheing on
¡°Mom, Ms. Heather and L
¡°I get it! You¡¯re prioritizing work, right? i didn¡¯t say anything¡± Amanda chuckled ¡°Alright, go do your
work! We¡¯ll talk when you¡¯re back from your trip¡±
She hung up without even giving Everett a chance to exin.
A few secondster, Heather¡¯s text came in.
15:00
Don¡¯t worry, Everett. I¡¯ve got Amanda covered. Just focus on your trip.]
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He replied with a grim look on his face.
[it¡¯s a hassle for you to take care of my mam. Ill have someone take over. Thanks for your hard work.]
[You know how bad Amanda¡¯s depression is just want her to be happy, that¡¯s all.
Heather¡¯s words reminded Everett of the year his mother tried to kill herself in the bathroom. The whole
floor was covered by a stinging view of blood
The cause was his refusal to follow his family¡¯s wishes and get engaged to Heather.
Ever since Amanda got severe depression, she¡¯s been increasingly controlling and throwing fits over
everything. She ever tried to off herself over minor setbacks, like the time she swallowed half a bottle of
sleeping pills, ust because her housekeeper war led to quit.
The doctors said she was fragile from the trauma of being kidnapped, and the only treatment was rest
and indulging her as much as possible.
Everett¡¯s hand fell on the screen. He didn¡¯t reply to Heather for a long time.
A momentter, Kevin knocked on the door, ¡°Mr. Lopez, you wanted to see me?¡±
¡°Mhm, put Dorothy¡¯s name on this research project.¡±
¡°Alright
Upon hearing this, Kevin was genuinely happy for Dorothy. She was a newbie for sure but she worked
hard and neverined. Plus, she did well in the previous projects. Adding her name was perfectly
reasonable
¡°Guide her more in the future. Make sure her resume stays clean¡± Everett had to prepare for all
possibilities
Just making a move towards Dorothy wasn¡¯t enough; he also needed her to lean towards him.
understand, Mr. Lopez¡±
Al dinner.
Dorothy wouldve just nibbled on some bread and continued working if Kevin didn¡¯t give her three calls
in a row to ask her downstairs.
As soon as she entered the hotel restaurant, she saw Kevin heading towards her with a heanting smile.
¡°I have some good news, wanna hear?¡± Kevin said.
¡°Definitely.¡±
¡°Mr. Lopez personally said that you can be credited on this project¡±
Dorothy was a bit confused. She couldn¡¯t figure out what Everett was up to
C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.
He left abruptly just a while ago, and she thought he was mad at her! Now suddenly hes okay with her
name on the project. Why?
*Remember to thank Mr. Lopezter¡± Kevin didn¡¯t notice her confusion. He was just reminding his
apprentice not to forget to thank the boss in her joy.
Dorothy quickly nodded, 1 got it¡±
Soon enough, Everett appeared in the restaurant along with a few managers.
He was as conspicuous as ever, attracting gazes from all over the ce as soon as he walked in.
Everit wasn¡¯t wearing a formal sult, but a ck casual outfit instead. His hair was still impably
groomed. His furrowed brows and tight lips added to his aloof demeanor, making him seem cool and
unappmachable.
Before Durdily could look away, she identally locked eyes with him
She instinctively looked elsewhere, pretending she hadn¡¯t seen anything.
¡°Twe sent the project credit information to HQ Once the legal department approves it, we can start
using purposely mentioned this to Everett in front of Darolly.
Dorothy understood that this was Kevin¡¯s way of reminding her.
new contract¡± Kevin
¡°Um¡ thanks for your support, Mr. Lopez. Havinge this for all she could do was pluck up the
courage to talk to Everett.
By bodding slightly, Everest Indicated that he heard her.
During dinner, Dorothy kept her head down and ate, She didn¡¯t say a single word.
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She noticed that no garlic was used in any of the dishes she shared with Everett.
Maybe he specifically requested this?
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Chapter 113
Everett and his crew had to dip out early because they had a video conference after dinner.
Once they were out of the picture, Dorothy holed herself up in her room to get down with the
paperwork.
She decided not to waste her time on things that didn¡¯t make sense. There was no point in trying to
comprehend such matters. This might be her only shot at climbing up thedder, and since Everett was
giving her a leg up, she was going to bust her ass to make sure she didn¡¯t let him down.
And just like that, hours flew by.
At 1 a.m., just as Dorothy was stretching her sore wrists, there was a sudden knock on the door.
Who could it be at this hour?
She walked over and cautiously peeked through the peephole.
It was Everett!
Dorothy hesitated for a few seconds before opening the door. She was then immediately hit by the
smell of booze on him.
Before she could say anything, Everett brushed past her and headed for the bathroom.
He was a clean freak who couldn¡¯t stand the smell of alcohol on himself, but he couldn¡¯t avoid the
drinking either.
Dorothy knew what this meant. He wasn¡¯t going anywhere tonight.
Butst night he just slept next to her and did nothing, so tonight should be the same, right?
He was extremely tired during the day and had been drinking at night, so he couldn¡¯t possibly have the
energy for anything else.
Dorothy snapped back to reality, smacking herself on the forehead. Her thoughts were starting to get
as dirty as Karen¡¯s,
¡°Pass me the towel.¡±
Suddenly, Everett¡¯s voice rang out from the bathroom
Dorothy quickly handed him the towel, keeping her eyes averted.
Feeling the towel being taken from her hand, she was about to leave when he spoke up again.
¡°Do you still have the stuff we didn¡¯t usest time in your bag?¡±
¡°What stuff?¡± Dorothy asked instinctively.
¡°I remember we didn¡¯t use it all in Havenbrook.¡±
Everett spoke so casually and naturally that it felt like they were discussing work and not an
embarrassing topic.
This threw Dorothy off.
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Do you mean the SNS project forms?¡±
¡°No. I mean the contraceptives.
Boom!
Dorothy felt like her cheeks had just been ced on a grill.
The atmosphere got super awkward.
After a while, she finally replied stiffly, T¡ I threw it away.¡±
¡°There should be some in the drawers of the nightstand.¡± With that, he wiped himself down with the
towel and walked out of the bathroom bare chested.
Dorothy only heard the sound of a drawer being opened. Then, in an instant, his strong arms easily
lifted her onto the bed.
For a moment, it felt like the air had solidified.
Everett¡¯s kiss was as gentle as it ever had been, and she could still feel the faint scent from the shower
as his hot hand roamed over her skin.
The reflected light from the ceiling was a bit ring.
Dorothy gripped his shoulder subconsciously as her voice trembled. ¡°Can we turn off the lights?¡±
¡°Sure.¡±
After bright of burning passion, she was only let go when she was totally spent
15.00
Dorothy had to take back her previous assumptions
Turned out that even after a hard day¡¯s work, the man still had the energy for this kind of thing.
The next day, she was woken up by her phone ringing next to her pillow.
After groggily opening her eyes, Dorothy picked up her phone with her sore hand. She looked and
discovered that it was Mr. Percy calling.
What could he want?
¡°Hello, Mr. Percy¡±
¡°Dorothy, have you leaked any information about the SinoSess Enterprises project to anyone?¡±
Mr. Percy¡¯s voice sounded panicked. It was as if something major had happened.
Dorothy was now wide awake, and she sat up in bed. ¡°No. What¡¯s going on?¡±
¡°The core technical blueprint of the SinoSess Enterprises project have been leaked, and the CEO of
SinoSess Enterprises is on his way to the Prosperity Consortium!¡±
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The core technical blueprint of the SinoSess Enterprises project had been leaked?!
Dorothy suddenly recalled that when she was on a business trip in Havenbrook, Heather had asked her
for it.
Heather was known as one of the Lopez Corporation¡¯s most loyal employees. She wou dn¡¯t leak
information about their partners, right?
¡°Think carefully. Only you and I have dealt with this project. No third person has the authority to view it.
If this blows up, both of us are screwed.¡±
As a partner, leaking core technical information was a major no¨Cno in the investment banking industry.
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Once it was confirmed, no one in the industry would dare cooperate with them ever again. Even if the
Prosperity Consortium was a subsidiary of the Lopez Corporation, being under a big tree didn¡¯t save it
from scandal.
And as the person involved in this incident, she would be cklisted by the entire industry.
¡°L. I sent the technical blueprint to Ms. Heather at the headquarters. She said she needed it.¡±
¡°Who? Heather?¡±
¡°Yes, the chiefwyer of the Lopez Corporation.¡±
Mr. Percy exploded.
¡°Why didn¡¯t you discuss this with me? Dorothy, are you out of your mind?!¡±
¡°She¡¯s a core member of the Lopez Corporation and has made great contributions to thepany. The
project contract approval also went through her. I don¡¯t think she would leak it.¡± Dorothy was also on
pins and needles. ¡°Maybe someone from SinoSess Enterprises leaked it.¡±
¡°You¡¯d better
pray! it¡¯s not our fault!¡± Mr. Percy paused. ¡°Send me the evidence that Ms. Heather asked you for the
blueprint. If it¡¯s really the Prosperity Consortium¡¯s problem, the headquarters will send someone to
investigate. I can¡¯t shoulder this disaster.¡±
¡°Okay, I¡¯ll send it to you¡±
She hung up and hurriedly searched for the email Heather had sent her.
No matter how much she searched, she couldnt find the email.
Dorothy logged into her email again, trying to find the record of the email she had sent to Heather, but
was shocked to find that the email address no longer existed. It had been deleted.
Soon, Mr. Percy called again.
¡°Why are you so slow?! What¡¯s taking so long?¡±
¡°Mr. Percy¡ I can¡¯t find the record of the information I sent to Ms. Heather.¡±
¡°What?!¡±
¡°Don¡¯t panic; 111 call Ms. Heather and make a recording. That can also serve as evidence, right?¡±
Mr. Percy was obviously very imitated. He barely wanted to speak with her at this point. ¡°Fine, fine. Just
hurry up.¡±
After hanging up, Dorothy immediately dialed Heather¡¯s number, but she was met with another
setback. The number she was dialing was invalid.
She logged into thepany¡¯s internal software and found Heather¡¯s contact number, which was not
the one she used before.
¡°Hello, this is Heather.¡±
The voice on the other end was soft, like the way she usually spoke to Everett.
Dorothy pressed the record button before she spoke, ¡°¡®Ms. Heather, it¡¯s me, Dorothy. You called mest
time and asked me to send you the technical blueprint of the SinoSess Enterprises project. I wanted
to find out what you specifically used it for,¡±
¡°The technical blueprint of the SinoSess Enterprises project? Heather raised her voice. ¡°Ms.
Sanchez, are you sure you¡¯re not mistaken? What would our legal department need that for?
We only handle contract checking and signing. Aren¡¯t the details of the projects supposed to be
handled by your department?¡±
Dorothy clenched her fists as her eyebrows furrowed in raga. ¡°But you clearly asked me for that
blueprint¡±
¡°Ms. Sanchez, as I have said, our legal department doesn¡¯t need it.¡±
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At that moment, it all clicked for Dorothy.
She was being yed.
Heather was trying to bump her out of the Lopez Corporation. Hell, she was trying to bump her out of
the entire investment banking Industry!
She raised an eyebrow. ¡°I¡¯ve told you before. I¡¯m not here to pick a fight¡±
Dorothy knew her ce. But clearly, Heather had no intentions of backing off
¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about.¡± Heather¡¯s voice was still pleasing. She even sounded kind of
patient, the way an adult would speak to a child. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I have work to do.¡±
¡°You know damn well what I¡¯m talking about! You¡¯re targeting me because of Everett Lopez, aren¡¯t you?
You¡¯re trying to frame me!¡± Dorothy had no interest in ying along. She decided toy her cards on
the table.
¡°Because of Mr. Lopez? Ms. Sanchez, I suggest you think before you speak.¡±
With that, she hung up.
Dorothy tried to call back, but she hesitated and didn¡¯t press the call button.
Heather was basically dering war on her
Looking back, she had been scheming since their business trip to Havenbrook There was no way
Dorothy would get any useful Information now.
She had never been in a situation like this before. One wrong move could ruin her entire career Forget
about being credited for the new research project.
The Lopez Corporation would surely fire her to save dignity. With such a stain on her record, no other
company would hire her.
Her phone rang again. It was Karen
¡°Dorothy, what¡¯s the deal with the SinoSess Enterprises project? Mr. Percy is throwing a fit; he even
smashed the office ss! Isn¡¯t this your responsibility? Are you in trouble?¡±
Dorothy¡¯s hands were shaking, and her voice went hollow. Tve been set up.¡±
¡°By who?¡±
¡°Heather. She asked for the core technical blueprint and used tech to erase our text conversation. I
can¡¯t find any record of it.¡±
Karen¡¯s voice shot up. ¡°Heather? Do you have beef with her or something? Are you sure? Heather¡¯s
loyalty to the Lopez Corporation is well known. She wouldn¡¯t do something that could damage the
company¡¯s reputation.¡±
Even Karen didn¡¯t believe Heather would do such a thing.
Dorothy felt a pounding headacheing on and didn¡¯t bother exining much to Karen. She just
hung up.
As she looked at her phone, she couldn¡¯t think of anyone who could help her at this point.
Everett was definitely out of the question.
Even if this didn¡¯t affect the Lopez Corporation, the mere fact that Heather was involved meant she
knew whose side he would be on.
If she told him that Heather leaked the core technical blueprint just to frame her, he would never believe
it
What about Kevin?
She couldn¡¯t just all around and wait for the end.
Dorothy decided to call Kevin. After finding out that he was in a meeting with Everett at the branch
office, she quickly cleaned up and hailed a cab to wait for him there.
In the meantime, Mr. Percy nearly blew up her phone with calls. But none of which Dorothy answered.
She thought shed ask Kevin for advice first.
Dorothy felt pathetic.
Here she was, having to rely on Kevin, a recent acquaintance with whom she had little rapport.
When she arrived, the meeting ended shortly after
Keyin invited her upstairs.
Dorothy took the elevator to the branch office meeting room, knocked on the door, and the first thing
she did when she entered was to see if Everett was there.
Chapter
Thankfully, it was just Kevin.
She quickly briefed him on the situation, and his face grew more serious as she spoke.
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¡°I always thought you were cautious. How could you do something like this?¡±
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¡°It was Ms. Heather who asked for it, and she said she was in a hurry, so I didn¡¯t think too much.¡±
¡°Even if it was Mr. Lopez who asked, you still had to go through the application process. Kevin tried to
calm himself down, but this was a dead end situation.
The core technical blueprint was leaked, and he had to exin this to SinoSess Enterprises. Plus,
you and Ms. Heather haven¡¯t been interacting for long. You need to have a reason to im that she
framed you¡±
Even if he, Kevin, wanted to believe it, the public needed solid evidence. Without it, she woulde off
like she was just making up a story to save herself.
Dorothy opened her mouth, but she didn¡¯t say anything
She couldn¡¯t tell people that the reason Heather disliked and targeted her was because she was now
Everett¡¯s Lady
¡°Speak up. It¡¯s crunch time, so don¡¯t hide anything. If you want me to help you brainstorm you have to
tell me everything. Do you have any conflicts with Ms. Heather?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±
Kevin frowned and stood up from his chair in frustration. ¡°Well, I can¡¯t help you with this. Lets wait and
see how thepany decides to deal with you.
He gave Dorothy a disappointed look and started to leave, but stopped at the door.
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the industry alone, you would be toast.
¡°You need 10 know that once this stain is confirmed, not only could you end up in jail, but just in th
You¡¯d have to forget about any future.¡±
Dorothy knew the consequences all too well.
She lowered her head and thought for a few seconds, then suddenly looked at him. ¡°Kevin, do you
believe that Heather framed me?¡±
¡°Belief alone doesn¡¯t help.¡± Kevin subconsciously answered while raising an eyebrow ¡°Why don¡¯t you
go to Mr. Lopez? Aren¡¯t you guys ssmates?¡±
¡°But Ms. Heather is his crush¡±
Kevin knew that too.
¡°Let me figure it out myself. Let me see if I can recover my text messages with Ms. Heather.¡± Dorothy
bowed to him. ¡°And.. thank you for believing me.¡±
Although he didn¡¯te up with any solutions, she was still grateful
After taking a few deep breaths, on her way back to the hotel, Dorothy took Mr. Percy¡¯s call.
He was already furning. He started cursing as soon as he opened his mouth
¡°Are you tired of living? If you want to die, don¡¯t drag me down with you!¡±
sorry,
Mr. Percy Give me some time, I will find evidence that Heather framed me,¡±
¡°Give you time? Who will give me time?! Besides, Heather is the chinfwyer of the Lopez Corporation;
would she frame you, a little
Who would believe that?
Dorothy frowned, knowing that Mr. Percy must think she was making excuses.
¡°I was wondering how your mother suddenly had money for her surgery. Turns out you sold the core
technical blueprint to otherpanies!¡±
¡°I didn¡¯t!¡± She immediately retorted. ¡°I didn¡¯t hetray ourpany!¡±
¡°Then tell me, where did the money for your mother¡¯s surgerye from? At the linte, Keren even
called me to ask if she could borrow some money, which I declined. Later, when I asked her she said
you had solved the medical expenses problem. That¡¯s when I found it strange. how did you get the
money so quickly?¡±
Mr. Percy¡¯s suspicion was well¨Cgrounded, and it even matched the incident perfectly.
After his outburst, Dorothy suddenly realized something.
Heather was really clever
She must have known about the agreement between herself and Everett
Heather must have known that she couldn¡¯t tell anyone about the contract mariage; otherwise, it would
be a breach of contract and she would have to pay a penalty.
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In this way, to others. Dorothy¡¯s motive for leaking the core technical blueprint for her mother¡¯s medical
expenses wasplete. Who would believe her now?
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¡°The money for my mom¡¯s surgery absolutely didn¡¯te from this! Thepany can check!¡±
¡°There¡¯s no need to y innocent with me. Thepany will definitely send someone to investigate.
No one can escape!¡± Mr. Percy yelled out, ¡°Damn my luck for recruiting you into the third group!¡±
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Dorothy could almost imagine Mr. Percy¡¯s face at this moment. He probably wished he could tear
himself apart.
The busy signal from the other end suggested that he might have smashed his phone.
Dorothy dug her nails into her own palm, forcing herself to calm down.
The bigger the problem, the less you should panic.
Besides, she wasn¡¯t the one who leaked the information.
She thought carefully. If she wanted to prove her innocence, she had to find the record of Heather
asking for the core technical blueprint. That way at least when thepany sent someone to
investigate, they would lock into Heather as well.
Otherwise, Heather would bepletely out of the picture, and the final conclusion would be to put all
the me on her.
But if Heather used this method, she must have nned it carefully.
She turned on herputer, attempting to find something from the ount that had been deleted.
But when Dorothy finally deciphered the initials of that email ount, she was left dumbfounded. The
company that got the core technical blueprint of the SingSess Enterprises project was called Regal
Dominion Ventures, and the initials of the email ount were RD.
If thepany¡¯s investigators see this, it would only further confirm that Dorothy directly leaked the
core technology diagram to the rivalpany.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the hotel door,
Dorothy was startled and subconsciously looked through the peephole
She saw a ta figure, and she knew who it was at a nce.
She hesitated for a moment, then opened the coor
Everett strode in. Without even putting down hisptop, he immediately asked, ¡°Did you send the core
technical blueprint of the SinoSess Enterprises project to someone else?¡±
¡°Yes..
¡°Dorothy!¡± He rarely spoke to her in such a stern tone. ¡°Do you know what the consequences are?¡±
Of course she knew.
But who brought on this disaster?
Before Everett appeared in her life, she didn¡¯t even know who Heather was.
Dorothy had a fleeting impulse to confront Everett, but reason told her it was not the right move.
Unless she could find solid evidence to prove that Heather had indeed asked for the core technical
blueprint, challenging the woman who held the position of Everett¡¯s true love would be futile
If she annoyed Everett, she would be in even more trouble.
Moreover she was indeed the one who provoked him
From that night on the business trip andter, when she took the initiative to agree a marriage
agreement, it was all her doing. It wouldn¡¯t be urate to say that it was all Everett¡¯s fault.
*I ept any investigation from thepany. I¡¯ve never been in contact with anyone from Regal
Dominion Ventures, nor have I ¨C received any benefits from them.¡±
¡°The investigation will take time. You won¡¯t make it to the signing of this
¡°I know¡±
is research project.¡±
Everett rubbed his forehead, his handsome face now looking even colder. ¡°Who did you send the core
technical blueprint to?¡± Dorothy¡¯s lips moved, and after a long while, she whispered, ¡°Heather.¡±
Anyone else?¡± He asked almost subconsciously.
She suddenly smiled as she looked into his eyes. ¡°You also think that Ms. Heather wouldn¡¯t jeopardize
thepany¡¯s reputation Jun_to_ fram¨¨me, right?*
There was no need for Everett to answer. His reaction had already proven his stance.
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¡°I¡¯m talking to you.¡±
¡°Yes, I never shared it with anyone else. Only Mr. Percy and I, as the project leader, have ess to the
core technical blueprint.¡±
¡°Got it
Everett frowned and coldly dropped the subject before going into the bedroom with his phone.
While watching his retreating figure, Dorothy twitched the corners of her lips.
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It was impossible to expect Everett to y the hera. She had to fend for herself,
She returned to herputer tirelessly searching for ways to retrieve deleted text messages. But every
method she tried was a scam.
Dorothy called the service provider, only to be told that retrieval was impossible
Was her future and all her previous hard work going to be ruined by Heather just like that
Suddenly, the phone beside her lit up
Keh sent her a message.
But Dorothy wasn¡¯t in the mood to check it. She simply got up to pack her bags, ready to rush back to
the office to confront Heather
This matter was rted to her reputation and future, she couldn¡¯t just let it go.
When Everett came out, he saw Dorothy packing
¡°Heather asked you for the blueprint, right? Do you have proof?¡±
¡°No.¡±
Upon hearing this, Everett frowned and stepped forward, grabbing her wrist. ¡°Leave this matter to me.¡±
¡°No need; I can handle it myself!¡± Dorothy pulled her hand away. ¡°If I didn¡¯t do it, there must be a way to
prove it!¡±
¡°Dorothy, as I said, let me handle this¡±
She stopped and looked at him. And then what? Just wait for thepany to fire me and carry this
stain for the rest of my life?¡±
¡°If you didn¡¯t do it, no one can frame you.¡±
¡°That¡¯s true. But the reality is that Heather deliberately asked me for the blueprint, then wiped the
evidence to frame me. If the truthes out, the Lopez Corporation would lose her as their chief
lawyer Dorothy met his deep gaze. ¡°Could you beer that?
Could he bear the loss of Heather¡¯s contribution to thepany ruining Heather¡¯s future, and losing his
beloved?
This seemed like a corporate struggle, but in reality. Heather did this to bring Everet; to a crossroads,
betting that he couldn¡¯t bear to let her go.
A chiefwyer versus a junior assistant? It was a no¨Cbrainer.
As the seconds ticked by, Everett remained silent.
Dorothy didn¡¯t expect an answer; she knew clearing her name was up in her.
Once she finished packing, she picked up her luggage and prepared to leave.
Everett stepped forward and blocked the door. His voice was slightly hoarse as he spake ¡°Give me
some time. This is¡ Armanda was currently in the country with Heather by her side. If she found out
about the incident, she would definitely demand that he side unconditionally with Heather, even asking
him to outright fire Dorothy
Considering her previous suicide attempt simply because he refused the arranged marriage, he
couldn¡¯t predict the consequences if he defied her wishes now
So, if he wanted to help Dorothy, he couldn¡¯t intervene directly
¡°Mr. Lopez, I understand your predicament and appreciate your willingness to talk to me and give me
the chance to defend myself. But I also know that the evidence is up to me to find. I just hope that when
the truthes oil, you can be fair,¡±
¡°Can you trust me once?¡±
Trust him to handle the matter?
But clearly the answer was willen all over Dorothy¡¯s face.
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She couldn¡¯t believe him.
If the one framing her was someone else, maybe she could choose to trust Everett.
But it was Heather she was up against
She was someone who held a major ce in Everett¡¯s heart and had contributed a lot to the Lopez
Corporation,
Whoever weighed the pros and cons would know how to choose. Would the truth even matter then?
Who would care?
Dorothy even doubted that Everett, as the CEO, was meddling in this intentionally to destroy evidence
and protect Heather.
Yeah, at this point, she trusted no one.
If the usations of her leaking confidential documents and betraying thepany were confirmed,
she¡¯d have to carry them for the
rest of her life
Tim sorry¡±
Dorothy uttered this sad apology and left the room with her suitcase.
She bought a ticket for the earliest fight back to Eldora City. It wasn¡¯t until she was sitting in the terminal
that she checked her phone.
She hadn¡¯t even opened the message from Keh yet
[Karen told me about your situation. If you need help, I¡¯m pretty savvy withputer hacking.I
Since thest time Dorothy had a heart¨Cto¨Cheart with him, this was the first time Keh had sent her
a message on his own.
She hesitated, then replied: [Can you recover suddenly disappeared messages from a phone?]
He replied almost instantaneously, as if he had been waiting for her message.
[I can try. When are youing back to Eldora City?
[arrive at Eldornia City Airport around midnight. Don¡¯t let me disturb your rest! I¡¯lle to find you
tomorrow if you¡¯re free.]
[Are you alone?)
[Yeah.]
[Then Ie pick you up]
As if he were afraid she would refuse, Keh quickly added: I¡¯m worried the longer we wall, the
harder it will be to recover the data.]
Dorothy lowered her head and thought for a moment, feeling disgusted at her own actions
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
It was as if she only called Keh when she needed him, knowing full well his feelings for her yet
never giving him an answer.
It¡¯s been so long, one more night won¡¯t make a difference. I¡¯lle to find you tomorrow when you¡¯re
free. Don¡¯t let me interrupt your ns |
After replying, she put her phone aside, feeling waves of headaches and irritation.
Though the main reason for this mess was herck of defense against Heather had she not been
careless, it wouldn¡¯t have escted to this point.
She also hated that she was so easily trusting. After knowing her hostility, she should have been more
guarded against Heather.
Dorothy looked out at the airport, at the red letters that spelled out Lumina Bay!
When she came, she was ecstatic about being part of a core project. But now she was leaving.
Heather had shattered her dream, telling her that quick sess was impossible.
Just before boarding, Dorothy saw two missed calls on her phone from Everett.
She hesitated and didn¡¯t return th She turned off her phone and got up to check in
The whole trip was silent, and Dorothy¡¯s delicate face locked visibly hap
Who wouldn¡¯t be upset over something like this?
At two in the morning, the nended on time at Eldomia City Airport.
She walked off the ne with her luggage, not turning her phone back on until she was almost at the
arrivals section.
The first message that popped up was from Keh.
I¡¯m waiting for you at the airport. Contact me when yound; otherwise, I just keep waiting here.
The time stamp showed it had been sent three hours ago.
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Keh didn¡¯t have a clue when Dorothy¡¯s flight wouldnd. He only knew it was in the wee hours of
the moming. So he¡¯d been here since eleven in the evening, waiting.
Before Dorothy could even respond to his message, she heard Keh calling her.
She looked up, and there he was at the arrivals gate, donned in a dark coat, looking all beat.
¡°Dorothy, over here!¡±
She started walking toward him with her luggage, and, just like that, Keh took it from her.
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¡°Tired, huh? Hop in. I take you to Karen¡¯s. You need a good sleep. Ive got a bunch of palsing over
tomorrow morning to help figure things out. They¡¯re all hotshots in this field. I wouldn¡¯t trust myself with
this, so I called them.¡±
Keh was talking a mile a minute, reminding her of Karen.
But in the dead of night, his words felt like a warm,forting, and familiar embrace.
¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Upon seeing her stand still, Keh raised an eyebrow
¡°¡ I can¡¯t reciprocate your enthusiasm, Mr. Nelson. I can¡¯t just take your help without a second
thought¡±
He paused for a moment, then let out a resigned chuckle. ¡°Why overthink things? Aren¡¯t you Karen¡¯s
good friend? Plus, my project¡¯s tied
up with the Lopez Corporation because of you. If anything happens to you, it affects me too. I¡¯m just
doing my bit.¡±
That was what Keh said, but Dorothy wasn¡¯t born yesterday. She knew better than to take
everything at face value.
She got in his car and was silent throughout the ride.
As they were approaching Karen¡¯s ce, Dorothy finally broke the silence. I haven¡¯t been honest with
Karen. Im not single¡±
Even though her manage to Everett was more of a pact, she was, after all, a married woman.
Keh seemed taken aback, but he quickly regained hisposure. ¡°Your boyfriend¡¯s a lucky guy
then. It must¡¯ve been a tough chase.
¡°Knowing that I¡¯m not single, are you still going to help me?¡±
¡°Like I said, I¡¯m helping you because you¡¯re my friend.¡± He nced at her through the rear¨Cview mirror.
¡°Dorothy, I¡¯m not the kind of guy you think I am. I don¡¯t have ulterior motives for everything. I admit that
I admire you, and I¡¯d like to be your boyfriend. But even if we put that aside, I¡¯m still Karen¡¯s brother¡±
Let¡¯s focus on the problem at hand. I may not be a corporate shark, but from what Karen told me, I
understand the gravity of the situation. Let¡¯s gather evidence to clear your name first. As for the love
stuff, just pretend it never happened. I won¡¯t pursue you
anymore.¡±
Keh shed a gentle smile and parked the car at the front of Karen¡¯s building.
¡°Get some rest. You can¡¯t avoid the inevitable, and staying awake all night won¡¯t do you any good. Take
it easy¡±
Dorothy nodded, epting his well¨Cmeaning advice.
Karen had been waiting upstairs; she was on the brink of falling asleep. After hearing a noise, she
quickly ran downstairs.
¡°Dorothy, you¡¯re finally here! Don¡¯t worry, my brother and I are always on your side!¡±
Karen was such a straightforward and honest person. Her outburst prompted Dorothy¡¯s first genuine
smile of the day.
¡°Alright¡±
Keh helped her carry her luggage upstairs and even cooked her a te of pasta before leaving.
After a satisfying meal, she washed up andy down on the bed when she noticed a message from
Everett.
Have you arrived?]
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In order not to make Everett think she was throwing a tantrum, she thought about it and texted him
back a simple ¡®Hmm¡± before finally putting down her phone to sleep.
Somehow, that night, she dreamed of the scene when her father admitted to cheating on her mother
and having an illegitimate daughter.
¡°Yes, she¡¯s about the same age as Dorothy. Not even a year after you were pregnant, she was found to
be pregnant too. If you¡¯re willing to ept them, both mother and daughter then we don¡¯t have to get a
divorce. I promise, from now on, you two will be the only women in my life. I won¡¯t look for a third one.
Who would let you upy the position of the wife, but you can¡¯t even give birth to a son?! Fine, if you
don¡¯t agree to a divorce, then you can live as a widow!¡±
At that time. Dorothy was very young. Her mother, Be, had her back to her, so she couldn¡¯t see her
expression.
What struck her most were these sentences and the look of disgust in her father¡¯s eyes when he saw
her
Later, her mother attempted tomit suicide by jumping off a building in a fit of anger. She reached
out to grab her mother, but was tripped by a chair and couldn¡¯t grasp her clothes.
Suddenly, Darathy opened her eyes.
She was panting heavily, and it took a while to recover from the dream.
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¡°Are you awake?¡± Karen was right next to her, staring at her with wide eyes.
It seemed that Karen was afraid Dorothy would do something stupid, so she stayed and slept in the
same bed. ¡°My brother is on his way here.¡±
Upon hearing this, Dorothy hurriedly got up to clean up.
Just as she finished getting ready, the doorbell rang.
Keh brought three friends this time. Although they didn¡¯t look like much, they worked wonders with
Dorothy¡¯s phone.
Apart from the blocked and destroyed information, almost all the messages were recovered.
¡°Is there any way to get the recording of the call Heather made to me? Dorothy knew this was nearly
impossible, but she asked anyway One of the men, who was tall and skinny, pursed his lips. ¡°It¡¯s tough
Too much time has passed.¡±
¡°If Henry says it can¡¯t be done, it probably can¡¯t. But you can still find the deleted message¡± Another
short and skinny man pointed to a bunch of data codes on theputer. ¡°This should be the one that
was deleted. The person who texted you was prepared. This message wasn¡¯t deleted by hacking into
your phone system. Instead, it was set to be automatically deleted after being read.¡±
Even though Dorothy knew Heather was prepared, she still felt a chill run down her spine when she
heard this
She trusted Heatherpletely at the time. She even genuinely thanked her for working overtime on
the SinoSess Enterprises project contract. But behind her back, Heather had already nned to
frame her.
¡°But recovering this message doesn¡¯t prove it was Heather who sent it to you¡± Keh was quick to
point out the key issue
Dorothy had thought about this too. If Heather had nned this out meticulously, she could have
anticipated that Dorothy might recover the text message.
¡°But at least it shows that someone had asked me for the core technical blueprint during that period.¡±
¡°Dorothy, what exactly is the issue between you and Ms. Heather? She seems determined to crush
you¡± Even Karen, who was watching from the side, felt terrified.
She had seen Heather¡¯s photos a few times before and thought she was a gentle and likable girl who
was good at her job and worth admiring. But then she turned around and framed her best friend.
What a bitch!
¡°I don¡¯t know, Dorothy pressed her lips together. ¡°Maybe¡ she just hates the fact that we look alike.¡±
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If not, then she wouldn¡¯t have be a substitute, taking her ce by Everett¡¯s side.
¡°She is totally nuts! What we look like is determined by the genes our parents passed on to us. It¡¯s not
something you can choose. Karen rolled her eyes. If ever meet someone who¡¯s not rted to me by
blood but locks like me, I¡¯d be over the moon. Id wanna make her my sister. What a coincidence that
would be, right?¡±
Blood ties¡
Karen¡¯s casualment made Dorothy frown deeply.
¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
¡°Nothing¡± She shook her head.
Before Dorothy could say another word, her phone rana.
She nced at it. It was Kevin.
Owned by N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Hello?¡±
¡°Tell me everything that happened. I help you think of a solution. Kevin got straight to the point. thought
about it. Ms. Heather has a solid reputation within the Lopez Corporation, so no matter what her
reasons for framing you are, not many people will believe it! Your evidence needs to be rock solid.¡±
¡°Yeah, I know¡±
¡°Mr. Lopez already knows about this. He¡¯s in a tough spot. On one hand, he wants to trust you and
back you because of your good friendship, and on the other, Ms. Heather is a valuable asset to the
Lopez Corporation. You might not understand how important she is. She represented the corporation in
many majorwsuits and won all of them.¡±
Dorothy pulled a wry smile. ¡°I get it. If the problem lies with me, the Lopez Corporation can easily fire
me with little to no consequences. They can me it on a bit of bad hiring. But if the truthes out
that Heather deliberately framed me, the Lopez Corporation might not fire Heather, right?¡±
¡°You have to understand Mr. Lopez¡¯s situation. Hes actually been very considerate of you. Firing Ms.
Heather would be a big deal. Not only would the corporation lose a major asset but they¡¯d also have to
worry about the possibility of Ms. Heather working for anotherpany and bing a threat.¡±
Because Heather¡¯s capabilities were well known, manypanies would be eager to have her.
And while this incident could be devastating for Dorothy, an investment banking assistant, it wouldn¡¯t be
a big deal for awyer like Heather.
She could easy fabricate any reason against Darathy,
She could even use her dislike of Dorothy as a reason.
At most, people might just start saying she liked to pick on newbies.
¡°So, should I, the victim, just let myself be manipted?¡±
¨C
¡°I¡¯m not saying that. I¡¯m just analyzing the situation for you.¡± Kevin sighed. ¡°Don¡¯t me Mr. Lopez for
not being loyal. Because of your situation, he even skipped a contact signing this maming. He probably
went back to Eldora City overight¡±
Everett also came back to Eldonia City?
Grandeur Mansion.
Amanda got up early in the morning and started exercising in the courtyard.
Even though i was a bit far from the city, it was surrounded by nts, and the air was exceptionally
fresh. It was a great ce for recuperation.
¡°You¡¯ve been exercising for 20 minutes. You should take a break don¡¯t tire yoursell out Heather,
dressed for work, quickly walked over to support her.
Amanda smiled. ¡°Im fine, but I feel sorry for you. Staying with me in the suburbs every day and having
to get up early to drive to work. It must be a hassle¡±
Tm doing this so I can spend more time with you. If Everett doesn¡¯t have time, I can¡¯t just leave you
alone.¡±
¡°OK. I know you¡¯re the best!¡±
As soon as Amanda finished happily praising Heather they both saw a ck car driving into the
courtyard.
¡°Isn¡¯t that Everest¡¯s car? Didn¡¯t he say he wouldn¡¯t be back for a few days?¡±
1/7
Heather¡¯s hand clenched subtly, and her smile stiffened. ¡°Yeah. Looks like he came back early¡±
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It seemed that for Dorothy¡¯s sake, he could even put his project in Lumina Bay on hold.
Everett got out of the car, looking like he hadn¡¯t gotten much sleepst night. His handsome face
looked a bit tired, and his eyes were shadowed with dark circles.
¡°What happened?¡± Amanda, noticing her son¡¯s unusual state, asked as she approached him.
¡°Nothing. I¡¯ve just been busy with work and didn¡¯t get much shut¨Ceye. He didn¡¯t want to reveal these
issues to his mom, so he turned his gaze to Heather, who was standing beside her. ¡°Ms. Heather can I
have a word with you in private?¡±
Heather nodded and smiled. ¡°You can give me a lift to the office. It saves me from having to drive.
Amanda Everett¡¯s gonna take me. III be heading off with him.¡±
¡°Off you go! Amanda was all too happy to see this.
She was thrilled to see her son finally warming up to Heather.
With his mom around, Everett didn¡¯t say much. Let¡¯s get going then.¡±
¡°Alright. Come back after work.¡±
¡°Sure¡±
Everett started walking, not bothering to wait for Heather, who wasgging behind.
She almost twisted her ankle. She couldn¡¯t keep up with him in her high heels.
Once they got in the car, Heather acted as if nothing had happened. ¡°What made youe back from
Lumina Bay all of a sudden?¡±
¡°Why are you targeting Dorothy?¡±
Everett¡¯s question wasn¡¯t really a question, but a statement.
Heather looked at him with disappointment written all over her face. ¡°You think I did this? Because
Dorothy told you I was out to get her?¡±
¡°Then what?¡±
¡°I¡¯ve been at the Lopez Corporation for years. I¡¯ve always done my job well. Have I ever done anything
to harm thepany¡¯s interests?¡± Heather stared at Everett¡¯s icy face as her grievances started to
surface. ¡°And your Dorothy, how long has she been with the Lopez Corporation? What has she done
for thepany?¡±
Everett remained silent
¡°I thought you wouldn¡¯t suspect me.¡± Heather¡¯s eyes were full of disappointment. ¡°At least do some
digging first beforeing straight to me with your usations! Show me a little respect!¡±
¡°Dorothy has no reason to sell the core technical blueprint.¡±
This was why Everett believed in Dorothy.
He could give her whatever she wanted. She wouldn¡¯t need to resort to this.
¡°Why not? Do I need to remind you of her financial situation? Sure, you gave her money for her mom¡¯s
hospital bills, but that doesn¡¯t mean she¡¯s satisfied. The otherpany must have offered her orge
sum of money How can you be so sure she wouldn¡¯t be tempted?¡±
Everyone at the Prosperity Consortium knew Dorothy was in need of money.
But Heather wasn¡¯t. She had more than enough from her years at the Lopez Corporation, enough to
ssh out for the rest of her life. From any angle, Dorothy was the one with a motive,
¡°She¡¯s not thut kind of person.¡±
N?velDrama.Org holds this content.
¡°So, I¡¯m the one who¡¯d sell thepany for money? Her retort was quick
Disappointment and bitterness were the only things that could be heard in her tone.
And it made sense. Over the years, she had given so much to the Lopez Corporation. Even now, with
her surgery scar still healing, she was still at work, never missing a beat of the legal department
¡°So, I¡¯m asking you, why target Dorothy?¡±
Everett didn¡¯t believe Heather would do this for money either.
Sheughed. ¡°Couldn¡¯t it be Dorothy envying me? Couldn¡¯t she be selling thepany¡¯s secrets and
then framing me? Everett, she¡¯s from poor background. You can¡¯t apply your thinking to her. A poor
person, when they¡¯re desperate, can do anything!¡±
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Everett clearly didn¡¯t want to hear her out. She could see that his eyebrows were furrowed in irritation
¡°Do you think Dorothy Ekes you?¡± Heather suddenly threw this question at him
He pursed his lips. ¡°That¡¯s got nothing to do with this.¡±
¡°How is it not? It is! She clearly has no feelings for you yet she could sign a contract with you for
money. She basically sold herself for marriage. What else wouldn¡¯t she sell?¡±
¡°Heather¡± This was the first time in all the years they¡¯d known each other that Everett had called her
name with such stem ness.
The atmosphere in the car tumed icy, and neither of them spoke
Heather tumed her head to look out the window. She tried hard to stay calm, not wanting to start a real
argument with Everett at this time.
ce that we
we disagree.¡±
¡°Drive away from here first. Amanda is probably still watching from behind. We can¡¯t let her see
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.
Heather¡¯s tone was pleading, and her posture had be low
Everell nced in the rearview mirror
Sure enough, Amanda was still standing at the entrance of the mansion, watching them.
¡°Everett, before we have solid evidence, can you please stay neutral? Don¡¯t judge me se quickly, I¡¯m
begging you¡±
The usually proud Heather now spoke with a tremble in her voice. She seemed to be on the verge of
tears.
Heather¡¯s request was reasonable.
Currently, Dorothy had no evidence to prove that Heather was involved.
Everett didn¡¯t give her a response. Instead, he stepped on the gas and drove away from the mansion.
Dorothy arrived at the Prosperity Consortium with the evidence she had found, apanied by Karen.
Upon seeing her, Mr. Percy quickly stormed over ¡°Found any evidence?¡±
¡°Trecovered the message she sent me. Have a look.¡± Dorothy handed him her phone.
The message only contained an email address, and the phone number was now cut of service.
¡°This crap proves that Ms. Heather framed you?¡± Mr. Percy raised an eyebrow in disbelief.
This sounded like a fairy tale, didn¡¯t it?
The CEO of SinoSess Enterprises had personallye to ask for rification on this matter, putting
Mr. Percy under immense pressure simr to Dorothy¡¯s.
¡°But it was indeed Heather who called me at the time. She said she urgently needed the core technical
blueprint. I questioned why she needed them, but she said the project would be impacted if she didn¡¯t
get them, so I gave them to her.¡± Dorothy was speaking theplete truth
She had trusted Heather¡¯s loyalty to the Lopez Corporation and believed she wouldn¡¯t betray the
company.
¡°Who would believe this story you¡¯ve spun?¡± Mr. Percy¡¯s face changed dramatically, and he threw the
phone back at her.
¡°Dorothy, can you think before you speak? Don¡¯t just spout nonsenso if you want to drag someone
down with you! That¡¯s Heather, the chiefwyer of the Lopez Corporation. What woud she gain from
framing an assistant like you? Are you sure she doesn¡¯t just find you annoying?!¡±
¡°I think it might be because¡.. I¡¯ve been working of the HQ of the Lopez Corporationtely and have
been getting close to Mr. Lopez She¡¯s jealous.¡±
¡°Ms. Heather suspects you of seducing Mr. Lopez?
¡°How ridiculous!¡± Mr. Percy was speechless. He couldn¡¯t help but roll his eyes. ¡°Who are you? Who is
Heather? Is there anyparison between you two? Dorothy, do I need to remind you of Ms.
Heather¡¯s status and identity?¡®
Karen, who had been standing by, was not pleased with his attitude.
¡°What do you mean? Just because she¡¯s richer than Dorothy, is whoever she does justified? That¡¯s
discrimination |
¡°Who the hell do you think you¡¯re talking to?¡± Mr. Percy immediately started cursing at her. ¡°Karen, no
one wants to sort this out more than I do right now As long as you provide concrete evidence that Ms.
Heather framed Dorothy, 111 belleve anything! Even if you say it was Mr. Lopez who framed Dorothy, fil
believe it! Where¡¯s the evidence? Bring It!¡±
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Karen was left speechless by his strong and assertive response. She couldn¡¯t help sneaking a nce
at Dorothy
¡°Give me some time. I definitely find it.¡±
¡°How long? SinoSess Enterprises is no pushovert If I say yes, they may not
Dorothy clenched her fists. ¡°Ten days.¡±
ot be as generous with time¡±
¡°I can only spare you three days. If you can¡¯t find it, I have to announce to 1 the public that you leaked
the core technical blueprint.¡± Mr. Percy wasn¡¯t in the mood for chitchat.
Their team had been hitting bumps all year, ruffling the feathers of the higher ups.
Now, with this Dorothy debacle, he was considering going to the church to pray. Was he born under a
bad star?
After watching him storm out. Karen tugged on Dorothy¡¯s sleeve.
¡°What are we gonna do? Can we make it in three days?¡±
¡°Im not sure.¡± In fact, Dorothy couldn¡¯t figure out where to start.
Heather definitely wasn¡¯t going to confess. The gap in power between the two sides was substantial.
There was no silver lining in sight
¡°Why don¡¯t you lure Heather out? Record her secretly, then we can get evidence of her confession¡±
Dorothy sat down and rubbed her temples.
¡°You¡¯re oversimplifying things. She¡¯s probably got all her bases covered.¡±
¡°Or you could turn to Mr. Lopez. From your conversation with Mr. Percy, it seems like there might be a
chance. If Heather¡¯s only doing this because of a minor issue, maybe Mr. Lopez would be willing to
mediate
Dorothy shook her head. ¡°You think he¡¯d help me?¡±
¡°I think, Mr. Lopez is a fair leader. Even if it¡¯s his fianc¨¦e, he shouldn¡¯t let the innocent take the fall
¡°I¡¯m going to pay a visit to Regal Dominion Ventures. Since they¡¯re insisting I did it, I want to know who
contacted me and what benefits they offered.¡±
¡°Alright! I¡¯ll go with you.¡±
¡°You don¡¯t need to. You still have work today. I can
an manage.¡± Dorothy knew Karen was worried for her, but once this was over, Karen still had to work at
the Prosperity Consortium. Getting too involved might tamish her reputation
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
Karen pouted. Her face was etched with worry. ¡°But I¡¯m notfortable with you going alone.¡±
¡°They wouldn¡¯t dare do anything to me in broad daylight.¡±
Weirdly, Dorothy had to reassure Karen of her safety before leaving. Like Karen was the one in the
situation.
As she reached the bottom of the Prosperity Consortium building, she saw Keh, who had dropped
them off earlier, still waiting.
After seeing Dorothy, he quickly got out of the car. ¡°Need a lift?¡±
¡°Mr. Nelson, it¡¯s not the weekend. Don¡¯t you have ss?¡±
¡°I¡¯ve taken a leave. It¡¯s okay¡±
She frowned and stepped back. ¡°You don¡¯t need to do this. Go do your thing. Please give your friends a
thank you from me. The messages they retrieved are very crucial for me. I¡¯m grateful enough, so I can¡¯t
ept any more help from you.¡±
¡°But you¡¯re alone, and who knows how many people are behind Heather nning this? Can you fight
them on your own?¡±
Dorothy was at a loss for words.
¡°I just want to help you. It¡¯s hard to see someone who works so hard like you being used as a
scapegoat. This could ruin your entire future. Dorothy, if your boyfnend were here, I¡¯d leave right away.
But he¡¯s probably busy, right? So, consider me as a family member or even just a chauffeur Let¡¯s find
the evidence first and turn things around. You can thank me properlyter¡±
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Dorothy knew Keh was just trying to help her out. But she couldn¡¯t give him anything in return.
Seeing her reluctance Keh subconsciously reached out to grab her wrist.
Suddenly, Dorothy felt a pull from behind her. She stumbled and fell into a solid, muscr embrace
She looked up and was taken aback.
It was Everett, What was he doing here?
¡°No need to bother yourself, Mr. Nelson. I can take her.¡±
Keh shot a nce at Dorothy, then at Everett. ¡°Are you Dorothy¡¯s boyfriend?¡±
¡°No, he¡¯s not ¡°Dorothy quickly denied it.
Time froze for a few seconds. Everett moved His lips but said nothing
Keh wanted to insist, but Dorothy was already whisked away by Everell
They had been driving for a while when she finally spoke, ¡°You can drop me off at the intersection up
ahead.¡±
Tve already arranged for thepany¡¯s audit department to investigate this. You can take a break for a
few days.¡±
¡°Thepany¡¯s investigation is their business. Im guttering evidence to prove my innocence.¡± She
wasn¡¯t going to sit around waiting for someone else¡¯s verdict
Everett¡¯s thick eyebrows furrowed. His handsome face was adored with a stem expression.
¡°The talked to Heather. She said she didn¡¯t do 1.¡±
¡°Of course she would say that! Who would frame someone and then admit to it? Heather is not a fool.¡±
Dorothy looked out the window and took a deep breath, not wanting to arque.
She didn¡¯t want to take out her frustration on Everett, who had been paying her mother¡¯s medical
expenses. ¡°Mr. Lopez, still have the right to prove my innocence, right?¡±
¡°You do but all the signs point to Heather not framing you¡±
¡°I know¡± Dorothy forced a smile. ¡°I don¡¯t expect anyone to believe me without evidence understand if
you suspect my mat ves. I don¡¯t need your help. Stop reminding me!¡±
And now he came to the Prosperity Consortium to tell her that the evidence proved Heather didn¡¯t
frame her
Was he trying to brainwash her?
¡°Dorothy, can you be rational? Don¡¯t let your emotions interfere. I¡¯m talking about the case itself,
¡°I¡¯m not discussing feelings with your Frustrated, she rubbed her temples. ¡°Can you let me out? I¡¯m not
in a good mood because of this. I might say something offensive.¡±
Everett pulled over but didn¡¯t unlock the doors. He tumed to look at her
¡°You don¡¯t need Keh to recover the messages. I handle it.¡±
Dorothy met his gaze. She was just as stubbam as him ¡°Let me say it again, Mr Lopez i find a way to
prove my innocence. I didn¡¯t do it, and I don¡¯t need anyone to handle it for me.¡±
On the contrary, she was worried that Everett¡¯s involvement might tip the poles.
Everett could see the distrust in her eyes.
Just like in school, she never trusted anyone. She was always like a lone wolf, weak but unwilling to
follow the crowd.
Everett promised, ¡°If Heather did this, I won¡¯t side with her¡±
¨C¡°Don¡¯t you get 1? Dorothy frowned. ¡°We¡¯re not on the same side. I¡¯m certain that I didn¡¯t do this, but
you keep saying it! So, you¡¯re either
neutral or on Heather¡¯s side.¡±
¡°So, is Keh on your side?¡±
¡°At least he¡¯s not supporting Heather.¡±Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
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Everell¡¯s eyebrows knotted together.
*To clear your name, you need evidence Keh¡¯s trust in yount enough to save you.¡±
¡°I know That¡¯s why I¡¯m going to gather evidence
With that Dorothy yanked the car door handle with her eyebrows furrowed. ¡°Unlock the deer¡±
¡°ording to your logic, you need to get Heather herself admitting it or direct proal she ordered you to
send the blueprint Going to Regal Dominion Ventures is pointless. They¡¯re adamant the blueprints were
their pan work.¡±
In the industry, Regal Dominion Ventures was notorious. Everyone knew what kind ofpany they
were.
Dorothy going there would be fruitless, and if somente snapped a photo or video of her there, it would
only add fuel to the fie
¡°Can you make her admit it? Dorothy turned to look at him.
¡°So, it¡¯s all useless. I need to figure it out myself.¡± Darthy knew the road ahead was tough, but she had
no choice but to move forward.
Any shred of evidence would help
She couldn¡¯t just 5t around and
for the worst to happen.
¡°Calm down and listen to me Everett reached out and grasped her slender wrist. ¡°Ti figure something
out. You¡¯re being impulsive and might make the wrong decision. Let me handle it. You need to take a
break.¡±
¡°Am I taking a break? Or am I forever leaving the investment banking industry?¡± She shot back
Her every word felt like a dagger piercing his heart.
¡°Ive told you if you¡¯re innocent, no one can frame you¡±
¡°But I am innocent! And how many people are trying to frame me? Today I went to the Prosperity
Consortium. I¡¯m not deaf, I heard their whispers. They were saying I¡¯m desperate for morey and that
I¡¯m ungrateful for betraying thepany. I didn¡¯t I really didnt¡± Dorothy¡¯s voice broke as she lost control
of her emotions.
She covered her face with her hands.
She didnt want anyone to see her crying
She could bear hardships and suffering, but bere unfairly used was unbearable
Unfortunately she was no match for Heather
It was like an egg going up against a rock. Even if the rock started it, the one to shatter would always
be the egg.
Dorothy was that egg.
Everett remained silent. He simply listened to her soft cries, then handed her a tissue
After a while, he said. ¡°After all this, I¡¯ll arrange for you to move to another branch
Dorothy stiffened and lifted her head to look at him with red rimmed eyes. ¡°Even ! | find evidence, I still
have to move to a branch office?¡±
She had worked so hard to secure a position at the headquarters. She had been working diligently and
conscientiously for so long. Now she had to avoid Heather because of her plot?
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.
¡°You¡¯ve always wanted to be an investment director You¡¯d get to lead a beam at the branch office
¡°Everett ¡® Dorothy cut him off. ¡°I don¡¯t need you to arrange anything for me. Our agreement doesn¡¯t
specify that I have to work at the Loper Corporation¡±
He frowned as his grip on her hand tightened. ¡°You want to quit?¡±
¡°I haven¡¯t thought about it. At least not now i won¡¯t leave the Lopez Corporation when I¡¯ve done nothing
wrong. If I leave now, wouldn¡¯t that be the same as admitting guilt?¡±
So, she decided that she would go to work as usual at the headquarters tomorrow. So wouldn¡¯t listen to
Everett¡¯s advice inke a break.
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Everett knew she was stubbom. The more she got stuck on something, the less she would listen to
anyone else
After taking a deep breath, he tried in salty calm her down. ¡®Let¡¯s grab some grab first. I bet you
skipped breakfast this morning: you¡¯ll get a tummy ache.¡±
As he said this, he started the car engine again.
Dorothy wiped away her tears. T¡¯m not hungry. I want to get
¡°Though the contract doesn¡¯t say you have to work at the Lopez Corporation, it does say you have to
be on¨Ccall if I need you¡± Helpless. Everett could only bring up their agreement.
¡°But the needs written in the contract don¡¯t mean haying meals¡± Dorothy retorted.
Thene back with me to Bay Residence and take cam of my needs,¡±
Dorothy almost bit her tongue off. Then let¡¯s just eat.¡±
At the Lopez Corporation¡¯s legal department ¡°ce.
After handling a document, Heather saw a notice for a joint investigation on thepany app.
She pursed her Ips and opened it
stated that due to Dorothy¡¯s usations, chiefwyer, Heather was suspected of framing and setting
her up. She was now required to suspend her involvement in the SinoSess Enterprises project
while waiting for the investigation results.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
¡°Come in Heather locked up. It was Jeffrey
He had heard about this big fuss. Just after finishing his own work, he rushed over
¡°Everett actually issued a joint investigation notice within thepany Isn¡¯t this just an insult to you?
This means he¡¯s doubling you¡± Jeffrey closed the office door, stormed to her desk, and banged on it.
¡°This is unheard of! To stop the chiefwyer¡¯s work for a mere assistant? Is he sencust
Heather calmly smiled, got up, and poured him a cup of coffee
Compared to his agitation, she seemed quite calm
¡°No biggie. I just take it as a break¡±
¡°So is this thing really rted to you?¡± Jeffrey took the coffee and asked tentatively.
Heather raised an eyebrow at him. ¡°What do you think?¡±
¡°Frankly, I don¡¯t think you would do such a thing.¡± Jeffrey analyzed. ¡°Sure, Dorothy is a pair in the ass,
and she¡¯s a nuisance between you and Everett But the Lopez family only recognizes you as their
daughter¨Cinw. Sooner orter, Everett will have to settle down and many
you. You wouldn¡¯t go to great lengths to frame her¡±
¡°Thank you for believing in me.¡±
¡°Any sane person would think the same. You and Dorothy have no other grudges. There¡¯s no need to
be so harsh¡±Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
if Dorothy was really framed, whoever did it sent her straight to hell. There would be no chance for her
to turn things around in investment banking Whara grudge that would be
¡°But Event doesn¡¯t think so. He believes Dorally.¡± Heather took a deep breath and shrugged. ¡®I don¡¯t
care. Let them investigate and see what they can lurd¡®
¡°This is uy to you! I go talk to him.¡± Jeffrey frowned unhappily ¡°Almost, Dorothy was just a woman he
liked when he was young. You¡¯ve been by his side all these years, so he should know which side his
bread is buttered on. The Lopez Corporation Insing Dorothy wouldn¡¯t be ay deal, but without you,
could it even function?¡±
Even now lie thought his friend must have been bewitched by Dorothy
How could a normally calm and self¨Cpossessed person like him not even be ablo ta ik straight?
¡°Don¡¯t go!¡± Heather stopped him, shaking her head. ¡®Don¡¯t go I don¡¯t want him to feel like I¡¯m pressuring
him.¡±
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You may think that the truth will prevail, but what if Dorothy¡¯s been ying the victim and gaining
sympathy all this time? You know what they say, pillow talk is the most dangerous type of talk¡±.
Heatherughed at his exaggerated expression and waved him off. ¡°It¡¯s actually perfect liming Everett¡¯s
mom is in the country I can take advantage of the investigation to ck off and spend some time with
her. Don¡¯t you dare mess this up for me.¡±
Jeffrey just stared at her then sighed after a good while. ¡®You really spoil Everett, don¡¯t you? At this
rate, when will he ever realize your worth?¡±
¡°It¡¯s not like I¡¯m coing all this for him to see. I genuinely like his mom and see her as my own mother.¡±
Jeffrey nodded, then suddenly asked. ¡°By the way, why haven¡¯t heard much about your father over the
years? He and your mother must have been very much in love to have produced such a tender and
considerate daughter like you.¡±
¡°Yes. They were very much in love.¡±
But they were not mamed
Everett parked the car in front of a restaurant
He had already ordered the food on the way, and they were led to a private room as soon as they
entered.
Dorothy didn¡¯t think she was hungry, but seeing the exquisite food on the table made her stomach
growl
Everen personally disinfected her fork and knife and them in front of her.
After a few bites, Dorothy suddenly remembered something You just came back like this? What about
Lumina Bay?¡±
The original business trip n was far from ever
Kevin will handle it for me.¡±
¡°Can it work without you there for such a key project? Dorothy wasn¡¯t dumb she knew that I Kevin could
handle the project without Everett, he wouldn¡¯t have rushed to Lumina Bay right after returning from
Verdant Cy.
Everett added a piece of beef to her bowl, ¡®Once everything is settled here, I¡¯ll go over
Her hand holding the fork paused. Don¡¯t let my issue dy the project. Go back to Lumina Bay, I can
handle myself.¡±
¡°Dorothy I want to protect you
No matter how hard the road ahead was, he wanted to stand in front of Dorothy and shield her from
any harm.
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Upon hearing Pis, Dorothy immediately lowered her head, pretending not to hear it
But her heart was in a mess.
What did he mean?
Protect her?
¡°Eat more. No matter what happens, your health is still the most important thing¡® Everett didn¡¯t expect
any response from her.
This woman always chose to escape anyway, and he didnt want to push her to ept too quickly.
¡°Let¡¯s move back to Bay R¨¦sidence tonight. I¡¯m afraid that it¡¯s not safe for you to stay at Karen¡¯s.¡±
Dorothy was taken aback. It seemed that he had returned to Bay Residence and saw that she had
moved all her belongings.
¡°No, I¡¯m not used to living there. if. If there¡¯s anything you can call me, and Ille over.¡±
The thought of the strawbemes in the fridge and everything Everest had done there for Heather made
her feel repulsed by Bay Residence.
How could she move back now?
¡°Karen¡¯s neighborhood is too ordinary, the secunty isn¡¯t great. If someone kidnapped you, you wouldn¡¯t
even know who to call for help.¡±
¡°How do you know where Karen lives?!¡±
also know that Keh has been frequenting Karen¡¯s ce ever since you moved there.¡±
He even investigated that? Wasn¡¯t he being a bit too intrusive?
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Throughout the meal, Dorothy had half a mind to ask him what the hell he meant by what he just said.
But in the end, she kept it all bottled up inside.
Right now she should be going all out to find evidence, not getting distracted by these wild thoughts.
After dinner, Everett got dragged away by a phone call
But before that, he made sure to drop Dorothy back at Karen¡¯s ce. However, like a broken record, he
repeated that she had to move back to Bay Residence by tomorrow at thetest
After returning to her room, her mind was a mess. She couldn¡¯t make heads or sails of anything
Suddenly, her phone rang
It was Be.
¡°Back from your business trip?¡±
¡°Uh¨Chuh, but work¡¯s been crazy, so I haven¡¯t had a chance toe and see you
Be chuckled. ¡°You do your thing. If you don¡¯t have time, there¡¯s no need toe see me. I¡¯m still
kicking!¡±
Dorothy didn¡¯t tell her mom about what happened. She didn¡¯t want another person to worry about it
¡°Just wait till I sort out everything here, then IIIe over¡±
¡°Bring Keh along then. I¡¯ve got something to tell him. You¡¯ve been so busy, he should be more
understanding
Dorothy paused, not saying a word.
She¡¯d nned to tell her mom everything after her surgery. But she didn¡¯t have the energy to deal with
her mom right now, She just wanted to find the evidence ASAP
¡°He¡¯s also swamped. I don¡¯t want to bother him.¡±
¡°You shouldn¡¯t think like that! A man needs to be kept busy, not idle, so you can see through his actions
if he truly cares about y
All Dorothy could do was sigh at her mom¡¯s preaching
got it¡±
¡°Why do I get the feeling you¡¯re tired today? Dorothy, did something happen?¡± Be finally sensed
something was off.
Dorothy didn¡¯t want to say anything, but then she changed her mind.
¡°Mom, have you ever seen that woman before?¡±
Suddenly, she was met with silence on the other end.
Dorothy quickly asked, ¡°Mom Mom?
¡°Why the hell are you asking about her out of the blue?¡± Ba asked, catching her off¨Cguard.
1 just want to see what she looks like. I¡¯ve never ther before.¡±
you.¡±
¡°What would she look like? She¡¯s just a sly for Same goes for her daughter Be¡¯s anger shot up at the
mention of this. ¡°Don¡¯t make me remember what she looks like it makes me sick?¡±
Dorothy tried to put on a brave face. ¡°Mom, do you think¡ Could I look a bit like that bastard child?¡±
After all, they share the came father. There should be some simrities, right?
¡°Do they even match? Hal¡±
Dorothy knew she wouldn¡¯t get anything else out of her mom, and she didn¡¯t want to arouse suspicion,
so she dropped it
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¡°Mom, you get well. I¡¯ve got things to do.¡±
¡°Alright, remember to take care of yourself and eat.
Dorothy hummed in agreement a few times, then hung up.
She felt like the nason Heather framed her might not be just because of Everett.
There might be other grudges involved.
Dorothys in a daze for a while before dialing Karen
¡°Karen, do you know where I can get a paternity test done?¡±
¡°Yeah Chave a client who does that. He¡¯s very urate. Karen, curious, immediately asked, ¡°Hey, why
do you ask?¡±
¡°I want to have a paternity test done.¡±
She had a question in her mind, and she wanted to know the answer.
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Dorothy naturally wouldn¡¯t tell Karen who she was going to do it with. She wouldn¡¯t say a word until
everything was settled.
In the evening, when Karen got off work and saw Dorothy packing again, she asked in a hurry. ¡°What
are you up to? You¡¯re moving out right after asking me about the patemity test? My brain¡¯s not catching
up I don¡¯t get it
Dorothy stopped what she was doing and smiled. ¡°is the hospital needs the paternity test. I¡¯m moving
because thepany wants to investigate me thoroughly. I need to move to a designated location.¡±
¡°They really are doing too much! Once you¡¯re proven innocent, Ill help you stand up to them at the
company. If they don¡¯tpensate for your emotional distress, we¡¯ll que!¡±
Karen had always been an innocent and straightforward person. Her intention to protect Dorothy was
written all over her face.
I find evidence to prove it Dorothy smirked, hiding the look in her eyes.
If there really was a blood rtionship between her and Heather, then a lot of things would make
sense.
Like why she was so eager to kick her out of the Lopez Corporation or why she was so worried about
her being around Everett The next morning. Dorothy arrived at the Lopez Bulding as usual during work
hours.
As soon as she walked in, she received a few strange looks.
Now that the internal notice of her usations against Heather was issued, everyone became curious.
After all, no one would suspect Heather, the chiefwyer.
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.
The issue could be hard to solve, but it could also be easy. They just had to fire Dorothy
She was a nobody, even if she found evidence to prove her innocenceter, it wouldn¡¯t affect the
company.
On the contrary, now that Heather¡¯s work had been halted, it would definitely affect the progress of
somepany projects and bring losses.
¡°I saw her hanging out with Kevin before. Maybe they hooked up
¡°Do you need to ask? Who else could she hook up with? Mr. Lopez? Hal Kevin¡¯s been with Mr. Lopez
for a very long time, so I bet he said something to Mr. Lopez which is why she¡¯s getting this special
treatment¡±
After getting on the elevator Dorothy stood at the back and listened to the two women whispering in
front of her
She frowned, wanting to rebuke the two rumor spreaders, but in the end, she didn¡¯t. Instead, she took
out her phone and recorded their conversation.
She didn¡¯t want to say anything or argue with anyone. She just wanted to wait for the truth toe out.
When she got to the office, she realized she¡¯d be the only one in today since Kevin was on a business
trip to Lumina Bay
After turning on theputer, theputer interface also showed an anomaly, needing her to
cooperate with the investigation.
Not long after logging in, Kevin sent her a message [You¡¯ll have to temporanly withdraw your name
from the Social Networking Service project. Don¡¯t me Mr. Lopez, he did his best.]
Dorothy really didn¡¯t me Everett at all now.
At first, she thought she was in this mess because of him, so she was a bit upset. She felt like an
innocent bystander
But then she started to think, Heather was a bit too eager to deal with her. She was even going for
other reasons, right? it couldn¡¯t just be a feud.
If she really was that woman¡¯s daughter, then the whole thing had nothing to do with Everell.
On the contrary, as the CEO of a conglomerate, he was willing to be fair and halt Heather¡¯s work too.
She was really grateful to him
Never mind whether he believed her or not, at least he could stand in a neutral position to look at this
kill. There must have been some
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[Mr. Lopez nished back to Eldoma City overnight because of your issue. Now that things are getting
really hot in Lumina Bay, he had to rush back. However, he said he¡¯d be back in a few days, which just
goes to show that Mr. Lopez also wants to get this mess sorted out] Dorothy chuckled as she stared at
herputer screen, feeling a bit puzzled.
Was Everett doing this to clear his name? Or was he womed that if the truth came out, it would tamish
Heather¡¯s reputation a bit more?
And what did he mean by ¡®I want to protect you?
She thought about it for a while but didn¡¯t spend too much time mulling over it.
Dorothy got up and walked out of her office, heading straight for the legal department.
¡°Hi, is Ms. Heather in the office today?¡± She asked a female staffer in the legal department as she got
off the elevator.
Obviously, this woman was in the know about Dorothy and Heathers situation. Her eyes sparkled with a
mix of caution and excitement, as if Dorothy were part of some grand dama
¡°What do you need from her?¡±
¡°I need to have a private chat with her about thepany¡¯s investigation¡±
Dorothy stood her ground, neither arrogant nor guilty
The woman¡¯s eyes darted around. Tll ask Ms. Heather. She¡¯s here, but she might not have time to see
you
¡°Great, thank you for your trouble¡±
Dorothy stood waiting, and soon the woman scurried back
¡°Ms. Heather says you can just go in ¡±
N?velDrama.Org holds this content.
¡°Thank you¡±
She walked straight to Heather¡¯s office door knocked, and entered when she heard a response.
Heather locked up still wearing her gentle smile.
¡°I didn¡¯t expect you toe looking for me¡±
¡± didn¡¯t expect it either¡± Dorally looked at her face, which was somewhat simr to her own, and smiled.
¡°I guess I was slow on the uptake. When we first met I didn¡¯t notice anything
Heather¡¯s hand gripping her pen pained.
A few secondster, she moved. ¡°Do you think that day was our first meeting?¡±
Dorothy looked at her silent
Heather stood up from behind her desk and walked over to her in high heels as a smirk yed on her
lips. ¡°To be precise, that was our second meeting¡±
Dorothy fell silent
¡°I remember when you were in high school, you worked at a fast food joint after school. When I found
out about it on my father¡¯s phone. I made a special trip to see you¡± Heather lightly brushed her
shoulder with her finger. Her lone was casual, like she was telling someone else¡¯s story and not her
own. ¡°Do you know how happy I felt when I saw that you were skinny and malnourished?¡±
Dorothy clenched her fists and met Heather¡¯s gaze. ¡°Only you and your mother could be so brazen
about being the other woman¡± ¡°What do you mean by Hie other woman¡®? Have you ever received a
father¡¯s love? Did he ever care if you were alive or dead?¡± Heather scoffed mockingly. It¡¯s only in this
era that a father can¡¯t unterally divorce his wife! He¡¯s brought up divorce so many times. He even
took it to court, but your mother wouldn¡¯t agree! You know, I kind of pity her. It must be a shame to have
to cling to that marriage license for a lifetime?
¡°I pity your mother too. It must be a shame to have to bear the title of the other woman for a lifetime¡±
Dorothy retorted
That hit Heather where it hurt.
She raised her hand to hit Dorothy but this time, Donathy was prepared.
She grabbed Heather¡¯s wrist and, with a hard push, sent her sprawling on the Boor
Heathers unhealed surgical wound added to the pain, and sho
Suddenly the door to Heather¡¯s office was flung open.
Everett strode in with a dark expression on his handsome face.
whimper.
¡°Dorothy, what are you doing here?
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Saw Eventi.
Before Dorothy could react, Heather immediately reached out to him and screamed in pain as soon as
she sa
¡°Everett, save me! L..I¡¯m bleeding¡±
Everett¡¯s gaze shifted to her, and, indeed, Heather was covered in blood. She looked homifying
Everett immediately dialed 911. He then scooped Heather up and quickly left the office, without saying
a word to Dorothy. He did not even spare her a nce.
After they left. Heather¡¯s assistant humed in. She saw the blood on the ground and then looked at
Dorothy in terror
Was this a crime scene or something?
Dorothy didn¡¯t expect this to happen. She was just defending herself, and it turned into such a mess
Heather who started it
More and more people gathered from the Legal Department. It wasn¡¯t until Everett¡¯s assistant arrived
that themation died down,
¡°Get back to work, everyone. Mr. Lopez said there will be no discussing this! No photos or spreading
rumors! Get back to work!¡±
After everyone left, he came to Dorothy and whispered, ¡°Mr Lopez just called me. He wants you to wait
for him at Bay Residence after
work.¡±
¡°Okay¡± She nodded, but she didn¡¯t leave immediately. Instead, she took a tissue from the desk to wipe
up Heathers remaining blood from the carpet, then packed it up.
Even though Heather had admitted their rtionship, if she wanted to use it as evidence, she still
needed it in ck and white
She hadn¡¯t forgotten why she hade here.
In the hospital, Heather was rushed into the emergency room again.
Due to her surgical wound reopening, she lost a lot of blood and fainted in the ambnce.
Jeffrey ran straight from the hotel. He obviously just had a shower and was about to do something with
his new girlfriend. His hair was still wet, and his shirt buttons were done wrong.
¡°What the hell happened? How did she suddenly lose so much blood?¡±
¡°Im not entirely sure. She and Dorothy might¡¯ve had an argument¡± Everett replied.
As soon as Everett got to work, he started a meeting. When he found out Dorothy wasing to work
that day, he immediately contacted Kevins office.
But no one answered, so he guessed that Dorothy might have gone to see Heather
He walked in just in time to see what happened.
¡°What? Dorothy again?! Is she trying to kill Heather? Jeffrey was fuming Everett, don¡¯t you think you¡¯re
going too far? It¡¯s yourpany, and Heather is your chiefwyer. She is under investigation, and now
she¡¯s in the hospital again! You can¡¯t keep brushing it
¡°Dorothy didn¡¯t do it on purpose.¡±
N?velDrama.Org holds this content.
¡°What was it then?¡±
Everett frowned. ¡°Im not sure what happened yet. I just brought Ms. Heather to the hospital first.¡±
Jeffrey stared at him as age welled up in his chest. Fine. If you don¡¯t know, then we should let the
police find out if you say Dorothy didn¡¯t do it on purpose, then call the police. Let them investigate!¡±
As he was about to take out his phone, Everett snatched i
¡°Jeffrey, this is apany matter. You have no right to interfere¡±
This was the first time Everett had spoken to Jeffrey in this tone. Despite being in a position of power
he had never used such amanding tone.
For Dorothy, he really had broken too many records
Jeffrey was taken aback by Everetta lcy warning and calmed down a bit, no longer making a scene.
After a while, he let out a sigh. ¡®Everett, you really need to stop this game. Have you thought about the
consequences?¡±
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1 wasn¡¯t fooling around.¡±
¡°But you shouldn¡¯t take Dorothy so seriously. Amanda has always had her heart set on Heather us her
daughter¨Cinw. Aren¡¯t you afraid of upsetting her again? Even if Heather doesn¡¯t mean anything to
you, what about Amanda? She¡¯s your own mother.¡±
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.
Everett didn¡¯t answer. He just pursed his lips without saying a word.
His tall figure was half submerged in the darkness.
The light at the entrance of the emergency room suddenly went out, and the doctor walked out,
removing his mask.
¡°Who is Heather¡¯s family?¡±
Jeffrey immediately stepped forward. ¡°I am! How is she?¡±
patient has been bleeding heavily due to pi tear in her surgical wound it has been re¨Csutured, and she
should be out soon!
¡°So there¡¯s no life¨Cthreatening danger, right?¡±
¡°Uh¨Chuh, but you need to be careful. She had abdominal surgery, so if an infection urs, it could get
dicey The doctor left after speaking.
Jeffrey finally breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing she was okay.
After turning around, he saw Everett about to leave.
He quickly caught up and grabbed his arm. ¡°Are you seriously leaving now? That¡¯s pretty heartless.
Heather is about toe out. At the very least, help me push her into the ward. She doesn¡¯t have
many friends here. It¡¯s just you and me.¡±
¡°I have to go. Dorothy got scared when she saw the blood.¡±
Even though he left in a hurry, he caught a glimpse of Darathy looking lost
¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid that Heather will get upset and report Dorothy for intentional harrn?¡±
If he wasn¡¯t worried about that, why would he have canied Heather to the hospital himself?
He was worried that if Heather didn¡¯t get medical attention in time and something happened, Darathy,
as the person involved, wouldn¡¯t be able to escape responsibility.
Heather naturally felt happy when she saw Everett. She couldn¡¯t take her eyes off him.
¡°I¡¯m okay, don¡¯t worry¡± She said weakly. ¡°Don¡¯t me Dorothy She didn¡¯t mean to push me¡±
Everett didn¡¯t say a word, but Jeffrey frowned.
¡°You¡¯re lying here like this, and yet you¡¯re still thinking about all that?! Besides, you shouldn¡¯t have seen
Dorothy at a time like this. She¡¯s been iming that you framed her.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t talk about her like that¡ Everett¡¯s here. Anyway, she¡¯s Everett¡¯s girlfriend.¡± Heather was
unwilling to admit that the two of them were already married.
¡°But Jeffrey was about to say something, but a look from Heather stopped him.
Everett¡¯s handsome face was showing impatience.
¡°Everett, there¡¯s still a lot to do at thepany right? You go ahead, Jeffrey is here with me.¡±
Heather was reluctant, but she needed to maintain her image.
¡°Mmm¡± Everett didn¡¯t bother with civilities. He just nodded slightly and walked away.
Upon seeing this, Jeffrey snorted. ¡°Why are you ying the magnanimous card? I had a hard time
keeping him here.¡±
¡°What can fe do here? His heart is already with Dorolly Heather said with a bitter smile. ¡°You see, even
though Dorothy sent me to the hospital, Event doesn¡¯t intend to me her. As for the truth about the
SinoSess Enterprises project, does it matter? Everett only believes her, maybe in the end, I will be
the scapegoat for Dorothy.¡±
¡°No way! Who would believe that you would frame Dorothy? It¡¯s ridiculous to even say it¡±
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But if the person she really cared about didn¡¯t believe her, what was the point if others did?
¡°Sometimes I really admire Dorothy.¡± She admitted. ¡°She¡¯s got Everett on a tight leash, and I¡¯ve got
nothing. All I do is help him in business.¡±
¡°Hell see your worth sooner orter. Plus, you¡¯ve got Amanda from the Lopez family on your side, so
what¡¯s there to fear? With Dorothy¡¯s status, she can¡¯t even step foot into the Lopez¡¯s territory, let alone
be acknowledged by his mom¡±
Heather didn¡¯t respond, but she knew better than Jeffrey If she wanted to limit Everett¡¯s actions now,
she had to win over his mother. Surely, Everett wouldn¡¯t disregard his mother just to be with Dorothy
After leaving Heather¡¯s office, Dorothy headed straight to the paternity test center Karen had
rmended with samples in hand.
Normally, this kind of rule¨Cbreaking wouldn¡¯t be allowed, but luckily she had Karen to vouch for her
After sorting everything out, Dorothy received a call from Everett on her way back to the office.
She had assumed he would be by Heather¡¯s side in the hospital.
¡°Where are you?¡±
¡°I¡¯m at the office.¡±
¨C ¡°Dorothy, I¡¯m in your affice¡±
Dorothy coughed lightly. ¡°Ah, I was just a bit hungry, so I stepped out to grab something to eat. Ill be
back soon.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content.
He hung up seemingly upset.
I made sense
He must have been warned after seeing her confront Heather in her office. After all, Heather was his
true love.
Expecting a lecture Dorothy returned to her office to find Everett waiting for her on the couch,
He was lounging there with a stem expression or his handsome face as his gaze fixed on Dorothy
¡°Why did you go to Heather without permission?¡±
¡°I had some things to ask her.¡± Durathy replied, not feeling guilty
The worst she had done was identally knock Heather down. But if Heather hadn¡¯t made the first
move, she wouldn¡¯t have pushed het. Everett frowned. ¡°You should think twice before you act in
situations like this.¡±
If Heather had called the police, Dorothy would definitely have been taken in for questioning.
With no surveince in Heather¡¯s office, all the blood would be left to Heather¡¯s interpretation. If she
was charged with assault, Dorothy would have to spend some time in jail.
*I forgot she just had surgery, and besides, she started it.¡±
¡°You shouldn¡¯t have gone in the first ce.¡±
¡°Mr. Lopez, if you keep saying I shouldn¡¯t do this or that how am I supposed to prove my innocence to
anyone?¡± Dorothy didn¡¯t want to discuss this with Everett alone.
She wanted to avoid any gossip about her bribing or seducing the boss. But if Everett kept defending
Heather she had to speak up for herself.
Everett looked of her. He suddenly stood up and walked his tall frame towards her.
After a while, he finally spoke, ¡°Dorothy, you and I are married. My rtionship with Heather is strictly
professional. We are just boss and employee
Perhaps it was his imposing presence or the shocking revtion, but Dorothy was left speechless. Her
mind entered a nk te.
¡°I promised you that I¡¯d handle this fairly. Can you give me some time?¡±
Before she could process their conversation, Everett¡¯s lips were already on hers.
His kiss was passionate, as if he was deliberately punishing Dorothy.
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Everett only let go of Dorothy¡¯s lips when she was just about to pass out
He had smudged a good deal of her lipstick, making her lips almost as flushed as her hot cheeks.
¡°Dorothy, I thought you were pretty sharp back in junior high. But now¡¡±
Everett raised his hand, mussing up her hair. ¡°I have a meeting. We¡¯ll talk more when I get home.¡±
With that, he made to leave.
Dorothy quickly asked, ¡°Hey! How¡¯s Heather doing now?¡±
After all, she had been the one to push her and the blood was real. Dorothy was
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
as still was
worried about it.
¡°She¡¯s fine. Don¡¯t worry.¡±
¡°Oh¡±
After watching his silhouette disappear into the office. Dorothy couldn¡¯t help but ponder the meaning of
Everett¡¯s words
He said he was married to her and that he and Heather were just boss and employee. It seemed like
he was trying to rify his attitude towards Heather
But the 0825 tattoo was still there, and he was still using 0825 for his door code.
Could it really be that Everett had had a sudden epiphany and decided to stop liking Heather?
So, was Everell¡¯s next move to get the tattoo removed?
For some reason, this possibility made her heart flutter in a strange way.
And she couldn¡¯t quite put her finger on why
After work, as soon as Dorothy stepped out of thepany, she saw Everett¡¯s assistant waiting for her.
She looked around to make sure no one was paying attention before quickly getting in the car
¡°I can get to Bay Residence on my own.¡±
¡°Mr. Lopez instructed me to pick you up.¡± This assistant was the only one in the department who knew
about their rtionship
But being Everett¡¯s man, he was obviously tight¨Clipped.
¡°Tell him that I won¡¯t need a ride tomonow
Dorothy didn¡¯t want people to see her having any private interactions with Everett
The rumors were already flying, and if Everett was thrown into the mix, it would be one hell of a show,
When they arrived at Bay Residence, the assistant watched her go in before driving away.
Returning to this ce gave Dorothy a strange feeling. Thest time she left, she thought it was over
between her and Everett.
Due to Everett¡¯s recent business trips andck of cleaning staff, there was ayer of dust on the floor
Dorothy hung up her clothes and decided to clean up the ce.
She was already sweating buckets after scrubbing everything inside and out.
Suddenly, the sound of the front door opening startled her,
She thought it was Everett, so she just grabbed the bucket of cleaning water and headed over
To her surprise, the visitor was a very elegantly dressed woman,
¡°You are¡¡°Amanda was just as surprised to see Dorothy.
After all, it wasmon knowledge among the Lopez family that no outsiders were allowed in her
son¡¯s house.
Dorothy stood frozen, unsure of what to say.
Luckily, Amanda spoke first. ¡°You are the maid my son hired, right?¡±
The bucket and cloth in her hand made it easy to assume that she was a cleaner
Dorothy quickly nodded. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m here to clean for Mr. Lopez¡±
She also figured out thisdy¡¯s identity from what she had just said.
Everett actually looked a lot like his mother. Both were good¨Clooking, with deep-set eyes and thick
brows
Even though his mother was over fifty, she still had a charm about her.
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¡°My son has always been a neat freak. He never liked people entering his house before. Seems like
he¡¯s changed quite a bit these past few years.¡±
After changing her shoes, Amanda walked in, taking a good look around.
This nearly scared the living daylights out of Dorothy.
Because her clothes were in Everett¡¯s bedroom.
Luckily, Amanda was well aware of her son¡¯s need for privacy and personal space. She just further.
Dorothy quickly poured her a ss of water and handed it over. She actually looked like a m
on the living mom couch and went no
a maid now.
After all, she used to be an assistant at apany, so serving coffee and water was second nature to
her. ¡°Thanks.¡± Amanda smiled. ¡°You go about your business; don¡¯t mind me. I¡¯ll just wait for my son
here.¡±
¡°Okay¡±
Just as Dorothy was about to leave, Amanda stopped her. ¡°Hey, how long have you been here?¡±
¡°Not long. About two months.¡±
¡°Have you seen my son bring any girls here?¡± Amanda¡¯s smile deepened after she said this Tve been
living abroad for years and just want to catch up on my son¡¯s life. Don¡¯t worry, whatever you tell meMaterial ? of N?velDrama.Org.
stays with me.¡±
Dorothy thought for a moment and decided not to fb. ¡°I don¡¯t think Mr. Lopez has brought any girls here,
except me.¡±
¡°You don¡¯t court! I mean this girl, Has my son brought her here?¡± After speaking, Amanda showed
Dorothy a picture of Heather,
Dorothy was taken aback
Upon seeing Dorothy¡¯s bewildered expression, Armanca couldn¡¯t help but feel pleased. ¡®Has she been
here?¡±
¡°Uh.. maybe I missed it¡±
¡°This is his fianc¨¦e I came back this time thinking I would leave after their wedding.¡±
Dorothy had a vague idea about Everett and Heather¡¯s rtionship. Now, Amanda had confirmed it.
She felt likeughing at herself.
When Everett told her that he and Heather were just boss and employee, she actually felt a thril
Turned out that everything he said was a lie
¡°Don¡¯t they look great together?¡± Amanda was so focused on setting them up that she didn¡¯t notice
Dorothy¡¯s expression.
¡°Yes, they are verypatible.¡±
Dorothy nodded stiffly and took a look at the time. ¡°Amanda, I¡¯ve finished my work, so Ill leave now.
When Mr. Lopezes back, could you tell him for me?¡±
¡°Sure.¡± Now that the house was all tidy, Amanda naturally let her leave.
After all, when she pushed her son to get marriedter, it wouldn¡¯t be nice to have outsiders present.
After leaving Bay Residence, Dorothy had to find a nearby hotel to stay at since she didn¡¯t bring any
belongings with her.
After taking a bath, she fay on the bed.
She tossed and jumed several times, then finally called Karen and asked, ¡°Why would a man, who
obviously has a girl he is fond of, lie to you about their rtionship?¡±
¡°You¡¯re still too naive! You don¡¯t understand this? He¡¯s just trying to sleep with you a few more times
before revealing the truth¡± Karen -seemed to be eating something. Dorothy could hear her chewing.
¡°Tell me, Dorothy, you seem to have fallen for him. Who is this guy? Im so curious!¡±
¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. Consider him a contract lover, we both get what we need ¡±
Karen smacked her lips. ¡°You¡¯re either too conservative of too open¨Cminded. Even i cant koop up. But
based on your description, this guy is a totul jerk. Just have some fun and don¡¯t take it to heart¡±
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Chapter 138
Dorothy instinctively put her hand over her heart.
She asked herself.
Did she manage to keep it in her heart?
¡°Hey, hey, Dorothy Karen called her a few times from the other end of the call
Dorothy snapped back to reality. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m here.¡±
¡°Promise me that we won¡¯t go for guys who clearly have someone else in their heart, okay?¡±
She smiled faintly as her eyshes began to droop. ¡°Mmm. Okay.¡±
Since all the work in Lumina Bay had been handed over to Kevin because Everett couldn¡¯t go there, he
chose to work at thepany until nine aclnck in the evening.
Once in the car, his slender fingers unbuttoned the top of his shirt and loosened his e
¡°Mr. Lopez, are we going back to Bay Residence? His assistant asked as he turned his face to meet his
bass,
¡°Mm¨Chmm.¡± He replied as he thought of something ¡°Did you take her home?¡±
Yes, Ms. Sanchez is at Bay Residence.¡±
Every time Everett thought of Dorothy, the corners of his thin lips unconsciously lifted attic.
She continuously cared about his rtionship with Heather, which in a way, should mean that she
cared about him to some extent. right?
Otherwise, with her personality, if she didn¡¯t care, she would definitely not mention again and again.
This could be considered as a small step forward their rtionship.
The car arrived at Bay Residence, and Everett got out of the car with his briefcase in hand.
As soon as he unlocked the door, the sight of high heels at the entrance made him frown, and his heart
sank.
Did his mothere?
¡°Everett, you¡¯re finally back. I was about to leave if you look any longer¡± Amanda stood up and walked
to the door as she saw him.
Everett ir stinclively looked behind her.
There was no sign of Dorothy
She didn¡¯t meet his mother?
¡°Mom, why are you here?¡±
¡°I just wanted to see where you live every day. I was quite surprised to see that you¡¯ve changed and
hired a cleaningdy. I haven¡¯t been around you for a long time; I didn¡¯t even realize that my son had
changed¡±
Cleaningdy?
Everett¡¯s eyes deepened. ¡°When you came, was there a girl here?¡±
¡°Yes. She was pretty young too. Wasn¡¯t she here to clean your house?¡± Amanda also quickly noticed
the change in her son¡¯s expression. ¡°Did she tell you that?¡±
¡°Mm¨Chmm¡± Amarida nodded. ¡°Isn¡¯t she your cleaningdy?¡±
Everett immediately knew that this was something Dorothy would do. It was his fault for not knowing his
mother woulde.
Dorothy native panicked when she saw her
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¡°Mom, tell me before youe next time.
¡°I didn¡¯t want to disturb you at work. Since middle school, you¡¯ve always used that 01825 password. I
tried it, but I didn¡¯t expect you to still use it it worked, so I came in Amanda chuckled as she took the
briefcase from her son. ¡°Speaking of which, 0825 represents Heather¡¯s birthday, right?¡±
Everett pursed his lips and took a deep breath.
¡°Mom, theres nothing between me and Hoother¡¡±
*Nothing?¡± Amandas face instantly darkened. She was always quick to change her mood.
Everett held back the rest of his statement and simply walked in without saying more.
Amanda fallowed him. Her tone had switched from that of a gentle mother to that of a sharp and
questioning elder. ¡°Are you nning to go against me and your dad, Everett? Don¡¯t forget what you told
me!¡±
Everett fell silent.
¡°You said it yourself. As long as I stop thinking about suicide, you¡¯ll consider marrying Heather!¡±
Everett¡¯s tall figure paused, and, after a while, he slightly turned his handsome face ¡°Mom, I¡¯ve got a lot
going on recently I have my assistant take you home.¡±
¡°It¡¯s fine if you¡¯re busy, but you must marry Heather! No one else is fit to be my daughter¨Cinw!¡±
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Chapter 139
Amanda had always been a hard nut to crack. If it weren¡¯t for Heather constantly asking for more time
for Everett, Amanda would have announced the engagement already.
Since her son chose to remain silent on the matter, she decided toy down thew
¡°You two must get engaged before the end of this year. If you¡¯re busy with work, I take care of
everything.¡±
At the hotel, Dorothy had a short chat with Karen before hanging up.
After all her years of running around, it felt like she had very little time to just chill.
While lying there looking at the ceiling, she reyed Heather¡¯s vicious statements in her head and
remembered her angry face. It was as
if Heather, nat her, was the one who had been rabbed of her father since childhood.
It was like this mother¨Cdaughter duo had never heard of the statement the pot calling the kettle ck.
As she chuckled to herself, Dorothy was just about to pick up her phone when she noticed a voice
message from Keh
After a moment¡¯s hesitation, she decided to listen to t
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¡°Dorothy, good news! My fnend has been tracing the number that called you that day, and he found out
that the call was made from the Lopez Building.¡±
She quickly called him
¡°Is this really true? That¡¯s great!¡± Dorothy sat up immediately. ¡°Now I just need to find evidence of
Heather¡¯s contact with Regal Dominion Ventures, and I can prove I was framed.¡±
¡°Yep, I¡¯ve been keeping an eye on them too. As soon as I get any news, III let you know.¡±
¡°Thank you so much!¡± She wouldn¡¯t have been able to do any of this on her own.
Kehughed. ¡°Were friends I couldn¡¯t just stand by and watch you be framed. Plus, it actually
wasn¡¯t that hard
Dorothy knew tracking data and IP addresses wasn¡¯t as easy as he made it sound. The time and effort
also cost him money
She owed Keh even more now.
After discussing his ns with Dorothy, he assured her that even if Heather wouldnt car less as long as
the evidence kept piling up and pointing at her, Heather¡¯s denial would be useless.
They talked unt Dorothy¡¯s phone¡¯s battery was almost dead.
After she hung up and returned to the home screen, she was shocked to see several voice messages
and texts from Everett.
¡°Where are you?¡±
¡°I¡¯ming to find you¡±
¡°Dorothy, who were you talking to?¡±
After looking at his texts and remembering Karen¡¯s advice, she decided to pretend that her phone had
died, and thus she didn¡¯t see his
messages
After all, her phone was really about to die.
She nned to go do the paternity test on Heather¡¯s sample the next day, so she decided to turn in a
little early.
Just as Dorothy was about to rx and get some sleep, there was a sudden knock on the hotel room
door.
Suddenly, she thought of Everett
But it couldn¡¯t be, right?
With so many hotels in Eldoria City, how could he find her so quickly?
¡°Who is it?¡±
Dorothy walked over and asked, but the person at the door only knocked and didn¡¯t respond
She looked through the peephole.
If it wasn¡¯t Everett, who else could it be?
¡°How did you find me?¡±
Upon opening the door Everett¡¯s tall figure almost filled the doorway. His eyes were fixed on her face,
and his brows were furrowed a usuai:
16:12
He asked, ¡°Did my mom tell you something?
¡°Amanda didn¡¯t say anything.¡± Dorothy forced a smile, trying to act casual ¡°She doesn¡¯t even know me,
so what could she possibly say?¡± ¡°Did she say that Heather is my fianc¨¦e?¡±
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Dorothy blinked a few times before finally nodding. ¡°Alright, she said so.¡±
Everett, taking long strides, went straight into the hotel room and shut the door.
Although they had done more intimate things many times before, being suddenly cornered by him like
this and surrounded by his scent still made Dorothy a bit flustered.
¡°What are you doing?¡±
¡°Don¡¯t listen to my mom¡¯s crap
Dorothy looked into his eyes and was shocked to see anxiety there.
¡°It¡¯s none of my business.¡± She tried to put some distance between her and Everett. Being this close
made her breath uneven.
But Everett, seemingly on purpose, followed her every move.
Finally, he sighed softly.
¡°My mom was kidnapped once and became withdrawn for a while after being rescued. She developed
severe depression and often had suicidal tendencies.¡±
Dorothy had no idea that Everett¡¯s mother had gone through all this. She had just met her and thought
she was bubbly and talkative. Her voice was gentle and pleasing to the ear, she seemed like the
perfect, caring mother. Dorothy had a hard time associating her with depression.
But why was he telling her all this?
¡°I can¡¯t just let her ept our marriage. I¡¯m sorry¡± Everett said bitterly.
It took Dorothy almost a minute to digest this apology from Everett before she spoke, ¡°Why are you
apologizing to me?¡± She pursed her lips. It took her a while to say, ¡°Since Amanda only wants you to
marry Heather, maybe we should just end our agreement early¡±
¡°Dorothy, don¡¯t even think about breaking the contract!¡±
Everett¡¯s voice suddenly rose several notches, startling Dorothy.
After seeing his furrowed and gloomy brow she wanted to bluntly ask if she was that good in bed. He
still wouldn¡¯t break the contract, even with things looking like this? He, the CEO of the Lopez
Corporation, could have any woman he wanted. Why bother with this?
Was it because he felt guilty for taking her virginity that night and was afraid of beingbeled as a
heartless and unrighteous man?
Or maybe Everett had a cleanliness fetish
The more Dorothy thought about it, the more she convinced herself.
Karen had once told her that powerful men care more about a woman¡¯s virginity. They see such women
as pure, both physically and emotionally, and it greatly satisfied their male ego.
So after nearly ten minutes of silence, Dorothy plucked up her courage and just came out with it.
¡°Mr. Lopez, my virginity¡ it doesn¡¯t really mean anything, and even if we break the contract, I won¡¯t tell
anyone about this.¡±
Everett was stunned. ¡°What?¡±
¡°Cough cough¡± Dorothy turned her face away, feeling a bit embarrassed. ¡°I mean, if you feel that¡ if
you feel obligated to me because that night was my first time, you really don¡¯t have to. I know you were
drunk that night. It was unintentional, and I won¡¯t pester you because of it
She finished speaking and didn¡¯t dare look at Everett¡¯s expression, so she just stiffly turned her gaze
elsewhere.
After a while, she heard Everett¡¯s low, grainy voice. ¡°Do you know that the idea of a man losing control
when he is drunk is bullshit?¡±
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
Dorothy was dumbfounded.
¡°If I was toally drunk, I wouldn¡¯t have been able to do anything¡±
Chapter 141
Chapter 141
Chapter 141
N?velDrama.Org holds this content.
Dorothy chewed on that sentence over and over again before finally getting the gist of it.
¡°So, you weren¡¯t drunk?¡±
The absurdity of it all made Everettugh at himself Wasnt he clear enough? Could she really not see
what was going on in his heart?
¡°Yes. I waspletely sober when I knocked on your door that night.¡±
¡°But don¡¯t you have someone you like? Dorothy stammered.
She had seen the interview video Karen had sent her with her own eyes. In the video, Everett admitted
that he had feelings for a woman.
¡°Can¡¯t that woman be you?¡±
Dorothy froze on the spot.
Was Everett confessing his feelings for her?
¡°From the very beginning, when I received your text message, knocked on your door, and proposed a
marriage agreemert, I had nned it all.¡±
When he saw Dorothy among a crowd o
on a business trip, he had already started scheming about how to get close to her.
Then he received her text message and figured she was probably drunk. Despite his hesitation, he
decided to seize the opportunity.
Missing his opportunity to be braver when he was young was something he didn¡¯t ke to mention.
But, on that day, everything aligned, it was as if the universe were giving him a gift. So, when the
chance wasid out right in front of him, he had no reason to hesitate anymore.
He decided to start by sweeping her off her feet, then make her his. He thought this was the best way
to win her over.
Noticing that Dorothy was in a daze. Everett suddenly grabbed her hand
¡°Come with me¡±
He led Dorothy to his car and drove her back to Bay Residence. He went to the study and pulled out a
letter from a neatly arranged stack of middle school textbooks.
Dorothy recognized it.
Wasn¡¯t this the letter she had identally found before? It even had 0825 written on it
¡°What is this?¡±
¡°Open it and see.¡±
With a puzzled nce at him, Dorothy tore open the envelope.
The first sentence of the letter read, ¡°Dorothy, my deskmate.¡±
The letter was so old that the edges of the letters were a bit blurry, but the strong, conf dent strokes
were clearly Everett¡¯s
¡°Is this letter for me?¡±
¡°Yes, I gave it to you?
¡°But I don¡¯t remember¡± No matter how hard Dorothy tried, she couldn¡¯t recall any instances of
interacting with Everett alone.
She even remembered that they rarely spoke to each other,
Despite being desknates, she always kept her distance from him. She actually wanted the teacher to
reshuffle the seating arrangement and put her at the very back of the ss. She didn¡¯t want to be near
him and his crowd of admirers, who were constantly chattering and delivening love letters, asking her
to pass these messages to hem. She didn¡¯t want to feel like a country bumpkin sitting next to the
school¡¯s heartthrob, making him look even more handsome and esteemed and making her feel even
more pathetic and poor.
¡°You just forgot This envelope was actually returned to me by you¡±
When Everett left the letter on her desk back then, he spent the whole ss nervously waiting. When
he was called out to y basketball after ss, he returned to find her holding the letter. Her eyebrows
were knitted together as she tossed it back onto his desk impatiently.
From then on, they never spoke again. Everett would always leave the ssroom for the yground as
soon as
ss ended.
¡°I probably didn¡¯t know it was from you¡± Dorolly realized that was the only possible exnation. ¡°There
were so many love letters for you at that time. They were all over my desk, so L¡®
¡°So you thought this was another love letter for me from someone else?¡±
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Chapter 142
Dorothy pecked her head like a chick, murmuring a soft ¡°uh huh.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t be mad¡± She noticed that Everett¡¯s handsome face seemed a bit stiff. She thought he was angry,
so she quickly wanted to read the rest of the letter.
Suddenly, Everett¡¯s long fingers swept away the letter.
¡°I think it¡¯s better you don¡¯t read it¡±
¡°Why not?¡±
¡°No reason¡± He really couldn¡¯t bear to look at the stuff he wrote when he was young and inexperienced,
let alone Int Dorothy read it right under his nose.
Dorothy was left puzzled. One moment he was showing her the letter, and the next he was taking it
away
Suddenly, something urred to het
¡°You said the letter was for me, then why did you write 0825 on it? What does 0825 sign ly?
What did this string of numbers have to do with her?
She always thought it represented Heather and that the letter was written to her.
¡°On the 25th of August next year, I¡¯ll tell you.
He wanted to tell her this year, but he missed the chance
Dorothy felt like that was a bit too far away.
¡°I¡¯m tired. Let¡¯s rest. Everett left the study at a brisk pace.
With her sharp eyes, Dorothy noticed that his ears had turned red.
Wait, that was not the main point. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t leave me hanging!¡±
Everett didn¡¯t exin the meaning of C825 to her but that night, he was the most demanding he had
ever been. He was sometimes ruthless and sometimes gentle.
She could barely hear his faint sighs behind her,
In a daze, Dorothy could still see the tattoo on his chest. She asked in a voice broker by passion,
Heather¡. when is her birthday?¡±
¡°How should I know?¡±
¡°Not August 25th?¡±
His handsome face came down, and he punishingly bit her lip. If you had doubts, you should¡¯ve asked
me sooner,¡±
The fact that she could ask this question now proved that she cared about his rtionship with
Heather.
Everett was both happy and helpless
In Dorothy¡¯s eyes, there was still clear doubt. Even though he thought he had shattered many of her
doubts today.
Afraid of getting angry again, he simply lowered his head to seal her lips as his hands gripped her
harder, almost wishing he could melt her into his body.
Dorothy could feel the consequences of their sleepless night all over her body.
She barely got out of bed.
She gingerly walked into the dining room
and poor. Her breakfast and his note were still on the table.
¡°My mom won¡¯te anymore. You can sleep incre.¡±
She sat down and locked at the breakfast Everelt had carefully prepared with her mind still in a dare.
Did he mean that back in junior high, he already liked her? And all this 0875 stuff had to do with her,
not Heather?
Every piece of this was making Dorothy feel likust night was some kind of hallucination.
She shook her head, trying to dispel all the things that were running through her mind.
Suddenly, the phone next to her tang.
She saw that it was a call from the hospital, and her heart unconsciously sank.
Is this. Ms. Sanchez? Something¡¯s wrong. Your mother is missing! She said she wanted to go for a
walk in the hospital garden, and then
15:12)
she said she wanted to use the bathroom. The caregiver waited outside for a while, but when she didn¡¯t
come out, they went in to check and found that she wasn¡¯t there!¡±
¡of the table.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.
Dorothy¡¯s brain buzzed in shock. She jumped up from her chair, knocking into the corner of
*111 be right there! You guys should call the police!¡±
¡°We¡¯ve already called the police. You better hurry¡±
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Chapter 143
Dorothy couldn¡¯t care less about breakfast. She made a beeline for the hospital
Be seemed to have had a n this time. Even her escape route was all figured out
¡°There¡¯s a back gate in our yard, and the gardener passes through it every afternoon to take care of the
nts and t trees. After doing the rounds, he leaves. That¡¯s when she sneaked out¡±
The hospital immediately took this matter seriously and pulled up the security footage.
The two bodyguards stationed at the door of room V1 were on pins and needles, fearing that Mr. Lopez
wouldy the me on them. ¡°This isn¡¯t on you guys. It¡¯s my mom who wanted to leave. Dorothy was
worried and anxious, but she wouldn¡¯t let others take the fall for
If Be wanted to make a run for it, no one could have stopped her
¡°So, what do we do now? Should we contact Mr. Lopez?¡±
¡°No, don¡¯t tell him. Darathy shook her head, not wanting to distract Everett with this.
She sat down and thought hard.
Why did her mam suddenly want to leave the hospital?
Although she could move around after the surgery, each step was still painful. If she insisted on leaving
despite this, there must have been something she needed to do.
What could it be?
Suddenly, Corothy thought of Heather.
If she returned to Eldaria City, maybe her mom returned 100
Who else could have passed the note to her mom and told her about her daughter selling her body for
medical expenses?
Dorothy quickly found Heather¡¯s phone number. But as she was about to call, she caught sight of her
mom returning to the room.
¡°Mom!¡± She called out and rushed towards her.
Be seemed shocked. She stared at her daughter for a while before speaking up. ¡°Did they¡ bully
you?¡±
¡°Who told you that? No! They just want to upset you and cause your heart disease to act up!¡±
But Be stubbornly looked at her and then pulled out a video.
Dorothy¡¯s heart sank when she saw it.
It was a video of people at thepany gossiping behind her back. Someone had deliberately filmed it
and sent it to her mom,
¡°Don¡¯t listen to them. Thepany will make its own judgments. I don¡¯t even care about it.¡±
¡°Is this the doing of that vixen and her daughter?¡±
¡°No, it¡¯s just friction between colleagues.¡±
¡°Dorothy, I¡¯ve seen that woman¡± Be suddenly spoke up. ¡°And her daughter¡±
Dorothy was taken aback.
¡°I knew something was off when you asked me about it that day, Don¡¯t hide things from me.¡± Be had
gone out to see who this Heather was and if she was the daughter of that woman from years ago.
At first nce, Be was already certain.
Dorothy felt a headacheing on as she helped her mom back to the bed.
¡°Mom, no matter what, you should focus on not letting these things affect your mond. Protend you
didn¡¯t see it I can handle IL¡±
¡°They bullied me back then, and now they¡¯re bullying my daughter. If I let this go, I don¡¯t deserve to be
your mother¡± Be thought for a moment, then looked at her daughter. ¡®Dovally can you find me a
powerful TV station? I¡¯ve made up my mind. I¡¯m going to tell the world about everything.¡±N?velDrama.Org holds this content.
Chapter 144
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Chapter 144
¡°Mom, rx. I went to do a patemity test on Heather¡¯s DNA. We need the results before we can expose
this. Otherwise, we¡¯re just shooting in the dark. Heather could easily turn it around on us and sue us
After all, she was awyer by trade, so they had to y by the book.
¡°Alright! Ill back you up when the timees¡± Be took her daughter¡¯s hand and patted it. I¡¯m sorry
you¡¯ve been dragged into this. This feud was supposed to have ended by now.¡±
¡°Mom, I can take anything as long as you¡¯re sale.¡±
Dorothy didn¡¯t want to make this public, but with Heather pushing her buttons, she had no choice but to
fight back.
The video, of course, was sent to Be at Heather¡¯s behest.
Everything was orchestrated to bait Be.
At this point, their words meant nothing. No one would believe them, especially if this blew up.
Dorothy¡¯s reputation would be tarnished, and even the news of her betraying thepany could reach
Amanda¡¯s ears. The Lopez family would never ept such a woman.
¡°Heather, I¡¯m here to see you¡± Outside the hospital room, Amanda walked in wearing a light purple
mandarin gown, making her look elegant and noble. She was carrying a pot of chicken soup that was
specially cooked for Heather.
Upon seeing Amanda, Heather struggled to get up.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.
Amanda quickly moved to stop her. ¡°You just got out of surgery; don¡¯t push yourself. You should¡¯ve told
me you were in the hospital. I had to pry it out of Everett.¡±
¡°I didn¡¯t want to worry you. Heather replied weakly as her pale face showed her frailty.
¡°You should¡¯ve told me anyway! What happened? I thought your surgery was sessful.¡±
Heather looked up, hesitated, and then carefully asked, ¡°What did Everett tell you?¡±
¡°He¡¯s been busy with work and didn¡¯t mention a thing. On my way here, I called him, and he said that
you identally reopened your surgery wound.¡±
identally?
Heather¡¯s lips moved, but she lowered her eyes. ¡°Oh, he said that?¡±
¡°Is that really what happened?¡± Amanda sensed Heather¡¯s evasion.
¡°Yes, he was telling the truth.¡±
With that, even Amanda knew her son was just brushing her off.
She sighed and gently touched Heather¡¯s hand.
¡°Sweetheart, I know Everett has made things difficult for you, but once you marry into our family, I
promise we won¡¯t mistreat you. Everett has been very busytely. When I went to his ce yesterday,
it was dark, and he still wasn¡¯t home.¡±
Amanda went to Everett¡¯s ce?
¡°You went into Bay Residence?¡±
¡°Yes.¡± Amanda recalled the maid. ¡°Everett even hired someone to clean for him. I was quite surprised.
He has changed a lot over the years. I believe he¡¯ll treat you better in the future. After all, your
contribution to the Lopez Corporation is undeniable.¡±
Heather chuckled. ¡°Everett told you that the girl was hired to clean?¡±
¡°The maid herself told me.¡± Amanda saw Heather Jaughing and frowned. ¡°Why do you seem like you¡¯re
doubting this?¡±
¡°Don¡¯t overthink.¡± Heather quickly responded. ¡°Your health isn¡¯t good, so you shouldn¡¯t get upset¡±
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?Chapter 145
But there was no use saying this now.
Amanda wasn''t a fool. She quickly picked up something fishy from Heather''s tone and bodynguage.
"Who''s that girl?" She demanded.
"She''s his cleaner, really!"
"Don''t try to pull the wool over my eyes, Heather. You should be on my side! How could you cover this up for Everett?" Amanda was pissed off.
The very idea that this woman had free ess to her son''s home meant she was no ordinary person.
She actually thought that it was a good thing that her son hired a cleaner. She knew her son was too busy with his work, so he might not have time to clean his room, and since he was a neat freak, a cleaner was just the thing he needed.
But after watching Heather stammer today, she was certain that she wasn''t a cleaner.
Heather hung her head, biting her lip in difort.
"You should ask Everett. If I tell you, he''ll be mad. Everett doesn''t like people gossiping about him. If I tell you this, he might not do anything to you, but he''ll definitely give me a hard time."
Amanda jumped to her feet. Her face showed her increasingly annoyed expression.
"Fine, I won''t ask you. I''ll ask him now!"
"Amanda..."
Heather reached out to stop her, but Amanda was already storming out of the room.
It was clear she was livid.
Once Amanda was out of sight, Heather''s troubled expression faded, and it was reced by a cold smirk.
Jeffrey was right. If she kept waiting around, she''d just watch Everett and Dorothy''s rtionship deepen. She had to use her trump card.
The Lumina Bay contract was at a crucial point. Everett was sitting inside the conference room, discussing the contract details with Kevin online.
Everett decided to catch a morning flight to Lumina Bay the next day and, if everything went well, return that night.
It was a hassle, but he couldn''t leave Dorothy now.
Firstly, her framing incident was still unresolved, so anything could happen. Secondly, there was Keh around Dorothy. He had to be cautious.
"Mr. Lopez, should we dy submitting the signed contract?" Kevin was hoping to get Dorothy''s name on this project too.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
This was a rare opportunity for a newbie in the investment banking industry.
If she missed it, even if she was proven innocentter, the opportunity wouldn''te again, and no one could change the names on the contract.
"There''s no need to wait." Everett paused for a moment as his lips slightly moved.
Kevin nodded. He was about to log off when Everett added, "Include Dorothy''s name."
Huh?
Kevin was stunned. "But..."
"I will sort out Dorothy''s issue before the names are announced."
After saying this, Everett logged off from thepany software.
Leaving Kevin, on the other side, baffled.
This was risky. Mr. Lopez never did things like this.
It would have been manageable if he wanted to postpone the contract submission since there was no risk involved. But to include Dorothy''s name now was troublesome.
If he couldn''t clear up the issue before the names were announced, the Lumina Bay side would definitely kick up a fuss.
If anything went wrong with the project, the Lopez Corporation would be in the firing line.
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Chapter 146
It seemed like Mr Inpet was using the interests of the Leper Corporation as a quarantee for Dory
Would anyone do this for a ssmate or a close fhend? How deep would that friendship have to be?
Everett left the conference room to find his assistant already wating outside the door
¡°Mr. Lopez your fight¡¯s booked. We haven¡¯t scheduled the return flight yet. Once you¡¯re done with your
business in Lumina Bay just shoot me a message and I¡¯ll book it for you¡±
Everett nodded and took a few long strides back to his office. Just as he pushed open the door, he was
surprised to see his mother sitting on the sofa looking all fred up.
He turned his handsome face and gave his assistant a look, who quickly closed the door and left the
offer.
¡°Mom, do you need something¡±
¡°Don¡¯t you think I deserve to know that you have another woman staying at your house Amanda went
straight to the point. ¡°The girl i met pesterday, she¡¯s not just some cleaner, she¡¯s the mistress you are
keeping at home isn¡¯t she
Everett didn¡¯t like the word mistress caused his eyebrows to furrow
¡°That¡¯s my business¡±
¡°So you admit it, huh?¡± Amanda stood up and walked over to him, scolding him loudly ¡°Are you trying to
kill me? Heather is your face! How could you do this to her? Only Heather could put up with that She
even covered it up for you¡±
Faced with his mothers wild usations. Everett showed little reaction other than a frown.
He knew this day woulde. He hadno face it, he just didn¡¯t expect it to be so soon
Aher pause. Everett walked behind his desk and sat down
¡°Mom, I dont have romantic feelings for Heather¡±
¡°You¡¯re going to be heartless, huh? Heather has made such a greatibution to the Lopez
Corporation. Even your dad said that marrying her would be greatly beneficial to your career. Plus, you
guys have known each other since you were kids Heather¡¯s mom and your dad are close trends, if
you¡¯re not marrying her, who are you going to marry? That cleaner Amanda got angret as she spoke
Suddenly she covered her chest.
Her face turned increasingly pale. It looked like she could¡¯t catch her breat
Seeing this, Everett immediately stood up to support her and then shouted, ¡°Call an ambnce
¡°I¡¯m going to the of anger. Even in this stane, Amanda didn¡¯t forget to be angry
But her son wouldn¡¯t budge. He just only pursed his lips all the way unte she was loaded onto the
ambnce
Fomunately her heart condition wasnt that seniaus, but her depression seemed to be ring up.
On the way to the hospital, I wrett noticed has mother was scratching her own palm with her nails so
hard that she was now bleeding
He tried to pull her hand away but Amanda seemed to be using all her strength to do this. He couldn¡¯t
use too much force, womed that he would hurt her fingers..
This was her state when her depression acted up. She would harm herself, stab herself with a knife,
headbutt the wall, and disy many mossell harming behaviors
Finally they arrived at the hospital
Everett waited outside
She was rushed into the emergency room while Everett v
N?velDrama.Org holds this content.
Suddenly, his phone beeped
He nced down and saw that it was a message from Dorothy
Why did it have to be at this time?
youing home tonight? Uh, I don¡¯t mean anything by it. I just wanted to say that if you¡¯re noting
home. I¡¯m going to Karen¡¯s ce
Everett sted at the words on the screen with a furrowed brow feeling a massive headacheing on.
This wasnt how he had pictured Dorothy meeting his mothat. Before he could even introduce them, his
mother was already vehemently against it. How was he supposed to tell her they were already
married?
Chapter 147
Chapter 147
Chapter 147
Hinderers paused for a moment before he replied
Aight, pick you up when I get back tomanne
Not long after he put down his phone the doctor came out of the emergency room Upon seeing Everett,
the doctor¡¯s expression lumed sened.
¡°Mr. Lopez your mother¡¯s condition is rather peculiar Once she falls into a deep like this, the loses
all will to live His likely due to some kind of shock. I checked her records, and she has severe
depression, which is a seridin malter¡±
¡°I understand¡± Everett replied. He was well aware of his mother¡¯s situation. ¡°How is the now?¡±
¡°She is out of immediate danger for now We¡¯ll have to see how her vitals are, and if she remains stable,
she¡¯ll be moved to a room!
Everetteived a sigh of relief upon hearing this
¡°Thank you
for all your hard work ¡°
¡°I¡¯m just doing my job, Mr. Loper. There¡¯s no need for thanks¡± The doctor spoke with a smile.
As he was about to leave, he turned back and said, ¡°Please avoid causing her any more stress. Try to
go along with her wishes as much as possible. Remember, she is
After a doctors werent miracle workers. There was no guarantee that they could save her again if
something like this happened again.
As Everett watched the doctor lent, he rubbed his temples.
His phone had several missed calls from Kevin
Clearly, there was something urgent
But how could he possibly leave the country inmatrow, given the curseni s?uction?
Finding a quiet spot, Everett called Kevin back
¡°Mr. Lopez is there a change in your schedule tomorrow?
let you know tonight¡±
¡°Wingh Kevin knew that d Mi Loper could make it, he wouldn¡¯t let work slide if he couldn¡¯t, must mean
something major fude up. There was no use in emphasizing the urgency of this mamer to Mr
Loper
After hanging up Amanda was finally wheeled out of the emergency room
mind was
Not long after she was moved to her mom, she opened her eyes. But she sall looked out of it. It was as
if her body was make, but her mind was
Everett sond by her bed, holding her hand. ¡°Mom, do you recognize me?
Upon hearing his voice, Amanda Burned her head and slowly nodded Tittany Heather
He was truly at a loss for words.
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.
As expected, the was the first thing she brought up
¡°Marry her¡± Amanda was insistent, even though she was sluring her words, she kept repeating this
Everett¡¯s lips moved instinctively wanting to refuse. But after remembering the doctor¡¯s advice, he could
only in and remansilent.
Perhaps sensing her son¡¯s resistance. Amanda seemed to have an epiphany
¡°You you¡¯re in love with that cleaningdy?¡±
¡°Mom, you¡¯ve juste out of the CR Rest now call Dad and let him know he shoulde back as
soon as possible to take care of you
¡°No¡±
¡°Then go back to Elysian Country to recuperate. My work here is really busy, I¡¯m afraid I wont be able
to take care of you¡±
Amanda moved her lips, clutching Everett¡¯s hand lightly. ¡°You want me to leave, so you can mally
someone else?¡±
¡°The doctor said you¡¯re not well and need to rx Let us deal with these thingster¡±
¡°Everything else is negotiable, but Heather has to join the Lopez family Amanda stared at her son
unblinkingly will not ept that cleaner
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?Chapter 148
To Amanda, Dorothy wasn¡¯t a person whose name she needed to know. Referring to her as ¡°the cleaner¡± was enough.
Amanda thought she could win her son''s approval, but this time, Everett just stared at her with his thin lips tightly pursed, unwilling to even mention marrying Heather in such a situation.
Neither mother nor son spoke. Their gazes met, each with their own thoughts.
The atmosphere seemed to freeze for a moment.
Thankfully, the doctor came over to call for a family member to sign some papers. It was then that Everett murmured that he''d go check it out and left the room.
Amanda''s situation was a bit special. She had the type of condition that could rpse anytime and anywhere. So, after the doctor had him sign, he repeatedly reminded him to go along with her wishes because the mortality rate for this self-destructive type of depression was very high.
When Everett returned to the room, he found an extra person there.
Heather.
Amanda must have called her over.
Hearing footsteps, Heather turned around and saw Everett standing at the doorway.
His handsome face looked tense, with no visible emotion. But after so many years of being together, she knew his mood wasn''t good at this moment.
"Why are you here?" Although he guessed the reason, he still asked indifferently when he spoke.
"I... I..."
"I called her." Amanda was clearly much better; apart from her still pale face, her voice was back to normal.
Heather stood there, looking somewhat at a loss as to whether to sit or stand.
"Is this what you wanted to see? Are you satisfied now?" Everett''s questions were directly aimed at Heather,pletely disregarding his mother. "Everett, what do you mean? How could I want to see Amanda like this?!" Heather widened her eyes, looking innocent.
Amanda wasn''t pleased to hear this and furrowed her brows. "What does this have to do with Heather?"
"Wasn''t it her who told you about Dorothy?" Everett knew without thinking that, besides Heather, no one else could have said anything.
Although Jeffrey always defended Heather, he didn''t dare risk telling Amanda about it.
So, the only person who knew about it was Heather herself.
Upon hearing this, Heather bowed her head, tacitly admitting it.
Seeing this, Amanda immediately gestured for Heather to help her up. "Don''t vent your anger on Heather. I forced her to tell me. She really wanted to keep it a secret for you, but I had to get the truth out."
"I''m sorry, Everett. I didn''t think the consequences would be so serious. If I knew Amanda would end up in the hospital, I wouldn''t have said anything. even if it killed me." After saying this, Heather''s eyes reddened. It seemed that her tears were ready to fall at any moment.
Amanda immediately pulled her to her side to protect her. "Why are you ming her? Just tell me, is what she said true or not? Everett, don''t forget, you and Heather are engaged!"
"Mom, I never agreed."Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
"But you clearly saidst time in the hospital that you would consider it as long as my condition improves! What''s the difference between that and agreeing?"
At that time, the situation was urgent, and Everett had no other choice but to say that.
Plus, at that time, he hadn''t reunited with Dorothy.
"Amanda, don''t push Everett like this. Marriage is a big thing; it''s right for him to think it over. Everett, you go do your thing: I''ll talk to Amanda." She gave Everett a look, indicating that he should leave first.
Every time something like this happened, she would jump out to help Everett.
Before, Everett even thought that Heather didn''t want to marry him either. He thought that was why she helped him. But now he didn''t think so.
"It''s fine. You go back to your room and rest. This is Lopez family''s business."
He made it very clear, meaning she, Heather, wasn''t yet qualified to meddle in the Lopez family''s affairs.
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"I''m sorry."
Heather hung her head low. She was about to turn and leave, but Amanda was quick to intervene.
¡°She¡¯s part of the Lopez family too. There¡¯s nothing she needs to shy away from.¡±
Seeing that mother and son were about to lock horns with neither willing to back down, Heather quickly stepped in. ¡°Amanda, I just remembered that I left some work undone. Now that I see you¡¯re awake, I¡¯m relieved. I¡¯ll go back to work ande visit you after I¡¯m done.¡±
She took a few steps back, then left the room, closing the door behind her.
In an instant, only Amanda and Everett were left in the room.
The medical equipment was still beeping away, and the smell of disinfectant lingered in the air, apanied by an undercurrent of tension.
Ever since Amanda was kidnapped and rescued, she had fallen into severe depression.
Everett was alwayspliant with her requests, except for one thing: marriage.
That was the only no-go.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.
"What''s wrong with Heather? What does that cleaner have that makes her good enough for you?"
"You should rest." Everett¡¯s voice was low and hoarse. He was unwilling to confront his mother.
Especially right after she just woke up.
"Everett, I''m begging you. Please marry Heather."
Amanda suddenly softened her stance, no longer trying to strong-arm him.
Everett frowned. He was also confused. "Why does it have to be her?"
He didn''t believe it was just because of Heather''s contribution to thepany.
Despite the legal department relying heavily on Heather, it only made up a small part of thepany. If he were to marry anyone who made significant contributions, wouldn''t he have to marry everyone in thepany?
"I have my reasons. Once you''re married, I''ll tell you."
"Then I''d rather not know."
Amanda fell silent.
Everett moved his lips slightly. "I have work to do at thepany. I''lle backter."
With that, he turned and left, his steps firm and decisive.
As a mother, Amanda knew her son''s stubbornness very well. Even though he was firm this time, he still had to marry Heather.
He must marry her! Otherwise, she didn''t even dare to think of the consequences.
Everett left the hospital, got in his car, and before he could even start the engine, Jeffrey drove up and cut him off.
He got out of his car and knocked on Everett''s window.
"How''s your mom?"
"She''s fine."
Jeffrey sighed. "Didn''t you say you were going to keep this a secret? Well, now that Amanda''s back home, it''s indeed hard to keep it hidden." "Yep." Although it was sudden, Everett had been prepared for her finding out ever since she returned home.
"But I really need to talk to you. Why are you being like this? If it really doesn''t work out, you can just pretend to listen to Amanda. I believe Heather would be more than happy to y along. At the very least, you can''t let your mom''s condition worsen. Besides, Dorothy won''t know."
As a good buddy, Jeffrey knew Heather''s feelings and truly cared for Everett.
But he couldn''t understand why Everett was so stubborn. He was so flexible in handling business affairs. It was clear that the situation today could have been avoided.
"So, if she won''t find out, I can do it?"
Jeffrey didn''t catch the meaning of this and nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! If you can''t let go of Dorothy and want to appease your mom at the same time, my n can make everyone happy. You might even lose interest in Dorothy. You''re just being defiant because everyone''s telling you to break up with her. Once she really falls for you, you might find her annoying. That''s how I am when I''m chasing someone. They seem great, but once I have them, they''re boring."
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?Chapter 150
"I''ve been into her for over a decade now."
Jeffrey was caught off guard by this sudden news. He truly had no idea how to respond.
Everett didn''t bother to exin further. He just drove away from the hospital.
Jeffrey, left behind, could only sigh with his mouth agape.
Love sure was a tough nut to crack.
...
Karen''s house.
Dorothy was being yammered by her, but she didn''t retain a word.
Her mind was a mess, leaving her feeling restless and agitated.
"Are you even listening to me?" Karen nudged her with an elbow.
Dorothy snapped back. "Huh? Yeah, I was..."
"Actually, this issue has already stirred quite a debate at the office. I think you shouldn''t miss this wave of attention. Otherwise, for us small fries, it won''t be easy to topple Heather, the big cheese. If it were me, I''d just throw all the evidence online. While it might not prove anything directly, it could at least sow some confusion."
"No way. Heather''s awyer; she''s an expert at exploiting loopholes to hit back at people."
In this regard, Dorothy had to admit that she was at a disadvantage.
Competing with awyer on this front was a losing battle.
"So, we just wait for thepany''s investigation to end?" Karen wasn''t mistrusting thepany, but she knew whoever made the decision would prioritize preserving Heather, the chiefwyer.
Who would care about Dorothy''s grievance, then?
"Let''s wait," she furrowed her brows, "someone said he would clear my name."
"Who?"
"I''m beat. I''m off to wash up and hit the sack."
Dorothy didn''t answer. She just got up and headed for the bathroom.
Dorothy used to firmly believe that Everett had a thing for Heather, which made her reluctant to let him handle the case. She was worried about the pressure thepany might put on him as CEO and also about his personal feelings.
But things were different now.
Dorothy wanted to trust him just this once.
There wasn''t any particr reason. If she had to give one, it was probably Everett''s look.
He looked so gentle and reliable.
It made her feel like she could learn to trust someone and not just charge ahead on her own, as she had been doing for all these years.
After washing up, Dorothyy down and checked her phone.
There were no messages from Everett.
He must be swamped.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
With the recent Lumina Bay affair unresolved and countless tasks from the Lopez Corporation on his te every day, his CEO role seemed far from
easy.
Since he had promised to investigate the matter, she had to give him some time.
After cing herself in his shoes, she realized that, as the CEO of the corporation, treating her and Heather equally was already a tall order. While she was engrossed in her phone, Karen suddenly knocked on her door.
The knocking startled her.
"Are you asleep yet?"
"Not yet." Dorothy got up, adjusted her sleepwear, and opened the door. "What''s up?"
"You gotta check out thepany website. The chairman of the Lopez Corporation is also paying attention to your issue with Heather, and he''s even made a response."
The chairman of the Lopez Corporation?
That was Everett''s father.
Dorothy quickly turned herputer on. As soon as she opened the official website, she saw a ring announcement.
"Recently, the Lopez Corporation was involved in the leakage of core technical blueprint of a cooperatingpany, which has severely tarnished ourpany''s image. The board of directors takes this matter very seriously. After investigation, we have confirmed that this misconduct was caused by our employee, Dorothy. We have decided to terminate her employment and reserve the right to prosecute."
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?Chapter 151
"What the heck is this all about? Didn''t the bigwigs say they''d investigate this thoroughly?"
Karen was so furious that her eyes nearly popped out. She looked like she could eat someone alive.
In contrast to her rage, Dorothy didn''t utter a word. She was simply staring hard at the screen.
He had promised to clear things up and vindicate her.
"Dorothy, don''t freak me out. Say something!" Karen thought Dorothy was livid. She grabbed Dorothy''s hand, only to find it trembling slightly.
She had never seen the usuallyposed Dorothy like this before.
"I''m okay." After a long pause, Dorothy forced a smile at Karen.
"Don¡¯t be stubborn! We''ll confront thepany tomorrow. I''ll go with you! Damn it, who do they think they are to decide the culprit was you?"
"Stay out of this." Dorothy said slowly, "You worked hard to get into the Lopez Corporation. Don''t get dragged down because of me."
"What are you talking about? You think I''m scared?"This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.
"Karen, I appreciate your concern. That''s all I need from you."
Dorothy realized that the situation was no longer a simple feud between her and Heather. She had stirred up the chairman of the Lopez Corporation.
Even Everett might not be able to fix this.
Getting a job at the Lopez Corporation was a big deal for Karen. Dorothy didn''t want Karen to get kicked out of the corporation because of her.
"Dorothy..."
"That''s settled, then. You should go to work as usual; don''t make a scene at the office, and don''t argue with Mr. Percy."
"And what about you? Are you just gonna let them frame you?"
"No." Dorothy smiled.
She could put up with the usual office injustices, but this time, Heather wanted to kick her out of the industry for good and take her livelihood away. If she just sat back and did nothing, wouldn''t she be a fool?
Lumina Bay, branch office conference room.
Due to the special nature of this project, everyone attending the meeting was a high-ranking official or key personnel.
Kevin was the only one at the secretary level. His presence was tolerated because he was there with Everett.
"The confidentiality of this development project is crucial. I hope everyone can abide by the contract terms and respect each other''s achievements."
Jacob, the recently returned CEO of the branch at Lumina Bay, emphasized this after signing the contract.
Kevin knew he was referring to the Lopez Corporation''s alleged leak of core information and was making a point.
He frowned and was about to retort when Everett caught his eye and signaled him to let it go.
After the meeting ended and everyone left, Everett grabbed his suit jacket from the back of his chair and headed straight to the airport.
Kevin followed closely. "Mr. Lopez, why didn''t you let me say something?"
"Arguing in the meeting would have been pointless and would have dyed my return to Eldorria City."
His priority was to get back and support Dorothy.
"I''m just worried that Jacob might spread rumors."
"He wouldn''t dare." Everett''s lips moved slightly, suggesting he had everything under control.
Jacob was necessary for now because he held crucial technology. Lumina Bay branch needed his support.
But this wouldn''tst long.
The Lopez Corporation wouldn''t have achieved what it had today if it were all talk and no action.
"Mr. Lopez, look at the official website!"
Suddenly, Kevin raised his voice.
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?Chapter 152
Everett froze in his tracks, speechless. He took Kevin''s phone and looked at it.
The announcement was ringly obvious. It was worded assertively and stabbed at his heart like a knife.
"Mr. Lopez, this..."
"Get in touch with our official website moderators. Have this announcement removed immediately." He knew Dorothy must have seen it by now.
After all this time, she hadn''t contacted him. All the trust he had painstakingly built was now probably gone.
Trouble seemed to follow trouble.
Everett realized he had to deal with the Heather issue once and for all.
He boarded the next flight to the airport. On the way, he tried calling Dorothy, but she never answered.
After some hesitation, Everett decided against sending her a text message.
The current situation suggested his mother had probably roped his father in too. She seemed hell-bent on making Heather his wife at all costs.
Although he didn''t know why, there must be some deeper reason.
Everett had always thought his mother wanted him to marry Heather simply because she liked her. But given the current circumstances, there seemed to be another reason.
Her reckless behavior today was clearly aimed at forcing him to agree to the marriage. If she merely liked Heather, she wouldn''t go to such extremes. "Mr. Lopez, do you want me to call Dorothy and exin? The announcement wasn''t made by you."
"No need. I''ll see her when I get back."
He knew this wasn''t something that could be exined away with a few words.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.
What he would have to face was probably not as simple as he initially thought.
Kevin nodded and sat quietly, not daring to say anything more.
In all the years he had been with Mr. Lopez, he had rarely seen Everett in such a gloomy mood. His lips were tightly sealed, so he gave off a distinct "stay away" vibe.
Finally, they reached the airport.
As Everett strode towards the entrance, his phone rang.
He immediately looked at the screen, but unfortunately, it wasn''t the number he was hoping for.
Even though he knew Dorothy''s personality and that she wouldn''t call him first, he felt a bit disappointed to see that it wasn''t her.
Everett answered the call, speaking in a heavy voice, "Father."
"The situation at Lumina Bay isn''tpletely resolved yet. Why are you in a rush to return to Eldorria City?"
It was Everett''s father, Jonathan Lopez. His voice and tone were harsh. It was a question, but the answer was clear to both of them.
"I won''t fire Dorothy."
"Are you out of your mind? You''re disregarding even your mother for a woman?" Jonathan raised his voice. It was a rare urrence for him to rebuke his son, whom he had always been proud of.
"She''s being framed. The Lopez Corporation will not wrong any employee. I will get to the bottom of this."
"There''s nothing to investigate. I''ve made the decision for you. Since you''re on your way back to Eldorria City, you better go apologize to your mother in the hospital and agree to marry Heather."
Everett frowned. "I won''t marry her."
"Do you want your mother to die? She''s already in the hospital! Are you waiting for her to be in the coffin?" Jonathan paused for a moment and finally softened his tone. "Everett, I''m a man. I understand you''re young and hot-blooded. Having a crush is normal, but you need to understand your status. There are things that you should and shouldn''t do."
"Is marrying Heather something I should do?"
"Yes! If you really like this Dorothy, you can see her privately. I can turn a blind eye."
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?Chapter 153
In Jonathan''s eyes, this was the biggest concession he had ever made.
He never thought his son would ever have such a "rebellious" phase. Even during his teenage years, his son never gave him any headaches.
But, all because of a girl named Dorothy, the entire Lopez family was now in an unprecedented predicament.
Everett didn''t respond to his father. He simply told him that he needed to board his flight, then hung up.
On the way back, he was silent. His eyes werepletely fixed on the window. The air around him felt heavy, and nobody knew what he was thinking.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.
¡
As soon as thepany''s public notice was issued, the HR department contacted Dorothy directly.
"Ms. Sanchez, pleasee and process your resignation within three days."
"Your reason for firing me is that I betrayed thepany, right?" Dorothy''s tone was assertive, not at all like someone who was being fired for doing something wrong.
On the contrary, the HR staff seemed a bit taken aback by her counter-question.
"This is a decision made by the higher-ups."
Sheughed. "Even if it''s the chairman, there should be a clear reason for firing an employee. I signed a contract to work at the Prosperity Consortium. You can''t just fire me on a whim."
"Ms. Sanchez, have you not seen the notice on the official website?"
"I have."
Dorothy had seen it, which was why she was confirming it with HR.
She needed to get definitive proof.
If the Lopez Corporation could simply tell her to pack her bags and leave based on an uninvestigated "result," then she could also seek justice in court.
"Since you''ve seen it, don''t you know what you did? Thepany has already been very generous by not suing you forpensation."
This whole thing was quite ironic.
Dorothy knew that the entire Lopez Corporation was probably talking behind her back. Even those who didn''t say it directly were probably badmouthing her in their hearts.
"I don''t have time for this. I''m just asking if the reason for my dismissal is because the investigation determined that I betrayed thepany." The HR staff''s temper red. "Yes! You''ve caused the Lopez Corporation so much trouble..."
Dorothy didn''t even let the HR staff finish.
She just hung up and saved the recording.
Before, she just wanted to clear her name and expose the truth about Heather''s betrayal. But now, Dorothy wouldn''t trust anyone anymore.
Once everything was ready, Dorothy got up to leave Karen''s house.
As soon as she opened the door, she saw Everett, the CEO of the Lopez Corporation, who was supposed to be in Lumina Bay on business, standing there looking weary and travel-worn.
Their eyes met. One indifferent, one tired.
"Mr. Lopez."
With that, Dorothy put distance between them.
Everett swayed slightly. His eyes were filled with an indescribable fatigue.
He stood at the corner of the stairs with half his body shrouded in darkness, his gaze never wavering.
"Dorothy, I didn''t have anything to do with the public notice."
"I know."
She believed Everett wouldn''t be so shallow as to y both sides.
But she also knew that there was more than just a difference in status between her and Everett.
"I came to take you home." In his next breath, Everett didn''t continue to talk aboutpany matters; instead, he extended his hand to her.
Dorothy ignored his plea. Her voice was now icy cold. "I''m afraid I can''t go with you anymore."
Everett''s eyes darkened. "What do you mean?"
"Let''s end the contract, Mr. Lopez. I''ll prove Heather framed me in my own way."
She basically told him not to bother with her anymore.
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Chapter 154
Everett¡¯s thin lips were pressed tightly together. He did not utter a single word but the tension in the air
had plummeted to an all time low
Dorothy had never seen him like this before and instinctively stepped back
Seeming to realize that he had frightened her Everett¡¯s handsome face softened a bit, and his low and
spy voice hit her ears.
¡°Mi Lopez, know this situation has put you in a tough spot, so I handle the rest on my own. If I haven¡¯t
done anything, 11l surely find a way to prove it¡±
Now that the Lopez Corporation had decided to fire then they¡¯d be on opposing sides in any arbitration
or court case.
So Dorothy wanted to clear the air with Everett fest.
*Dorothye home with me Evell cajoled her His tone was gentle and patient, like a man trying to
coax his rebelous wife back home.
A stark contrast from his cold demeanor just moments ago
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.
This was happening night at Karen¡¯s doorstep
long. Even if Karen was not home, people might recognize him due to his high¨Cprofile status and
frequent
Dorothy knew she couldn¡¯t afford to keep Exere here for too long I
magione coemt appearances
Things could get even moreplicated
But she didn¡¯t want to go back with Everett either
¡°As for the penalty for breaching our agreement, you can tell me when you¡¯ve sorted things out on your
end. I world dye it. But today isn¡¯t a good day to talk about this. Mr. Lopez, maybe you should leave?
This was probably the first time in Everett life that he¡¯d been shown the door.
But when Everett lifted his game to look at her, there was no anger in his eyes, just disappointment,
He thought that their time together would have timed some feelings in Dorothy however slight
Had she not so easily mentioned breaking their agreement today. Everett would have thought she was
starting to reciprocate his feelings
¡°Do you know where I just came from
¡°Hmm¡± Dorothy was taken aback by his sudden question.
came straight here as soon as my ne from Lumina Baynded¡± Everett¡¯s slightly wrinkled shirt was
proof of his im havent eaten anything since noon. Come with
me
Though Dorothy was confused by Everen sudden change of topic, his humility made his request hard
to refuse, especially considering his previous care for her
After a few seconch of hesitation, Dorothy nodded ¡°Dkay¡±
In the end she got into the car with Everett. This time, without Kein by her side, it was just the two of
them
They didn¡¯t speak
Just as they were about to each the restaurant, Everitts phone, which was resting on the dashboard,
buzzed,
Dorothy instinctively looked down to see a message from what seemed to be his father.
¡°You must many Heather! You have no other choice Your mother¡¯s conditions worsened again. She inel
to go to the hospital roohop by herself. Luckily, the nurses found her intime. Are you really willing to
abandon your own mother for that woman?¡±
Before Dorothy could finish reading Everett had already fucked his phone away
Then came another minute of silence, until Duruthy finally spoke, ¡°When are you free? Let¡¯s get our
divorce papers.¡±
¡°What¡¯s the reason for the divorce? Everett suddenly tumed to look at her. ¡°There¡¯s nothing between
Heather and me
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?Chapter 155
Dorothy frowned a little.
This was not what she cared about.
"I know. You''ve mentioned it before."
If Everett''s crush was actually Heather, none of this would have happened.
But Heather would still be against her.
"Let''s eat first." Everett ended the conversation again with a barely audible sigh.
He knew that Dorothy was notposed enough to take in what he was saying and make the right decision. Her decisions were rash.
He chose to ignore her requests to cancel the contract and divorce.
At the hospital, two bodyguards were stationed at the entrance of Amanda''s room just in case she tried to harm herself again.
Only after confirming that Everett was not at the hospital did Heather sneak over to see Amanda.
"Amanda, why are you acting so silly?" As soon as she entered, she hugged Amanda. "Even if Everett doesn''t want to marry me, don''t force him, and don''t hurt yourself anymore! I don''t want to lose someone who cares about me."
Hearing this, Amanda''s displeasure with Dorothy deepened, and her fondness for Heather grew.
"I''ve said that I want you to be my daughter-inw, and I must keep my word. What you and your mother have contributed to the Lopez family is iparable. Everett just doesn''t know it yet."
"Don''t let him know. Amanda, don''t ever let him find out. I don''t want him to marry me out of gratitude." Heather lowered her eyes and sighed softly. "You''ve seen it. Dorothy Sanchez is really important to him. I was thinking about just stepping back."
"No way! Heather, Dorothy does not matter!" Amanda interrupted coldly.
"But Everett really likes her." Heather bit her lower lip as the tears that had not dried in her eyes fell a little more, stirring up sympathy within Amanda''s heart.
"Ms. Sanchez is actually quite pitiful. After the leak, I investigated her background. She has been an illegitimate daughter since she was a child. It must have been hard for her mother to raise her. In the end, she betrayed thepany just to get money for her mother''s treatment. She is a filial person."
Amanda snorted coldly. "A woman who destroys other people''s families can''t produce anything good! Just because she''s filial, does the entire Lopez Corporation have to suffer?!"
The more she listened, the angrier she got. She wished for nothing more than to find Dorothy right now.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.
Heather quickly reached out to calm her. "Don''t get angry: look on the bright side. Thepany has already settled this matter, right?"
"That''s just the surface of the incident. Have you thought about this on a deeper level? Why do you think this Dorothy can do such morally corrupt things? Isn''t it because she thinks my son will support her and handle all her troubles for her? How can apany with such employees be good?" Heather pretended to be enlightened. She then feigned a panic state, quickly lowering her head and trying to defend Dorothy. "Maybe she was desperate. I heard that her mother''s illness is very serious and life-threatening. She could die at any time. As a daughter, Dorothy might have had no choice."
"That''s her mother''s problem! Heather, you''re just too kind. You''re always looking on the bright side and always thinking that everyone has a good side, but the world is often not enough for the greedy!" Amanda was very determined in her heart. She would only recognize Heather as her daughter-inw. "Sweetheart, you must stand firmly by my side. For the sake of the Lopez Corporation, we have to drive that Dorothy away!"
Chapter 156
Chapter 156
Chapter 156
Heather didnt respond to Amanda¡¯s ¡± She just lowered her eyes, looking to between two options in a
way that was utterly convincing
¡°Amanda, if we do this, Everett will send us. Hell be less likely to want to marry me. We might not even
be friends anymore¡±
get You don¡¯t have to lift a finger, since said be the one to pave the way for you to marry into the Lopez
family Amanda understood Heather¡¯s concerns perfectly.
If Heather got to involved in breaking up Everett and Dorothy even if she did many into the Lopez
family Everett would always have a bamer between them. He would think the was a homeecker and
that she was scheming and hadyterior motives
This wouldn¡¯t be good for their rtionship in a couple in the Tomp
But if Amanda were the one to y the viin, and be differ
A son couldn¡¯t harbor resentment against his own mother foreve
Heather came today mainly for Amanda¡¯s promise But she had to keep up appearances
She looked womedy at Amands. ¡®Don¡¯t run your rtionship with your son for my sake, Amanda. It¡¯s
not wi
Think it is Am I supposed to just stand by and watch my noget conned by that Dorothy? How could I
watch her step though the doors of the Lopez family? Amanda
¡°Amanda, thank you for always supporting me. No matter what happens between Everett and me, I will
always think of you like my own mother?
Amanda patted her hand in satisfaction then suddenly her face hardened and the raised an eyebrow.
¡°Wat did you say Danthy¡¯s mother is seriously (¡±
Amanda didn¡¯t say anythingelse, but her Heather let she made a phone call.
¡°Look into Dorothy¡¯s mother Iwant detals)
She knew her own son forcing to let go might damage their manship, but if he could make Dorothy
backoff, out all be withher son, and even disappearpletely that would be a different story
Then everything would be easy
In the restaurant, Everett sun across from her
Even wherating day he still managed to order a somatof Dorathy¡¯s favorite shes
Stadthat Everett knew her better than she thought
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
But the more he was like this, the mone Dorothy felt that this abound stuation had to end
What if Everett suddenly asked her to sealow her pride for the sake of the Lopez Corporation and him?
Was she really going to throw away future and be content being
kept by Evere
¡°How arengs at Lumnia Bay?¡± Darathy asked, trying to break the awkward silence.
Everett looked at her as his thin lips moved slightly. ¡°There¡¯s no major issue with the project, and your
name hasn¡¯t been moved
Dorothy was taki
back. ¡°Not removed? But the Lopez Corporation has already announced that they red
Trever said I was firing you. What others say doesnt count¡±
¡°Thats your father The charman of the Lopez Corporation
it seems you still dont trust me Everett took a deep breath and spoke slowly. ¡°Before you left, I told
you¡¯d handle this and give you a satisfactory exnation
Dorothy furrowed her brows, wanting to argue, but eventually remained silent.
She wanted to trust him
But the internal announcement had already been made, so how could the illum?
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?Chapter 157
"Mr. Lopez, I know you''re trying to help me, but you can stop. I can handle this myself."
Everett found the ''Mr. Lopez'' she uttered quite unsettling.
"Dorothy, we''re a couple."
Dorothy did not respond.
Now that she was silent, Everett didn''t know what to say. He felt a mixture of emotions.
They stared at each other for a long time, neither of them looking away.
Finally, Dorothy spoke, "Everett, the gap between us is just too big."
"I''m willing to meet you halfway." Everett said.
Dorothy shook her head. "Do you really think you can just up and leave your parents for me?"
Everett pressed his lips together. He was about to speak, but ultimately, he said nothing.
Suddenly, Dorothy''s phone rang.
After looking down, she saw that it was her mom.
She immediately picked up, and Be''s voice came through. "Didn''t you say the man you registered your marriage with was named Keh? Then why did Everett''s mothere to me today, telling me to keep my daughter away from her son?"
Dorothy''s heart sank.
"Mom..."
"Get over here now."
With that, Be hung up, not giving her any room for discussion.
Dorothy quickly left Everett. Her face changed as soon as she stood up to leave.
Everett, realizing what was happening, quickly followed. "I''ll go with you."
She looked up at him and said. "Your mom went to the hospital to see my mom."
Everett was speechless.
"Mr. Lopez, I just want my mom to live without being disturbed. Please tell Heather and your mother not to push people too far."
With that, she left the restaurant.
At that moment, Everett understood what Dorothy meant by ''gap.''
Dorothy took a taxi straight to her mom''s.
As she walked in, she saw Be''s dark face.
The atmosphere was tense, and Dorothy was unable to say anything.
"Mom, I''m sorry..."
Be looked at her with a gaze full of disappointment.
"Do you know why I''m so worried about you being deceived by men? Do you know why I''d rather die than see you bow down to men for money?" "I know."
"All my life, I''ve made many mistakes. Regret is useless now; the only thing I can do is make sure my only daughter doesn''t repeat them. But you... you''ve let me down."
Be''s voice was calm, unlike her usual emotional self.
But Dorothy would rather have her mother yell at her and p her than see her like this.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.
"Mom, please forgive me this once. From now on, I''ll tell you everything, and I won''t lie to you anymore. I only made this choice because I was scared of losing you."
Be suddenly turned to her daughter, asking in a low voice, "What is your rtionship with Keh?"
"We are friends."
"He''s a good one. I can tell."
Be hadn''t been too hard on Keh. She''d thought of many ways to test her daughter''s boyfriend, but, in the end, she only used one or two. Mainly because she felt that Keh was sincere.
But she never expected that her daughter had used him to deceive her.
If it weren''t for Everett''s mother showing up today, she would still be in the dark.
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?Chapter 158
"Keh''s Karen''s cousin. He looks out for me quite a bit."
"Cut ties with that Everett immediately!" Be thought of the woman who came looking for her just now. She was pissed off beyond measure.
The smug look on the woman¡¯s face made it seem like she could stomp Be into the ground.
There was no way in hell she''d agree to her daughter marrying into that family.
"Mom, I''ll handle this. You don''t have to worry about it. The Lopez family won''t bother you anymore."
"Do you think that''s what I care about?" Be looked at her, and with a tone of helplessness and displeasure, she said, "I care about you."
Dorothy lowered her head, not wanting to bring up Everett in front of her mom because there were some things she hadn''t figured out yet.
Of course, Be noticed her evasion.
"Dorothy, you''re not falling for this Everett, are you?"
Dorothy was taken aback. "I''m not!"
"Really?" Be''s eyes kept scanning her daughter''s face, as if she were trying to see right through her.
"Mom, he and I are from different worlds; you know it now. The Lopez family''s threshold is not something I can cross. I''m fully aware of that, so I won''t have any inappropriate thoughts about him."
She said this not only for her mother but also for herself.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.
Anyone looking at the gap between her and Everett wouldn''t think they had a future. They were worlds apart.
"That''s for the best."
For once, Be didn''t aggressively force her daughter to make a promise. She just nodded in agreement.
After returning to her hospital room, Amanda immediately called Heather.
"Sweetheart, don''t worry, I went to see that Dorothy''s mother. Judging by her manner, she probably doesn''t even know what her own daughter is up to. I warned her not to fantasize about her daughter bing a phoenix by marrying into a wealthy family. Unless I''m dead, her daughter won''t step foot into our house."
Heather''s voice was soft on the other end of the phone. "Amanda, since you rushed over like that, Dorothy will definitely tell Everett. Your rtionship with him might be affected; that''s not what I want to see. I should''ve kept this to myself."
Her response was quite clever. No matter what happened next, Amanda wouldn''t feel used by Heather but would see her as very considerate since she seemed to care about her rtionship with her son.
"How would I have found a way to ward off Dorothy if you didn''t tell me? Heather, tell me the truth. Do you like my son? Do you want to be my daughter-inw?"
"I naturally want to." Heather''s voice suddenly dropped. There was a sense of helplessness in her tone. "For all these years, I''ve seen you and Jonathan as my own parents, and I want to be part of the Lopez family, but I don''t want Everett to give up the one he loves."
"You''re still considering him at this point? My foolish son is really blinded by that Dorothy..."
Amanda was cut off by the sound of the door opening.
After looking up, she saw that it was Everett.
Amanda instinctively wanted to hang up the phone, but her son strode over and snatched the phone from her hand.
Before she could react, Everett had already seen the number on the screen. He put the phone aside and spoke in a deep voice. "I will never marry Heather. The one I want has always been Dorothy."
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?Chapter 159
As soon as he said this, not only did Heather on the other end of the phone fall silent, but even Amanda hadn''t expected her son to make such a clear deration in front of her.
The biggest thing in her heart was her son''s filial piety.
She thought her son was just trying to struggle a bit more, but as long as she insisted, he would definitely still follow her wishes.N?velDrama.Org ? content.
"You guys don''t need to n anything behind my back. It''s useless."
Everett finished speaking and hung up the call with Heather.
The atmosphere in the ward suddenly became silent and chilly.
After a while, Amanda moved her lips. "For that woman, you can even disregard your own mother?"
"Mom, I canpromise on everything else."
"There is nothing else! I won''t allow this Dorothy to step into the Lopez family! If she''s in, I''m out." Amanda''s emotions red up, and before she could finish speaking, she began to pant heavily.
Her heart monitor started making a piercing sound, and doctors outside rushed in to rescue her as soon as they heard it.
Everett frowned deeply and quickly helped the doctors take his mother to the emergency room.
In just a few days, this was already the third time Amanda had been sent there.
Her primary doctor specially met with Everett in the emergency room.
"I''ve stressed again and again that the patient can''t have high emotional fluctuations. Why do you have to provoke her?"
Everett remained silent. His tall figure stood in front of the bench, still stubborn and persistent.
"For the patient to recover, it requires the joint efforts of doctors and family members. Otherwise, if anything unexpected happens, the hospital will not be responsible." The doctor didn''t dare say anything more; he could only sigh. "Your mother''s condition is really serious. She often disys self-harming behaviors. Before I do psychological counseling for her, I have to y some soothing music and speak very carefully to avoid stimting her."
All of these things the doctor said had been told to him many times by other doctors abroad.
If it weren''t for that, he wouldn''t have agreed to consider marrying Heather at that time.
At that time, he hadn''t met Dorothy again yet and was just thinking about stabilizing his mother''s condition first.
But now he had already cunningly added Dorothy to his life. How could he give up?
Everett waited outside the emergency room until his phone suddenly rang.
It was actually Dorothy.
She rarely took the initiative to contact him.
But at this time, it was probably not good news.
Hesitating for a moment, he answered the call.
"Mr. Lopez, are you free tomorrow?"
"No."
"What about the day after?"
Everett frowned. He knew what Dorothy wanted to do, even if she hadn''t said it.
"I have a lot of work to do."
"Can''t you spare half an hour? I want a quick divorce." Dorothy''s voice was very t. She didn''t sound like she was talking about divorce, but more like she was talking about the weather.
So far, she hadn''t really understood Everett''s persistence.
He knew.
If he wanted Dorothy to truly fall in love with him, there was a long way to go.
Marriage was just the first step, and there were more difficulties to ovee.
Everett didn''t speak. He was silent.
"Mr. Lopez? Everett?"
Only then did he ask, "Your mother is giving you a hard time, isn''t she?"
"No. She''s just angry."
Everett rubbed his forehead. "Can I arrange a meeting with her?"
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?Chapter 160
"What are you up to?" Dorothy shot back, sounding as jumpy as a scared rabbit.
To her, the social gap between her and Everett was just too wide. The sense of oppression was obvious, and she felt extremely insecure.
Because even if she did her utmost, it wouldn''t hurt him a bit. But if he wanted to harm her, it would be a piece of cake.
Not to mention that trying topete with Heather now seemed like an uphill battle.
Her stressed response made Everett feel a pain in his heart.
"I would never hurt you, let alone your family."
"My mom''s health isn''t good. She can''t take any emotional ups and downs. You''d better not see her." Dorothy wouldn''t dare let Everett meet Be now.
"Dorothy, could you¡"
Everett trailed off, and he fell silent.
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Dorothy waited for a moment before she said, "Go on."
"Could you not think of divorce at the first sign of trouble?" Everett''s voice was low. He was full ofplex emotions that he couldn''t quite express.
He seemed lost, helpless, pleading, and a bit resentful.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.
"Our marriage is a joke to begin with. An assistant to a division director and the CEO of the Lopez Corporation? It sounds like a punchline! And as you''ve seen, it''s already caused a lot of trouble for both of us. I just think we''re back on track."
Back on track?
Ha! Could he really go back?
"What if I don''t agree to a divorce?"
"Mr. Lopez, your mom is very against us being involved. She even stooped so low as to threaten my mom at the hospital. I don''t know what she''ll do next, but she''s made it clear that she dislikes me. We don''t need to go against her wishes."
"And what about my wishes? Who cares about them?" Everett sighed softly. It was barely audible.
"There''s a lot involved in terminating the contract, and the penalty needs to be calcted. I''ll contact youter." With that, he hung up.
He didn''t want to think about this topic for now, and he didn''t want to hear the word ''divorce'' anymore.
"Everett!"
Suddenly, Jonathan''s voice echoed from the other end of the hospital corridor.
Everett turned his head to look. His lips were just about to move when a harsh p from his fathernded on his face.
The sound was sharp, and it echoed down the empty corridor.
"How far do you intend to go? Would you be happy if your mother died right now?!"
Jonathan had neverid a finger on his son. He had always been obedient and trouble-free. Whether it was his schoolwork or his career, he was always at the top, and yet, this time...
All this for a woman?!
He had already sent his own mother to the ER multiple times.
"Don''t force me to take action against Dorothy. I''m giving you thest chance."
Jonathan had nned to have a heart-to-heart talk with his son upon his return home. He was a man himself and had been young once, so he understood the difficulty of letting go of a loved one.
But as soon as he got off the ne, he received news of his wife''s critical condition, and he just lost control.
Everett''s lips were tightlypressed, and he didn''t back down or waver in the face of his father''s rage.
"Everett, do you really think that just because you''re now in charge of the Lopez Corporation, I can''t touch Dorothy?"
"If you think hurting her will solve the problem, then you''ll definitely regret it." Everett was firm and resolute. He always showed no sign ofpromise in the face of threats.
"You..."
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?Chapter 161
Jonathan was raising his fists again. He was tempted to give Everett a good beating.
But after seeing the resolve in his son''s eyes, he suddenly backed down.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.
Even if he beat Everett to a pulp today, he wouldn''t budge.
"Son, your mom''s life is in your hands now."
Everett fell silent. He would rather have his dad hit him and yell at him than hear him begging. He didn''t have a clue how to respond.
"When your mom gave birth to you, it was a difficultbor. I still remember her screams in the hospital. It was the first time I heard her cry out like that. She said she had to keep her baby alive." Jonathan stared at him as his eyes grew heavy with emotion. "I know you don''t want to give up. I know you love that girl, but she''s your mom. She brought you into this world, and she risked her life to have you. Does all that mean less to you than this girl you''re in love with?"
"Is there no way to get her to ept Dorothy?" Everett insisted, thinking that his mom just didn''t know Dorothy well enough. If she got to know her, she would like her.
Jonathan sighed. "Your mother will only ept Heather as her daughter-inw."
"Why?"
"Do you remember when your mother was kidnapped? If it weren''t for Heather, you would have lost her by now."
Everett was stunned. He had guessed that his mother had other reasons for insisting on Heather, but he hadn''t expected it to be rted to the kidnapping.
"I don''t want to talk about the kidnapping, let alone think about it. The choice is right in front of you. It''s up to you to decide. I believe even if I interfere again, you''ll still have your own thoughts."
After saying this, Jonathan went to find his wife''s doctor, leaving his son standing there motionless for a long time.
...
In another room of the hospital.
Dorothy had finally managed to calm Be down, but she herself was in turmoil.
It wasn''t just because of Heather''s trap.
There were other things.
After Be fell asleep, Dorothy went to the garden to walk and clear her head.
Her phone rang.
It was Kevin.
"Dorothy, Mr. Lopez has taken down the public notice. You can go back to work, and your name is on thetest project." He sounded happy.
Dorothy knew he thought she would be thrilled to hear the news, so he couldn''t wait to make the call.
Dorothy paused before saying, "Until everything is cleared up, I''d rather not have my name on anything."
This time, Kevin didn''t respond right away. He stayed silent for a long while.
"Do you have any idea how much pressure Mr. Lopez faced for this?"
Dorothy was at a loss for words.
"Honestly, I''ve been with Mr. Lopez for years, and I''ve never seen him go out on a limb for anyone before. He''s a businessman, and he should prioritize profit. But this time, he took a huge risk by not removing your name. How can you just brush it off and say you don''t want your name on it?" Dorothy frowned. "He didn''t consult with me. If he had, I wouldn''t have let him do this."
"Aren''t you being a bit too self-centered?" Kevin sounded disappointed. "Dorothy, I never thought you were this kind of person.
True, Mr. Lopez did this on his own without consulting you. Maybe you think I''m morally ckmailing you into epting Mr. Lopez''s favor. But have you ever considered that since the incident with Heather, Mr. Lopez has been doing his best to help you? He could have just ignored your grievances and your innocence. He didn''t even need to get involved. He could have just made up an excuse about being busy with work."
Chapter 162
Chapter 162
Chapter 162
Dorothy was standing next to the bench in the garden. She tried to speak several times, but in the end,
no sound came out.
¡°You¡¯re not sunly thinking that with your capabilites, youcan
¡°I believe in justice¡±
nat Heather framed you,night
¡°You believe injustice, but no HR from any investment bank will buy Ones, no one will cane whether
you¡¯re innocent of not
Keens words rang the Haring marked in the corporate world for so many years, he had seen all sorts of
ts and schemes
I was not umon for superiors to deliberately stir
reputation, sinking away from the industry for good. Theluckys
do screw out a subordinate out of a personal gutge. The unlucky ones and up
at most might see them supener get a pom the arist from upper management, but due to the
In either case, the ones at a disadvantage always got the short end of the stick.
Seeing than Dorthy remained silent, Kevin suddenly let out a sigh
Dorothy Mr. Loper has been going nearly dit hours as thout resLENDA
He ended the call, not knowing what else to say
Now that a fool could see that Ertem was head over heels for Dorothy
She hope for a good while, then sat down on the bench
Her mind wan
Kevinhadsad
Dorothy suddenly realized that she had never once considered iga ham Everett¡¯s perspective
Just hie de sard whenever the faced any dif
Owned by N?velDrama.Org.
Even worse, she had doubted Everett before
her first thought was to cut ties with him soon as possible, then navely think she could clear her name
alone.
Dorothy had ever been invol?d in any romantic rtionships before.
Hetke Everett feelings had suddenly weighed on her like mountain out of nowhere.
¡°Dorothy found you
umah approached h
wasn¡¯t until he got closer that she recognized him as Jeffrey, themat
¡°What do you
Tone was icy cold. She was clearly not in the mood for sm
time of Everett¡¯s car
But Jeffrey looked at her senously took a deep breath, and said, came here today to persuade you to
break up with E
at¡¯s my buuress ¡°Dorothy didnt like the feeling of being forced
¡°You dont needs defensive don¡¯t have any particr goods towards you or any ill will I just want to tell
you than Everest has done so much for you, and now he¡¯s caught between a rock and a hard ce. I
think it¡¯s time you did something for him
See you Heather¡¯s t
Tminst anyone¡¯s man at this moment. You dont need be hostile
Everett and has been good friends for many years. He tells me alot of things he doesn¡¯t tell others
¡°Upon seeing Dorothy¡¯s skepticism, he decided to go straight to the point. For instance, do you
remember Mi Roben from the SinoSess Enterprises projeci? in fact, the day you went there alone,
Everett was worried about your safety. He immediately bought me along to you from the clutches of
nge¡±
Dorothy gasped in shock
Did you ever question how he happened to show up just in time?
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?Chapter 163
Dorothy mulled it over and decided that what he was saying seemed to be true.
In the midst of the chaos, when she was harassed by Mr. Robert from SinoSess Enterprises, Everett suddenly appeared and rescued her,
Dorothy didn''t give much thought as to why Everett showed up so timely. She didn''t even think much about it.
"Also, after the incident, in order to avoid you bing the talk of the town, Everett gave up the chance to use this incident to threaten SinoSess Enterprises to back off. He was afraid that if SinoSess Enterprises got upset, they might reveal the incident about you being molested." Jeffrey paused while looking at her. "I think you already know what happens when a girl has such rumors spread about her."
Although she didn''t do anything wrong, she would be the topic of idle gossip, and some might even make up other reasons, such as using Dorothy of deliberately seducing Mr. Robert.N?velDrama.Org ? content.
Having been in the workce for quite a while, Dorothy understood this.
"Why...why didn''t Everett tell me all this?¡±
"How would I know? Go ask him! He''s done so much for you, but you''ve never done anything for him. You even went as far as getting another man to rece Everett as your boyfriend. If it weren''t for this, he wouldn''t have had that car ident."
Dorothy pursed her lips and frowned. "I had my reasons."
"I don''t want to know your reasons. I came to tell you this today, just to let you know that Everett has invested a lot in you. Since you never took him seriously, you should let go. Divorce him as soon as possible. Don''t make things even more difficult for him."
Dorothy¡¯s mind was now in even more turmoil.
"Everett''s mother has been sent to the emergency room three times because of you."
Dorothy was frozen in ce.
Jeffrey hadpletely destroyed her former understanding of her rtionship with Everett.
She could feel Everett''s affection and dedication, but didn''t expect that he had done so much for her behind her back. She was always the one taking it for granted.
Even Kevin could feel it, but she never thought about it.
"At first, I thought his crush was Heather."
Butter, all the signs pointed towards her, not Heather.
"Why did you think that? Dorothy, if you put a little thought into Everett, you would definitely feel how serious he is about you. Don''t make excuses. I won''t listen to them." Jeffrey took a breath and continued. "There''s no point in saying anything else now. If you can''t respond to his affection, get a divorce as soon as possible."
Dorothy kept repeating Kevin and Jeffrey''s words in her head until she returned to Karen''s house.
Everything that happened today made her feel as if the world had turned upside down.
On a whim, Dorothy dialed Everett''s number.
Actually, she didn''t know what she wanted to say after the call was connected, but she just suddenly wanted to hear Everett''s voice.
After a few rings, the call was answered.
Everett''s voice was unusually tired, low, and raspy.
He used to workte and pull all-nighters, but he was never this tired.
"What''s up?"
"I..." Dorothy moved her lips, unsure of what to say. "I just wanted to ask what you''re doing."
"I''m at the hospital."
Just as Dorothy was about to say something, it sounded like Heather''s voice came through the phone. "What happened to Amanda again? Everett, you''ve gone too far this time. She''s your mother!"
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?Chapter 164
"My mom''s awake. I''ll call you back once I''ve sorted things out on my end."
Everett''s voice came on before she could hear the rest of Heather¡¯s words.
"Alright."
Dorothy stared at the now dark screen of her phone, feeling a mess of confusion and conflict she had never felt before.
Actually, it might have been better if Jeffrey hadn¡¯te to see her and said those things.
She was already considering divorcing with Everett and ending their rtionship.
But after Jeffrey''s words, she was suddenly at a loss for how to bring up the subject of divorce with Everett.
He was so careful and protective of her, and despite his mother''s strong opposition, he still insisted on holding on.
On the contrary, she would easily voice out the idea of breaking up.
Just like what Everett said, she seemed ready topletely give up and draw the line at the slightest issue.
Shey on the bed and stared at the ceiling with every bit of her interactions with Everett appearing before her eyes.
His gentleness, his consideration, his tant favoritism towards her.
Howe she had never noticed it before?N?velDrama.Org holds this content.
Dorothy covered her face with the nket and let out a wail when suddenly the door rang.
It was Karening back.
She saw the shoes at the entrance and ran straight to Dorothy''s room.
"I thought you weren''ting back!"
She saw her friend''s look after saying it, and quickly sensed something wrong, "What''s wrong with you?"
Dorothy''s first thought was to deny everything. But now she could only turn to Karen for advice about her rtionship.
"I suddenly realized that I might be a jerk."
"Huh?" Karen immediately raised her eyebrows and leaned in, "What are you mumbling about?"
"There''s this guy who has always been good to me. But I never noticed it, nor did I appreciate his efforts..."
Honestly, even with Keh''s kindness towards her, she could always keep her guard up. As soon as he crossed the line, she would immediately stop him, not wanting him to continue wasting any time and effort on her.
But Everett was different! He was always doing things without letting her know.
"There are plenty of guys who are good to you. The ones in ourpany and my brother are all hoping to get a response from you. And you just rejected them with a cold face. I''ve never seen you troubled or distressed. So the guy you''re talking about... is he an exception in your heart?"
Was Everett an exception?
Dorothy frowned and thought for a while, "He... he''s different from the other guys! I can sense when others are showing interest in me, and it''s easy to keep a distance because I have no intention of reciprocating their feelings. I don''t want them wasting their efforts on me, but the things he does are hard to notice. In the end, I only found out because someone told me."
"Who the heck is this guy?"
Now even Karen was curious!
She knew all about the guys chasing Dorothy and didn''t expect there was one that slipped through the.
"Don''t get mad at what I''m about to tell you."
"Why would I get mad?" Karen was puzzled.
Dorothy hesitated, looking troubled, then finally let out a sigh, "It''s Everett Lopez. I lied to you before."
The room went silent, the air seeming to freeze.
Karen became a statue and held her pose for a good minute.
Then, a deafening voice rang out.
"What did you say?! Are you really with Mr. Lopez?"
Chapter 165
Chapter 165
Dorothy had a headache from all the yelling and was just about to exin the situation when Karen switched gears.
"Did you guys sleep together?" "Uh... Yeah." "Is Mr. Lopez''s little friend big?" Karen blinked, her face full of gossip.
Dorothy was taken aback by the question. She stammered, "What?" "What do you mean ''what''? Remember | asked you before if Mr. Lopez was good in bed? He always looks so chaste, like he''s got ''stay away" written all over his handsome face. I''m curious if guys like that are two-faced, like super passionate when they get intimate?" Passionate? Everett can be considered ¡°passionate¡±, she thought.
"Hold on, Karen! I''m trying to have a serious conversation with you." Why did their conversation take such a sharp turn? She couldn''t figure it out.
Karen stuck out her tongue and chuckled, "l just don''t have any other way to find out his size, so | have to ask you! Anyway, if you''re hung up on Mr. Lopez, | suggest you steer clear." "Why?" "He''s got someone else in his heart! The fact that he''s remained celibate for so many years proves that person is very important to him; maybe he''s just being nice to you because he values your work." Dorothy massaged her temples and confessed, "He''s not in love with Heather." "Then who?" Karen pondered, "I''ve never heard of any other girls around him. It can¡¯t be you, right?" She turned to look at Dorothy.
Their eyes met, and they both fell silent for a few seconds.
Then Karen exploded, "It''s you?! You are the girl Mr. Lopez has always been talking about?!" Dorothy gave an awkward smile, "It seems like it, based on the current situation.¡± She was just as surprised and incredulous when she found out. She wasn''t even sure herself until Jeffrey came for her.
"Then why aren''t you marrying Mr. Lopez and having his kids right now to secure your position as the future Mrs. Lopez?" Karen looked so exhrated as if she''d won the lottery for a month straight.
After all, it''s the position of Mrs. Lopez she was talking about. Even dreaming about it would be a sacrilege for people like her! "It''s not that simple between him and me." At least not with all the issues they were currently facing.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.
She wanted to ask Karen for advice because the issues were too tricky.
Dorothy exined the situation to Karen. Karen quickly understood that joining the Lopez family was not easy-peasy, especially with Heather around.
Karen fell silent for a while after hearing it all. Then she asked, "And what about you? How do you feel about Mr. Lopez?" "I don''t know." She used to think it was just a transaction between her and Everett, butter found out there were some feelings involved.
For example, every time she heard news about him and Heather, she would feel down. But she never thought Everett had such deep feelings for her! She only thought it was the usual affection between men and women.
As an ugly ducky, she had never thought of bing a real swan! "Man, poor Mr. Lopez! He''s done so much for you, and all you can say is you don''t know." Dorothy forced a smile, "Even if my answer was yes, we can¡¯t possibly be a couple. Nobody can solve a zillion questions dropped here." "If you find it difficult, Dorothy, then that¡¯s the same for Mr. Lopez. But he never thought about giving up."
Chapter 166
?Chapter 166
Even Karen could see it through. Maybe Dorothy was the only one who failed to get it.
"So you''re saying I shouldn''t divorce him?"
"Of course! Mr. Lopez didn''t even mention it. Why would you give up when he¡¯s still holding on?" Karen patted her shoulder, "I can tell that your journey is tough, not just because of Mr. Lopez''s mother but also your stubborn mom, But since you''re together, just strive for it. Even if... even if you end up separating, at least you won''t regret it when you look back!"
Dorothy pursed her lips, her voice a bit dry. "But my mom''s illness..."
"Dorothy, you''ve been working, supporting the family, and paying hospital bills since you were a kid; it''s about time you live for yourself!"
Dorothy blinked and stayed silent for a long time.
...
When Amanda woke up from the hospital bed again, the doctors wished they could hang a banner saying "Don''t let her get emotional" in her ward.
After another reminder, the doctors finally left.
Relieved, Jonathan held his wife''s hand tightly. "You''re finally awake! You scared the hell out of me!"
Amanda nced at the people by the bed and deliberately called Heather over, T''m fine. Poor girl, you''ve been wronged..."
She was clearly hinting at Everett and everyone could see that.
Heather tugged at her lip awkwardly, she leaned down and whispered, "Amanda, Everett is really worried about you. You should talk to him."
Amanda retorted, "He probably just wants me to die now, so no one can stop him."
The atmosphere in the room dropped to freezing point as she said this.
Everett knew exactly what his mother was doing. He paused for a moment, then turned to leave.
His father suddenly stopped him, "I will disown you if you leave the room today!"
Heather didn''t expect them in a stalemate. She quickly stood up to smooth things over while shooting Everetta look. "Everett just wanted to go get some groceries for Amanda. Don''t overthink it! As Amanda''s son, he must be so worried." "Is that right?" Jonathan also looked at him.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.
Time ticked by and Everett''s deep and hoarse voice finally sounded. "I''ll go out for a smoke."
He strode out, ignoring Heather''s mediation.
Amanda closed her eyes in anger, "Even if I really disown him, I must have Heather as my daughter-inw."
"Don''t be angry now. I''ll talk to him again." Jonathan was worried about his wife''s rpse so he quicklyforted her.
Heather also chimed in, "Amanda, your health is the most important thing now! Everything else is a small matter! Besides, I''ve just returned to the country not long ago and haven''t spent much time with Everett. If you push him like this, it will only backfire! How about... giving us some time?" "He''s not even broken up with that girl named Dorothy. How can he ever spare any thoughts for you?"
"Then I''ll find a way to break them up." Heather smiled, her tone still soothing. "Don''t worry, things take time. I promise you I won''t marry anyone in my life. I''m set on Everett!"
Perhaps the words hit Amanda''s heart, and she finally smiled.
"You always know how tofort me! Dorothy doesn''t even deserve to be a cleaner in the Lopez family!"
Chapter 167
Chapter 167
Chapter 167
After much sweet talking and persuading Heath and Jerothan finally managed to calm Amanda down,
and her blood pressure and pulsemadings on the monitor were o longer in the danger zone
N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.
Heatherally stepped out after Amands fell asleep
Looking up at the coindar the saw Everett puffing away ona cigrette arsund theer
He was all that he Mackedhi the moonlighting in from the windows shadow stretched our long and
th
Taking breath, Heather made her way towards him
¡°Believe it or not, I genuinely care for Amanda. If you¡¯re not willing to many me, I want for you. But
you¡¯ve seen Amanda¡¯s condition. If you keep being stubborn like this. Even the doctors can¡¯t do
miracles.
Everett paused, sutted his face slightly and give her a sidelong nce ¡°Don¡¯t try side e
¡°know it¡¯s pointless so I¡¯m just giving you a suggestion
Seeing that he had no reaction, Heather continued. ¡°The doctor said your mom can¡¯t be stressed. Right
now you don¡¯t want to leave Dorothy, so the only option is for me to y along Well pretend to be
together
Im not interested¡±
¡°You will be Amanda made it this time, but what about
Think about it Heather lowered her eyshes, he filed with
mockery dont want to deman myself the this. Thave my pride tool But I¡¯m willing to y this along for
Amanda Whatever youds with Dorothy is prate is one of my business. I wonin Everett didn¡¯t respond
He just crushed the butt of his cigarette
Ignoring Heather he was about to head back to the room.
She yelled bend back you agree, I take the me formis et Dorothy keep her job in the
Everett paused briefly but didm fun around.
¡°You should apologa to her from the beginning. You own her that¡± ile said.
¡°You Heather was aimest hystencal, ¡°younever believedme, did you?¡±
Dorothy didn¡¯t have any exdence against her and most people venne on her side
So Everett should be on her side too in all aspects of consideration. But whydd trways chose Dorotty
| bank. I¡¯ll admit it was my fault and apologherin
Dorothy tossed and tumed all night.un
Shequred his mom
Lurable to sleep. The was call from E
caused quite a scene at the hospital.
In truth, Dorothy didnt find Amanda¡¯s reaction surprising Families of their status would naturally
Their son to marry someone of equal standing who would bmestha
mit, Heather the illegitimate child, was doing better than het in menty aspect, education, talent, and
qual fican on
On top of Heather and her mom wouldn¡¯t tell the Lopez family that Heather was a bastard child
Finally Dorothy¡¯s phone rang
When she saw Everett¡¯s name on the screen, she felt her heart skip a beat it was a heavy feeling, yet
Did I make you? Everett¡¯s voice was husky and low probably from Maying up all night.
¡°No, how how¡¯s Amanda doing?¡±
¡°She¡¯s okay The doctor said here is no longer in de danger¡±
Aerothy responded, they fell
After a while, she suddenly broke the silence, ¡°Do you need to stay at the hospital the whole time to
take care of her?¡±
¡°Wis. The left the hospital already
¡°Can youe pick me up then? Dorothy patted her lips, ¡°1. ¡®en not used in sleeping at Karen¡¯s
Chapter 168
?Chapter 168
It was like the air had frozen for a moment.
Dorothy waited for seconds but still didn¡¯t hear his voice. She asked tentatively, "Everett?"
"I''ming to pick you up now." He answered.
"Okay."
Putting down her phone, Dorothy heaved a sigh of relief. She felt she wasn''t afraid of any obstacles in her future anymore.
Suddenly, she made up her mind that as long as Everett didn''t back down, neither would she.
She felt much lighter after making that decision!
Dorothy didn''t feel tired even if she didn¡¯t sleep all night. She got up, changed, showered and even put on a bit of makeup.
When she walked out of her room, Karen was just stretching. Looking all bedraggled, she was surprised to see her.
"Where are you going?"
"Everett''sing to pick me up."
Karen was stunned for a moment, "So you''ve figured it out?"
Dorothy nodded, "Yes, you''re right. I should live for myself. He''s given up so much for me; if I keep backing down, I would be letting him down."
"Absolutely!" Karen was so excited that tears were almost welling up in her eyes, "Dorothy, remember that you deserve a good man! You deserve to be cherished! Mr. Lopez obviously sees your worth!"
She walked over and hugged Dorothy tightly, "Dorothy, you must be happy!"
"Okay!" Dorothy took a deep breath, "I will."
She knew if she missed Everett this time, she would never find another man who would treat her like this.
She really wanted to keep this feeling of being cherished forever.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.
When Everett arrived, Dorothy was still hugging Karen!
It wasn''t until his call came in that they reluctantly separated.
She picked up her bag and walked out, each step felt light and excited.
She was still a bit shy when she saw Everett even though they had done everything together.
Everett strode over as a natural movement and took her bag.
Dorothy coughed lightly, "Um... don''t you have to go back to the office today?"
"Kevin will take care of things there. I haven''t slept all night and want to go home and rest." His voice was hoarse and his handsome face showed obvious signs of fatigue.
But as long as Dorothy asked, he would definitely pick her up without a doubt.
"Oh." She lowered her head and followed him, not expecting him to suddenly stop.
And she bumped into his back just like that!
"You don''t want me to take the time out of my day to get a divorce with you, do you?" He asked her.
"No, no, I was just asking!"
Everett raised an eyebrow and finally caught on, "You don''t want a divorce anymore?"
"Yes." Dorothy nodded with a smile, a bit coy, "You have been so good to me, giving me care and trust. I will be so ungrateful if I insist on divorcing you."
A hint of a smile finally appeared on Everett''s chiseled face.
This was probably the only time he had been genuinely happy recently.
He raised his hand and patted her forehead, "You finally realize you''re ungrateful."
"It''s your fault. Why don''t you let me know what you''re doing?" Dorothy looked at him, "You should have told me about the Sino Sess Enterprises project."
Everett was taken aback, "How did you know?"
"Jeffrey came to see me and told me everything you did."
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?Chapter 169
"What did he say?" Everett asked.
"He spilled everything he knew, but he made it clear that he wasn''t to persuade me to be with you." Dorothy knew Jeffrey, as Everett¡¯s friend, said all these things for Everett''s sake.
She had always been indifferent to Everett''s efforts, giving no response and bearing no enthusiasm. In Jeffrey''s eyes, she definitely was not good enough for Everett.
He felt Everett was stuck in the middle and having a very hard time. That was why he made Dorothy leave him.
"Don''t listen to him." Everett said.
"I didn''t, but you should thank him. Otherwise, I might have chosen to avoid the problem and solve the current troubles by divorce." Dorothy pursed her lips, "Now you can tell me why you choose not to tell me and do everything quietly."
Everett''s eyes darkened, lips slightly parted.
"If you had known earlier, you would have avoided me like the gue."
Dorothy froze suddenly. She didn''t see thating.
Everett knew her so well!
He was right. If she noticed a man had feelings for her, she would consciously avoid interactions with him.
"That''s why I couldn''t tell you. And it''s not a big deal. Why bother?" He had been doing those things from middle school but never mentioned any of them. Hence, he felt there was no use in bringing things up as now they¡¯d grown up as adults.
Dorothy just stared at him quietly for a long, long time.
"Being in love with me must be tiring." She knew it herself.
She was very resistant to men and that¡¯s probably because of her mother. She even thought she would never fall in love or get married in her whole life because no man could put up with her and her upbringing!
"I¡¯m not tired." He answered.
"You''re lying."
"I¡¯m telling the truth."
"Well, I''m tired. Let''s go home." She said.
Everett smiled, "Okay."
Back at the Bay Residence.
Dorothy never dreamed that Everett, who had been up all night, still had the energy to ''conquer her!
Once wasn''t enough, so he went for round two...
Dorothy even suspected he was trying to make up for all the lost time these days.
Finally, when she was so exhausted she couldn''t lift her hand, he let out a low hum, sank down, and ended this bedroom duel.
Everett took her to the bathroom to clean up. By the time they came out, Dorothy had already fallen asleep.
He gently kissed her cheek, covered her with the nket, and got up to check his phone.
For the first time, he had turned his phone on silent. He did that to avoid any kind of disruption.
There were several missed calls from Kevin and his father Jonathan.
His father must have bypassed him and pressured Kevin about the Dorothy''s dismissal.
That was for sure.
He took out the remaining half pack of cigarettes from his suit jacket, lit one on the balcony, and called back.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.
"I thought I''m not your father anymore!" Jonathan''s voice came from the other end.
"What''s up?"
"Dorothy must be fired. If she feels wronged, I can give her a sum of money so she won''t have to worry about her livelihood for the rest of her life! But, as you can see now, your mother can''t ept her at all."
Everett took a puff while he suddenly remembered he had to go back and hold Dorothyter. He quickly put it out and took a wet wipe from the table, wiping his slender fingers over and over again.
"She''s not short of money."
"So you still decided to give up your mother in the end?! Do you want me, your father, to kneel down in front of you?"
Chapter 170
?Chapter 170
Everett''s eyes darkened.
"I''ll figure out a way to get my mom to ept Dorothy."
"No way in hell, son! Your mom is hell-bent on Heather. You heard her in the hospital, didn''t you?"
Everett nced towards his bedroom, "There''s got to be a way."
He just hadn''t thought of it yet.
Jonathan stayed quiet for a good while before he finally muttered, "Earlier, Heather pulled me aside and suggested that you two could pretend to be together in front of your mom. That can at least stabilize her condition! I''m not okay with lying to your mom. I¡¯m afraid the truth wille out someday. But if you insist on not breaking up with Dorothy, then what Heather said is the only solution for now. Think about it."
With that, he hung up.
Everett stared at his phone screen. His thick eyebrows furrowed deeply.
He knew full well that persuading his mom would be next to impossible. Only a stalling tactic could solve the problem for now.
But he couldn''t shake off an ominous feeling.
...
Perhaps exhausted from Everett''s demands, Dorothy was sleeping soundly.
When she woke up the next day and saw the ceiling of Bay Residence, it took her a good while to recognize where she was.
She got up, freshened up, and walked out of the bedroom.
Everett, in his white home-wear, was typing away at hisputer at the dining table. He wasmunicating about somepany matters with his brows slightly furrowed.
A steaming hot breakfast was almost ready in the kitchen.
She hoped the moment couldst forever.
Hearing the noise, Everett looked over, "Hold on, we can eat soon."
"Mmhm." Dorothy nodded, shuffling over, and asked, "Need any help?"
"Just wait."
She obediently sat on the other side of the dining table; her hands propped up her face as she watched him.
Everett was really good looking!
Back in school, she often heard girls talking about how handsome he was. There were even girls fighting over him in the school''s restroom.N?velDrama.Org ? content.
She remembered clearly that two schoolgirls were squabbling and ended up betting against each other on whose love letter Everett would end up taking.
But he didn''t ept anyone''s, right? As far as Dorothy remembered, Everett didn''t have any girlfriends when they were ssmates. He was always cold to girls, having the same aloof demeanor he had in thepany now.
Nobody thought that such an unattainable guy would have a secret crush, let alone that the crush was Dorothy!
Thinking about it now, Dorothy still found it absurd. It all felt like... a dream!
"What are you thinking about?" Everett snapped hisptop close after finishing his work.
"About how popr you were back in junior high."
He paused, seemingly unaware of his own charm, "I guess I didn''t really pay much attention to that."
"You are showing off."
Everett walked over with a serious expression, "I''m not showing off. But there''s something important to discuss." "Alright, spill it." Dorothy stopped smiling and looked at him, "What''s up?"
"About Heather." Everett took a long pause and decided to see what''s Dorothy''s attitude towards Heather first.
That was only a show he staged in front of his mother, and he found it easy to hide itpletely from Dorothy. But he didn''t want to lie to her. Dorothy''s face changed instantly at the mention of Heather. Her expression tightened.
"Let me make one thing clear first. It''s either her or me."
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?Chapter 171
Everett was a bit taken aback by watching her adamant look. He had never seen this sharp side of Dorothy.
Usually, she kept to herself, not getting particrly close to anyone, nor making enemies, all focusing on work.
But he felt that was understandable. After all, Heather had framed her and caused her a big mess. It was a natural thing that she loathed Heather. "Don''t worry, once we confirm her bad behaviors, thepany will take appropriate disciplinary action."
"Yeah, I trust you."
Dorothy didn''t want to keep arguing with Everett over Heather''s actions.
After all, there were still plenty of headaches to deal with today, like Be.
Standing outside the hospital, Dorothy looked up at the building, trying to figure out what to say to her mother.
While Everett''s mom couldn''t handle it, her own mother wasn''t in the best of health either.
After musing for a long time, she gritted her teeth and walked in.
Be was having physical therapy in the morning to help her atrophied leg muscles regain some strength so she could walk properly. So, when Dorothy first arrived, Be didn''t notice anything amiss with her daughter.
It wasn''t until she helped her out of the therapy room that she noticed Dorothy was more quiet than usual.
"What''s wrong?"N?velDrama.Org ? content.
Dorothy froze and shook her head, "Nothing, nothing at all."
"You''ve never been good at lying. Just tell me what had happened." Be stopped in her tracks, looking at her daughter.
The hospital corridor was busy with peopleing and going. Although no one was paying attention to them, it added to the pressure Dorothy already felt.
Seeing that she wasn''t saying anything. Be suddenly asked, "Did you handle that situation with Everett yet?"
"Mom, about him and me...
"Don''t tell me you now two have feelings for each other!" Be cut her off. She cut the chase because she somehow understood her daughter''s mind. "Dorothy. I''ve told you before that we can''t afford to have any grandiose aspirations! We can''t try to be something we''re not! Those high society folks live in a different world. If they get bored with you one day, you won''t stand a chance!"
Be had seen it all over the years! If her own family had been of higher status than her husband''s family, they wouldn''t have dared to treat her the way they did! Unfortunately, she couldn''tpete with their family background. The gap in status was toorge so she would be the one who was bullied.
And now, her daughter was following in her footsteps, getting involved with a man from an even more prominent family than the Sanchez''s. It was such a terrifying thing!
Be knew that if her daughter were bullied or mistreated by the Lopez family, she wouldn''t be able to do anything about it even if she sacrificed her own life. There were things a woman like her couldn''t help with. Not because she didn''t want to handle these, but because she wouldn''t be able to.
The Lopez family, let alone in Eldoria City, even in their home country, could easily attain anything they wanted. To put it bluntly, Be would have no one to turn to even if her daughter died at the hands of the Lopez family.
"Mom, it won''t be like that. He''s really good to me."
"I wouldn''t marry your father if he hadn''t been good to me" Be scoffed. "Men can do anything for you and promise you anything when they are in the heat of the moment, You''re too young to see him through. You are blindsided."
Dorothy knew what her mom would say from the start. But this time, she didn''t waver.
"I want to trust him this time."
"You''re definitely my daughter." Be''s face darkened, "Fine, if you choose not to leave him, then don''te here anymore. Don''t see me and don''t call me Mom."
Chapter 172
Chapter 172
Chapter 172
Dorothy pursed he is feeling helpless.
She knew her mam well, the moment she opened her mouth shed be spewing venom. That¡¯s how the
always been for years. She had been cardantly threatening to cut ties or refusing med ca treatment.
Don¡¯t even get a chance¡± Dorothy¡¯s voice trembled with desperation, Just because you made a bad
choice when you were young, you kodume al men are like Though she didn¡¯t know how her dad had
won her mon¡¯s heat or what their rtionship was like, Darochy believed Everett wouldn¡¯t be so
imeipons biel
Everett woulcht abandon his wife and daughter without a seco¡¯s thought! She trusted him.
¡°Are you questioning met Pe was taken aback. She had erected so much to change overnight, ¡®Do
you thing harm you?
??
don¡¯t think you ! Farm me ljust wish you wouldn¡¯t let past exper ences cloud your judgement. And
¡°Dorothy paused, then continued. ¡°This is my life: to matter what the
oue do marians regrets
The word¨Ccase scenar would be misjudging someone
Even without Ewicht, she could survive
She refused to live under the shadow of a past mannship just like her mother
¡°Of course you¡¯d say that. You dont have kid! Imagine you are tricked if you have kids now won¡¯t you
stop your kid for
N?velDrama.Org ? content.
the sumed.mb mistakeP
¡°No, I wouldnt Dorally, answered firmly his feet Also I wouldn¡¯t end my life over a man. If Carrett
overcharges and stops loeng me, 14 farget him and live my life is
She definitely wouldnt be her mother clinging to the the of a legal wife, rejecting any advances
ancing away he
She decided that it the were to be wronged she bounce back as quickly as possible. She could
immerse herself in work, hal, or even start a new rtionship. She wouldn¡¯t sink for a man
¡°Mom, after at these yours, it¡¯s me to let go Dorothy are truthers has holding a grudge Thats why she
was refusing indice and surrender to that
Women
At first, she don¡¯t object to her mother¡¯s choice. After all, she wanted to save her
sty and thats a room Pring
But as the years passed she grew up and found the only person slurk in this whole mess was Be
hersel
After being hurt Be refused to socialize or any man: athaters, and was even contemting ending
her dimife. That was the dumbest thing to do Even dumber than busting that man in the first ce!
Dorothy believed the best revenge man ko kar better than those weg hurt you
¡°How can let go ¡°heeses and this Exeren!!
alive and they keep proiskinginer Besseered quick y gelling back on track on thinkpromise,
including you
¡°Mom How about I bring Everet to meet you and then you can decide.¡±
¡°wont meet Men never speak the ruth! You think id believe his promises? His assurances that hell
begendte you are just empty words! If he really can¡¯t live without you line, let himanster the em Lopez
Corporation under your name, then I believe time¡±
Chapter 173
Chapter 173
Chapter 173
¡°You¡¯m really pushing me into aer here!
Her mother¡¯s words sounded like a fairy tale to hel
Dorothy didn¡¯t even know when her mother started measuring the solidity of rtionships by money
The Lee Corporation wasnt just Everett¡¯s; it¡¯s the product of generations of the Lopez family¡¯s hard
work. They simply felt impossible to transfer it into her name,
I¡¯m just using this as an example to show you that no man will give up everything for you. They just talk
a big game if you asked Everett for all his possessions, he wouldn¡¯t give them to you and he¡¯d dump
you in no time
¡°That¡¯s because he would think I¡¯m a greedy woman then Dorothy responded, feeling that any person
would instantly lose their good impression upon hearing such a inques!
That shouldn¡¯t even be ateriont
To put it another way if she was Everett, she would also feel that the gil epted him only because she
wanted something in return.
There is no such thing as being greedy or not. A man¡¯s heart is where his money is Be red at her
daughter sterly And stop calling me greedy. If I wanted to use you for money I wouldnt have refused the
money you got from a man to treat my illness even if it meant my death What I¡¯m saying is, I want you
to see clearly the gap between you and Everett and how impossible it is!¡±
¡°So no man can be trusted as you said I should just never get mamedor have a boyfriend in my whole
life!
¡°That¡¯s not what I¡¯m saying¡± B suddenly changed her tone think that Keh is a good choice!
Dorothy was taken aback by her mother¡¯s sudden mention of Keh
¡°We¡¯re just friends¡± the said, started
¡°But Keh likes you¡± Bells, having been through it all could tell that Keh was serious about her
daughter. If she had to pick a son¨Cinw right now she¡¯d rather trust Keh than anyone else.
Just thinking about the haughty way Event¡¯s mother hade to her made Be shudder. She could
already imagine the hardships her daughter would face if she married
A man might be able to protect her once or twice, but if his mother was always picking fights and bad
mouthing her their rtionship wouldn¡¯tst long.
With Everett as a CEC, there would be plenty of girls trying to seduce him. What would happen to her
daughter then?
Compared to that, at least Kehs parents had been polite and genuinely liked Dorothy when they
met
¡°Mom, there¡¯s no chance betninen Keh and me.¡±
¡°Then there¡¯s even less chance between you and Everett, unless you wait until I¡¯m dead¡±
¡®Mom!¡®
Tm going back to my hospital room. If you still believe in love, you don¡¯t have toe anymore. Out of
sight, out of mind. I don¡¯t want to see my daughter ending up like
¦°¦§
With that, Be left her daughter behind and walked away, leaning on the wall for support.
Dorothy knew it would be hard to change her mother¡¯s mind right away
She needed to think of another way. She couldn¡¯t possibly break off her rtionship with her mother
because of Everett
Dorothy¡¯s name had almost be taboo at the HQ of the Lopez Corporation
N?velDrama.Org ? content.
She was the only one who had been publicly fred on the groups official website and then had the
decision reversed.
That was very unusual.
After all, for an investment department assistant to be personally ordered to be fired by the chairman
was news in itse
But to have the decision reversed by the CCD
That was simply shocking Even a fool could guess what was going on.
During the lunch break, two female colleagues couldn¡¯t help but gossip about it.
¡°Do you think Dorothy has some dirt on our CED
¡± would believe it if it was someone else, but M? Loper? I dont buy it. He¡¯s like a ciet never showing
interest in women, and he¡¯s very careful and serious about his work I dont think he¡¯d tum any dirt.¡± The
faller woman thought for a moment, then leaned in closer to her colleague and lowriedber mice. ¡°But I
have seen Dorothy She is quite
¡°Do you think Mr Lopezcks beautiful women around him?¡±
Put it this way. Dr. Loper could here any woman be warted if he wished bal
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Just they were about to say something they suddenly locked up and saw Heather standing in front of
them.
She was staring right at the Obviously she had hews their conversation,
¡°The Lopez Corporation pays you to gossip, huh?¡±
Som Ms. Heather. The two staff members immediately stood up bowing and begging in parle.
Heather nced at them, ¡°You dont have to apologie to me I report thes to your department head. You
can expanthings to him.¡±
With that, she bened around in her high heels and headed straich, for the CEO¡¯s office
Heather had asked in achance and knew that Everett was in the office to the knocked on the door
Only when she heard a voice from inside did she push the dear porn
Everen nced upr a second, then continued to look at the documents in his hand. His attade
towards fer waspletely different from when he first retumed to the country
Back then, he might not have been very enthusiastic, but it least he treated her as his night¨Chand
woman, a prod partner at
All because of one Demily that junior assistant!
Heathers pupils dted. She stepped forward, walked to his dear, and handed the envelope in her hand
¡°Everett, I know you¡¯ve already decided that I¡¯m framing boys useless no matter
I
exin it won¡¯t waste my time I choose to resign as chal counsel. Here¡¯s
Hearing this, Exeret fra ly responded the locked up. The truth is the truth and it¡¯s not determined by me
¡°But the only thing I rate about is your judgement Everyone else can wrong me, and I don¡¯t care. No
mate what the defendants said about me in court before, I never took it to heart. I can also ignore the
gusta about men in thepany now. But your is makes me feel like everything I do is in vain
Heather¡¯s eyes never let Everett¡¯s face
T¡¯s true that Everett had given a lot to Dorothy He had been treating her like a race
But
Heather¡¯s efforts for Everett were no less!
The Lopez Corporation has been established for so long and encountered so many troubles. She
worked through the right to collect information and trick about how in
solve them. She made everyone in the industry know that the Lopez Corporation had a toughwyer
and reached a consensus better not touch the Lager Corporations legal department
She really thought that alter this incident, the worst Exetett could do was to stay neutral!
She really didn¡¯t expect that he wouldpletely believe Dorothy
This made Heather feel like hur years of hard work were a joke!
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A big poke
¡°You know whether you did it or not thepany won¡¯t wrong you. Il a depends on the evidence¡±
¡°Is there any evidence now that points tom framing Dorothy?¡±
Heatherughed, ¡°You just looking for dence against me, so why bother with the word investigating
Now for the sake of Amanda¡¯s health, I¡¯m Alling to resign myself Whether you me me or try to clear
Durys name, Forly have one condition let¡¯s pretend to be lovers in from of Amanda¡±
Seeing Everett not speaking the frowned
¡°You should know whether the
make it out of the emergency room again!
Heather knew Everett didn¡¯t want to agree, but she knew on well that this was the only way right now.
¡°You done
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¡°Ever!!! Are you trally gonna ditch your mom for Dorothy? Man you¡¯re really head over heels for hel
He didn¡¯t respond be just stand up and opened the effice day, wed said, ¡°Please¡°.
Heather¡¯s expression was priceless! Her face was a mix of embamusament, awkwardness, and anger
all at oren
But Everett was still as noderent as ever He couldnt even be bothered to give her a nce
Aber Heather leh Everett nced at the
se letter on the table and went back to cal?HR.
¡°Process Heather¡¯s resignation Yeah, she qut voluntanly¡±
Everett expected his father¡¯s wort, so when he saw Jorothan it has office after a meeting he wasn¡¯t
surprised.
Everett was halfway to hoping massage to Dorally
¡°Don¡¯t argue with your mother ether after setting things out here.¡± He typed.
Everett knew his mother didn¡¯t speak well when the wished her Dorothy could handle it alon
So you no longer care about your father now
allun wa arroyed by his son¡¯s indifference
¡°If you¡¯re here about Heather i have nothing to say She resigned or her own¡± He didn¡¯t make her out
¡°You dont know why she cut?
On this top home, Jonathan realized had changed a lot. He was no longer the workahoke he unce was,
bar raw prontized Domity in everything
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Lopez Corporation would definitely be affected by Heather¡¯s departure and my son surely knows that!
He taught
¡°But you stopped her projects in thepany because of Dorothy. Isnt that the same as forcingher!
kay?¡± Junatun subbed his forehead, not wanting to argue with his son at this time the lus to worry
whout his wife¡¯s health conditions as well. ¡°Everett, didn¡¯t tell you? I dont want to force you to cut Set
with Darthypletely, but you need to know your panties! It¡¯s foolish to let a woman affect your career
Everett know Heather was ying the door in the face. She just wanted to stir up hatred for Dorothy in
the Leper family
You say this because you cont know Dorothy She¡¯s going to be am
cama asset in investment Banking
¡°Thats because of your strong support. Otherwise, she would ever quity for a job at Lopez Corporation¡±
Jonathan waved his hand and took a deep breath, ¡°You can agree to Heather¡¯s resignation. Your
mother doesnt know pet. Il ste finds out she¡¯ll get emotional again! Exrett I don¡¯t want to bypass you
and talk to Corotty directly Do
you understand
The threat was dear in his WORSE
Everett know has father wasnt paking. If his father interfered and targeted Dorothy, things would get
moreplicated.
Til handle it appropriately
¡°You better ber Also, you must promise me that you wont let Dorothy get involved in the core business
of Lopez Corporation! You can give her money or assets, but you cant gamble the entire Loper
Corporation for some romantic feelings
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Everett furrowed his brow not digging the way his dad was calling the shot en semeone¡¯s futum
¡°I can only promise you if Dorothy ever makes it to the core of the Lopez Corporation, it¡¯s gonna be
because of her own abilities?
¡°If you¡¯re so certain of Dorothy¡¯s capabilities, why can¡¯t you give Heather a look see and see what she¡¯s
done for thepany? Your mom¡¯s dead set on her as a
daughter inw, so she¡¯s gotta be a catch¡±
Heather got what she deserved for her work¡±
Everett didn¡¯t feel he owed Heather jack!
Surely she¡¯d put in a lot of elbow grease for the Lopez Corporation, but she always eamed the mast
yearly bonuses among the entire legal department
The stepped back not because I¡¯m scared of you but because I fear your mother¡¯s death?¡± Jonathan
hulled ¡°Think about the rest yourself.¡±
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With that he got up and let the office
Everett went back to his desk and nced at his pho
A message from Dorothy was on the scre
Junda tricky Let¡¯s wat she¡¯s discharged. How about you?
I¡¯m good pick you up after work]
[Alright]
Looking at the ¡°Alright¡± she had sent, Everen fell silem for a long time
He wasn¡¯t sure how this whole thing was going to end, but he knew he wouldn¡¯t give upon thy
Just as she put down her phone, Dorothy looked up to see her mother eyeballing her
Straight on, as if she had something to say.
¡°What¡¯s up¡® Feeling !!?!
¡°Ack Keh toe to the hospital tomorrow¡® Be, anticipating her daughter¡¯s resistance, added
directly ¡°You tell him, or I can give him ang
Dorothy sighed, ¡°What for? He¡¯s swamped with school stuff¡±
Tike him. Cari just have a chat with him?
She said it like that, but Dorothy was no fool, she knew what her mother was up to!
¡°Mom, don¡¯t drag inocent people into this.¡±
¡°You were the one who introduced him to me! Nowl want to talk to him, and you¡¯re saying no.¡± Delta
shrugged, ¡°Whatever, fl sell him myself¡±
With that, she reached for her phone.
Dorothy quickly chimed in, will tell him talk to him after his work,
She was worried about her mother¡¯s tone and manner which could be off putting
Over the years, Be never leamed how tomunicate properly
It was always threats and cold remarks.
Under her mother¡¯s game, Dorothy opened herptop and continued her work. As long as the Lopez
Corporation didn¡¯t officially fire her, she had to keep working
She knew that if the cked off even a little she could fall far behind. By then, men if she got her job
back, she wouldn¡¯t be able to keep up with the project progress.
She worked nonstop for several hours before finally frishing the dara investigation and sent the
document to m
As right fell and it was about time for Everett to get off work, she got up to tidy up. ¡°Mom,e see you
tomorrow¡±
Are you spending the right with that Everett Be asked in bluntly that Dorothy was at a loss for words
Seeing her silence. Be got the picture
with a stem face, she suddenly spoke, ¡°I know if I don¡¯t push you to divorce, the Lopez family will also
find a way to get rid of you. It¡¯s inevitable. I just want you to keep some dignity to the end¡°
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¡°He wants ¡®
¡°You¡¯re that sure? Berda
bom at her daughter wighting heavily. ¡°You truly are my flesh and blood, as stubborn as me thought if I
constantly warned you, you
would tread the same path I did But life has a furmy way of messing with our ns.
Dryer mother was thinking about her father again.
She also knew her mother would sabotage her But Everett had done so much for her that the trusted
him.
If Everett was the kind of man who breaks his promises easily, he could have just fred me and been
with Heatherby now¡±
That would have solved everything
Everett had a thousand ways just as Kevin had said to ignore her to ignore the probleme, to care only
about the Loner Corporation¡¯s interests, and to forget about her fate
But he hadn¡¯t Even when she herself had wanted mutiple times, he hadst agreed instead telling her n
his wand wice.
He would have agreed to a divorce
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Forget it You won¡¯t believe me no
Dorothy locked at her, ¡®SUIT what 153 DOW
can you¡¯re quinque your bless ng
¡°Of course not! Be demed quickly. 1 just don¡¯t have the energy to argue with you anymore. I
remembered what Keh said to me when he visited the hospital. He said you¡¯ve been having a hard
time, and when I say harsh words, you¡¯d be upset for a long time
Dorothy was momerianly silent. She hadn¡¯t expected Keh to tell her mother all that.
Be chuckled as feminiscing something don¡¯t easily trust a man. But Keh is the first are in years
who Heel Fcan must a lotle. He really considers things from your perspective, even if it means ofending
me
¡°Mom, Evendres al these mines too! Cantarrange a time for him to meet you?¡±
¡°No need¡± B waved her off, ¡®Meeting would be pointless. Let¡¯s not waste Eme
She didnt believe he dy her had a shot with the high and mighty Inper family
Theron her longer wanted to argue with Dorothy was because she knew the Loper family would haw
taken care of breaking them up themselves
She didnt need to interfer
And she really did remember near
Dorothy was the only family she had left in the world Harsh words would have only hurt her and ruined
their rtionship really wasnt right to do so
Dorothy wanted to plead for Everett a few more times, but in the end, she held her tongue
It was not because she had changed her mind, but because she didnt mark in was the nightsmel
Maybe after Everett¡¯s mother gave her blessing she could have Extel met her mother. By then, Be
would have nothing left to say
Aher setting with her mother Dorothy left the hospital
Evers cat was a ready mating at the gate.
She nced at her phone and realized he hadn¡¯t seni ary messiged
¡®How long have you been wating?¡°¡±
I just got here. Everett¡¯s ky expression wamed up to a smile.pon seeing Dorothy He got up and opened
the car door for her
Dorothy paused. ¡°You could have testedme. I would havee down S??ner¡±
¡°it¡¯s not urgent, i cont want to interest your time with your mother and make her feel he was stein
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Everett wided to wanting for Dorothy
He had been doing it for years.
As the sumset started tode. Dorothy looked up at him
All those years and seemed like time hadn¡¯t touched him. Look closely he¡¯s sell got that boyish charm
¡°You should smile more Stop looking so seNOUS
¡°All night.¡± Event nodded. He waited for Dorothy to get in first before he took the driver¡¯s seat
He didn¡¯t bring his assistant today, which made Dorothy feel like they were just an ordinary couple
going home after work, cooking dinner, and falling asleep in each other¡¯s
However, Ever!! was anything but ordinary
Dorothy wanted to ask about his mother, but she couldn¡¯t bring herself to
She didn¡¯t want to break the peace of their little world
Back Bay Residence. Everett changed into something morefortable and headed for the kitchen,
followed by Dorothy
¡®Let me cook tonight. You can go and take a break.¡±
He always said he was not tired, but the weariness on his face said otherwise
Dorothy knew how much work he had to do for the Lopez Corporation, yet he still managed to find me
for
¡°I want to spend more time with you Everett didn¡¯t leave but continued chopping vegetables
Dorothy smiled and joined him, enjoying their quiet time together.
Their peace was short lived, however, as the doorbng
Everett paused ncing at Dorothy who hesitated
¡®Should I hide in if your family?s
¡°No need to hide it does no matter who it in
¡°Dorothy this is your home, but
His words gave Dorothy a surge of courage
She nodded. ¡°Winght, then
Imer the door together¡°.
When they got to the door, they saw who it was through the peephole
Everett frowned, clearly not happy to see her
Aber a pause, Dorothy spoke softly ¡°You should talk to Heather alone. Il go cook. Even if you cant
standhe try to keep the peace for your mother¡¯s sake
Dorothy didn¡¯t want to see Heater, but she knew that Everett had to juggle a lot of things right now,
including worrying about his mother¡¯s health.
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¡°Okay¡± Everett agreed it was best not to let the two women meet right now.
After watching Dorothy walk back to the kitchen, Everett opened the door.
But he didn¡¯t invite Heather in. He just stood in the doorway
*What
¡°Your father told me you agreed to pretend to b
Everett frowned. ¡®I didn¡¯t say that.¡±
Ito be my boyfriend¡±
10h, then forget I came. He said you agreed and asked me to go with you to visit your mom at the
hospital. If that¡¯s not the case, I leave. With that Heather burned to
Suddenly Everett stopped her
¡°Heather, Jeffrey said I should respect you for your contributions to the Loper Corporation¡±
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In other words, she would better not to trash herst bit of dignity hersell,
Heather chuckled after hearing that
¡°You¡¯lle braging me, because your dad has decided to put the screws on Dorothy¡±
Everett scowled abruptly shock making a mine appearance on his unually stole handsome face. What
did you say?!
¡°Everett, you¡¯ve changed¡± Heather paused, ¡°You¡¯ve got a soft spot.
Darathy was his soft spot!
People, once they have weaknesses, are no longer invincible and will have their own considerations
After the left. Everen returned home to see Dorothy rushing out of the kitchen, ¡°Something came up
with my mom, I need to go! Cant have dinner with you now¡± ¡°What happened?
Tm not sure. The doctor called me and said she got right and had a bean attack!
Even instantly thought back to what Heather had just said. Til go with you¡±
¡°No need Dorothy looked at him, ¡°My mem hasn¡¯t epted you yet. If she makes up and sees you, she
might lose control again! Just wait for once everything¡¯s settled¡±
Til drive you to the hospital
Seeing his persistence, Dorothy had no choice but to nod
Upon reaching the hospital Dorothy did even have time to say goodbye before ringin
Everett watched her disappear from sight, then duled his father¡¯s number
Aber a few rings the call was picked up
¡°Everrell whats up?
¡°You messed with Dorothy¡¯s mom
me at home. Il be back
Jonathan just hughed, without gringa direct response, Son, when will you tealue the gap between you
and that Dorothy? You two are notpatible¡±
Tve told you that Dorothy is my line in the sand. Hands off
Everett¡¯s hard clenched the steering wheel tightly his veins bulging eyes as heavy as ink.
¡°If your mom heard this, she would be heartbroken You¡¯re ignoring your own mother¡¯s life for a woman
As your faec it¡¯s my duty to discipline you¡± Jonathan kept it short and simple. The already geen in Just
put on a show for your mom with Heather I don¡¯t care what you do with Dorothy privately! If you can¡¯t
eam do that don¡¯t me me for going too far You can protect Dorothy, but you can¡¯t protect everyone
around her nor het reputation and credibility in the business world¡±
As the chainman of the Loper Corporation, it wouldn¡¯t have been hard to run Dorothy! Even with
Everett¡¯s backing Dorothy would have been ignored, no matter how hard she Tied. She would have
been dismissed as a trophy wil
Everett was then confident that his father was behind the incident with Dorothy¡¯s mother tonight
¡°Don¡¯t you darey a finger on her ¡°He gutted his teeth, his pawline sharp. I consider what you said
¡°Good Aher all, I don¡¯t want to cause ant betweenus and be aughingstock
Not long after hanging up, Everett received a message from Dorothy
saw your car downstairs, you can go home. My mom¡¯s okay don¡¯t worry! She just got scare
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Everett instinctively looked in a certain direction, like he had some sort of sixth see, immediately
catching Dorothy¡¯s ga
After sending the message, he simply pulled up his work software and startednking through
documents.
Ever since Dorothy came into his Ide, Everett want to return to Bay Fondence alone anymore! He felt it
needed ady of the house to truly make it a home.
When he started working he was prepared to pull an all nighter, nning to catch a cat emergencies on
Barathy¡¯s end and not being able to be there in me,
at the office in the morning! But most importantly, he was won ed about any
As time ticked away rearing the early hours of the ring Everett surprisingly saw thy hastly eating the
¡°ospital!
She saw Everett¡¯s car and quickly went over to knack on the window ¡°Surprised? Bet you ditt expect
me ine pull Ever!l chuckles, opened the door, and stepped out ¡°Hmm, in your mom okay?¡±
¡°Nothing was seriously wrong to begin with She just had a real affeck from the shock, but she¡¯s as op
row! The doctors and nurses are looking after her, so I came out.¡± Dorothy knew from Everett¡¯s ¡°It wat
for your message that she dicht go back to Bay Residence with him today he was nning to wait at
the hospital the whole time. So, wher handing her mother¡¯s situation, she went down immediately!
Everett¡¯s wonload was already massive, and his it time was state and now even more so the winter
Everett to go home and get some proper rest
Everett asked ¡°So, can you leave the hospital now?
¡°Yes, let¡¯s head home
With that. Dorothy got into the passenger seat
Everett looked at het profie and suddenly sad ¡°How¡¯s Fes Elness now? Should we change
hospitals?¡±
Dorothy was startled, ¡°She¡¯s already had her surgery. Why woul; we change hospitals? She just needs
rehabilitation now, and she can be discharged once she¡¯s fully
self¨Crelian
was thinking of providing Be a better ce for reconery!
¡°No reed She¡¯s used to it here
Dorothy didn¡¯t think much more about it. Besides, she was bied hom all the running around
On the way back, she only spoke a few words to Everest before falling asleep
When they amand at Bay Residence, Dorothy was still asleep. It was Everell who camed her back to
the bedroom.
Seeing her curled upon the bed, he felt a real sense of possession That was why Everett seemed a
keen on bednom actrees
it seemed that only when he held her in his armes, entered her body, and saw her cheeks fusted for
him could he prow that it wasn¡¯t a dheam but reality.
The girl he had yamed for since his youth truly belonged to him at that time
The following day in the morning Demity was woken by a call from ne
¡°Heather resigned voluntary, and she even posted a long Twitter thread admitting that she identally
leaked the documents
Upon hearing that, the immediately opened Twitter.
As Dory had predicted, Heather¡¯s admission didn¡¯t put an end to the matter
Inarudi regnited the debate!
Most of thements wereforting Heather, the perpetratot, suggesting she might have been
threatened
Some even sad Heather was too kind hearted, and she admitted to it because she did want in in the
assstart¡¯s future!
All because she did mention how she set up the trap in her past
Even the motive was vaguely described, giving off a sense of being debately fabricated
That was Heather¡¯s skill. She knew how to stop back to advance
At the moment when they were at loggerheads, she yed that move.
Even the evidence could eventually prose that Heather was faming Dorothy, some people would have
still doubled that the evidence was fabricated just to clear Cory¡®N?velDrama.Org holds this content.
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¡°Well there it is! The truth is finally out Dorothy you cane back to work with your head held high!¡±
Karen was a simple girl not one to overthink things Sa naturally, she thought that the situation was over
Little did the know Heather¡¯s move wasn¡¯t an apology anal
Dorothy didn¡¯t want her to worry So, she just smiled and said, Wm hmm¡±
¡°So, are you free this weekend? How about we grab a meal together? Let¡¯s celebrate! It¡¯s my treat!¡±
Teant. My mom¡¯s health is acting up again 171 have to take a rain check¡±
give me a shout. Don¡¯t be shy I¡¯ve got nothing going on at the office
Karen sighed on the other end of the line ¡°All night then, Ill wat for you! If you need any help, just give
me a shout, anyway. Since you left. Mr. Percy has been giving me hell. I¡¯ve even been thinking of
quitting
Dont You¡¯re doing good at the Prosperity Consortium. Don¡¯t let me influence you Mr. Percy isn¡¯t all bad
He¡¯s just a hit hot headed, but he knows his stuff. You can learn an
That¡¯s why, every time Mr. Percy scolded Dorothy, she just took it on the chin.
It¡¯s not that she didnt have a temper. She just wanted to beam as much as she could. After all, Mr.
Percy had been in the investment banking business for year!
¡°Pth My brother said if it gets too much, he could get me a position at his school, so I wouldnt have to
put ue with this
Dorothy pare awry smile, saying nothing
Yeah, Karen was I like het She had many paths to choose from and many people who cared for her
and panned her future. She didn¡¯t have to make a name for herself in investment banking to survive
Aber listening to Karen ramble a bit more, she hung up and saw that Everett had already made
breakfast and was waiting for her at the bedroom door
His tall and lean figure a mast filled the entire doorway
¡°Karen¡±
¡°Mm hmm.¡± Dorothy nodded and go up to change before joining him at the dining table.
Everett opened his mouth a few times but said nothing I appeared as though he wanted to say
something
In the end, it was Dorothy who broke the silence. I saw Heathers Teether
¡°Don¡¯t pay attention to what she says¡±
¡°Everett, Heather Irwing would have a big impact on the Lopez Corporation, wouldn¡¯t it? She picked up
a piece of toast, asking casually.
Everett froze for a moment, his lips pressed together. ¡°There are plenty of goodwyers out thes
¡°But the one who¡¯s made significant contributions to the Lopez Corporation is only het right?¡±
That time. Everett didn¡¯t evade the topic. Instead, he looked at her and asked, ¡°What are you trying to
say?
Before Dorothy could finish, Everet suddenly cut her off in a cold nice
She paused blinked and after a few seconds, she startedughing. Ta¡¯t say I wanted a divorce. Why
are you so on edge?
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Everett tense face finally rxed a little when he heard her say she didn¡¯t want a divorce.
At that moment, Dorothy realised how much stress she had put on Everett to make him so serailivu
Dorothy reached out and took his hand, looking earnestly into his eyes, I sad would face this with you
You ve done so much for me in our rtionship. I¡¯m not in a potion to learn¡®
¡°dont want you to overthink this. So, dont feel burdened Apart from divorce, anything else you need,
just let me handle it. You just do what you love.¡±
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He just wanted to give everything he could all the best he had, to Dorothy, the sensitive get who loved
ying make believe.
A smirk danced on Dorothy¡¯s lips as she gazed at the aloof, hight and mighty President of the Loper
Corporation who was uncharacteristically saying such sweet nothings To her She was utterly touched
Evendit turned out that her mom¡¯s predictions were correct and Bet was just toying with her, she
thought this moment was worth it al
Because of Heather¡¯s abrupt resignation, the legal department of the Lopez Corporation was all over
the ce.
Several contacts were stuck in the legal department, as no one dared to rece Heather the person to
tous her ce was shaking in their boots.
If he weren¡¯t swamped with work, he would¡¯ve called in sick to avoid being caught in the crosstre
Who in the L?per Ensation didnt know about the special rt orsing between Ms. Heather and the
president? Everyone thought her resignation was a stunt triggered by Barnthy making Heather green
with my!
In a few days, Mr. Heather would have been back
¡°Knock knock
Ke knocked on the door of the president¡¯s office, then walked in, looking a bit helpless, ¡°Mr. Lopez, the
contact recew pincess in legal is moving at a snails pace. If the acqushonpany throws us a
curveball during this time, we¡¯re in big trouble¡±
Heang his work Everett caused with the pen in his hard.
¡°Go to legal if they dy the contracts any further, let them face the music.¡±
Ken didnt say a word hesitating as if he wanted to say something
Everell stoppedpletely, nced at him, and learned hack, Spit out¡±
? ¡°Um.¡¡. I just wanted to ask, did Ms. Hou?n really gutt
If you want to know, check her resignation letter in HR
Mr Lopez that ¡°at what I meant! I was just wondering whether its
her wille back aber some time. I¡¯ve overheard them gossiping about this a few times since l
got to work. They all say Ms. Heather just wants you to tweet talk her a bit, give her a way out, and
she¡¯lle back! So, nobody in legal dares to tearly take over from Ms. Heather
Everett chummed his fingertips on the desk, then quirked his Ips, ¡°If no one dares to really rece
Heather, then I rece the whole legal department
¡°Whath¡± Kevin Thought he was hallucinaning.
¡°Go there yourse! Tell them that if there are any more dys, and the legal department of the Lopez
Corporation and hire an externalw m
There is no shortage ofwyers in the world!
Was the Loper Corporation going to let Heather slow them down?
After a few seconds of stock, Hewn norded and sand, ¡°Okay¡± before leaving the office
He knew Mr. Lopez was ying for keeps! And the chances of Ms. Heather rming were pretty much
zero.
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Aher working with Everett for so many years, his decision still tack Kenly surprise!
Aberall, Ms. Heather was just throwing a tantrum because of Dorothy and quit in show Everett how
important she was to the Lopez Corporation.
Well, that backsted
Heather wanted to give Everetta wake¨Cup call but didn¡¯t expect him to cut ties and bum bridges He
didnt give her an ounce of dignity.
Kewisdomly sighed, feeling a scared retrospectively
He was such a fool before How did the not notice how much i Lupare cared about Dorothy? Henaively
thought Mr. Lopez was just being considerate because they were schoolmates
Thinking back, there were too many signal
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Thank goodne i bwe¨C1 t clked off the boss¡¯s favorite frothy
He went straight in the legal department and repeated Mr. Loper¡¯s message
Everyone¡¯s shocked faces were definitely no less than Kewan¡¯s when he fear
¡°Mr. Lopez said he¡¯s considering dishanding the entire legal department of the Lopez Corporation HQ1
This decision was a big deal
Each branch of the Leper Corporation had its own legal department and had never outsourced to aw
firm beraie
Wash ally going to break that le just for Dorothy?
you heard that right?
Kevin cleared his timeat and spoke in a severe lone. ¡°Now, you all should understand Mi Lopez¡¯s
meaning ¡°ght? While working at the Loper Corporation, just focus on your ewn stult. No need to
overthink ¨C
We got Mr Lopaz can rest assured¡±
¡°Mm
As she askeen turned lease the legal department afterpleting his task, he saw Heather standing
there, who had apparently amed at some p
He wondered she¡¯d heard what he¡¯d just said
Kevan felt a bit awkward and managed a stiff smile. ¡°Ms Heather¡±
Tcame back to grab some things I left behind when I qul, Heather said not going Bean a hard time and
just rodding slightly
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point
Ax Kevin was about to walk past heather, she suddenly stepped to the side, blocking his waj
Kevin passed. ¡®Is there something you need. Ms: Heather?¡±
¡°Ti thu? He said had daband the legal department of the Loses Corporation?¡±
He hesitantly recorded Twouldn¡¯t dare twist Mr. Lopers words
Upon hearing Kew i cordimation, Heather¡¯s face, which had been tolding steady rally cracked
She never thought Farent would put the entirepany¡¯s interesit behind him just for Dostly!
That was the ente Lopez Corporation they were talking about Every then, every decision, could have
affected suure development
Compared to all of that what was Dorothy worth?
She was just an assistant! At most, she¡¯s just pretty
Heatherally did deretand what was so great about Cart
¡°Does he understand the consequences of disbanding the legal department Heather¡¯s eyes fixed on
Kevin, As his personal secretary, if your duty to remind him! This wil have a huge impart un the
company.
Kenga wymie Mc steather, Mh. Lopez surely knew more about thepany than I do. He must have
his reasons for making this drasion! For something tha drastic, Mr Lopez wo. It certainly get serious
thought Sides, Mr. Lopez didn¡¯t say ¡®disband the legal department right now, mainly because some
people in the department are upyang pastions but not doing their jobs. Mr. Lopez cant let them hold
him hostage, right?
Those words were pointed at Heather
Who didn¡¯t know? The legal department was hesitant to work, afiad of retaliationU
Her subordinates felt that with Heathers rtionship with the Lopez family her quing was just a joke, so
who would have dared to rece her as the thewyer?
Heather had anticipiced that and internionally resigned, then possed some ambiguous Tweet about
Dorally confining herself as a victim to put pressure on Evere through public opinion and thepany
Even en saw through the thick, let alone Everett
¡°Kevin, no matter how many year you¡¯ve been by Expet¡¯s side don¡¯t forget that you¡¯re just a secretary
Heather and coldly ¡°Sooner orter, there wil be a Lady Boss in the Loper family get?
He got it for sure How could he have not gotten 17
Kenge standard smile, ¡°Indeed, Mr. Lopez even and me to help Ms Sanchez mone
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1 wort bother. Heather to prt your stuff. Mr. Lopez is still wang¡®
Ignoring Heather¡¯s angry re, Kenen weight imo the elevator after ise finished speaking
Fury made Heather¡¯s hands clench tightly, and her body shock unconsciously!
Then everyone wasughing at her!
Even Kevin flee to ne roughshed over hert
Only time would have told whether Everett would personally wee her back
In the hospitalware B was lying there listening to some music, thoroughly enjoying hersel
It was a CD Keh had painstakingly found for her. It was hard to fit in stores now
¡°Be, can give you a leg massage1ecently because of our school work, I feel like Thune some back
and shoulders. So, I went to a mussen, and it felt pretty good i menamed a few mous
Be Summoned Keh, but he didn¡¯t tell Dorothy
He didn¡¯t want her to overthing!
¡°You, a un
professor are willing to lower yourself to give me a legmassage? Be quirked an eyeleone at him
¡°Look at what you¡¯re saying. Even if I¡¯m a university principal, Im stil the younger one. In¡¯t it my duty to
take care of you? Dorothy is busy with work, has lots of things to do, and I happen to be free today¡± He
said, and then he started massaging Be¡¯s leg
Suprisingly, his technique was not bad at all. The pressure was just right.
Be¡¯s face showed a rav hint of a smile, but her agen were stil seninizing him
¡°It¡¯s pointless to try and curry favor with me. Butt cunt confici my daughter¡¯s feeling¡±
Keh gave a helpless smie. ¡°Youte mverthinking Fjust see her as my sister, like Karen I dont think
about anything else¡±
¡°Hah¡± Be hummed, looking like she saw through his thoughts. Would men be so attem ve if they
didnt have on ulterior motive?
Keh ddef retube just kept smiling and never stopped his hars.
Athough B was still on her quart, at least she was willing to hang around with Keh
Until Dorothy a call came ¡°Mom, Ill be at the hospital in about half an hour is there anything you want to
eat?¡±
¡°Nothing¡± Be nced at Keh and was just about to say something when Keh humedly made
a gesture to stop her
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After hanging up the prune, Be raised an eyebrow and asked Keh, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you let me tell
her? Arent all the thumps you¡¯re doing meant to make my daughter
notice¡±
¡°You¡¯re really weerthinking I¡¯m just hete to keep youpany when she¡¯s not avablet if Dorothy
knew, she would feel awkward with me.¡± Keh aqunted his eyes and smiled. ¡°What if she orders me
not toe again? How am I going to keep youpany!
¡°Huh, smooth talker¡±
¡°If you think so, the sube Keh nced at his watch, Be, sheing over. I should get going or
was re
After getting a not he lied up a bit and left the hospital
Just as he was hearing, he saw Dorothy getting out of a ck car not for away
Everett personal, topped her off
The two were talking about something and then Dorally wased her hand and went into the hospital
Ket tugged or the corner of his mouth, and was about to ans away and have when he
unexpectedly made eye contact with Everen.
He thought that Everett was about toe over to ¨C pick a fight or give a warning after seeing him, but
he just nced at him for a few seconds, not even bothering to acknowledge his presence, and walked
back tos car
Keh could sense that kind of unsem pressure even from a qual distance
No wonder he was the CEO of the Loper Corporation Merely the aus he exuded inadvertently was
something naty people couldntko
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Keh felt a certain suffocation in his chest as if he was forever under some kind of suppression
Even though, by all ounts, he was doing pretty well for himself.
When Dorothy annived at the hospital room, her mom¡¯s mood seemed to have been in a better ce.
Usually she had a long face, but that day there was even a hint of a piel
¡°What¡¯s the deal? Something good happen!!
Be was happy Dorothy¡¯s mood also lifted a lot then she put the master chestnuts she bought on her
way on her mother¡¯s bedside table
¡°Can¡¯t just be in a good mood?
¡°Sure, you can¡± Domity helped her peel the chestnut, one by one, and put
in a small be
Looking at her daughter couldn¡¯t help but ask ¡°That Fits mother, she didn¡¯t give you a hard time, did
she??
Dorothy paused, shaking her head, ¡°No.¡±
¡°See? That¡¯s the attitude Just because they think the son won¡¯t be at a loss, they think i¡¯m okay to y
along
¡°Mom! She could help but frown, ¡°Can¡¯t you stop being so narrow¨Cminded?
Be chuckled me eating the chestnuts, ¡°Youll mamt it one day if you dont listen to me That¡¯s what my
mom told me, and I didn¡¯t listen. So now, I¡¯m going to you ha
you
Of course, as a matter, she made other arrangements for her daugheri And that was Keh.
Be Bought it would have been good to keep in touch with Keh, so he wouldn¡¯t feelponey
Popeless. That way if her daughter got hurt by Everett, at least the would have had Keh by her
side, unlike fe herself, Iving a life fled with gloom
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But she kept those thoughts to herself, because she knew her daughter too well.
Durully skilfully changed the subject, not wanting to continue d¡¯acussing the noun with her mulher it
wasnt wol the sun went down that she left the hospital.
When she exted the building Lis car was already waiting
Sometimes Dorothy was curious, wondering when Everett had met Heidemand her message or
anything, and just waited there
Is Be dong chip?¡±
When she got in the car, Estic reached over to fasten her seat bel
¡°Yeah, she was a good mood today Idon¡¯t know if something good happened or someone cheated her
up asked her, but she was all active and would i tell mat Dorothy squad and smiled, in a pretty good
mood hersel
At least she hadn¡¯t had another argument with her mother which was the first step in winning her aver
But when she luned to look at Everett, he seemed a bit displeased his eyebrows were knit together lips
prenseslighty
Did something happen at yout
It¡¯s not thepany¡±
mpany? Eeeett, ¡°you¡¯re barsy, you don¡¯t have to pick me up. I can go home by myself
Then your family?
He started the engine, eyes on the road ¡°Not that either
Dorothy was utterly clueless about this unusual behawior She had ranka what was going on. Because
when they got back to Bay Residence he acted as normal as ever. He changed his clones, cooked
dinner had a video conference took a shower, and went back to his room like usus
Just when the thought she was being overly sensitive, Everett sudenly loomed over het, pinning her
downt
That night, Dorothy barely slect a wirki
He took her over and over as if trying to prove something holding her waist was the dawn broke.
She was so bred that she could hardly lih her arms
Eventually he grunted, then murmured into her ear, ¡°You¡¯re mine.¡±
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Dorothy vaguely remembered the strokes on her hair, meer and over again until she finally out
She waspletely exhausted as she slept as soundly as a rock.
Everett we took care to draw the curtains tight when he left, not a shred of light slipped through causing
Cutty to sleep like a log nasel
She woke up and proped for her phone. There was a missed call from her mom, and another from
Kevin
What could he has possibly wanted?
Dorally sprang up then returned the call
¡°Kevin, you were looking for ma
¡°Yeah, just wondering when you reing back to work
¡°Well, you couldve just tried calling a few more times, Foversial. Sorry about hastily
it¡¯s urgent next time as feel free to give me a few more rings Donathy noologized
Kevin chuckled on the other end Mr Lopez already food men. He said you were still asleep and told me
not to disturb, you¡¯d get in touch when you¡¯re up ¡®
Hr. Jud you?¡±
Does that mean Kesir knew about their rtionship¡±
A hwitch tugged at the corner of Dorothy¡¯s mouth
¡°Who else would know you¡¯re phill asleep but Mr Lopez
But Kevin, being the smart guy he was, onlyughed a few times. ¡®Don¡¯t sweat it. Whatever you and
Mr. Lopez are, we still need your skills! If you can¡¯t cut it, you can¡¯t stay at Lopez Corporation. I want
affinibute your hard work to Mi Loser¡¯s coddingjust cause you¡¯re his
¡°I wasn¡¯t really thinking that far. I¡¯m just feeling a bit awkward Sie luddeliberately kept her distance from
Everett in front of Kevin.
¡°Why feel? Actually her gut to say, fim kind of impressed Kevan paused, ¡°You¡¯re in this rtionship, yet
you stil split project costs with me and evang on thus grueling business fren ve got a whole new fear of
respect for you!
Kevin had always thot that being the firstdy of Leper Corperation was such a crown. Whoever wore it
could i wrything
But it turned out that the person was right beside him, who was a polite little follower, just trying to learn
from him.
¡°When you put it that way I dont even know what to say
live a life of silk and satin, never be of
Then let¡¯s drop Get read ande to the officel Ms Heather has resigned, admitting to framing you
Evidence will take some time and well be made public after a thorough investigation. But before that as
long as you¡¯re not afraid of the gossip, you can return to work¡±
Dorothy immacutely replied T11 go back to work I dont care what people say
She had worked parttime while studying and had been passed about and belmed by her ssmates.
She had heard it all and was not bothered.
Being able to return to work was what mattered
¡°Okaye and me when you get here,¡±
¡°Sure. Thanks. K
After hanging up Doroty jumped up to clean up, then hopped on the subway to the HQ of Lopez
Corporation.
Standing at the entrance of the building, she looked up at the towering skyscraper, took a deep breath,
and stepped in
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As Kevin had predicted no one dared to gossip openly, but their eyes had scanned Dorothy countless
times! Ther gaze camed varying undertones.
Some were curdus some were gossiping, and some were maliciously scrutinizing
Dorothy quietly noted the source of those gares, because they must have been firm supporters of
Heather, She had to watch out for the backstabbing in thepany.
Dorothy knocked on the door of Kevin¡¯s office
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Hearing a faint e in, she pushed the door open, ¡°Kevin, I¡¯m here¡±
Kevin nced up from a pile of papers and pointed to some documents on his desk, ¡®Can you inpull
these into theputer? I¡¯ll send you thetest updates on thetest project in Lumina Bay You¡¯ll have
to handle the due diligence this altesan
¡°Sure ¡°Danthy picked up the documents, nced through them, then sent to Kevin from her phone, ¡°I
almadly inputted this when I was on leave, but i didrit have the permission to upload it. So, it¡¯s been on
myputer?
¡°You inputted all these sections? Kevin was surprised He immediately opened the file and said, ¡°You¡¯ve
been busy worn during your
These tasks would have normally taken about two weeks! Dorothy had only left the HQ of Lopez
Corporation for a short while, and yet she hadpleted so much work!
Dorothy chuckled. I knew I woulde back eventually. These tasks were going to be mine anyway,
so I just got them out of the way.¡±
Kean couldn¡¯t help but gue her a thumbs up. Dorothy Im starting to see why Mr. Lopez like you ¡±
Not many employees had bei dedication and responsibility to work, always wanting to do their best.
Keen understood Donthy¡¯s thoughts. She was womed that she wouldnt be able to keep up with the
pace if she returned to thepany, so she continued to do her work
when she was not at thepany, so she wouldrit dy the progress when she returned to work
Dorothy gave an embarrassed smile, Tchensh the job. It¡¯s my only chance for growth?
Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
¡°You¡® E definitely make it big with your dedication¡° Kevin nodded in canotaction, then gave her a
username and pastasni
That was for tracking the progress of the project, which needed to be kept confidential and could not
the leaked
Dorothy heated at hismand
¡°My credibility in thepany is currently in doubt Holding something this confidential in it really okay?¡±
Although Heather had confimed her innocence, she made it seem like she was forced to do in Many
people still doubled barothy¡¯s immocence
That included thepanies that were partnering with the Lopez Corporation
Dorothy knew that Lumina Bay branch must have put pressure on Event!
Aberall, if the secret was leaked, the loss would have been more than a few million
And in the eyes of businessmen, profits are paramount
¡°If Mr. Lopez thinks you can handle it, then you can erased an eyebrow This is his direct order. He
insisted that you take charge! Do you get what he means?
Dorothy was taken aback obviously and catching on.
She felt that could have green this task to other core members so as not to upset Lumina Bay branch
He knew that she wouldn¡¯t get mad at him for this
Kenighed stood up and took a deep breath. Mc Loper is making a statement to the outside world!
¡°Yes Entrusting you with this confidential fie proves the Lopez Corporationis trust in you! it also
indirectly proves your innocence, with the Lopez Corporation backing you
Dorothy was stunned. But he will also attract a lot of
Everett¡¯s reputation in the business world has always been top¨Cnotch, clean and self¨Cdisciplined He
never had any negativements.
The did that, it would have attracted a lot of suspicion
¡°So. Dorothy darten Mr. Loper does¡°
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?Chapter 188
To the outside world, it was all envy. They thought Dorothy had hit the jackpot, snagging Everett''s favor.
But in her heart, it weighed like a ton of bricks.
What could she possibly give back to Everett?
Dorothy believed that for a rtionship tost, there should at least be some bnce! It was near impossible to bnce their statuses, but at least their efforts could have been equal.
...
After a full day of work, she received a message from Everett asking her to wait for him after his meeting so they could go home together.
With the spare time, Dorothy tidied up her desk.
She had been too busy to sort out her documents. As long as she knew where they were, it was enough.
After tidying up, she checked her phone but there was no message from Everett.
His meeting must have been a tough nut to crack.
Stretching her back, Dorothy decided to take a stroll. But as soon as she stepped out of her office, she ran into thest person she wanted to see.
It was Heather.
Clearly, Heather hadn''t expected to run into her either.
She was taken aback, "What are you doing here?"
"I work for the Lopez Corporation. Isn''t it normal for me to be here?" Dorothy''s following sentence implied, ¡°You''ve already quit. You showing up at the Lopez Corporation is what''s not normal!"
But of course, she didn''t say any of that.
Heather frowned, "Don''t think you''ve won! You''ll never pass the hurdle of Everett''s parents!"
Dorothy smirked, "As long as I have Everett''s approval, that''s enough. You had so many supporters, but you still couldn''t end up with Everett, could you?"
"Heh." Heather had never really taken Dorothy seriously. Her tone was filled with disdain, "Then cherish the days you can still see him! Eat what you want, buy what you want. Though you''re spending what should have been my marital property with Everett, I''ll let it slide."N?velDrama.Org holds this content.
Dorothy didn''t respond just because she didn''t want to bother.
That kind of bickering was pointless.
Heather continued to scoff, "His parents just sent me a set of jewelry in his name today! Do you want to know how much it cost?"
"Yes." Dorothy nodded seriously, "Tell me the details. Tell me how much it cost and whether it was really in Everett''s name. If it''s confirmed, as Everett''s legal wife, that''s part of our marital property, and I have the right to im it! You''re awyer. You should know better than me." Heather was stunned and caught off guard by Dorothy''s sharp tongue.
Dorothy walked past Heather, "Everett''s parents probably don''t know you''re illegitimate, right? You don''t even have the right to be one of the Sanchez family. What was your status called?"
Heather didn''t say anything.
"Oh, right, a concubine''s child! Actually, you''re not even that. At least they could take their father''s surname, but you can only go by Ms. Garcia." Heather was furious, she tried to reach out, but Dorothy dodged it.
"Dorothy, don''t get too cocky! See how long your mom can live. The position of Mrs. Sanchez will be my mom''s sooner orter!"
"Even if my mom doesn''t have that position, your mom is just a recement." She sneered, "Heather, don''t think you can manipte anyone. I just don''t want to waste my time with you."
If it came down to a war of words, she might not lose.
"You''re just hiding behind Everett! Otherwise, you wouldn''t even be qualified to stand here and talk to me!"
"Yeah, so what? He''s my husband, and it''s only natural for me to rely on him."
Just as Dorothy finished speaking, she felt a pair of hands on her shoulders.
It was Everett!
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¡°Heather, any objections? Before Darty could say anything. Everett cut in his towering figuring right in
front of her
The way he stood there, it was as if he was mady to throw down with Heather if she dared to sass
Dorothy one more time.
In from of Everen, Heather couldn¡¯t keep up her cocky atitude
She furrowed her broms, nced at Emett, and said, ¡°Don¡¯t forget what you promised your father¡±
With that, she turned around and left
Surprisingly Dorothy didn¡¯t ask about thement she left behind.
Tm done here, let¡¯s go home
¡°I night
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Instead of letting the dinner take them, Everett drove her back to Bay Residence himself
They picked up some fruits and vegetables on the way home and whipped up a simple dinner in the
kitchen
As they were finishing up. Dorothy habitated cutlery in hand and said, ¡°You should take back the
ount and password you gave me I put your partners at ease. Everett paused for a moment, his lips
curting into a sight smile, ¡°They¡¯re not worsed¡±
¡°You don¡¯t have to lie to me. After what happened it¡¯s normal for them to suspect me. I get it! You dont
have to put yourself under so much pressure just to give me this jab
Ken would have been the best choice for that. The patters knew him well and he had never messed up
in all his years working with Everett
It would have been normal for an assistant like her to do it now there was the leak. It tainted her image
and made her less trustworthy ¡°Dority im the one calling the shots Here. If I think you can handle it then
you can
Dorothy remained unsure
¡°Why are you doubting yourself so much? You wouldn¡¯t have been gram this role unless you were
quodded ¡°
Headoniously his handsome face sheen; it almost felt like they were back in a meeting at the office.
Dorothy help, But you migh.¡±
the partners.¡± Everett finished, picking up
¡°I gave you this because I trust you the most If something goes wrong. Lopez Corporation will lose
even more in addition to just the partners piece of meat with his cutlery and putting it in her bowl, ¡°Eat
more. You¡¯t be working hard in the future¡±
¡°Everem don¡¯t be so good to me
I made her feel flustered and under a lot of pressu
the was codded by Everett without realizing it. But now it seemed like every little thing Everett
because he favored her
Most importantly, she couldn¡¯t give him anything inur
Everett looked at her, didnt say anything for a long time, and then finally spoke, ¡°You might never
understand how happy it makes me feel whenever i do something for you
Dorothy couldn¡¯t say anything
¡°Don¡¯t worry Imtina rush
They had plenty of time. They could take it slom
Enter, just as Everell was about to take a shower and rest something came up at work, and he had to
attend an emergency meeting
After Dorothy changed into her pajamas and was about to go over some documents, she noticed the
date on the calendar beneath herputer screen
I was already the 23rd
Usually her period came on the 10th
She furrowed her brows, thinking for a minute before finally rxing and letting out a sigh
She should be so sensitive, overthink things, and stress out too much! it was making both her mind and
body tired, even causing her peried to dy. If she kept that up, it wouldnt have been good for her
health
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Chapter 190
wrapping up the meeting Everett tiptoed to the bedroom, careful not to wake Doroty
But she wasn¡¯t sleep She was burning the midnight in front of theputer
Brows fumowed he quietly approached and nced at the data charts on the screen, Are they
unloading you with work?
¨C
Dorothy nyumped out of her skin. When did you get here? I did¡¯t even notice
¡°Just now. You were too engrossed Everett sat at the foot of the bed. ¡°I was thinking about asking Keen
to cut you some ck¡±
¡°No needed him to assign me these tasks Dorothy continued her work as she spoke, Tve been taking a
break for a while. He¡¯s probably been too busy to even sleep Now that I¡¯ve taken some of the workload,
he candrally breathe¡±
ut if you take on all these tasks you¡¯ll have to work overtime every day¡±
¡°Not for long 1:1) be just a week at most
Dorothy marked each document, saved them one by one, and finally took a deep breath and shut down
herputer. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. I¡¯m not a kid. I know my own
Despite her reassurances, Everett brown were still owed
He that Dorothy was doing all that because she didnt want to let him down. But that wasnt his intention
at allN?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.
As Everett was pondering how tomunicate that to Dotty she suddenly spoke un ¡°By the way I can¡¯t
work this Sunday is my mom and have a check up
rmed Everent immediately asked. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?
¡°Nothing nous. It¡¯s just a routine check up I¡¯m going to the hospital anyway, so I might as well get it
done, Dorothy didn¡¯t dare admit that she was going i pehad hadn¡¯te!
Firstly it was embarrassing and a sensitive topic. Secondly, they¡¯ve always been careful. There was
now she could have been pregnant
If she had told him her period waste, he would have probably jumped to conclusions! If it turned out
she wasn¡¯t pregnant, wasn¡¯t he going to be disappointed?
Tll go with youthen. I¡¯m hee on Saturday¡±
¡°Not yet¡± Dorothy was still trying to work things out with her mother and womed that if she rashly
brought Everett along these might have been some unpleasant incidents.
Keh, whom her momiked so much, had already been guen a hardtime Everett for sure, would have
not fared any beller
Seeing that Everem remained silent, she walked ovet book the initiative to washer arm around ho, and
acted unusually coquelich
¡°Everett are you mad
know you want to be there for me, and that¡¯s enough! Besides, I¡¯m really just going for a check up. If
you really want toe, how about it my mom this Saturday, and we go to another hospital for the
check¨Cup on Sunday?
Everett heaved a sigh. You dont need to be so cautious around me. I was just thinking about how to get
your mother to ept ma
Til handle that You already have a lot on your te with work. Dont get distracted with this¡±
Dorothy knew that persuading her mother was futile for the time being eptance would have taken
time!
Once her mom saim that sher and I verett had stayed together for many years without breaking up, she
would naturally ept him
¡°All night, let¡¯s get some slee
Everett gently stroked her hat, waiting until her breathing became steady before he picked up his
phone and walked out to the balcony in the living room
The phone¡¯s screen showed a message from his father which was sent 30 minutes ago.
Have you decided then?
Chapter 191
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Chapter 191
pond to the message. He just deleted it opened the window, ficked his lighter with his slender fingers,
and its
After calming down for a bit, he took a shower and returned to the bedroom, ouading the already
asleep Dorothy in his mem
It seemed like only at these times could he get senseof reality
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Dorothy was truly his now
The next moming Dorothy was awakened by her arm clock
Since she had to go out with Kevin for
She thought she¡¯d definitely make up i
diligence today, the
to the offre early to prepare all the necessary documents.
fier than Everett, but when she opened her eyes, her wins alsnarly up and preparing breakfast in the
kitchen.
She stretched her body and shuffled over to him in her slippers. ¡°Everett sometimes feel like you never
need to sleep¡±
Everett was fringepos as he tumed his handsome face to nce ather and smile. Im used to a. 1
haven¡¯t slept more than six hours since graduation.¡±
wing a CEO is really tough¡± Dorothy finally mealed how naugh Everely had it
She used to think that being the one giving orders was the most leisurely on No one tak back to him in
thepany, and everyone respected him priately. Ha had power andinfuence, he was batical anime
inte
But after getting to know Everett¡¯s private life, she couldn¡¯t help bigh at how difficult his job actually was
There were so many things he had to consider, every step he look had to be cautious. One wrong
move could potentially lead to a huge loss and deal a great low to his
¡°Don¡¯t I need to make money to suppon you and our family?
Dorothy couldn¡¯t help butugh out loud at Everett¡¯s remark. Probably no one else would ever the
chance to hear him say
¡°Do you really need to make money? The dividends from these projects alone are enough for you to
livefortably forrent¡±
¡°No. I¡¯m still not powerful enough¡±
Dorothy raised an eyebrow in confusion
it were really powerful, you wouldn¡¯t need to worry or struggle with anything Ever put hot cup of milk is
her hand. His voice was so and deep as he said. Trust me
¡°I do trust you¡± Domthy squinted her ey
eyes and smiled Treally do¡±
This was the only time so many years that she went against her mother¡¯s wishes, and it was for Everett
Even when Be was being unseasonable and her requests were surageous, she still tried toply
She neem thought about asserting her own thoughts. Bec back then, her only wish was for her mother
to live on and get better
Then came her desire to not be short of money. She wanted to have her own house one day so she no
longer n
needed to rent of move
Now that she
eth Everett, she added another wish to her list a family of her own with Everett
sher breakfast. Everett drove Dorothy to the office and left
Exen detailed his schedule thoroughly acting likes
Don¡¯t wolly
go back on my own after work.¡±
1 might not be back tonight. That go out of tor Tay to be back by the affemon; if not, it¡¯ll be tomorrow
husband who always somed about his wife as he reported his itinerary
and do your thing Dorothy smiled helplessly Tont it normal for you to go on business nas? Piontire work
and do yo ¡°Okay¡± He nodded, then remanded her again, ¡°Remember, don¡¯t open the door if someone
knocks¡±
Everen was afraid that his mother or Heather would give her a handsme.
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After watching Ever¡® car disappear from sight, Dorothy medround with a grin to head back to the office.
Suddenly. Her popped out of nowhere, strutting toward her in high heels
Dorothy really didn¡¯t want to deal with her. She had a ton of work to do and didn¡¯t hove time to tangle
with Heather daily
¡°You don¡¯t have to dodge me. Today will be thest time I seek you out to talk alone¡±
A foral perfumescent emited from Heather
Dorothy could smell as clear as day when she got close. She didn¡¯t like that smell at all.
he took a step back. ¡°What do you want to
ay from Everen, or youll face consequences you can¡¯t handle Heather spok
spoke with a threatening tone
Despite her voice not being particrly louder aggressive somehow it made Dailly¡¯s heart sink
are you up to Heather? Remember Thu
i¡¯t done anything to harm you, even though you and your mom state the family totame me and threaten
me? You better not take me for a pushover¡±
Everyone had a day when they werepletely aged and booty had no idea what that scene would
look like for he
cm supposed to be mine. But you¡¯re 15
But Heather onlyughed ¡°You and your mom took what is rightfully ours,ter you cough it up or pay
the price. This isn¡¯t my doing its be
because you and your mom are being gy
¡®Don¡¯t you talk about my mom!¡±
Heather shrugged Tine, Iment Ive done what I came to do to Fmikuving Donath
Dorothy frowned. So it was Everett¡¯s father who set you
it werent for Everett¡¯s father, Jonathan, insisting thate. I wouldn¡¯t have ¡±
Fetsas
¡°You may think I¡¯m dearted ough to keeping hove and reminding you to the Loper family What I
want most into are you and your mom fossed out of the Laper Corporation and this city live dogs with
the tach between their legat
After saying that Heather tumed to leave, but after a few steps, she paused and nced back. ¡°Tim not
lying to you today really is thest tome¡±
Dorothy had beche day at work. Kevin probably wante to get hands¨Con experience with an entire
project, sa te directly handed her the report
When she was swamped, Kran rundad her stand in for fam to submit documenis
After a whol
haustion, Dorony thought she would:
She said today was thest time
Honestly, that sentence made Dorothy feel inexplicably nous, and her heart felt heavy.
But when she picked up her phone to et Everett about it, she ultimately didn¡¯t send the message
By Residence, she couldn¡¯t stop
5 words in her head
Heather had said that it was Everetts father who had sent her if she said Everett, he and his father
would definitely argue because of her. She didn¡¯t want to imagine what would l
Dorothy didn¡¯t want Everett to argue th his family because of her His mother¡¯s illness was even more
sexele tunteils
¡°Ding¡±
N?velDrama.Org holds this content.
In an interesting twist of fate, a message from Everett came in at that moment
I just finished work. Are you at Bay Residence¡°]
Wait half an hour, I send my assistant to
I send my assistant to deliver dinner at open the doo
Dorothy was about to say she didn¡¯t need it, but Eveeti u need mensuage had alreadye in Darity to
refuse, I know you haven¡¯t eaten
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His simple message instantly dissipated all of Dorothy¡¯s fique and woes that she had umted
throughout the day
That was probably the power of love. No wonder everyone craved it.
(night be careful out there |
Aher putting down her phone, Dorothy went to take a bath towels.
Mer changing into a leisurely outfit, she subconsciously checked when her period was de
Before she was mamed, Borathy¡¯s period would often bete due to work or life stress so she never
freaked out about it, thinking that this time it must have been because there was too much going on,
which caused her some health issues.
But in the past, it would only bete bly just three to five days.
itsmed she would have to pay a visit to the doctor soon
Suddenly the doorbell rang
Dorothy quickly wem to open it, and sure enough, it was Everett¡¯s assistant. He was carrying loads of
bags, it looked like a feast.
Tim just one person There¡¯s no way I can finish all this
¡°Mr. Loper was somed you might not like some of the dishes to he asked me to buy everything that
could be quickly prepared Everett¡¯s assistant was now much more respectful to Dorothy. It was quite a
change from his pernous attitude.
Before probably thoughts
i just another get in Mr Loper¡¯s life but now it was clear that she wins the apple of Mi Loper¡¯s ye
His respectful attitude made Dorothy feel a bit embarassed
¡°It¡¯ste, you should go home and rest
Alright. Thank you Mrs. Loper
Just call me Dorothy, I¡¯m not used to the title¡± She felt like she didrit really fit the role
The assistant was taken aback but nodded. ¡°You should rest early too. Feel free to call me if you need
anything
He handed at ba business card with a bow and then left
After watching his figure disappear into the might Dorothy helt both helpless and amused. She picked
up her phone to call Everett, but after one ring she suddenly temembered he might be butyand hung
up.
About moutester Furret called back
His voice was deep and maic. ¡°You called
Umm Did interrupt you?
¡°No, usually put my phone on silent during meetings.
set itter so your calls always ring
¡°You don¡¯t need to Dorothy quickly said ¡°Really, it¡¯s not necessand
I wanted to let you know that dinner has arrived, it¡¯s too much, though I won¡¯t be able to finish it
Everett paused 1 was worried you¡¯re used to my cooking and wouldn¡¯t like anything else¡®
¡°That¡¯s true¡± Dorothy sat on the edge of the bed, gently stroking the nket they both used speaking
softly for once Without you at home. I¡¯m really not used to it.
When she frished. Eveveri didn¡¯t respond which made Dorothy feel a bit awkward
After a few seconds, the asked softly ¡°Te? What¡¯s wrong?¡±
just finished myst meeting. I¡¯m heading home now so I should be there in about four hours.¡±
Dorothy was taken aback. It¡¯s reallybel You shouldrest there, you still have work trattow?
¡°But you miss me¡± There was an unmistakable joy in Everett¡¯s voice. ¡°So I have to go back¡±
No matter howte or tired he was, he still wanted to be by her side.
You don¡¯t have to wait for me. Go to bed after you outN?velDrama.Org holds this content.
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Everused for a moment and began chuckling lightly: ¡°Wight, Walt forme
After hanging up. Dorthy grabbed a quick bite and carefully put the leftovers in the fridge.
Even if Everett was loaded there was no need to waste food, right?
With everything sorted out, she nced at the phone Everett had sent a photo three minutes ago it was
shot of him
N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.
He must¡¯ve really been exhausted instead of his usual meticulously dressed appearance in his stand te
he had unbuttoned the top buttons of his shirt and was leaning back on the rest set. You could sourly
see the string of numbers talleard on his body
He was probably not used to taking selfies. The smile on his handsome face was a bit ning revealing a
boynth shyness and awkwardness.
Dothy and the photo and sent him a message to dive safely
Sherited to waste time either. Vihile waiting for
The procurement contact from the partner hade in
fell, she opened her loop to handlee project stuff
Since Heather had leh, the legal department had undergone a major shakeup, so the review process
would surely be slow. To avoid dying the project and to ensure the contracts validity Dorothy
decided! check whether the procurement prices we infredone by one.
This wasn¡¯t eally her res dity but Dorothy just couldnt rent easy. She didn¡¯t want any problems wis the
projectieven if it meant working a little harder Speaking of exhaustion, Donothy quickly booked a
medical checkup for herself while herputer was basting
She had premously mentioned waiting for Everett, hut the deather go and see what was for hersell, just
to var picture
Three house the moment Everett opened the door, he saw Dorothy still engrossed in reading material
prices, in front of theputer
She was unually asleep at this time, so inevitably, her face showed signs of ag
Hearing the Dorothy finally lookedup. ¡°Youne back.¡±
¡°Yep¡± Everettel down his stuff and strode over. Helga now. Co get some test
Tm almost done I sleep after Chinish, this way Kevin can get this first thing in tremoring¡±
Everett scanned the data on theputer as his eyebrown began tuwing slightly. ¡°Even Kevin is
making you do that
Dorothy quickly waved her hands. ¡°No, no, no chose to do exact difference between the quotations
umon for partners to skim off the open procuring materials. Although can¡¯t know the price if tcheck
the wholesale price for each item, we went just agree to whatever they quote¡±
Sensing that he seemed to want to say something she quickly imejected. ¡°This could also serve as a
warning to them. I¡¯ve also marked down the contact numbers for each materialpany I have time
tomorrow III call them one by one to discuss and try to get that quotes¡±
T¡¯werett interrupted reluctantly. ¡°I can get someone else to do this. You already Rave a lot on your te
¡°But enjoy being busy¡± Thest thing she wanted was to be idle. It would make her feel useless, like
the had no value
vetett mached out and pulled her into his arms.
Heather Dorothy be the kind of woman who was content to be taken care of by him. Haient, he knew
very well that if he pampered her and kept her in a golden cage. she would definitely find every
opportunity to escape.
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Dorothy could tell what was on his mind, so she gentlyid her hand on the back of his
Tinted I think this is what makes life worthwhre.
Though the knew it was imposs ble for her to be on par with Everett through hard work due to his
status, the ride, wat in be seen as someone who agreed to be with hem
That would bend from being kept an
¡°Wight Just don¡¯t punch yourself too hard!
1 want, not worry¡±
After Everett went to freshen up and changed into his pajamas. Bardhy too sleepy to halton frally
names off herputer
Throughout the night he held Dorothy in his arms. They were like a pair of imparable conjoined twint
Who could have guessed that the wally private Everett was the seriously chuy yun?
In the early morning the sunlight slipped through the pup in the cut, warming their bedroom.
Dorothy was the fist to wake. As she shed up her beautiful ryanoma and was about to open her eyes,
the felt his hand around her want and that part of Evelt ping against her back.
It was pressing against her fully erect
Usually it was Exriell we woke up first, so this was Canthy¡¯s fistome realing that men could have
macion even in their sleep.
Dorothy felt inexplicably nervous. Her body m, arose somehow found herself ammobile.
Just then, Everett¡¯s body leaned forward, poking her in the waist with that certain part
Subconsciousy Dorothy turned to look at him, meeting a slighty drowy ty
¡°What time is T
Perhaps because he had just woken up, his voice had a painty rasp to which moved it with a dark
maism
Soon, Everett noticed the stiffness of the woman in his arms and dicovered the desom.
¡°Ahem go freshen up You must be tied from the tre so you should sleep alle more¡± Dorothy was abour
is oot but she was reluctantly pulled back his arms.
¡°Why are you ¡°unning away, huh?¡±
Dorothy¡¯s face was flushed bark red She couldnteen look tim in the eye.
It was too rods in the morning for such stimtion.
¡°Doroby, this is a normal procal reaction for men in the morning t called moming wood¡± Everett st
teacher who was lecturing a young and naive studert:
Hun
How could she possibly in that he had no experience with any other man apart hom
¡°Usually it goes down on down after a while¡±
¡°C¡± Dorthy blinged but there was still something poking her bely. His scorching body heal was hard a
grate.
¡®But
Suddenly the Esmell leaned over her pressing her underneath him.
the top seriously. He pear onunded a be like
His was called munting exercis
After the Dorothy andte for work
Luckily, Kevin was very understanding
Last night, Mr Loper rushed back bam his business tip, and the newlyweds were understandably hot
and heavy
¡°You cane in an hourter in the momings from ma on ¡°He said whileing over to pick up some
do:.minds.
¡°Why¡±
¡°Because the distance from Bay Residence to the head qfice is quitei, you¡¯ll need some travel tima
Alsa, there¡¯s nothing special going on in the mini¨Cp meetings right. now so it doesnt matter whether you
attend or not sinai youter modrly in charge of projects¡± Ravishatoe up with a reason on the spot
Garphy considered it venously ¡°¡°) thank Ell still attend ¡®I daill want to reiss qui on anything happamang
ki thepany
In that case, or Mr Loper what he thanku¡°
¡°Why should ask talked up. The kick masal, but her face was fut of contin
N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.
Kevinriched his head helplessly ¡°Just ask Mr Lopar¡±
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¡°Alright then¡± Dorothy didn¡¯t quite get it but she figured Kevin must have his reasom forming what he rid
Kevin couldnt help but sigh as he thought about how innecem, and raise the wa
No wonder M. Leper yed it on close to the chest before he dirty to won his way ints Domenys like,
the would probably be long gone before he even get the chance in centers his feelings. She was just
like a scared tabbi
bout to leave the omg her instructions and cofecting
me documents. Dorothy sukkery caled out is him ¡°Oh, by the way I¡¯m nning on getting
health check up this Saturday Are you sure you don¡¯t have anything nned for meth
She didn¡¯t want to be in the middle of her check¨Cup and get called back to the office.
¡°Go ahead its all good¡± Kevin rated an eyebrow. ¡°Something bothering you heal
thu mentionin
¡°Ah, that¡¯s smart. With all the stress in our line of work aral everything you been throughtely, keeping
on your seath is a goodka. Now that should probably get myself checked out ton Kran Whith a wave
and a chuckle, documents in hand
Once she lodhs erfam; or Donally made an appointment ar me hospital
For the past few days, the had been on high alert for her pened but there was no signifit. She was
beginning to sinpect that she might be pregnant.
Inside a high end hostalom, Amands had fallen into a depressive state and had spoken a word in early
Free days.
Things were even worse than the doctors had anticipated
Jonathan, fearing the worst had someone watching te 24/7. They had thoroughly impectedevery single
fem in the mom, making sure nothing shuns was wthn mich.
¡°Knock knock
There was a buck of the do
Jonathon gave the go ahead and the door opened
was Hea
Jonathan nced at her then returned his que lo ha con?issa s
Heucher put down the Put she had bought and looked m Amanda Shinot talking?¡±
chons of the son she loves mars than anyone. She¡¯s been in and out of the IB. Her conditionis even
worse than before¡±
Jonathan suden locked up. Have you spoken at woman
N?velDrama.Org ? content.
Heather passed then signi 1 have. I begged her to leave Everett, but she refused told her about the
situation seven humbled myself to ask her to let me and Exeren pretend to a couple so Fune wouldn¡¯t
be put in a stich posbon but she didn¡¯t budge¡±
¡°So, the agree to the pretending to be a couple dea?¡±
I guess not. After all, its feet¡¯s mother who¡¯s lying here, not hers She¡¯s the only one who wouldn¡¯t worry
or care¡±
Jonathan narrowed his apps. A ruthless and cunning gited in the depths of his eyes.
¡°Fine, then she cant n me for what happens next¡±
Heather continued, ¡°What are you going to do? I think you should try not to be too impulsive Aherall,
she¡¯s Eveen¡¯s sweetheart, if you but heim afraid your rtionship with Evenel might.
Do need to tipe arounde little girl now? Jonathand hands into lists in angered suasoring with them,
I backed down, and even you loge
final warning She doesnt care! Do you think cant a woman be that many into the Lopez family? So I
turn us upside down
¡°There are no but we been more than patient as Lomull¡¯s fatter Jonathan paused as the frowned
deeply. Thase to act fast, if that Dorothy girl enck up pregnant, we¡¯ll have a real problem on our hands
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Since she had already made ns with vinto
Aher slowly opening herpes, the instinctively reached for her phone to check the time, then happily
remembered she didn¡¯t have to work today it was already &am hadia work, she would be extremelyte
After stretching and getting out of bed. Dorothy styled the dining room in her slippers, only to be
surprised by an unexpected view
Everett should¡¯ve been at the office by now
¡°Sit down and have beakfast first¡± He handed her a cup of milk with a smirk. You said you going for a
check up today, and I¡¯m notfortable with you going alone¡±
¡°I know that you¡¯re afraid your mother will find out I went so I just wat nutside
Darby the lip pulled out achat and sat down, looking at him seriously
me when you¡¯ve done!
¡°Exerell I¡¯m just going for a checkup. It¡¯s nothing serious. You cant neglect your work because of me¡±
thepany suffered a loss, she¡¯d be me are to me
Dont worryn can cover
¡°When I was working at the Prosperity Consortium, you might ve berriable to fost me by this, but now
that I¡¯m at the head office, do you mink I don¡¯t know how much work youhave? Dorothy walked over to
him and shook his arm yfully I promise, as soon as I get my results, til tell you OK?
Since Events didnt agree, she had to pull out her tumpad
Dorothy, I¡¯m wanted about your heath¡±
youdont go to work, then I won¡¯t go for the check up. III go back to work with you?
Both of them fell silent. Everett kooked at her
¡°Alright, but you have to contact me as soon as you get your results¡±
Dorothy shed him an OK sugn
Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
In the end. Ett drove her to the hospital, watching
in before starting the car and leaving
Following the agertime, Dorothye to the checkup depailment, picked up her best form, and then
sted her tum
After a while, a nurse came out. Please keep quiet in the examination room and make sum your
phones are on silent.
Once other people lowered their heads to adjust their phones, Dorothy quickly sent a message to her
mom saying that she would soul hour. These
¡°Dorothy please proceed to examination room 3¡±
After Bearing her name called, she quickly headed in the directi
The doctor performing her examination was an experienced looking one. After ncing at Dorothy¡¯s
basic information, he asked gently ¡°Mamed¡±
¡°And you¡¯re sure you¡¯re not pregnant night?
Seeing Dory hesitate, he exined, ¡°There are some trils for women that cant be done if you¡¯re
pregnant.¡±
¡°Oh, should be fine, my husband and I¡..we we always been careful! She was a bit embarrassed to
talk about this tope.
Without looking up at her the doctor handed boruly a pregnancy test and a blood test form ¡°Since
you¡¯re not sure, let¡¯s start with this. We¡¯ll continue once we¡¯re sure
¡°Okay¡± Dorothy wanted to say she was in a hatty but she ended up following the doctor¡¯s adere
After paying for blood test at the front desk, she took the pregnancy test to the bathroom, taking a deep
breath as she didit.
For some reason, she felt strangely nervous
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While waiting for her results. Dorothy made a call to her mo
She had her a message parker that went unanswered
And the call Inn, went unanowered
A feeling of urease stanedito Creep into Dorothy¡¯s heart, nut 5¡® wasn¡¯t overly worried.
Aber all, it was the weekend, and her mom was supposed to be doing relvan so not having her cell
phone or her was totally normal.
Once Doroty In shed her tests, she found shed go to the ward is check on her mom
¡°Darthy, please proceed to examenom 3¡±
Upon hearing this, she quickly pocketed her phone and headed in tot diection
It was the same doctor he was looking over the urine and blood test results she had handed in with a
town masing his forehead.
Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
¡°Good thing you came in for a check up. You¡¯re prepart.¡±
Demity was sper:Hess
When the words ¡°you re pregnant came out of the doctor¡¯s mout, Dorothy¡¯s mind wentpletely
nk.
ording to your blood test the baby seems to be developing normally The doctor, notcking up for
her medical record continued, ¡°Do you worn it?¡± Before he could get a response, he noticed the
thirstlook on Dorothy¡¯s face
Perhaps he was used to seeing all kinds of patients, so he camly irpo. Do you mam this baby? Ca
maybe you should discuss with your partner Tigt.¡± Dorothy final mapped back to reality inexplicably her
bras has be bone dry. Am Lan Imally pregnant
¡®Based on your HCG is, you¡¯re probably or
¡°I thought it was just street from MT
¡°You¡¯re defidely unegant. You can
weeks along. Didn¡¯t you notice that your peiod waste¡±
autoundter to confirm. If the embryo as developing quickly you might even detect a heartbeat¡± The
doctor looked up at her. ¡°Do you want in caminue with the tests Or maybe you should discuss it funter
with your partner
1 think 11 chacunes it first Dorthy was somewhat at a loss.
After all, if she was tealy pregnant, this wasn¡¯t something she could pride of her own.
¡°Okay¡± The doctor closed her medical record and handed it to her. ¡°Whether you decide to keepiternal,
t¡¯s better to decide quickly if you miss the eats screening things might be problematie
Dorothy noored. Thank you dctor¡±
¡°You¡¯s very pretty I¡¯m one your baby will definitely be bearful to: ¡±
Unexpectedly, the ductor who had been rather stem, adds thement at the was leaving
With the results in hand. Dorutty found a bench to sd on Her mind became a jumbledmess as the ined
to sort out her thoughts
The news was so unexpected. It was totally out of the cus
Dorothy want scared of anything. She just knew that her mom would definitely opprise her decision to
keep the baby. This all seemed like some kind of joke, her current tion was ently sr to Be¡¯s
predicament
This would certainly Ingjer her mother¡¯s fears
She must have sat there for a good
call from her moms duciar
minutes before she mud to calm down. She was about to pull her phone to talk to Event when she saw
several messed
Dorothy medurly called back as her heart jumped into her trip!
¡°My werent you dromering your phone? Your momis in the emergenty room again. Come quicke
Before Dovalty could even check if she had hung up, she was alwenty sprinting towards the wand
¡®I her heart disease Stehadarothersbook¡± The dockatharood tera crtical condition notice.
¡°Sign this best well do our best 15 save let
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Dorothy¡¯s hand was shaking uncontrobly as she hold the pen. She couldn¡¯t get her signature right.
Suddenly, another doctor rushed out of the emergency room. The patient¡¯s not gonna make it!¡±
At that moment Dorothy soll had finished signing the critical condition police
The doctor immediately turned back
Dorothy instinctively wanted to follow, but she was stopped ¡®Sorry family members cant enter the
emergency room
¡°That¡¯s my mom in there! He said she wasn¡¯t gonna make Leed to see her!¡±
¡°Sorry¡± After that the doctor shut the door
Dorothy was crying so hard that her vision Blumed. All she could see was the ring red light of the
emergency room
In the hospitalido sumounded by white walls, the noticed a man in a ck suit not far away
Dorothy didn¡¯t know him, but it was obvious he was here to watch the
Suddenly Heather¡¯s remarks from theirst encounter echoed like thunder in her mind
No, it was then!
Including Everett¡¯s father.
If her mother was in trouble and it had anything to do with Heather it must be because of the power of
Everett¡¯s father. Otherwise they would have done something like this many years ago, instead of their
constant taunting and cursing
Dorothy shaking pulled out her phone to call Everett Hut at the same time, the light in the emergency
room went out
Two doctors came out together. They avoided eye contact and sighed in unison
¡°We¡¯re sorry Wir did our best
¡°What does that mean? Dorothy didn¡¯t dare think further. She stopped forward, clutching one of the
doctors loves tightly. There must be a way to save my mom, night? Tell me, any surgery whatever the
cost. I¡¯m willing to pay! She can be saved, right?¡±
Ms Sanchez, calm down
¡°I cant calm down Dorothy screamed Her frail body looked like it was ready to copse at any moment.
¡°She was fine in her ward so how could she suddenly have a heart attack
The two doctors exchanged looks ¡°Well
¡°Speak! Why did this happen? Who has my mom met?¡± Dorothy shoutedunni she was out of breath.
She was barely standing and had to lean against the wall for support. ¡®1 want to see the surveince
footage from the wand You two, go back and save my mom now or I won¡¯t let this go!¡±
She didnt believe her mother would be provoked out of the blue
There was nothing recently that could stir her emotions this much She knew about her and Everett, and
although she opposed it, her reactions werent that severe. She en found time to mess with Keh,
which proved her mental state was calm. She was still considering her daughter¡¯s future.
How could it turn out like this?
today The
¡°Ms Sanches the surveince in the ward happened to break today. There¡¯s no way to check
N?velDrama.Org ? content.
This ht Dorothy like a bucket of ice water
phone to dial Everett¡¯s number
Her face turned pale as she rumbly slid down the wall. Then suddenly, like grabbing a lifeline, she took
out her ph
But this time, no matter how many times it rang no one amserted
Meanwhile, in Amanda¡¯s ward
Es phone was on silent and was left on the balcony The screen lit up again and again, then went dark
Heatler saw the call and whispered
She snuked with a harsh grint in her eyes. ¡°You reap what you sow Looks like the deed is done, now
we just need to stall Everett. Don¡¯t let him End out i¡±
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Chapter 200
The words had barely left her mouth when footsteps could be heard from outside the hospital room
As the poor swung open, Everett saw Heather holding his mother¡¯s hand, whose eyes tightly shut, and
tears were streaming down Heather¡¯s face
Upon hearing him erter, Heather looked up with her eyes al red and puffy
¡°Everett¡± the said the doctors said mom¡¯s condition is really bad. I think you should skip work today. If
she wakes up, shell definitely want to see you fist.¡±
Everett was standing ¨¤ distance away, he had no intention offorting her. He just fumowed his
brows. ¡°You can go now. Your job here is thre
¡°Okay then Calme you need anything¡±
When the conversation tumed to the topic of phones, Heather almost gasped in surprise, even
Amanda, who was pretending to be unconscious, gave her a secretive poke. ¡°Have you seen my
phone?
Ever!! started looking for his phone, which made the atmosphere in the room up to near freezing levels
Heather and Amanda both anmous rigidiy
doure, almost holding their breath in
They couldn¡¯t let mint out about what happened w
with Dorothy
Luckily, Heather was ques on her feet. She stealthly put his phone into her bag
¡°Didn¡¯t you take it with you when you went to find the doctor?
Everet frowned, live he was trying to remember,
¡®ll get going them. Call me if you need anything Heather sad hurriedly She quickly left the hospital with
her can not daring to dy even a second. Once she got in her cac the pulled out Everett¡¯s phone tout
it aff
But when the screen lit up, the saw a couple of massages from Dorothy
[Everett, where are you¡°]
[Evere my mom passed away Please pick up the phone
Heather¡¯s lips curled into a smile at the sight of these messages. It was a smile full of stofaction and
malice
¡°Those who cross me, or my mother, meet the same fate. You can only me your bad luck
She chuckled coldy as the turned off the phone. When she down past the tie she stopped and threw
Everett¡¯s prone in the water
I would take him at least a day to rece his phone
One day would be enough for Dorothy in give up on him,
Heather might not know much, but she knew Dorothys stubbam peractality all too well with such seidus
events unfolding and Everett not being there in affection for him would surely wane it would give her a
mality check and let her know that they were never meant to be in the same world
Coolly¡¯s
When Dorothy Caled Exel number for the twentieth time, the line was no longer buy It was switched off
in the dimly lit hospitalidor, filled with the smell of disinfectant she felt like a zombie as she
mechanically calediver¡¯s number er andet un
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Hang up real.
Hang up real
After what felt like an eternity, someone had up to her and hed her tightly.
She looked up with a spark of hope in her eyes, hoping it was Everett. But the face that met
met her ga
gaze was Kehs
The spark in her eyes died just as quickly as it had appeared.
know now everything. Duruthy be strong fit be with you Remeth said soothingly. He had brought fresh
fruits for hey, hareng promised Best weak that he would apany her during her rehab sessions
if he had time over the weekend.
But he had expected to hear the news of Be¡¯s passing as soon as he arrived.
His first reaction was to look for Dorothy, leaning she might do somating schless.
Chapter 201
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Chapter 201
Keh felt a surge of some as his fingers brushed against Dorothy¡¯s icy lifeless sk
Are you all alone?
He wanted to ask where her boyfend was. He wasn¡¯t here with her?
However, Keh ddelwice thetter part, but the look on Dorothy¡¯s face condimedia suspicions
Although he didn¡¯t know the details, he was certain he wouldnt abandon her in such a trying time, even
if the tried to push him away
¡°My mam. She was murdered instead of answering Kemeth¡¯s question, Dorothy simply muttered,
¡°Someone kilether. Im sure of it
¡°Do you know who it was? Keh quickly asked. ¡°Tell me, and I help you find out. If someone maly
did kill your mother, Ewort let them get with it¡±
Dorothy slowly after her gaze to meet his eyes
Suddenly, her shoulders dropped
¡°What if it was someone from the Lopez family? Can we ever And out?
She was stated Scared of what they might discover if they di 100 dep. What if it was Everett¡¯s parents
who orchestrated it all?
Even if they could prove it would they stand a chance against the mighty Lopez family? Her mother¡¯s
words achand in her mind, hitlingher with a harsh reality that they were outmatched in every possible
way The Loper family could crush them like a hug without breaking a sweet How could the possibly
fight back?
Was she relying or Everen?
How naive she had been! it was his parents they were up agamat, not some random adversaries. And
now the was stuck between him and his family.
What about the baby she was camping?
The weight of it all was to much for her to hear She felt ake ner mand was clogged. it was too hard for
for to process the enormity of their situation
The Lopez family? The Lopez Corporation?¡± Keis eyes widened in shock. But you and Ever!!
They don¡¯t prove us
¡°go talk to them ¡°ght now? Don¡¯t worry Dorothy, I¡¯ve got your bac
Keh turned to leave, but Dorothy weakly grabbed the hem of his shin.
He looked back at her and noticed that her face was pale and drained of color as she slowly shook her
head
¡®Don¡¯t go
Im just guessing I have no proof!
Keh frowned What about Earie? He should be here, exining things to you! Even if the Laper
family isnt behind this, he should be by your a dde!¡±
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Dorothy lowered her gure 1 can¡¯t reach him mat
Keh fell silent with shock
¡°You should go too. Don¡¯t worry about me fm just string to ept everything right now. But I know I
have to be strong. There¡¯s so much waiting for me
She had no family left in this world. There was no one to help her deal with the abermath of her
mothers death She couldn¡¯t even fathom what to do with the hospital procedures and everything else
Doty knew how hard this was going to be.
She was even rational enough to mal drag Keh into this mess with her.
¡°How can I leave you alone in the hospital at a time like this? Keh was even more heanbroken to
see Dorulty trying to put on above face.
He wished that she would let it all out, cry scream, and evensh out in anger.
Just anything but this painful stence and eene ramena.
You don¡¯t owe me anything Boully refused his apany
Twas afhend I can¡¯t leave you alone?¡± Keh took a deep breath. ¡°Let me stay with you und you get
in touch with Everett, okay?¡±
Doroty remained plent
Keh fronted ¡®Dorothy I¡¯m begging you! Let me stay with you, okay?
Ive everything, everything.
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Chapter 202
As Dorothy frished offering there sadworth, she started to fall backward Insing consciousness.
Thankfully, Keh had been watching out for her. He outstretched his hand at her bark just in time to
keep her from falling
Without wanting a moment, he scoped her up in his arms and sprimed toward the muse¡¯s station.
¡®Dactail Wories the doctor Someone¡¯s father
Everett couldn¡¯t find his phone which immediately gave him an uneasy feeling
He was about in leger the rom when he saw his father standing at the door, apanied by Amendi¡¯s
¡®ma¡¯s physician, who had taken care of her when she was abroad ¡°Where are you off to Your mother is
hanging by a thread, and you want to leave¡±
Need to find my phone Everett replied while frowning slightly
¡°Your phone and whatever it wait until your mother is stablet Jonathan stood firm and hiked the
doorway with his imposing figure
The doctor standing beside him chimed in ¡°Indeed, Mr. Lopez, your mother¡¯s condition is critical She
could wake up at any moment, n the might not wake up at all
him.
need to make a call then 11l be back! Evesell weird won ed about work, Kevin couldrande that. He was
womed that Dorothy might be upset if she couldn¡¯t reach
¡°Do you have any idea who your mother despises the most in this world? Don¡¯t think Lnt know who
you¡¯re nning to call wont allow it!
¡®I want asking for your permission ¡°With that Everett med to push past the pat
His tall frame could rasly break mough, but at that entical perc, Jonatan spoke up. serad her a
message using my pi
Don¡¯t make the cat Your mother wouldn¡¯t want to hear that woman¡¯s voice. Just
With that he hunted his phone over to Evenem
Everett didn¡¯t immediate s take it; instead, he nced at his father. ¡°Where¡¯s my phone? Did you take
it?
¡°Who knows where your phone is? I just amived. Don¡¯t you just want to talk to that woman? under a
message from my phone. If she has any issues, she can call this
When he now that is san still hadn¡¯t moved Jonathon added ¡°Are you really going to fall out with your
parents ove
Everett looked at the phone being offered. Finally he took it and howned as he sent a message to
Donathy
It¡¯s Everett Host my phone If you need anything call me of this numbe|
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Fearing his father might intercept the message, Exeted unt! I was sessfully sent before returning
the phana
¡°If she replies. let me know)
Jonuttan snarled clearly ited. ¡°I really dont understand what you see in that girl How does she
compare to Heather?
¡°Durully is my wile. Please show some respect¡± Everett replied calmly For Dorothy¡¯s sake, he was now
standing against his parents, regardless of the conseque
His initial n was to gradually help his parents ept Dorstity, but that seemed unlikely now
So, he had to make his stance clear to prevent anyone from thinking they could nepotione.
Jonathan was about to angrily retort when the doctor gave him a meaningful look.
Therman goal for the day was to keep Everett there, if they kept arguing, they might just drive him
away. And that would really be disastrous
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He caught the hint right away and quickly shied the topic Tverett, as long as you don¡¯t push things too
far, there¡¯s always room forpromise. But if you persistently daregand everything for that woman,
who¡¯s going to hair a good impression of her?
Trushed over here without even getting a chance to tell her I just want to let her kagia in case the reeds
me.¡±
¡°What could she ponsibly need? The one lying in the hospital bed is your mother if the dent card you
fotposition at this moment, does she really have
Everett didnt want to argue with his father at this moment. He just cast has eyes on the phone in his
hand
It seemed like she didn¡¯t need anything
Dorothy felt like she had been thrown into a deepipit.
She felt like she had beenumed by doriness, unable to see
She wanted to scream but couldnt make a sound She wanted to run but could move
Suddenly, she heard someone calling
from behind her er stolthed that it was her mother¡¯s ce
¡°Dorofty, Mommy mont be able to protect you anymore. Mammy is leasing
¡°Dorothy, remember Mommy loves you very much¡±
Dorothy desperately wanted to rush towards the source of the sound, but she abruptly opened her
eyes.
Then the somewhat dazzling white ceding at the hospital came into view
The darkness was gone, and so was the wice of her mothe
By her side, Keith quickly came out to hold her west, sounding liean
ke an ted husband rejoicing them of his te Dorothy you¡¯ll wake
Dorally slowly shihed her game to his hand
ut he was too woted and had overstepped his bounds. He quickly let go of her rand as he began
laughing awkwardly. ¡°Um, Karen was called away by the
Where left Drony suddenly saw a man in a bright white coat whiting in
She didit recognize him by his face, but the mon was obviously there to see her
¡°Darty someone asked me to deliver a message to you.¡±
She looked up, her vision somewhat lumed ¡°Who are you?
Who I am not important. What¡¯s important is that you k
Dorothylenched her fists abruptly Dad Heather sens
how to proceed Otherwise the consequences youll face will be worse than just this
Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
he maniughed a low more times. ¡®Don¡¯t tell me you have no idea et
You¡¯ve offenaked
Is the Loper family threatening met Now that you¡¯ve killed my mother, what more can you do to me?
Dorothy deliberately led the man to reveal the truth to confirm her
But the man dont plicitly say it, nor did dry. He only keptughing augh that made
¡°Do you only have your mother asound you? No, you have many weak sports that can be threatenes
Dorothy¡¯s heart sank ¡°Don¡¯t you dare touch them!¡±
¡°We¡¯re not interested in im Try like them. As long as you behan, everyone
After saying this, the man adjusted his gold ummed sses on his nose and walked out.
The man disapprated, al she heard was the thut of the doar closing I was
Keh who just left, or your best friend, Karen Miller¡±
How could she not understand what was going on at this point?
| not something she could fight agaral
retu asice came from a distance Ste pushed the door open.
¡°You do kosa Kawn understood after seeing her
to her bed while paning in exon ¡°u¡¯re pregnant! Do you know¡±
Dorothymisteredr day hips as the spo vin a houtain police, Please help me keep a
Chapter 204
Chapter 204
Chapter 204
¡°Mr Loper¡¯s child? Karen was sil reeling in shock, barely registering what Darsthy was sayi
Thankfully Keh was in the room. He promptly and the cour and mped a hand over his sisters
mm. Durthy said to keepit hoch hush 2 p 20
ederstand why such a thing has to be kept a secret
Having a child was a pamechanger Surely the Loper family watcher new Should this bebs be Dorothy¡¯s
shield¡±
¡°Do you then they would tesitate to harm
drwter they¡¯ve already shown their willingness to take my mother¡¯s life? Dorothy ad
eh nodded, foring as offer
If those people targeted Darthy directly, she woudt be here
The might of the Loperamidyed Not only the city¡¯s too revenue Gong agave me the tying
toma City tow could starcast them. Their coption was a greatbi spafight in with a leather.
Karen tumawed her brows:
Dorally gave we smile as her gaze shopped Tknow, but on the other hand, the
doubt Everetts Fuse for her but whenpares to parental love, she wasn¡¯t sure if their love was
atroch
¡°You¡¯re just pong to it your mome¡¯s death slide?
As a daughter I world let this go. Those who hire Band on their hands, including Everett¡¯s parents, wont
be spared
hological parents.¡±
The parts were now neating in apposite directions.
Karen Kighed using forward to hold Dorothy¡¯s hands wifrar weling in her eyes. Dorty.. Why are things
start for pu? I thought once yourmet Mi. Losez pour tough times wood he over I thought you two would
have a happy ending¡±
Douad & biller and self¨Cdeprecatory une de oppdred on her pale face
¡°And the Luby?¡± Katen sucki
ught. ¡°If you dont warli do try to handle the procedure on your own. at me be there with jou. Understand
the baby belong? The cold wil
Upon seeing her s lerce, Keh suddenly spoke up. ¡°Dorothy you¡¯T BLU
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¡°Dant worry¡°Dorothy interrupted him as she gently patted her telp. ¡°I want keep this child. If i brought its
baby into this world where would the be raised without both parents fathermore, the child¡¯s paternal
grandovers murdered my mother, the chud¡¯s maternal grandmother Such an existence would be an
awkwardone led with many hardships
She believed that the bay rould understand it wouldnt want a bebom in such distances effet
Just like how she often wished her mother hadert given bath 1p her
Thanurge a doctor for the procedure Will make sure no one Im w Lopez family find out about The Luby,
Kennen immediately understood Dorothy¡¯s intention.
¡°Thank you¡± She kooked at Keh in pult began to wash over her
He had helped numerous times, and now he might get dragged into this mess. The paper family might
even target him and Karen
She couldn¡¯t afford to gamble on love anymose
Her heart was hardened.
Maybe was er malter¡¯s death that had snapped her back to reality or perhaps it was because of his cas
Chapter 205
Chapter 205
Chapter 205
Inside Amanda¡¯s VIP hospital tube, there was a constant stream of doctors popping in to check on her
Everest, who had been standing vigil by his mother¡¯s side, was visibly is. If it werent for has relect long
pe
When the
one leaving with a sigh of resignation
to worsen his parents opinion of Darathy, he would have been
physician entered and left the room for the third time we couldn¡¯t contain his frustration anymore
¡°No news from Bathy!
¡°I would¡¯ve told you if the d responded¡± Jonathan replied, pulling out his phone as proof
Suddenly, Everett rose to his heading for the door
¡°Where are you going?¡±)
in quickly interegled!
To smoke a oprette¡±
join you¡±
Everett owed his eyebrows as he nced at his father. ¡°Can you leave me alone here?
gan nurses, and the wont be waking up anytime soon. (reed some fresh artas!
long I cant
¡°I need to bomow your phone therefore Jonathan could test Extended to go on. Ive been away from the
office for too lon
Aher a brief moment of thought, Jonathan
and handedown his phone
eveshot Everett dured Kevin, Joraman
The father on duo exted me room, and once they wereitu
Once me cal connected. Ex quickly gave out a clear and concise order. Get a new phone dekaned
la Fappened to her, I need to know
Hospital, and contact Dorothy immediately if something has
Aber ending the cal Everett checked his
Dorothy¡¯s number henge merck ofmunication
yham Donathy, ny
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ontactlist. He suspected hister might
Une Blocked
But Dorothy¡¯s number wasn¡¯t on the blocked Tan
Meating that the bach
Thtion should hav
dot made any attempt to contact him.
the felt like something didn¡¯t sit night. A feeling of unease kept nagging at him as a knot grew in his
stomach
Jonathan offered ham a cigarette, but Everett dedned
Aher a moment of silence, Everett
¡°You young how can you determine who you
imy the in¡¯s Dorothy of no one
itt for Life? There are thousands of women better than her, you¡¯re just being stubbam. Your mom and
like
can help with your career she¡¯s respectful, and your mom adores her. Everyone would be happy if you
just agreed Why are you going against is?
Twe told you only want Bothy¡±
¡°Are you certan Hat Dorothy wants only you?¡±
led Keh around het Hyou heard of him? Jonathan pulled out some pichers on his phone all of them
showing apanying B Look for yourself. This Dorothy already has a backup n Wien pour
mom and objected, her mother started looking for new stors. Everett, dost let her fool you¡±
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Chapter 206
¡°Huh?¡± Jonathan snerted damssively ¡°That¡¯s only because you¡¯re seble now. If you wever, Keh
would be too much of a catch for her
hearing this, Everett¡¯s brown knitted together instantly ¡°You¡¯ve been investigating Keh?
I¡¯m just trying to protect you. You¡¯ve never given me or your mother cause for concern when ites to
your personal life. Even in college, while other wealthy kids were busy with girlfrends and partying you
never get camed away with the opposite sex. Now, suddenly, you¡¯re all head heels for this Dorothy
How could we not worry
bout you?*
7 just want what I want.¡±
That person from beginning to end, had always been Dorothy, and only Bossthy
Hence, Everett¡¯s emotions neveilinged on any other woman. Even before he met Dorothy again, he
never felt anything special for anyone else
The heating feelings he had only existed for Dorothy and Dorothy slo
You¡¯ll get this one day¡± Jonathan huffed as he tumed to leave.
Suddenly Kevin appeared at the hospital
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Upon seeing him, Jonathan was taken aback & look of surprise and annoyance instantly crosser
How could he have not anticipated that his for would get an in the hospital?
Good day. Mr. Charman, M. Loper Kein quckly ached nodding respectfully at Jonathan before handing
a phone to Everett ¡°Mr Lopez, this is your new phone. Te already synced all your data
¡°Thanks¡± Dt took the phone and was about to which it on when Jonaman suddenly stopped hem.
¡°Your mother is entically ill. Your pho night interfere with her
This Everet surprisingly followed his father¡¯s advice, not fidding with the phone but instead looking sight
at him
One second passed then two
Suddenly, Lt¡¯s tone turned icy What have you done to Dorothy
He won¡¯t stupid he had noticed something as amass a long time ago. It was just that his mother¡¯s
illness i Lindeed severe, and as her son, it was his day to stay by her
But his father repeatedly steventing him tomiding Doroty was almost as
¡°What could we possibly du? She¡¯s just a gal do jor
she¡¯s worth my time?¡±
nt say another word to his father, he just simply
Kevin, not fully understanding the nation quickly followed after giving Jonathan a polite sade
I havent dealt with Dorothy yet¡±
Bend them, Jonathan quickly daled his wiles number. ¡°Wewe in wouble We can¡¯t hide it from Cansett
anymore, he¡¯s definitely going to look for Donaty now
¡°How could you let
Jonathan recalled the cold looks sons eyes just now it was distant and gloomy as if he had touche
nerve. It ma
made fam hesitant
follow ¡°Do you think we
ime to discusses Amanda red from the other end of the line don¡¯t care how much he cares for Daily
The only woman who can be my
at My n was to keep Dorothy hom contacting Exel for at least three days, especially now that her
mother just passed away I want her to back off on fint own or give upon Everett, ether way they need to
break up?¡±
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Chapter 207
When the phone cal ended, Jonathan didn¡¯t bother sending runs to interne
He figured if his wife saw the look in their car¡¯s eyes just now she¡¯d likely he recond thoughts as well
Just from that one lock, he had no doubt that Extml would cut with him for the sake of Dorothy
Aher leaving the hoopta, Exeril got straight into the ear
Even without being told Kevin knew where to drive
On the road Everett kept calling Dorothy but no one was picking up
Tid you get a hold of Dorothy today?
kendayoff, so it wouldn¡¯t be far to bother about work¡± Ken paused beforeing. ¡°After you
No. She said the was going for a check up. I figured she¡¯d finally taken a day off, inted me. I hed calling
her too, but there was still no answe
Everett¡¯s thick news furrowed as his eyes became clued to his phone scr
The car soon arrived at the Bay Residence, and tum enue the house was empty.
Dorothy wasn¡¯t home
While looking at the darkening sky nutside, he was more certain that something had happened to
Corstly
After a moment¡¯s thought, Eversharked out another order to Keen ¡°Dove to the hospital where Domtty¡¯s
mother is!
¡°Sure Thing Mi Loper
Just as the two were about to head to the hospital, they rot ced a car driving their war
Given then the Bay Residence was a high¨Cend property with low owners and verett is property was a
prone area he had specifically set aside, he was almost certain that Destiny was in the car.
Just as Everett was about to open the car door he saw the car stop
A familiaque got out from the driver¡¯s side walked on to the passenger side and started talking to the
person inside
was Keh
Instead of contruing his action, Everett just watched
Soon, Keh bent down and helped the person in the passenger seat out, and when that small face
appeared Everett¡¯s pupils involuntaryracted
N?velDrama.Org ? content.
If it wasnt Doroc, then no was
Seeing this. Kean, who was in the driver¡¯s seat, was stunner. Was he watching his boss get cuckolded
hue?
Mr Lopez Vs. Sanchez might be..¡±
Before he could ing his semence, the person in the back seat had already gotten out of the car and
was stilenamcicikaaly towards them.
¡°How are you feeling Should Ke¡¯s was cut off midsentence when the persunhe was supporting was
taken away.
Aher looking up. Doroty was already in Everett¡¯s arms
What¡¯s wrong? Are you feeling unwell? He boied down at Dorothy his spice devoid of any hint of joy
arger or jealousy
Tm ¡°Dorty¡¯s response was cold and calm, but she put on a smile for Keh. ¡°Thanks for thing me
home, you should go back and sest
Keh nced at Everveti. He wanted to say something but decided aga nalil
He simply nodded. Til apany you tomorrow!
¡°Mmm¡±
Dorothy nodded, watching as he got into his car and drove away.
Everett quickly caught the key point of their conversation What is he apanying you for tomorrow!
¡°Nothing¡°Dorothy seemed very | Here are downcast, as if she didn¡¯t want to talk to him anymore
Kevin, who had rushed best d that they might argue, quickly interjected. ¡°Mr. Loper was worned
about you. When you didn¡¯t answer your phone, he immediately left han parents, who were still at the
hospital, toe find you
¡°Really? Her lose was stil devoid of any fluctuations
¡°Dorothy Event knew something must have happened Hy lied to catch her gare but failed. ¡°What
exactly ¡°appened?¡°
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Chapter 208
¡°his nothing I¡¯m just fired¡± Dorsthy evaded his outsimd. We can talk about it amona¡±
Kevin was stuck in the middle, feeling helpless. He were to say something but couldn¡¯t find the right
worh Everett nced at him and spoke in his deep voice. ¡°You shogo insi, Kevin¡±
Once Kevin had left. Dorothy had already retreated into the broom
Everett stood in the foyer for a while before making his way to the bedroom and gently pushing the
door open
Dorothy was already in her, still dressed in her clothes. Her eyes were closed, and it was hard to if she
was asleep or pretending to be Aber a momer¡¯s pa. une, Everett was about to leave and have
someone investigate what had happened in the hospital when Constty suddenly called out th
¡°Then rest, I want disturb you I sleep in the quest room ton dec
Dorothy sat up in bed woking at him seriously Her lips moved a few times but no wordse L
Everett walked back while taking a deep breath ¡°Or should I call the doctor to check on you?¡±
¨C
¡°The recess feeling won¡¯t be cured by sleep¡± Domths avoided his gun and begin talking while locking
down. ¡°Twisted
mom today and saw how wel Keh was
getting along with hat She¡¯s always hoped that I would end up with Keh She doesn¡¯t want me to
teach above my station with the Lapely ¡°What do you meant
with Keh, he could only provide me with afortable life, but it
¡°Everett, proudly did are to Kh because you could offer me more career wise. III wouldn¡¯t benen
my future. However I suddenly feel tred of a ways looking up to you and the Lopez family
Everett didnt say anything. He just stared of het not taking his eyes off her for a moment
She didn¡¯t have the courage to look at his fact at that moment, su che just clenched her fists and
finished what she had to sap
¡°So. I don¡¯t want toe..
¡°Dorothy Exeren suddenly interrupted
wont let you frish that sentence Tell me the truth what happened? What did my parents say to pu
¡°Do you really need to ask? Of course, they told me that I¡¯m not good enough for you. They im not
good enough to be the daughter¨Cinw of the Lopez family What else could they say? Dorothy feigned
a harshine as the nanowed her eyebrows. ¡°I hate the condescending attitude. As if need to many their
sont font it you who manipted this whole sturiont the Lopez Tarly? I dont care! If i marry Keh, at
least his parents wont treat me like this.¡±
Everett just stand at Darolty s
He couldn¡¯t believe these words wereing out of her mouth
¡°In your eyes, the difference between marrying me and marrying
I was like he no longer neengrind her
this just a bnce of reality and benefist
¡°What else could it be Everett I wasnt intented in you when was in middle school Suddenly
abanatuation, i should be interested? You¡¯re vel Donoty scoffed
you wered the CEO of Lopez Corporation you cont pay for my mother¡¯s medical treatment then her
out first night together I wouldnt bother caracting you
Herfulugh was like a p in the face to Everett¡¯s pride
Dorothy thought he would be furious. She thought he would we lesh out at her
The air in the room seemed to been neer of them sad wordt hees of
i eyes lurred red, his voice trembing slightly as he said, ¡°Yoon¡¯t believeN?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.
Chapter 209
Chapter 209
Chapter 209
¡°Sull yourself.¡± Doothy seemed awfully tired. She was exuding a kind of exhaustion that made it seem
like she couldn¡¯t bear to exchange another word with him, o
and it didn¡¯t
N?velDrama.Org ? content.
In fact, she was in no mood for conversation
Her mother¡¯s funeral was set for three dayster She didn¡¯t hire many rtives or friends, and she
didn¡¯t want Everett to know she decided to keep it simpl
After that, the room fell into an one silence.
She steeled herself and looked at Everett. This time, she didn¡¯t avoid his game, her eyes were
were devoid of
motion. ¡°Can you leave now?
any
¡°Tak about what tomorrow? Wasn¡¯t clear enough? Everett, I used to think that being with you would be
like a walk in the park, but now all that your furrily in just o much I cant stand their condescending
attitude. I don¡¯t want to be with you anymore. Do you understand
Dorothy knew that if she only said she was breaking up because she was red he would
TI find a way to send them abroad¡±
is that your solution? Going abroad would make them ept me? Do you understan uponDorothy
raised her eyebrows as the enunciated each word with all her strength
be so she had to us the truth with lies
i mean? I cant stand the gap between us and this feeling of being looked down I couldrit thout you
that¡¯d be one thing But you¡¯re not worth induring al
Dorothy give me se
have a better choice Why should qve you?¡±
Everett¡¯s hand clenched abruptly ¡°Toh¡±
¡°Yes!¡± Aludiof revealing her feelings Dorothy quickly averted her eyes during a scoff, making her
nonchnt anitude seem more genuine. ¡°His parents like me, my mom thinks highly of him, and
Keh is K¡¯s rtive. We¡¯re from the same world. Mr. Lopez, h¡¯s been really hard for me to reach
your level. Consider it a pond deed and
¡°Dorothy how can you be so cam? Eserem slowly got up and stepped back ¡°You¡¯re lying me and
pretending Don¡¯t think I can¡¯t see it
¡°Sunt yourself.¡± She repeated the same line and theny back down on the bed, not saying another
After what felt like an eternity, Dorothy head Everett¡¯s footsteps learn and the door closing At the same
time the ears that had
sorry I¡¯m sorry¡±
Therepes
Although all of this had nothing to do with Everett, her so much had happened, she couldn¡¯t continue to
be with him as if nothing had happened Dorothy resisted the idea from the bottom of her heart that her
mother¡¯s death was ted to Exetes parents
How should she face Everett, then? What attitude should she adoet, and what mood should she be int
She would rather believe that this whole thing was just Heather¡¯s idea.
On the vast bed Dorothy med hard to cover her mouth with her hand not letting out a sound of her
crying
These cruel word she said earlier were akin to cutting her own fest. She couldn¡¯t say them a second
time. So, she could Event notice anything and couldn¡¯t let him
When her tears had soaked her pillow and! sky was gradually lightening Dorothy took out her phone
and sent Heather a mensage
I¡¯ve mentioned parting ways with Everett He¡¯ll definitely instigate I know you¡¯ll handle the rest. I have
two requests first, don¡¯t touch anyone around me again. Second, get me out of here
Chapter 210
Chapter 210
Chapter 210
Perhaps it was due to her pregnancy, but Domnity couldn¡¯t remember when she had drifted off to sleep.
When the opened her eyes agan, it was nearly non
She hantly grabbed her phone to check the time, only to find age of medals from Karen but nothing the
Dorothy knew that it must have been Keh who told Karen not to keep eating suring her that she
would call back once she was wit disturb her st After all, with Kaver¡¯s personality, she would never think
of such things
Instead of calling back immediately Dorothy got out of bed and seaded to the bathroom to freshenus.
She sshed hancul of cold water on her face, hoping in wace hersell us. After all fingered be that
easy who knew how many times she would have in
out this scene before it was out?
While looking in the mere she pared at her haggard face and the dark circles around her eyes. Dorothy
suddenly felt the urge to her mother
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
Wher all, there was no one left in this world who was rted to her. There was no need to work herself
to death to pay medical bills. There was no one leh to scold her while of the came time care for her
Finally she became a motherless child
Dorothy stood in the bathroom for a while, waiting until she let emotionally stable before stepping out
When she got to the living room, she expected Everett to be waiting for nec ready to interrogate her,
but surprings, he wasn¡¯t there.
Only her usual breakfast was waiting on the dining table, along with a note held leh
You been working too hard, so take a few days off. 11) tale a hen about your leave Remember to eat
breakfast |
Everett was trying to fum the page on yesterday. He wanted to pretend it never happened.
If she could the wild to
Dorothy held the note and read it over and over again. She then suddenly raised her hand, gemily
touching her own belly
Willowback Unversity in the teacher¡® office
¡°Mr. Nelson, someone¡¯s looking for you. & Mr Lopez¡±
urrowed his brows. ¡°Mr. Lopez
Behind the desk, Ket who had just taken a long leave and was about to pack his stuff to leave the
school, furrowed his
¡°Yeah Just go out and see who it is After a chuckle, his cofraque returned to his own sel
Keh pondered for a while then decided to go out
He had thought that Extent mighte in him, but he doubted it.
Wher all, he was the Mr. Lopez, the president of the entie Lopez Corporation He could have any
woman he wanted and his status didn¡¯t make him seem lice someone who would stoop so low for low
After walking out of the pool building, Keh some ck Maybach from
To be honest he was quite surprised
¡°Mr. Loper you wanted to see me Keh approached, merial y creparing himself to keep quart, lest
he let somethings businessman
He was a teacher, so he couldn¡¯t qui
¡°Mmm¡± breil einguished the cigarette in his hand and looked at him. His handsome face was all as
deep as wet, but the fatigue and gloom from sleepless night wesendent. I¡¯m here because of Dorothy
¡®Ifigured
Before Keh could continue, he heard Everett¡¯s gravelly voice say ¡°Please don¡¯t take her away from
me
Hun?
This statement left Keh utterly shocked
He thought Everett would use his stato intimidate him. He thought Everett would offer money, he even
rough would hate Want that how they always did in the moves?
But instead, he came to plead with him?
For Dorothy, the mighty president of the Loper Capotion was wiling to humble himself to such an
extent. He was even willing to be his mal?
¡°Derally.. what did she say to you?¡±
Chapter 211
Chapter 211
Chapter 211
Kenseth was stil undear about the situation, so naturally, he could not nt out anything
However, Evells demeanor shook him to the core
It was clear that Deathy held a significant ce in his heart, given that the profound smow that Everell
was disying was fined
¡°She said she was tires of being with me.
As Everett finished he subconsciously mached for his cigariis, only to find that he had smoked thest
half of the box while mating for Ket.
Keh took a deep breath, feigningposure. Seeking my help is life. The one who feels chained is
ther
Everett mised his eyes, meeting Ket¡¯s qua
Though his eyes were heavy with fanique, they held an innate merrily that couldn¡¯t be ignored. Just by
starting in opposition to Kermath; his silent, cool, and aloof demeanor was enn.ch to squash Keh¡¯s
spiri
A gentle breeze stired, lightly nuffing the hair on Everett Tomhead
After a long moment, he rose the silence I want you to leave the country to leave here Ewart her in
have no other options. Keh, I don¡¯t want to hurt anyone close to her. I know how much the value
her friendship with Kane Thats why I came to you personally
The implication was clear. He¡¯did the groundwork for Kehs eut, andit Keh refused.
¡°Are you threatening me. Mr Lopez
resupposed to threaten you when you¡¯re trying to take my wife away?
He admitted to the threat, and co
nd her choosing me was her decision truly love her you should respect for shoe
nradh chuckled ¡®D.1 Darthy is also someone I want to chemist, and her
I can respect everything about her but this.¡±
Her Teing him was a non¨Cneguluble.
From the night he recried that message and knocked on Dorothy¡¯s her well knew he was infas deep.
He couldnt escape the hold Dorothy had un h m
He loved her cautiously and tentatively. He had painstakingly wnched herke steps towarth him, she
absolutely couldn¡¯t ept the prospect of their together crumbling overnight
¡°But what can me co. Mt Lope?? I only want Dorothy There¡¯s only one of her in this world let her go to
you where could find another het Besides, the¡¯s side doesn¡¯t love you so what¡¯s the point in forcing
her? You might as we let her go.¡±
Keh had steeled himself before saying this.
He didn¡¯t know and didn¡¯t dare imagine what Exell would do in harage
All he knew was that as of today Everett wouldnt let go of his marriage easily
He had underestimated Dorothy¡¯s ce in Event!¡®s hear
He¡¯d thought since well adn¡¯t shown up when Dunathy¡¯s mother was it, he didnt care much for Doralty
But now he realized Everett probably even know about
IL
Heaning this, Everett¡¯s tall festiffened ¡°Did she tell you that?
¡°Of course, her mother also said was more suitable for Borothy than you?
Suddenly Everell extended his hand and gripped Kehs cr grily.arning him to the wall.
Because of Everett¡¯s height, Keh was literally honed up. He was barely able to touch the ground
with his toes, looking extremely awkward
¡°Dantel med cut you¡¯re lying
He couldnt beline that Dorothy would tell an outsider she didit love him.
¡°Cough cough.¡±
Keh, caught off guard, was choking Her was unable to speak
Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
Soon, the sound of humed footsteps and Dorothy¡¯s desperate cry rang out ¡°Evorell! Let him po
Chapter 212
Chapter 212
The two men turned in unison, watching as she jogged over and forcefully pushed Everett aside to stand in front of Keh. "What do you think you''re doing to Keh?!"
Everett hadn''t expected such a fiery reaction from her. Dorothy stood before him like a steadfast soldier. Her entire being radiated an aura of caution and defiance. Her wary and distant gaze pierced him deeply.
"Keh, are you okay?"
Keh, still gasping for fresh air, managed a weak wave of his hand to signal he was okay.
Once she had confirmed Keh was unharmed, Dorothy turned her icy gaze back towards Everett,mbasting him with a cold fury. "Is this all the Lopez family knows how to do? Do you think that because you''re the CEO of Lopez Corporation, you can trample on everyone around you? Do we all seem like insignificant ants to you that could be toyed with and crushed at your whim?"
Each word she spat out was sharp and unyielding. Her condemnation of him was relentless.
Earlier, Dorothy had called Kevin to discuss resigning, only to find out that Everett wasn''t at thepany.
Worried that Everett mighte after Keh, she rushed over, only to find Everett with his hand around Keh''s throat.
She was terrified.
She feared that her actions might lead to Keh''s death, too.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.
The guilt from her mother''s death was already too heavy a burden. She wished she could''ve died with her.
So, she blurted out those words without thinking or considering Everett''s feelings or the fact that he wasn''t the type to harm others without cause.
"Is that really how you see me?" Everett''s voice was barely audible. He was shaking in disbelief. He ignored Keh''s presence and locked his eyes on Dorothy.
His disbelief was palpable. He couldn''t believe such usations against him wereing from her.
Gradually, Dorothy''s rational mind started to regain control.
But the damage was done. So, she decided to tear his wound even wider, so wide that Everett would lose all hope.
"Or what? You think you''re some god in my eyes? Am I supposed to worship you? I told you yesterday. You, the Lopez family, all you rich folks with your noses in the air, I truly despise it!" Dorothy locked eyes with Everett. The midday sun cast a light on his chiseled features, making his eyes appear even darker and more intense. "You know what? Every second I spent lying next to you was sheer torture. Every time you kissed me, I wanted to vomit!"
"Dorothy..." Keh couldn''t help but whisper her name.
Dorothy found it hard to hold Everett''s intense gaze. She slowly turned away. "My mother''s operation is over. I''ve learned everything I needed to know about investment banking business. I can''t keep up this charade anymore."
"I don''t believe it was all an act." Everett''s face was set in stone. His eyes were filled with heavy emotions that refused to dissipate.
She just scoffed.
Eachugh felt like a p in his face.
"Believe what you want. It''s over between us. In fact, I''m quite proud of myself. Who knew I could make the mighty Mr. Lopez fall for me? Keh, you better treat me right. Otherwise, see? Mr. Lopez is my backup."
Chapter 213
Chapter 213
Chapter 213
If what she previously said were daggers that pieced Everen¡¯s heart, then the term ¡°backup acted like a
bullet si¨Cking him straight in the care. The pain was so intense that Everell could hardly breathe. He
subconsciously mached to clutch at his chest.
His handsome face turned even more achen and weak than before
¦§
It was a sight Keh had never thought held witness. A golden boy had just been brought low and
smeared with the mud of rejection And by the woman he loved the most
Everett couldn¡¯t bear another second in Dorothy¡¯s presence, fenful of even more harsh words. He
wreated a few steps, stumbling in haste to get into his car and drive
With a press of the pas pedal, the car shot out as if it were possessed
Keh watched as his hean pounded He he¡¯s not stable. What if he gets into an idem?
I have Kevin check on him¡± Durothy couldn¡¯t bear to see him hurt, but some things were out of her
contin
Some creams had to be woken fmm when the time came
Keh sighed ¡°Ikeow it¡¯s not my ce to pity anyone from the Loper family but Everett mally care
nhout you.¡±
Dorothy tied her head back, refusing to let the tears in her eyes fall
After a long minute of silence, she finally spoke. I appreciate your help with my mom¡¯s arrangements
¡°It¡¯s no trouble. Being here for you at this time is my pleasure¡±.
Dorothy turned to him, furrowing her brows
were reversed. I know you¡¯d
¡°You don¡¯t need to say anything I understand You dont need to feel guilty You¡¯re going through a lot
night now and I¡¯m here to help. If the roles w do the same for me. We¡¯re even now, so dont catty any
burdens.¡±
Keh was beanning to derstand Dorothy¡¯s character more and more.
But with understanding came a chill in his FAST.
Dorothy heart was a batten desert that was devoid of water and sun.
1. un. How could anything grow there?
The fact that Everett had been able to shr feelings within Dorothy was a testament to his efforts.
¡°After my mom¡¯s furera, III have the abortion, seeting thest for between Everett and me. Then it leave
this ce I might not be around when you readme, but if you ever need help. Til do my best¡± She
spoke clearly and fly, as she wonted to put it in writing
Keh could only not reluctantly ¡°Okay shall we got
Dorothy nodded, but her feared eyes were still fad on the direction where I vere cat haddisappeared
Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
Whoever said she was hard¨Chearted and incapable of love?
She had loved price.
And it had cost her mother¡¯s le
So, would she love again?
No, she would-
Everett
is car was speeding
carish and end it all.
He was pushing the pedal to the metal, as if he wished for his car
Luckily the road was wide and the traffic sparse, on ident ulled
On the call from Kevin, Everett finally picked up
*M Lope Where are you? Theresa situation at the office that requires your attention Kevin spoke gently
not wanting
¡®I¡¯m not in the mood to deal with work right now You handle it.¡±
It was the fist time he¡¯d ever uttered such words in his professional lik.
¡°But the situations quiteplicated would be better for you to see it yourself. Hmm¡ I also has some
information about Dorothy¡±
¡®Til be right there
Chapter 214
Chapter 214
Chapter 214
Event¡¯s en was headed straight for headquarters when his father Jonathan, called him shartly in Kuena
call
¡°Where are you?¡°
my way to the office¡±
¡°Could you swing by the hoptal first? Your motherback in the cur
Everell frowned and mmed on the brakes. Havent you guys had enough? My mom is perfectly fre,
inte
He had begun to suspect. When they were in the hospital, his father didn¡¯t seem too wanted. I felt Ske
be was more focused on Ell
Everett had seen his father when his mother¡¯s life was really hang ng by a meat, so he couldn¡¯t fool Ne.
Jonathan eighed on the other end. This time its serious, to you beiler hurry! I can video call you if that¡¯s
what it takes
Gwen what his father had just said, Excel qued it must be ine
But he still hesitated for a moment before responding entity and hanging up the phone
When he
ved at the hospital, sure enough, his father was xusly use the emergency nem der
Seeing his son ave, Jonathan humed treet to him ¡®Everett, your mont¡¯s condition is reallytical this
time. I watched her struggle for bath, and then she just passed
Jonathan had seen countless major events in his lifetime, but he could never remain calm when his
wife was critical y ill.
in the business world they were a model couple, so Everer had always believed that he would also find
his other half sispanner for life
¡®What happened this time?
Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
Jonathan diri answer. He couldn¡¯t very well say than it was because he didn¡¯t listen to her when she
told him to stop their son hom seeing Dorthy could he?
¡°You guys should go back ahwart the medical technology there is better. Evenem didit press for ananas
Instead he said in a heavy and serious ture. ¡°She¡¯s always emotionally unstable here
¡°Tunt it all because of you? If you just and to be with Heather, none of this would we happened I was
even willing to step back and let you pretend to be with Heather, not caring about what you do in
preate, but you still disagreed Jarathas never understood why his son was so insistent on being with
Dorothy alone. We couldn¡¯t he just pretend to be with Heather to save his mother?!
She¡¯s just a pretty face. There are plenty of beautiful pits out¡±
¡°That¡¯s why I suggested you guys go back abroad Everett didn¡¯t anque, he simply followed his father¡¯s
ine of thinking
epted Heather,
You thin we lewe you can be with Dorothy? Your mother is determined no one can stop her from doing
what she wants! Even if I warned to stay out of it have to help her because of her health condition
Everett don¡¯t want to force you, but then¡¯s no negationion on this er min Heather, if your mother hears
that you she¡¯ll probably get Better¡±
¡°Dad¡± Everett Buckler ?y intentupled him and lonked him in the eyes Would you divorce my mom and
remarry it tanked you to
Jonathan was stunned This How can our situation bepared to yours? when married with children
for so many years! Theres no difference Everett lowered his gaze. ¡°You lose my mom and spoil her,
and I love Dorothy son, very much. There¡¯s no difference between us Heindly thought he would find a
way to solve this issue but he didn¡¯t expect things to tum outle this. After seeing his son¡¯s dejected look,
Jonathan seemed to have in spaphary. He raised his eyebrows in a questioning manner and asked.
¡®Did Dorothy with you?
Chapter 215
Chapter 215
Chapter 215
Though the question went unanswered, his silence alone was enough
Jonathan pured his lips, not adding a word more
At that moment, he believed Dorothy was with his son for the money, but what did it me? She was the
woman his wife had chosen for their son, and that was
Dorothy picked a secluded grave for her mother ma
theer of the cemetery
She didn¡¯t want her mother to be disturbed anymore
that.
Aher the hospital formalities were taken care of, Be¡¯s body was moved to a funeral home, waiting to
beid to rest following the service
Karn who
need to wat
kentime off work to be he was heartbroken to see Dorothy act so stoic. Donathy have youkaten? I can
ank Keh to get you something Please, you
Darathy turned to her managing a weak smile. I¡¯m okay, trally. Thanks for being here, both you and
Keh (hate that it¡¯s taking you away from work ¡±
¡°Work? You¡¯re worrying about work at a time like this? Karen grasped Dorothy¡¯s hand, feeling like the
woman before might
quite shocking how i only took a few hours for someone to look so utely doned
It seemed like a gust of wind could knock Dorothy over at
¡°Everett¡¯s people will being to question you boon. He
He wasn¡¯t going to let this go easily A man who had silently!
reen show up himself. Dont tell them anything ¡°Donathy knew.
into smoke a moment.
ther for so many years wouldn¡¯t get up without digging up everyst detal
¡°Dory, I don¡¯t understand. Why not let Everett protect you? Why are you trying to escape
est and quickest solution was to stay by Evere
Whether it was the threat of the Lopez family or Dorothy¡¯s quest to uncover the truth behind her
mother¡¯s death, using Everett would be the easiest route. Why was the avoiding him?
Especially when she was carrying Everem¡¯s child
Perhaps the Lopez family might even give them their blessing
¡°We¡¯re simply not meant to be¡± Dorothy sand
¡°Dorothy think you¡¯re taking some things too seriously He truly loves you With mature do anything to
keep you are adnat interacted much with Everett, but she knew anything that had transpired
If Ever wentpletely died Drafty she¡¯d long sincedy fa
Dismissing his chiefwyer and fring staff who had contributed greatly to the Lopez Corporation, all for
Dorothy showed how important the way
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
¡°But we¡¯ll keep getting tangledup¡± Dommy stared at her mother¡¯s photo. Be looked stem, but her
eyes held a mother¡¯s love ¡°My mom didnt want us together.¡± ¡°Your mom was worried you¡¯d be
mistreated. She didnt know how much Everett loved you¡±
¡°Everett will
Her mother¡¯s t
face his entire family don¡¯t think I¡¯m worth that, and I don¡¯t want to fight that bale She wired and she
didn¡¯t want to involve anyone else
I sold her she couldnt fee in a bubblr
Everett might protect her
about and Keh? What about those who cared about her
Heather and the Loper family wouldn¡¯t back down that easily.
Chapter 216
Chapter 216
Chapter 216
Just as Karen was about to continue her thought, Dorothy¡¯s cell phone suddenly rang
They both assumed it was Everett, and Darolty even prepared herself to disconnect the call. However,
the number on the wasthis.
She hesitated for a moment before pressing the answer butto
A stranger¡¯s voice came through it was a voice that Dorothy couldn¡¯t forget
¡°Your mom passed away
I was Maxton Sanchez, her fathe
How did you know? be you¡¯re theted¡± Dorothy asked instinctively, then realized Heather must have told
him.
¡°What kind of talk is that? We were still mamed once, you!
ne you¡± I should pay my respects
¡°No need Dorothy¡¯s voice was so sharp that cut through the wind whistling cross the deserted cemery,
making her sound even more insurmful bit matni you lenee her alone, or else.¡±
threatening ¡°1
Marion chuckled ¡°Or what? What leverage do you have to be yelling at me now? Because you snagged
anch quy? Email your father, and you carry my blood
111 could dig it back¡±
Dorothy would rather have a beppar or a vagabondr
Now that her mother was gone, he could finally legt
Heather and his mistress. He quan had the nerve to call and tub
¡°Tell Heather she¡¯s won But if she pushes any further, I won¡¯t hesitate to tell Everett erything¡± Dorothy
grimaced it was pathetic than her only bargaining chip was still Everett ¡°She should know what Il
happen it Event found out¡®
Madon fell silent.
He didn¡¯t know when Dorothy stood in Everell¡¯s heart, but if she could say tho, she must have some
confidence. They had finalye min far, so he couldn¡¯t run hi
¡°All I wanted was to pay respects to your mother. Why must you be so hostile? Now that she¡¯s gone,
the only family you have left in this world is me. Heather mentioned you were thinking about leaving
Eldoma City Come back, and get you a job to make up for thest years
Hah! Do you even believe what you¡¯re saying¡±
In the past, Dorothy couldn¡¯t be bothered arguing with him because she
sery word was a maste. But today Marton Paduly enraged her
and done nothing to stop Heaven seemed pleased with the oue
he could make such callusments now be must have known about everything.
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
Once she uncovered the truth, no one would be spared
Afar ending the call, Karen looked at her and soothingly rubbed her back ¡°Calm down, Dorothy
Remember, you¡¯re pregnant, so you can get upset
As soon as the word pregnant came out of her mouth everyone fell silent
Realizing her mistake, Karen quickly conected herself. Timmanly worried about your health. Even if
you¡¯ve decided not to keep the baby, you still need to take care of yoursell After all, you and the baby
are linked right now.¡°
Chapter 217
Chapter 217
Chapter 217
Karen leli Damnity sinned. She found herself involumarly revis ting Harton¡¯s statement in her head
¡°The only family you have left in this world in me
¡°The only family.¡±
She stil had the baby growing inside of her
Suddenly, Dorthy Ihed her eyes, meeting Karens gaan
The wind was setting creating a soft sound
Karen, for once, caught on quickly She cleaned her throat. ¡°You¡¯re not going to¡
¡°I won¡¯t let Everett snow! Dorothy spoke lightly, yet her tore was tim
¡°Nal fin you know how hard it is to be a single mother? Kann had a te who was a single mother on
the kana the struggles all too well. And Dorothy should know it Boo Haram mother add bean in the
come situation Macht ste
The you sil
Kehu Kaven 5. He had been standing by silently the whole time. Tonly, wheth
¡°Never mind. I was just saying¡± Dorothy chopped her gaze, her dice was calm but datan handle at the
funeral home. Ol go backter¡±
you want to keep the baby or not it¡¯s your choice. There about it carefully
Tim a bit tires got in the car for a while. There are sal something to
After watching Doroty return to the car, Rashook off Kehs hand and frowned. ¡°Why did you sto
me? Why a pouancouraging her to keep the baby? Domity¡¯s decided to out bes with the Lopez farely
so having this bany would only be a burden to her
Though Karen diff¡¯s ?ke to desunte anuntom child in such a manner that was the reality.
Dorphy¡¯s career was just taxing off in Eldoma Dily when this hacered Leaving the Lopez Coporation
meant starting over from with a chid to take care of on top of that?
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
¡°Haunt you noticed that Doroty as she is
¡°What?¡±
whaney has ap
ich How could manage to do this
Keh sighed lightly as he furrowed eyebrows. ¡°She¡¯s not cryingering mes calmly Dealing with the
presem. This indicates that she is preparing for something¡±
¡°No way Dorothy such¡¯d uncover the truth the warts 15500 msponsible in pa
.
¡°Do you really think that Domity who surely knows as well as you do that confronting the inper family
would be as used as stopping a boulder with pebble, is not aware of the consequences? Reh¡¯s
gaze shihed to the car parked by the side of the road as his eyes narrowed ei vory ¡°She¡¯s prepared for
the wond P¡¯ she can get
Ever since she found out she was pregnant and immediately states that the didi wan the child, en had a
ring of what she was nning
Dorothy loved Everett, that much was clear to Keh So how could the decide to her on abortion
without any hepa The should at least have been some internal struggle. High
Keinued, ¡°So, we should convince her to keep the baby and then slowly counsel her. As the
baby grows day by day Donally became anached¡± Karen thought for a moment with a strange
expression on nerface After a moment of silence, she finally spoke uz ¡°Keh, I thought that once
Barthy finally broke up
th Exetett, pou would have a chance. It might be unfair, but I res ly hope you and Daisthy can be
together She¡¯s a good girl who¡¯s dying of love. But if she has Everett¡¯s child.¡±
¡°You think beant arrest a childr
Karen was taken shack. ¡°You dont minder
¡°At this point this baby is the only thing keeping Derally from doing something Innish Hed be her amo!¡±
Chapter 218
?Chapter 218
"Ah..." Karen finally came to a realization. "But she just said forget it! No, I have to go and persuade her."
Karen was the definition of impatient. Once she had an idea in mind, she would want to act on it immediately.
Keh, helpless, had to pull her back. "Hold on! We need to take this slow. She''s emotionally unstable right now. Anyway, she definitely needs someone to apany her to the hospital. Since no one else is around, it''s either you or me. Plus, there''s still time to change her mind." "Okay." Karen nodded, suddenly looking at him with a gaze filled with admiration. "Are you ready to ept Dorothy and Everett''s child?" Keh gave her a bitter smile. "Do I have a choice? Dorothy has never epted me."
It had always been a one-man show on his part.
"Ah." Karen pursed her lips. She could only bluntly say. "She just doesn''t want to burden others. She''s had it tough."
In the car, Dorothy wasn''t sure if she was awake or asleep.
It was that kind of feeling when life suddenly lost its hope and purpose. The things she had been longing for hade to pass, and she had lost everything. She didn''t even know what her motivation to continue living should be if she really found the evidence and uncovered the truth.
In her dazed state, Dorothy faintly heard her phone ringing.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.
She lifted her numb arm and noticed several missed calls. They were all from Everett
Dorothy didn''t want to hear his voice. It would remind her of the Lopez family. It reminded her of the cruel words and harsh expressions they used to provoke Be, leading to her sudden heart attack and death.
Be was still actively trying to set her up with Keh. She was nning for her beloved daughter''s future, trying to persuade her with a tongue as sharp as a knife but a heart as soft as cotton. She absolutely had no suicidal tendencies during this period.
When she saw her mother''s body, there was only one thought in her mind.
Why wasn''t it her who died?
If she hadn''t met Everett again and hadn''t married him, then none of this would have happened, and it certainly wouldn''t have ended with the loss of her mother.
She couldn''t me Everett for anything because he was innocent. She could only me herself.
"Ding"
This time it wasn''t a call but a WhatsApp notification.
Dorothy looked down. It was a message from Everett
[Come back to Bay Residence; wait for you. Even if we divorce, we need to meet and sign the agreement.]
She stroked the screen of her phone over and over again, but in the end, she didn''t reply.
After a while, Keh and Karen got in the car. After seeing her haggard and pale face, Keh gravely said. 11 take you to Karen''s house to rest for a while. You can''t sleep well in the car. You need to regain your strength to face what''sing."
"Yeah! Come to my ce. I promise I won''t disturb your rest." Karen chimed in.
Dorothy just shook her head lightly. When she opened her mouth, her voice was hoarse and mncholic. Take me back to Bay Residence." "What are you going back there for?" Karen instantly recalled what Keh had said and feared that Dorothy might want to end things with Everett, so she quickly intervened. "My ce is closer, and it would be easier for me to take care of you. Let''s not go back to that sad ce."
"Karen, Everett agreed to the divorce. I''m going back to sign the agreement."
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"Did he agree?!" Karen''s eyes were as round and wide as saucers.
She thought it would take a while for Everett to agree.
Dorothy didn''t respond, and seeing his younger cousin about to chatter away, Keh intervened just in time. "I''ll drive you home, Dorothy. Have a good chat, and be careful not to hurt yourself... or the child in your belly."
He was intentionally reminding her to gauge Dorothy''s reaction.
If she had merely decided on a whim to keep the child, then she wouldn''t be concerned about its safety. She would be indifferent. But if she genuinely wanted to keep it, even if it was just a fleeting thought, she would instinctively agree.
The air seemed to freeze, and those few seconds felt like an eternity.
Dorothy slowly lifted her head. Her voice was so hoarse that it was almost unrecognizable. "Can I... keep the baby?"
Was she not following in her mother''s footsteps then?
She didn''t even know what to do next. She would keep the child, and then what?N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
"Of course you can. That way, you''ll have a family member in this world who shares your blood." Keh''s gaze was sincere, warm, andforting. continuously shining a warm heart on her and trying to brighten her world.
Karen chimed in enthusiastically, gripping Dorothy''s hand. "When you give birth, I''ll be the godmother! Your baby will definitely be beautiful. I can''t wait for you to have your baby!"
Their expectant gazes made Dorothy feel aplex emotion well up within her, and her eyes began to sting.
Indeed, even though she had lost her mother, there were still people in the world who cared for her and who were always by her side. "I''ll think about it."
By the time they returned to the Bay Residence, it was getting dark.
Dorothy got out of the car and instinctively looked up at Everett''s apartment. The living room light was on, so he was probably waiting for her.
She paused, as if she were rooted to the spot, unwilling to move.
Karen also got out of the car and patted Dorothy''s shoulder. "Can you manage on your own? Do you want me to go with you?" "No need. I have to face this."
Be was gone, and she was no longer a child. She couldn''t avoid reality.
"Then Keh and I will wait for you here. Call me if anything happens."
Dorothy forced a smile. "He won''t hurt me. Don''t worry, you guys must be tired, so go home and rest"
"But you..."
"This might be thest time we see each other, Karen. I want to spend a little more time with him."
Even Karen understood that. She nodded. "Alright, we''ll leave then."
Dorothy watched their car pull away, then turned to enter the building.
This time, she didn''t punch in the code to unlock the door. Instead, she rang the doorbell. As she reached out to touch the door, she realized it wasn''t even locked. Through the gradually opening gap. Dorothy could smell a strong scent of alcohol.
Without a second thought, she hurriedly opened the door and stepped inside.
Everett was sitting on the carpet in front of the sofa, pouring drink after drink down his throat. The coffee table was littered with cigarette butts. Some were still smoldering.
In her memory, he had never drunk to excess, let alone in such a disgraceful manner.
"Everett, if you drink like this, your stomach will suffer!"
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Everett¡¯s handsome face shot up to look at her
His suit was worked, and a shirt buttons had been traff in his dress. Hinly deep, soulful now
handshot. He looked like a beast Trapped in the night, Suppressed yet sharp, leaving
t
¡°You led to
¦°
didn¡¯t you?
Dorothy furwed her brows. ¡°Why
¡°You didn¡¯t really choose Keh, you just saidil out of spite, right¡±
She quickly withdrew her hand, hiding all her concern for him and frigting aapnce ¡°thought you could let
go manly, I never thought you could be the clingy type tool What a pit don¡¯t want to continus this
charade Han
Belone Carty could finish herence. Everett agressive lens silencedi
She swallowed all her remaining words. The ones he did not want to hear
Everett¡¯s kiss was urgent, it was devoid of desk, all the could easy spring perip
He desperately sought her response as he worshiped her lips and tongue over and over again mil
heched is mold her into body
But Dorothy was like a puppet She let him his way and let him take whatever he wanted from her
fards firmy bed ferwat
Inebriated Iwelt was not willing to give up. His kiss was bing more andinare mense pressing her
down onto the carpet as his hands
Losing all reason he began to tear at her clothes
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Only when they werepletely exposed to each other and only when he ended her did Dorothy finally
push aga not his chest, beginning to resist
Everett, I came to sign the dworce papers! Im not a prostituter
and solid and in despersons raised her and and pped him across thete
But the difference in their crength was too great. His chest was hard and
Everenze, all movement ceasing
Doroty hadn¡¯t thought she would hit him. She was somewhat scared, after all, the was facing a truck
man who had already lost ha reason when he mis kias ng herin wouldn¡¯t be surprising to ces what he
would do neat
But Everett didn¡¯t say a single harp word to her
He couldn¡¯t
They just stared at each other as time slowly passed
¡°You¡¯ve made up your mind to choose Kenner!
Once again, that was his opening line.
When Dorulty nodded seriearly saw something in Everell¡¯s pe
He quirily withdrew turning hit back to her as she dressed up
¡°Our marriage was a contract The beach use¡±
tak, shameringinio paces.
¡°know¡± Dorothy buttoned up her clothes. Tifique out a way to pay you back
No need You just have to agree to myst request and then the contract is word. We would be even ¡±
Dorothy was taken aback. What is it?¡±
¡°Marrying you was a calcted move on my part I do n a wedding because did want you to gel¨C
spicious, and did my parents and stop us
Dorothyfel sem
The contacted a wedding nningpany We¡¯ll pick a date have the wedding in the morning, and go
city hall to get divorced in the amon
Dorothy¡¯s hands were clenched tightly She was bandy managing to Hold back the tears that themed to
spl from her eyes
¡°No need I don¡¯t want a wedding
¡°This is myst requeal. Dorony, can you please honor our agreement?¡±
She didnt say anything else. She just quietly looked at his back.
After a long time, she Frally made a sound of agreement. ¡®Km¨Chmm
Trocan rest here. I won¡¯t bether you anymore.¡±
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Everell stepped back, picking up the nnel shirt from the couch and slipping it on an he prepared to
leave.
Tm the one who shoulder This is your ce¡± Derothy¡¯s
deeply dugim her own fishing had to maintain herposure. Til stay at Karen¡¯s forem days. 111
handover the work I was doing properly belom resigning You.youcancall me when your wedding
preparations are done¡±
¡°Derally Tve lold you. Im a clean freak¡±
¡°We¡¯re not divorced pet, you¡¯re sti¨§l my wife, and this is your home. Are you nning to cheat on me
with Keh at Karen¡¯s ce?
Dorothy Blinked in surprise, clearly she hadrit expected this.
It seemed he took this issue seriously enough to even consider her stanga Karer¡¯s chance for her to
potentially cheat on him.
Eventlock a deep breath, and then his horse voice broke the silence. 11 be away on a business for a
few days, so you can stay here
He quickly revered back to his CEO persona, as if the distraught man from moments ago wasn¡¯t him at
all.
In the end, the gave in
Then sheltered as he put on a shon, opened the door, and left. His footsings were heavy and slow
Everett didnt want to learn, Dorothy knew that
His slow pacing was andent plea for her to stop him, even a : unt of reluctance from her would make
him unt
But Dorthy bother lip hind preventing herself from uttering any sound
After hele Corothy died up the house umid it was spotless.
is a clean freak. She always remembered f
When exhaustion made it impossible to move her hands more she fell asleep on the living room couch
In a haze, Doroy heard the sound of an
It was a gentle dizzie
She rubbed her eyes trying to sit up from the couch, but herck of strength, perhaps from noting
properly the managed to get up by leaning on the back of the rouch
It was indeed outside. The droplets seeped through the gaps in the window, wing the finger cuties
Doroty checked her phone. There were messages from Karen and Keh, but none from Ever!!
He hadn¡¯t sent her ang messages
Subconsciously, she nced at the dining table. There were notes either
At that moment, a strong sense of loss
hard
past few days, i
made it difficult. Everbully, she
Indeed, one shouldnt possess too much
N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.
Dosted nkly at the rain hitting the window until her phone rang
She looked down to see.
She automatically assumed that the recent unknown calls were from the Lopez family members or
Heater, so she answered with a cold tone
The man on ile rend clearly didn¡¯t expect her icy tone and paused for a few seconds ¡°Do you know who
would call your
It was a male voice that was somewhat familiar
Dorty immediately clenched her long something happen to Exer? ¡°Yes. He drank so much that it
caused gastric bleeding. He¡¯s in the hospital mat Derally insinclively got up to leave, but then the
realized something was off. War¡® this Jeffrey one of Heather¡¯s me Why would he call her at
Asensing her contusion, Jeffrey nighed helplessly,
cathes has parver Loan Exerall¡¯s remedy I know that very mu
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¡°I guess I¡¯m not either.¡± Dorothy halted in her tracks, not venturing any further ¡°ign now, I would only he
him hope, and the date would be impossible. Heather wouldn¡¯t gether with!
¡°Everett¡¯s in aa, and doctors aren¡¯t sure when he will wake uping or not is totally up to you.¡±
Jeffy added at the end. Heather does know Everett¡¯s parents are also unaware. He came to find me
directlyst night¡±
Dorothy¡¯s lipsdy drained of c quieted in the end her wines couldn¡¯t outweigh her concem for hi
Which hospital in
Dorothy wondered il Jeffrey was trying to avoid Everetts parents. Because the hospital he had sent
Everett i was the one where Badalways been staying not the one where Amanda Was
Of course, this was also the hospital where the found out she was pregnant
So, when the priend. She was very cautious afraid of running into the doctors or nurses who hardened
her
Fortunately today was not a weekend, so there were few people and not murty doctors at nurves mang
sund in the hospital
Dorothy followed the ward number Jeffrey had given her and son spotted him smoking in front of the
ward
Ather seeing her they look onest puff before insting his cigarette to the ground and extingushing 1.
¡°He¡¯s in there.¡±
¡°Stil in aTM
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¡°Yep¡± Jettey nodded, his prescrutinizing the somewhat hard woman in front of him ¡°Tward to ask you
something Why did you suddenly desde 15 leave Everen? Did something happen?¡±
Being an outside, he didn¡¯t know about Heather¡¯s and the Lopere family¡¯s ns. He just let that things
raditaven a sudden tumm
Weren¡¯t these two previously inseparable? They even vowed to stick together through thick and this
Nothing much I just suddenly felt like we were ipatible. There¡¯s so much of a disparity in our
backgrounds!
¡°Only a hand romantic like Everett would believe that they, a seasoned man of the world, was not like
Everett He wouldn¡¯t believe such high¨Csounding garbage.
Dorothy looked up at him. ¡°And what do you think?
I¡¯m asking you because I don¡¯t know¡±
It¡¯s because we in notpatle¡±
Jeffrey fell silent
Just as Dorothy was about to bypass him and push open the door to the ward by sheer coincidence,
the coco who had discovered her pregnancy walked past them
There was no time in dodge, and their eyes met
use she was indeed very attractive
The youte Dorothy, right the doctor hada vid memory of Borthy because she hade alone and
because
It was kind of unconventional beauty, not needing any adornment. Beautiful people pamuk
At this moment. Corothy was so lightened that her heart almost stopped. She was speechless.
Sensing that something was wrong, Jeffrey norded for her as she¡¯s Body¡±
¡°I knew I couldnt be wrong¡± her saying that the doctor looked at Jeffrey and smiled. The this your
husband?
Im not Jeffrey immediately denied it
He would be damned if he admimedio such a thing. The quaiping inside would probably kill !
sorry about that thought you, a handsome man and a beautiful woman, would be a couple. The
strawkward, but he didn¡¯tughed and turned i attention to Dorothy saying seriously ¡°By the way, how
did it go with your husband? About the baty
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¡°Doctor Dotty udenly interjected as she tugged the doctor¡¯sb coat and led him away¡¯ve got some
germando you when I¡¯m fe The data taken aback by her abrupt interruption, nodded dumbly and
left with a purred expression
Behind het Jeffrey sourced gent causing Dorthy¡¯s heart to fuller rervously
¡°What was he saying? I didn¡¯t quite catch¡±
¡°Nothing much had some issues with my medical checkup, and he wanted folup
Jeffreyed an eyebrow ¡°Why would a follow up require a consultation with your husband?¡±
¡°Why are you prying? Daintyorted, feeling annoyed.
The man was really misting He was always asking questions. And he was the kind of person who loved
in digterp
¡°Never mind ¡°you don¡¯t want to tell me, can ask the doctor mysel
¡°Because I found out that I might be intende for life, an the decorsag
I discuss it with my husband Are pusatisfied with this answer?
Dorothy feigned Pitation, looking as if her patience was being tested, which seemed to have started
Jellieg.
With embarrassment and regst all over his face, he apologetically said, ¡°Ah, Im sorry! Onest question
Did you discrce Everett because of 1
¡°Immot that saintly You know the Lopez family doesnt like me. They¡¯ve been trying to break us up
including you Didn¡¯t you hope that Everett and Heater would and up Together thought it over. There¡¯s
no advantage in fighting the Loper family Plus, Keh is very good to me and doesn¡¯te with all
these troubles, so I chose Keh
Dorothy realed that Jeffrey was quite hard to fool, so she tries het best to make ter les pound trailul
But she didn¡¯t expect this to enrage him
So, you pre us Exetett for that?¡±
¡°You¡±
¡°Then he truly is of not He treated you to well, gave you his heart and soul and even wished to hold you
in the palm of hand Yet you missed him offhand with some nonsense about choosing Kehhi
Jethay¡¯s fury was something Dorothy hader anticipated
She frownedently whisking at him ¡°Weren¡¯t you hoping for Everett and Heather to get mamed? but my
stepping aside a goodthing for you
Jethey paused and smanked his lips. ¡°That doesn¡¯t meast cant chastise you! 11 ry everything you
sad lo buerell verbam and let him see your true colors. Heather in
Donomy and at her lips, which were sochy that they cracker causing blood to spout.
¡°Alright, canlg. in now? Or are you going to ask me in leave now?¡±
Sinor Jeffrey could smoke at the door she knew that we should y by now Therfore, whether the raw
him or not it made no difference
¡°You¡¯re really heartless¡± they ancored and pushed the hospital room or open 7 don¡¯t want you to see
him, but I believe Turrell would want to see you. If it were up to me, I would have you in jall No, in hell
right now!¡±
Did Dorothy care about going to jail or
Hey don¡¯t know how much crap she was dealing with.
Inside the hospital room, Everetty quietly
if not for the pullor on his handsome face, he would have semtied to be asleep.
N?velDrama.Org ? content.
He was receiving an fi dop through his left hand while the men lut on his right was beeping steadily
Dorothy quietly walked over, intending to reach out and touch his she could feel his pulse onest time,
but her fingers halted mid¨Calt not moving father Suddenly the man on the bed called out to her ¡°Docity¡±
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Just this was mough to shatter the facade Dorothy had been painstakingly maintaining
Even in he unconscious sizte, he was still calling out her name,
Forget about me. Everem¡±
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
If she could turn back time, she would have deleted Everett from he contacts that and tough wont even
have joined the same as groups him. That way, she would have never crossed paths th this man apan.
He had given her the most precious and parest love in the word, something that was truly unique
It was the most batat favoritism she had ever experienced in her bearly something year of M.
s, the Tave expenence coupon had expired, and she had to go back to the real world.
Everett, with his eyes lightly shut, muttered once again, se lo munske something
Dorothy leaned in cautiously to listen, barely making out the wests.
He was
Everett¡¯s hospitalization eventually couldnt be kept a spor
When Heather rushed to the hospital, she saw Jeffrey andmedy startedining
¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me earlier? This is a big deal What something dangerous happened
¡°It was his wah not to let others know¡± Jeffrey raised an eyebrow ¡°Tony sold you because couldn¡¯t stand
it?
Heather selected something off with him ¡°What do you mean
¡°He drank himself into this stone because of Dorothy But when Dantly came, she looked so incient
Jeffery was fuming as he meated her behavior. ¡®If it werent for het would Evene mom have to be
rushed to the ER so many times? Yet that womanis still ungateful, saying things then it¡¯s stressful being
with Events. The ever waTL in break up with time!
¡°Dorothy has always been like this. Shes cold blooded Heather said calmly ¡°Othese, how could she set
me us
Jeffrey scoffed ¡®But sarma has its way. She had a medical examination here and found out the end
conese Women sould be allowed to have children she doesnt deserve it!
you say
¡®Held on Heather interupted him Her eyes flickered as she assed. ¡°Did you say Dorony
¡°Yes! I saw the doctore CHET
All her. He even tesed her to discuss with her husband what to do rel
my was taking tempelt, not noticing the smirk creeping up Heather¡¯s face.
With Dorothy unable to conceive, she didrit need to worry ascut any Treats She certa y dubhi want to
be someone else¡¯s mather.
im going to check of him?
Hey dont
Before Jeffrey could finish, Heather had already pushed open door to the ward
in the bed, Everett was still unconscious. His pale lips west tightly pursed, and his brows were furrowed
Rarely did she get a chance to get this close to him Heather even wished time could slow downright
now Wouldn¡¯t it be great if he could always be this quiet and this recepties to hert
She despised his so¨Ccalled chalous demeanor and eliquelle.
If only Everett was like these men at work who always ogled ter Then everything would fall into ce,
an
Heatherly ached out towards Ever¡¯s cheek, something she had always wanted to do but had the
oportunity to She thought today mas fnally the day but¡.
¡°What are you doing?¡±
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Event¡¯s rewat raspy and weak, yet his gaze remained shop and Ingesing
Startled Heather withdrew her hand immediately
1. I just wanted to check your forehead and see if you have a teset ¡®
¡°No need¡± Ewrents voice bom an insurmountable drachmen I was evening with a hint of destion
When he first opened his eyes moments ago. he thought the female fque before ham was Dorothy He
thought she still couldn¡¯t bear to leave him,
But when Everett sinned his eyes to see and tealued that was Heather the disappointment and the cy
chill of dejection swept over him
heard you drank yourself the hospital was tempted, Everet for others, think about our patrist The whole
of Leon wat ng for you, yet you¡¯re saching it at for a woman, just just like that?¡®
As Heather spoke her eyes welledup
She fell a mix of heanache, indignation, and resentment
She was to envious of Curofy
Why did Dorothy always have what she longed for? What mace Daily so much better than her to be so
chased by t
¡°That¡¯s none of your business.¡±
Terem Wake up: Dorothy doesnt love you?¡± Heather¡¯s valor bremzled in this world, no one cares about
you more than I do! I was willing to y your pretend pollsend far your mother¡¯s sake, I was willing to
take the me for haming Doroty I was even wiling to leave The Lopez Corporation where I¡¯ve worked
so had af to alleviate your troubles so you would¨Cbe distressed but what has Earthy zone besides
causing you geet and trouble? When can shed?¡±
¡°Shut up Your not one to judge Darthy¡±
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Even in thiste, Exell could stand to hear a bad word about th
Outside Jeffrey heard ther voices and quickly entered ¡°Uh Heather di day you hasething to do? I
can take care of Everri! You go harde plut business ¡±
The underwing meaning in his tone was clear lie wanted her in In
Heather understood the mac
Healing she might have seen a bit too emotional and aggressive, she forced a sigh of resignation.
Telfes say Dorothy¡¯s leaving this time is our fault; it¡¯s her own choice Everett I hope you put yourself
together
Everettmained unmowed. He didn¡¯t even spare her a nce
Reluctantly Heather got un ¡°I do have some work to do so be going Jetthey take good care of him and
call me if anything happen.¡±
¡°Sure! Ill walk you out
With a lingering gaze at Everett, Heather finally walked out of the room in her high heads.
Jethey was somewat scared of how Everett would reprimand hem for calling Heather, but the moment
Lynelt opened his mouth, he said ¡°Casalty she came, didn¡¯t she? In his dream, he cleany sam Dorothy
come She sat beside tum, wearing a white dress, just as she did weer he fast saw walk through the
ssroom
She looked womed and pained, promising she wouldnt leave She said everything before was just a
joke and that she wanted to spend the rest of here with
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But when he finally i managed in open his eyes, there was nothing
A big fat nothing
All that was leh was a faintly!
Jeffrey¡¯s face fel, and a frown formed on his brow ¡°She didn¡¯tel She doesn¡¯t care if you live se der
know she was here¡±
¡°Were you not unconscious just now? Jeffrey blurted out before realzing he was being duped, and the
hulle in arroyance. ¡°Why are you so keen on knowing that? Even if she dide, she didn¡¯t say She
couldve killed you but thankfully God has a n
May that heartless woman bebumen
Of course, hent voice thatst thought out loud
Jeffrey could a ready see that if Fett heard about this he would definitely think that Corstiny¡¯s
insistenced to this Just like Jelley himself had thought earlier
Anyway They were destined to part ways. dant maller what the real reason was as long as everyone
got back on track.
He need a nce at Everett¡¯s expression and wisely kept his out that
Suddenly Everett said Discharge me
¡°What? You can barely walk straight. The doctor said you¡¯re at risk of alcohol poisoning and need to
stay at the hostal for at least three days¡±
Twant out¡® Everett prated hi
Jeffrey was stated ¡°Are you joking with your own
on up, will you? As you nning to risk your life for a woman.
He mal couldn¡¯t understand E serell¡¯s behavior at the mamed
He used in think that I went parents madding in his marriage was realy inappr
Leven though he also supported Everett being with Heather To him a brown
N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.
quantity was always better than the unknown. But he was against the excessive interference from the
elder,
Now it seemed like Everit¡¯s parents had foresight.
Over his attitude towards Dominy in the future, whatever Doroty wanted. Everett would give her. Even
the Lodez Corporation
¡°Man, I never real red you were such a hopeless romam
before meeting Dorothy Jeffrey had men doubted whether Everett had any indifferem.
emotional impairment. Even if he kept mean and away from women he wouldnt be so
Sitting in the CCD chair of the Lopez Corporation, coupled with Everett¡¯s handsome face, made it
certain that there were sounds women who would rack their brains to get close to him. Several times
during business talks, Jeffrey had seen those socialites looking at Everest with asoration. But he
always maintained his distance from any
Jeffrey was posted How couch a man fall for Durthy?
Dorothy was just a premier than most and hada decent I gune fut them were definitely women among
age swarming around him who were more Leadi outstanding, and of higher social status
you¡¯re not going to do it. I do it myself¡±
ith that. Everett fred bi si uT
Jeffrey hunted over lo support tim
Don¡¯t push your body loo hard
¡°What are you trying to do? I¡¯ve handed over all of thepany¡¯s matters to Keen. He cane to the
hospital for any urgent maters
¡°Thave an appointment with a wedding nner. Thave to go there mul!¡®
A wesang?¡± Jeffrey was stunned Whour wedding?¡±
¡°Mine and Corony¡¯s Everett tugged at has dry, cracked lips ¡°The sooner it happens, the one I can lei
har befor
Chapter 226
But when he finally i managed in open his eyes, there was nothing
A big fat nothing
All that was leh was a faintly!
Jeffrey¡¯s face fel, and a frown formed on his brow ¡°She didn¡¯tel She doesn¡¯t care if you live se der
know she was here¡±
¡°Were you not unconscious just now? Jeffrey blurted out before realzing he was being duped, and the
hulle in arroyance. ¡°Why are you so keen on knowing that? Even if she dide, she didn¡¯t say She
couldve killed you but thankfully God has a n
May that heartless woman bebumen
Of course, hent voice thatst thought out loud
Jeffrey could a ready see that if Fett heard about this he would definitely think that Corstiny¡¯s
insistenced to this Just like Jelley himself had thought earlier
Anyway They were destined to part ways. dant maller what the real reason was as long as everyone
got back on track.
He need a nce at Everett¡¯s expression and wisely kept his out that
Suddenly Everett said Discharge me
¡°What? You can barely walk straight. The doctor said you¡¯re at risk of alcohol poisoning and need to
stay at the hostal for at least three days¡±
Twant out¡® Everett prated hi
Jeffrey was stated ¡°Are you joking with your own
on up, will you? As you nning to risk your life for a woman.
He mal couldn¡¯t understand E serell¡¯s behavior at the mamed
He used in think that I went parents madding in his marriage was realy inappr
Leven though he also supported Everett being with Heather To him a brown
quantity was always better than the unknown. But he was against the excessive interference from the
elder,
Now it seemed like Everit¡¯s parents had foresight.
Over his attitude towards Dominy in the future, whatever Doroty wanted. Everett would give her. Even
the Lodez Corporation
¡°Man, I never real red you were such a hopeless romam
before meeting Dorothy Jeffrey had men doubted whether Everett had any indifferem.
emotional impairment. Even if he kept mean and away from women he wouldnt be so
Sitting in the CCD chair of the Lopez Corporation, coupled with Everett¡¯s handsome face, made it
certain that there were sounds women who would rack their brains to get close to him. Several times
during business talks, Jeffrey had seen those socialites looking at Everest with asoration. But he
always maintained his distance from any
Jeffrey was posted How couch a man fall for Durthy?
Dorothy was just a premier than most and hada decent I gune fut them were definitely women among
age swarming around him who were more Leadi outstanding, and of higher social status
you¡¯re not going to do it. I do it myself¡±
ith that. Everett fred bi si uT
Jeffrey hunted over lo support tim
Don¡¯t push your body loo hard
¡°What are you trying to do? I¡¯ve handed over all of thepany¡¯s matters to Keen. He cane to the
hospital for any urgent maters
¡°Thave an appointment with a wedding nner. Thave to go there mul!¡®
A wesang?¡± Jeffrey was stunned Whour wedding?¡±
¡°Mine and Corony¡¯s Everett tugged at has dry, cracked lips ¡°The sooner it happens, the one I can lei
har befor
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Chapter 227
Everett had spent the whole night mulling over this, and he was finally clear about several things.
If being with him was causing her so much anguish, it would be better to set her free
Her life had always been beyond her cont. He had hoped that his presence would change her trajectory
and that he could help walk out of the shadows of her past. But now it looked like the was truly
exhausted
h was clear to Evert that Dorally was really bred |
past few days.
You¡¯re just making things worl
something the couille
unt get a divorce already! Any wedding you have in just to make yourself feel better¡± Jeffrey said as he
lacked ry with Everett gloomy
Finally, Jeffrey could only sigh resignation ¡°Alight arrange for your discharge
to the hospital¡¯s back garden, a After leaving Everett¡¯s hospital room, Dorothy dit ext the hospital
immediately bedbext she w
Be had spent most of herter life in this hospital, so this ce became the only spot to
commemorate
barthed on a bench in the paakon watching the patientse and go, each with a family member by
their side
And then the thought of herself
ce her mother i
She wasn¡¯t always there for her mother.
seemedlike kama had done its job. She wasn¡¯t even with Beka in her fact moments
excuse for noting her
She must have hated her, right? Hated her for not listening to her and for manually walking down her
path.
¡°Mama¡± Getting a shot hurts! I want a hug
Suddenly a child¡¯s spice mached Dorothy¡¯s
Following the sound, she saw a little girl pouting and acting cute with her inom She pointed at where
the got the shot as her big eyes liked lookinguely adorable Her moment down in pick her up and kissed
her on the cheek Swecke, once your fever breaks, we¡¯ll go home. Mama promises to take you to
Disnend, okay? ¡°Way! The little girl invitantly forgot all her pain. Her fearful eyes were unable to her
joy
Watching this, Dorothy¡¯s eyes welled up w
She she had always wameda mam like that
One could act cute and throw tantrums in front of.
In her memory Be¡¯s face rarely helda gele
in
There was even a time when Dorothy die Aftering home from her part time job to the nursing
home where her mother lived, she would buy her head in her homework not speaking and not making
eye contact with her mother
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
She felt like as soon as her mulher opened her mouth, it would be solder for interacting with boys or for
having a crush
But back then, even though she was a teenages she had to wake up before dawn to walk to school and
the work night after school. When she got homesho homework and studypto do where would shend the
time to have a crusht
Inherent
ns, the only person she paid any extra attention to was Everett, and that was only because he was
her desk main..
After graduating from college and starting work, she began to subconsciously reject any further contact
withmes, I want something she could control it had just
Every time she fell lonely Dorothy couldnt help but
But now she only wished Be coulde back to life.
hermaller Why had she insidled such thoughts in her from a young age? I made her so unsociabler.
Dorothy reached out and gently touched belly by if i gre birth to you will you reset me in the future?
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Chapter 228
¡°Dorothy! I knew To End you here.¡± Suddenly, Heather¡¯s voice echoed in her ears..
Dorothy wicted her hand and looked up at her. ¡°What is it?
¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve forgotten our agreement. You promised me you¡¯d divorce Everett, and now not
only is he nning your wedding, but you¡¯ve also agreed to 7 Heather¡¯s anger was tangible as she
recalled the message Jeffrey had sent
She had given everything to Everett and got nothing in retum how despite Dorothy¡¯s situation, Ever
insisted on leaving the hospital tont wedding
This is his request. Without it, he won¡¯t sign the doce papers. What should I da? Take him to count?
N?velDrama.Org ? content.
¡°Smug about what? Dorothy didn¡¯t look at her, instead, she gazed upon the mother and doughter
waking funter away ¡°You were capable of coing my mother¡¯s death. leaving me with nothing memed of
you
Heather caught on to the undertone of her words and crossedheras 1 dicht kill your mother She died
from
Predicting her denial Dorothy could only manage a sumbe Cameli
dare harm anyone close to me. After all, for got nothing let to lose.¡±
Having nothing to lose, in a way with
How is that my fault
edhead to city hati after the wedding. Until then, I want to see you. And don¡¯t you
Heather raised an eyebrow as her gare suddenly fell on Dorothy¡¯s abdomen ¡°Don¡¯t worry, In¡¯t want to
see you either. There¡¯s onest thing Jeffrey said you can have childen anymore is
Dorothy knew one he needed countless others in upholdt. This
Do you want to get a second opinion know some specialists in this field¡±
Heather¡¯s ¡°concem¡® was a facade that Dorothy sam right through. There was no doubt that she wanted
to confirm the truth
¡°There¡¯s no need I don¡¯t care it¡¯s beller without children¡± To avoid Heather¡¯s suspicion, Dorothykept her
page elsewhere as she spoke
Lying to Jeey was easy en werent an observant and didn¡¯t overthink like women did
Women were keen observ
Life without him, I would¡¯ve let
Dorothyer after all. We share the same blood I de care about you. Honestly do much that mee him be
with you¡± Heather attempting to close the distance between them
Dorothy scoffed ¡°Stay away! We have no rtion. Neither in the past nor in the fatale Don¡¯t try to cozy
upto me
¡°Everything I said is frur ¡°Heather¡¯s demeanor sphered as if she had suddenly let her guard down. She
looked like she wanted to have a heart to heart conversation.
with you. There¡¯s no other man in the world that would catch my epe¡± ¡°Believe it or not, if it wesent for
wouldn¡¯tpen
Despite her hamed for Dorothy and her mother Heather
¡°Do you know that if it weren¡¯t for Everett and my desire to be please his mother!
wanted no one but Esmett
im, I wouldn¡¯t have stated hard and worked so please the Lapely. To
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Chapter 229
Heather pausedan her pane became distant for a few moments before she continued
Abelonence, the sighed Her lone was now filed with a gestion. The ck sheep Wihoul going is these
lengths, I¡¯d never be epted into the Loper family I¡¯ve done too much, tocant let you steal
if you¡¯re feeling biller, I can give you back our father.¡°
Tohm, Everell was the driving force behind her effoms
With him, she denied her boldcal father He didn¡¯t matter to her al
¡°Keep him. I don¡¯t have a father Datohy nonchntly altered these words as she stood up to leave the
hosprat.
She didi need him before, and she certainly didn¡¯t need him now
She woudent canale with Maxton in This Iletme, nor would the ever share sisely affection with Beuther
If one day the int came out that it was Heather walther, the would show merce
Dorothy haled d and got in. She watched thenthucape raced at her memories of Evenen ached
before her ass like a slideshar
After weiving at Bay Residence, Dorothy ddil go in immediately. Instead, aha jonk in doap breach, look
cut her phone, and called
Tweed I¡¯m keeping the baby
Everett didn¡¯t dy the wedding because he didn¡¯t want a divotte.
On the contrary he had urged the weddingpany several times to speed up
He was alred And that Cathy couldn¡¯t eat and ended up insisting on divorcing him immediately
When she received Evendit¡¯s message. Barotly was at the hospital with Kann for aprenatal check up.
While waiting for their turn, they satana berch outside the abstrines and gynecology clinic
To avoid ang dry 1980
The weddings tomanow
Dorothy¡¯s hand trembled involuntarily as she read the message.
Truthfully, she subesseisusly hoped the wedding would be dyed even just
Home she pin wared to quickly settle everything and brain this ce
ve the hadnathing but heartache
hand trouble with her unborn cl
Tom between mese forings she fell indescribable upon seeing the message.
Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Karen noticed her difon and quickly asked
¡°Hs nothing¡±
Dorothy did ply. Just as she was about to put her phone away Everetts second message nived.
Can he not attend tomonnw Just for one day Just for set morning|
Through the message. Dorothy could almost feel well¡¯s humble pleading
The proud CEO of the Lopez Corporation was actually begging her.
She knew who the ¡°be¡± in Everett¡¯s message mas
I seemed her he had sessfully deceived Dvendl
What a joke! She was notonously bad at lying, but this one time someone beloved her
Is it Everett Karen wasn¡¯t a fool. She had already guessed who it was after singh expression
1st 1ing to wit you back¡±
Doroty shook her head
¡°Will you consider in not toote.¡±
They hadn¡¯t registered for a deprce yet, and as long as she told Everett about the baby, they would
defedtely not get a divorce.
¡°Choosing the wrong path, no matter how far you go, will never lead you back to the right way¡±
¡°What are you nning to do after leaving the Lopez Corporation?¡±
Im thinking of going abroad¡±
In this country it would be difficult to keep her pregnancy a secret
Event Evereti dont inwali gata. Heather would defrichy how some tal for for a while.
Kare thought for a moment than odded The one good. The discussed it with Kerth Ahern and Erat pel
the chosen papers, you¡¯ll reter with Kerrain. Then he can take pou odwroad and you can give birth
to your enduran
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Chapter 230
*Karen, if I agree to this, limight as well not even edist¡±
Dorothy¡¯s principle had always been not to inconvenience anyone. about Keh?
What if he found someone he truly loved and wanted to marry her
she were to actually marry Keh just to maintain her fie, sure, the lie would be covered, but what
he future? How would he exin his previous manage
¡°But he volunteered for this.¡± Karen said, her face full of sincity. The talked to him about it. He¡¯s willing
to go along with the act. He doesn¡¯t even mind the child you¡¯re carrying for Everett. If you agree, he can
tell his parents that the baby is his. It would all make perfect sense?
¡°Mo¡±
¡°Why do you push people away like that What¡¯s wrong with Keh?¡±
Sometimes Karen really did understand what Dorothy was thinking
was it so hard for her to simply nod? If she
If it were the this would be the perfect time to ask for help Someone was willing to helpher, without any
pressum at a Why was it were Dorohy she would have agreed a long time ago.
he¡¯s your own cousin, and you¡¯re just going to n chem like this? Dorothy was at a loss He¡¯s just so
young to understand. Hell regret itter
ions. Whether he will regret it or not, that¡¯s for the future to decide. But don¡¯t you see that he really likes
youth Eve never seen
of them could be together
¡°dus have to take responsibility for their a him like this before.¡± Karen secretly wished
Even though Dorothy was carrying Everett¡¯s child which wount the situation, she didn¡¯t feelfortable
lening her best friend marry another
another man
Rather than that, why not have her marry her own cousin, whom she thought of as a brother? At least
she knew him well.
I know you mean well and I know Keh has good intention.
Do you n to never find someone else and raise this child alone? You¡¯re still so young and child
¡°Even if you¡¯ve pen up for yourself, you should think about me child You doded to keep it. group without
a father.
Doroty locked down in silence
Yes, she knew
I think about itter I might look for someone.
Since the was young, she decided not to follow the same path as her mother
She used to think that if there was a man who could enter her mother¡®
past
need a father figure¡± Karen inedito persuade her from another angle. should try to give it aplete
family You should know how it feels to
en hallway, then her mother wouldn¡¯t have been so least he could go of the
Now that she was in the same situation, she didnt want to be as stubbs her mother
But it will be tam-
She wouldn¡¯t drag such a good man down with her.
Exeren didn¡¯t receive any response from Dorothy
Their rtionship suddenly felt like at had regressed to the way
times in the quiet of the right ring say something to her, anything, but in the end, he
Before their union, Everell would open Dorothy¡¯s WhatsApp contact countless time couldn¡¯t think of
what to say
Now his messages sank again like a stone in the ocean
Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
In the CEO¡¯s office of the Lopez Corporation, Everett frowned, put an
¡°track, knock¡±
yhen phone, stood up, and headed towards the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling window
Someone was knocking on the door outside.
¡°Come in¡±
As the door opened, Kevin walked in
¡°Mr. Lopez, i koked into Daroy¡¯s medical examination that day¡±
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Upon hearing Donally¡¯s name. Exerell spun around, and his longga caled him fly across the room.
He was still holding on til doubting that what was going on waer¡¯s the truth.
What had happened thai day to make my change her attitude? Why did the change her mind souden?
was all too birame and abrupt
While looking at the pacers in his hand Exerett¡¯s handsome face darkened Dothy¡¯s mother was picked
up by Kehis people?¡±
¡°Yeah. That¡¯s what the hospital¡¯s investigator told me ¡°Kevin continued. ¡°They even showed me some
footage of Darthy¡¯s mother in the hospital¡¯s back garden Keh was with her, and they seemed
happycked like Domitys mom was quite taken with him.¡±
Everell¡¯s hand clenched in anger crumpling the papers inin a ball
¡°So, she didn¡¯t lie in me!
¡°?n seems po
Although Kevin wanted to uncover something that could bring back Mr Insel, he couldnt just fabricate
the investigationis aus. He had in bell the truth
Mr Lopez Tina Ms Sanchez isn¡¯t that type of person¡± Revin found it strange bus.
From Dorothy and Mr. Lopez¡¯s interactions, it wasnt hard to see that there were the feelings between
them Carthy might have been at slow but once they were homesi with each other she began being
sweet and lovely to Eve¡¯ell
How could this happen overnight?
¡°Perhaps the in really tired¡±
¡°Mr Lopez shall tak to Ms. Sanchez Kevin always found Domiby easy to deal with, and he had done is
best is help het in her career, so he thought he could do something to get to the bottom of this
¡°Nin. His har decision. I just want to make sure she¡¯s not being manipted. As long as the truly wants
to leave. I won¡¯t hold her back.¡±
Even if it hurt, be it want Dorothy to be in a ce where she dicht feelfortable.
in the and all Keen could do was sigh. He thought they would be the any at everyone around them
As nightfall, Dorothy took a cab back to the Bay Residence
She¡¯d been staying with Karen these past few days, and she hadn¡¯t move her belongings out yet. Since
the was getting a divorce was time to remove her things from Everett¡¯s house.
Dorothy chose toe at night, thinking Everett would be busy with thepany Sheknew how much
work he had recently
Moving out duely would make it less painful for everyone.
She also sudired Kuens olker to apany her choosing to tell alone.
wherein the pastward, Durothy shepped into the house
There were no shoes at the entrance.
She breathedugh of ref
It seemed like he really wasn¡¯t ho
N?velDrama.Org ? content.
wedding ceremony lomorrow it
Dorothy bent down to its up the shoe cab, cing the sippers at the door. As she was about to
stand up, she suddenly felt a shadow looming over her
Standed, the sipped back
After looking up, she saw that it was Everett
How could he be home?
¡°You thought i¡¯d be at the office today, didhil you?¡± Estrell¡¯s edice was bourse
It seemed like the past bleeding incident had taken a toll on and test hadn¡¯t fly recoveted. His refined,
handsome face wat vinbly red
¡°Yes, I came to get my stuff.¡±
The wating for you outside?
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Chapter 232
Dorothy instinctively know who t
¡°Na liell gei beked off if I always how
was referring to.
himpick me up at Bay Residence.¡±
What the just said seemed to visibly lower the atmospheric pressure around the man across from her
His eyes were like lor daggers that pinced through her heart. causing her to Inimble and bleed
Suddenly, Eve¡® ilted his hand.
Damity flinched subconsciously before realizing that he was simply weaching for a cigarette in his
pocket ile it it and took a deep drap
I seemed like this was the only way he could maintain his usual cold demeano
Being a real freak, he never smokedingide the house. Hotorce
She was aware that Eveact must be fading to suppress his englions mw He wous afraid the might co
something impulsive or something he mightthe.
¡°Everett, you just got out of the hospital Don¡¯t smoke¡± Dolby reached nut to watch the cigarette may ul
Extended her like he usually would with other women. Nevertheless, hed del continue smoking Instead
he stuffed the grab cut and book few steps back. To park your things. Tie sorry, Hind myposure
adier
His ind Merent tone e instated their roles as boss and ass phant
Dorothy felt a lump in her throat, and her whole body began and ach it was as if she has been stuck
hard
She had been his favorite for too long it had been so long that she had forgotten that Exerit was a
golden boy. He had his own women. He was a dream partner who was meant to be adored
So long that she had forgotten Exell was a distant and cold C
¡°Okay¡± Dory responded softly and walked awa
was worshiped by countless
se the wedding tomarmer could be canceled, and he
She thought Everett would leave then She even contemted a pen has cuentatud, there might be a
chance would go crectly to get a dire
But when she had sacked and returned to the foyer she fund that Everett was still standing thank
¡°Howe you haver Hlen?¡±
¡°He didn¡¯te to get you, and it¡¯s hard to get a cab here. I give you all ¡°He was still considerate, he
just wasn¡¯t a warm as before Dorothy muddenl
anderstood how Heather felt when facing Everett
It was probably like this
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
His manrents made him a genteman toward women, but that was as far as it went
Finally she found herself is the same position
beampow¡±
She took several deep breaths and lowered her eyes. Lexi ma,be
am, the folen liom the wedding nningpany will roma get you¡±
Dorothy was taken aback and couldn¡¯t help blinking iri surprise.
She was going to suggest canceling the wedding tomorrow
Actually Imm
¡°You don¡¯t want 15 docere?¡°Ever looked down the bulbothy could meet his gaze She simply focused on
his Adams instead.
The atmosphere returned to its cold tranquility. Mether altem spoke other ward.
Det helped her put her packed belongings into the think of the car Before leaving Dorothy took one
lastlock Bay Resid
The ce was once where she and Iverell phoned their int nute moments. Nowho would ha herst vis
Once in the car,rothy sent a text message to Keh
So, when Exereil aimed at Karen¡¯s apartment, Keh was abraga waning there
The two men met again Although not an hostile an belure, the utmosphere was far from fendly.
¡°Mr. Lopez, thank you for bringing Dorothy hama
Chapter 233
?Chapter 233
Keh naturally wanted to take the suitcase from Everett''s hands on behalf of Dorothy.
Yet, as he reached out, Everett didn''t loosen his grip.
Thus, they stood there in a deadlock.
The evening breeze brushed past them, ruffling Everett''s fine hair. Heughed lightly as he coldly said, "No trouble at all in helping my wife."
Keh fell silent.
Fearing that the two men might start a quarrel, Dorothy hurriedly said, "Keh, please take the stuff upstairs. I''ve been packing all day, and I''m tired."
"Sure." Keh raised his eyebrows with a victorious smirk ying on his lips as he turned and retreated into the house with Dorothy.
Everett was left standing alone. He was frozen in ce for a long while.
Finally, he returned to his car, retrieved a pack of cigarettes and a lighter, and lit one up. His gaze remained fixed on the floor of the house where Dorothy was staying.
He was torturing himself, waiting to see if Keh would stay the night.
As the cigarette was nearing its end, the ash fell onto the back of his hand. The burning ember seared his skin, yet he barely flinched. His focus never wavered.
Time ticked by.
No one came out.
A throbbing pain emerged at Everett''s temples. His blood roiled and surged as if it were flowing backwards within him.
He couldn''t ept that Dorothy had feelings for another man and that she was soon to belong to someone else.
Everett stubbed out his cigarette on his palm, trying to distract himself with the sharp pain in an attempt to cool down, but it didn''t work.
Eventually, he got out of the car, and his long strides carried him towards the entrance of the residential block.
Just as he entered, he heard a voice from above that sounded like Dorothy''s.
"Yes. For... I''d do anything. I just want... by my side from now on."
Everett froze in ce, feeling as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over him. A piercing cold seeped into his bones.
Was she talking about Keh? She actually liked Keh to this extent?!
Even now, Everett didn''t want to use the word love'' to describe their rtionship. He felt that like'' was more appropriate.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.
The pain was so intense that he could hardly breathe.
Everett clutched at his chest. The overwhelming pain almost suffocated him.
Suddenly, he heard footsteps above.
Keh''s voice soon followed. "You haven''t left yet?"
Everett nced up at him with eyes filled with hatred and jealousy.
Yes, even he, Everett, was capable of feeling such emotions.
But unlike him, Keh looked more shocked than anything.
He didn''t know how much Everett had overheard.
"Mr. Lopez, eavesdropping isn''t exactly an appealing habit."
"Until the divorce is final, she''s still my wife."
"
"That''s true." Kehughed lightly as he nonchntly shrugged. "So here I am, not staying with her. Rest assured, if you can respect her, so can I. Whatever you can provide for her, I can too."
Realizing that Everett probably hadn''t heard their discussion about the child, Keh visibly rxed. "But I still have to thank you for taking care of her in the past."
"Keh, if you dare treat her badly..."
"There''s no way I would treat her badly after going through so much trouble to be with her." Keh cut him off. "Just remember to return her to me early tomorrow."
With that, Keh walked past him, heading straight for the exit, trying to lead him away.
He didn''t dare linger here any longer, for fear that Everett might overhear something he shouldn''t.
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Keh look each step a tad slower listening for any sign that Evriell was trailing behind him.
A while of not hearing his foot, Keh quietly burred wound to check on him. Then he had to rub ha
pas, wondering if he was Things
There was shedding tears. He was actually crying
Even though he was sent the profound sadness in his eyes and themon creeping up on his face
could be hidden.
.
Tears slid down his cherk, staring the cor of his crisp white shirt on the wet patch slowly earded
was sad that men d del shed tears easily only when they weir truly heartbroken
Everett must ealy love Dorothy At least in this moment, Kerrect didn¡¯t doubt his sincerity for a second
After a moment¡¯s hesitation, he took out his iPhone and snapped a picture of Event crying nning to
send it to Dorothy
Hebeld that if Dorothy saw this, things might take a turn Su might change har i
But when Keh pulled up Damity¡¯s whopp contact, hs Engers frown over the ¡®send¡® button.
If Dorry got back together with Everem, he had a gut feeling that he¡¯d lose his chance to be by
Dorony¡¯s side for
Forgive him this one time for being selfish
Slently stowing away his phone, Keh surned and lett, not waiting for Everett any longer
He thought that of fate had arranged for Everet to hear aboji Dorothy¡¯s pregnancy it this time, then so
be it If not, it was meant to be too.
Dorothy thought she would be up all night, after all, the wecking was tomonow, and she and Everett
were going ther separate
Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
There they met, who knew what the circumstances or theirgin to each other would be
But perhaps due to her pregnancy, the cited off to sleep a most as soon as she closed her eyes
She was awakened by the ning of her phone. It was a call from an un
¡°Hein Ms Sanchez I¡¯m from the wedding nningpany has to pick you up?
¡°The down in a mottem.
After hanging up, Dorothy humedly got up to get ready
Since she was
Swing BN get her makeup doneder anywils 516 didn¡¯t bother with it herself and descended the stairs
bare faced.
car parked by the cut, Dorothy walked out, opened the car door, and sat down, only is mal de Pal
Et wat also in the car
Dorothy was taken aback.
Want the groom supposed to be waiting for her at the wedding venue on the day of the wedding?
Even if it was in pick up the bride they weren¡¯t supposed in such other at this phone
The wedding was rushed, and there was no time for a dress rehearsal This is the first time live ever
done this.¡± he warned to many Dorothy and be with her cry step of the way even apanyang her to
try on her wedding gown
Dorothy pursed her lips, not quite understanding Exeris intentions, but it was theirst day together so
she let him have his way
The two of them remained silent for the entire tide.
The diver however, found this rather unusual me had devin many newlyweds befant some of whom
even argued the ide, but this was the first par awa
Upon reaching the bridal boutique. Dorothy pushed open the door to get out of the car. She looked up
is End That Everett had already stepped out ahead of het extending his
handlowards her.
Dorothy hesitated for a moment, but eventually chose to link aime with him.
Everett had broad shoulders that provided a sense of security even when she was merely leaning on
them butely
He had workout equipment at his Bay Residence home, and Doroty had seen him working out waily in
the morning
chose the wedding dress for you¡±
Chapter 235
?Chapter 235
"Huh?" Dorothy couldn''t understand why he''d suddenly say that, considering that Everett never seemed like the type to seek praise. Until she saw the wedding dress.
She didn''t need to ask any questions.
Dorothy knew that this wedding dress must''ve been designed by Everett himself.
It was a piece he''s been preparing for a long time.
The snow-white wedding dress was adorned with jewels and diamonds, and embroidered at the front were the numbers 0825, each embellished with pearls and gemstones.
He wasn''t a professional wedding dress designer, but he started drafting this dress five years ago. All the way up until he met Dorothy again and married her.
Everett thought there woulde a day when he''d see Dorothy wearing the dress that he designed himself.
In fact, she was about to wear it, just not in the way he''d imagined.
"How long did you design this for?"
"Not long." Everett''s voice was low. He didn¡¯t even look at Dorothy. "Go try it on."
"Okay."
Dorothy followed the assistant into the dressing room, while Everett waited outside.
His phone rang countless times, but he rejected every call.
Today, nothing and no one could disturb him.
Inside the dressing room, Dorothy put on the wedding dress with the assistant''s help.
She couldn''t help but tear up when she saw her reflection.
Dorothy didn''t know how long Everett took to design this dress or the amount of time and effort he put intopleting it.
But she knew what this dress represented.
"Wow, Ms. Sanchez, this dress suits you wonderfully! You look so beautiful!"
"Really?"
"Really!" The assistant thought she was crying out of joy and hurriedly brought tissues to wipe her tears. "You''re so lucky to have such a great husband! Mr. Lopez and you are truly a match made in heaven. I''ve never seen a couple more suited for each other! If you two have a baby, they''ll be absolutely gorgeous!" As she rambled on, she seemed almost eager to see what their future child would look like.
The mention of a child made Dorothy''s hand shake involuntarily.
Right, she must always remember to hide her pregnancy from Everett.
"Can this be tightened around the waist a bit more?"
"You''re already perfect as you are."
"A bit tighter, please. I think it would look better."
The assistant naturallyplied with her request and bustled about to alter the dress.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.
An hourter, Dorothy finally emerged in the wedding dress and appeared in front of Everett.
He was sitting quietly, not once picking up the magazine next to him. His gaze was fixed on the dressing room.
The moment he saw Dorothy, a slow smile crept onto his face.
"Dorothy, I knew you''d look beautiful in this."
"Thank you." ttered by hispliment, Dorothy blushed and looked away shyly.
Everett rose and walked over to her, taking her hand in his. "Let''s go to the venue."
"But... aren''t the bride and groom supposed to be separated before the wedding?" Dorothy had never been married, but she''d attended a few colleagues'' weddings.
She''d heard it was bad luck for them to see each other beforehand.
"But I don''t want to miss a single second of today."
He wanted to spend every single second he could with her.
Dorothy was taken aback and blinked at him in confusion.
Everett seemed unusually romantic and straightforward today. He didn''t seem like the restrained and aloof Mr. Lopez she knew.
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The wedding venue was something Everett had brainstormed with a design
The whole ce was covered in red roses, even the walkway was sprinkled
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
Dorothy looked at the scene before her, finding it vaguely am yet she could ce where she¡¯d seen it
before
Everett gently spoke up beside her. In middle school you once drew your team wedding in ss.
That was so many years ago.
Darathy remembered the art teacher teaching them how to draw scenery andposition techniques
She had sneakily nced at her ssmates work. They were either drawing vacation spots on their
homes
Dorothy hadn¡¯t traveled nor did she have a home, so she decided to draw an imagined grand wedding
In her imagination, the bride and groom deeply loved each other, their eyes were only for each other.
After the wedding, they wouldham a happy home, perhaps even a cute baby
She was envious of those ssmates, as they could grow up in aplete family
Aher all these years, Dorothy didn¡¯t think that Everett even remembered this.
It was just a random sketch
Why a field of roses? Simply because the Teacher Taught them how to
share that drawing
Like a magician, Everett pulled out her old sketch.
I not for her handen are at the bottom. Dorothy would have forgotten that she¡¯d drawn it
¡°You.. How did you get this drawing?
Dorothy remembered that the teacher had collected. After every ss, the art teacher would let their
work a digements
¡°I asked the art teacher for
Because of this. The art teachen knew liked you.¡± Event¡¯s gaze never left her. His lips moved slightly as
heinued. Then the chemistry teachet then our homemam Bracher. They
So, they were always seated together until graduation
Dorothy was clueless about at this
At that time, she was focused on studying and working She never thought about anything else.
¡°Dorothy you wanted to know what 0825 means, night Eventi libed his finger slowly pulling open his
shirt co revealing the number tattooed on his skin.
¡°August 25 was our first day as deskmates I watched you walk towards me with your backpack, and,
for the first time in my life, I heard my heartbeat so clearly forced myself to look away and not stare at
you it wasn¡¯t until the break that i realized my palms were al sweaty¡®
Everell¡¯s voice was low and raspy was maic, as if it were enchanted by some sort of mage.
Every word was slow, and every sentence was profound
Dorothy was speechless. Aside from shedding tears, she felt like she had turned into a useless person,
not wing what to do where to put her hands.
All she could do was stare nkly at him, feeling the tears sneak down her cheeks, one drop her
another.
¡°You¡¯re crying¡± Everett lifted his hand and gently wiped away her Tears Dorothy you do have feelings
for me, don¡¯t you? Dorothy can we not divorce?¡±
Chapter 237
?Chapter 237
Dorothy knew this was Everett''s final plea.
He had already swallowed his pride so many times, and she had trampled all over his dignity countless times. She didn¡¯t want him to go through this anymore.
"Everett, stop asking."
"Alright, I''ll stop."
He gave the officiant a nod, and the weddingmenced.
There were no guests, rtives, or friends. Aside from the officiant, it was just the two of them.
Dorothy couldn''t bring herself to look at Everett''s finely chiseled face or his fathomless eyes throughout the ceremony. She wanted it to end quickly.
Not just the wedding, but all of it.
"The groom may now kiss the bride."
The officiantpleted his line, closed his eyes, and began to pray for them.
Everett''s hands cradled her face as his warm lips drew near until there was no distance left between them.
The kisssted a long time.
So long that it nearly emptied Dorothy''s lungs of all air.
Her brain, starved of oxygen, allowed him to continue kissing her until she heard Everett whisper in her ear.
"Dorothy, I hate you."
Hate, was it?N?velDrama.Org ? content.
Yes, he had every right to.
Three yearster, in a small town in Everglow City.
This ce was about to be developed into a resort with a budget of two billion dors, aiming to be the most luxurious leisure and entertainment venue in the northern cities.
Not only would it have a hot spring hotel, amusement facilities, and shopping malls, but it would also have a golf course, a horse ranch, and upscale restaurants.
Most of the original residents of the town had taken thepensation and moved away. Those who remained were packing up, except for one family who steadfastly refused to leave.
Because of this family, thepany had already dyed a lot of work. The investors were quite dissatisfied and issued an ultimatum that this issue must be resolved within a week.
Dorothy nced at the email on her phone, paused the car, and took a deep breath. She then put on the hard hat from the passenger seat, switched to t shoes, and walked towards this stubborn family''s home.
This was her sixth visit. The first three times, she was coldly rejected, and the next two times were even worse when she was cursed at and driven away.
"Knock, knock."
"Hello, is anyone home?"
Dorothy knocked on the door and peered inside. She didn''t see anyone, but she could certainly hear them cursing.
"Get lost! We''re not moving! If you can, just bulldoze our house!"
The same old lines.
"Please don''t get angry. I''m here on behalf of East Star Enterprises to negotiate thepensation price for yournd. We can discuss this matter peacefully."
"There''s nothing to discuss! Unless you give us half million dors, we''re not moving!"
Half million?
Dorothy felt a headacheing on just hearing that number.
This house was barely over 50 square meters, and the surrounding neighbors received just over one hundred thousand dors inpensation. Each of them hadrger properties than this one. If they gave this family half million, wouldn''t the others who had moved demand the same from East Star Enterprises?
"Let''s talk about this. Could youe out, please?"
A middle-aged man finally agreed toe out.
He was fat, robust, and came out wearing a ck sweatshirt. He was the kind of man you wouldn''t want to mess with.
Seeing that the person who came was a young woman, he didn''t take anything she said seriously. "Can you, on behalf of East Star Enterprises, promise me half million dors?"
"Sir, yournd certificate states that your property is 53.85 square meters. At apensation rate of fifteen hundred per square meter, you should receive 80,775 dors. Our managers have said that they can round that up to an even one hundred thousand dors. What do you think?"
"Bullshit!"
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If it weren¡¯t for the distance between them, Dorothy could almost feel the spittle from his maten her
face.
¡°Our offer for the property is primarily based on the size of thend stated in the title deed. The
company¡¯s offer is very generous.¡± Dorothy was out of options. She had to bylo son with the man.
He scoffedically. Don¡¯t take me for a fool know my
my house stands where the entrance to your resort will be As long as I stay put, your project is stalled.
You¡¯re trying to persuade me better hurry back and persuade your boss instead. My price is half million
Cash only¡±
Dorothy chuckled at his demand Sir, K¡¯s clear you¡¯ve been led some information. But did your source
also mention the resort has a backup n to relocate the entrance if regotiations far
¡°You Stop trying toe The man stilisted on his half million, but his tonecked the certainty and uph
¡°Well, it seems my Trip was fuble. I world bother you further¡± Dorothy gave him a smallugh, turned on
her heel, and walked away without hesitation.
Yes, she was sorting to the old inck of taking a step back to gain momentum
She had tried every other method but came up empty handed it in time for ast cell
Back in her cat she pulled out her phone and dialed her boss. They, Austin, who has had ess to the
final draft of our project¡¯s design Bluepent? A leak of this blueprint is why George thinks he can prefs
from our predicament and refuses to move¡±
Dendy calmly analyzed the situation. It was hard to understand.
Whoever leaked the information was either rted to George or had some vested interest in George¡¯s
wealth. If George managed to get his hands on half million, they would
Austin¡¯s voice escted on the other end. ¡°I knew something was fishy! I¡¯m going to find out who did
tha
Just as Dorothy ended the call, her phone buzzed with a video call
The car was getting study so she rolled down the window with one hand and answered the call with the
other
Instantly, a pair of big grape¨Clike eyes filed the screen, spinninground and round ¡°Mommy¡±
The soft, cute voice meled Dorothy¡¯s heurt, instantly clearing away any work rted stress. ¡°Hiry
Abigail Do you miss Mommy?
hmm Aunt Karen won¡¯t let me rat chocte!¡±
gal pouted with drool sparkling at theets of her mouth She was already a pro tattling
Karen¡¯s voice of protest echoed in the background Takeady sneaked you two pieces. If you get your
mom to scold me, she wont give you any!¡±
Dorothyughed helplessly ¡°Whigal, eating too much chocte is bad for your teeth.¡±
N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.
¡± told you so Karen stated to chip again
Seeing that no one was on her side. Abigail burst into tears Tears dropped from her eyes like a
waterfall.
Just as Dorolly was about to offer another piece of chocte to calm her down, a familiar voice
sounded
1 came to check out the site. Hmm We¡¯ve already lost quite a bit of time. M Lopez is considering pulling
out his investment¡±
He was striding towar
Dorothy¡¯s hearted to stop beating Hebrainfooded with adenine, and she from on the spot
Whendett Kevin showed up. Everett was usually not far behind
She could feel a cold sweat breaking out all over her body. She even forgot to hangupdeo call with
Abigail
Abus voice pulled her back to mality
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Dorothy immediately hung up the video call, then hastily milled up the ca
As she watched Kevin walk past her car while talking on the phone, her heart raced it almost felt like
her heart was about to jump out of her mouth
In reality she should be staring the car and driving away from the scene, but her eyes uncontrobly
followed Kevin¡¯s figure.
Who was the ring to see?
That person?
The moment the thought crossed her mind, Dorothy felt like the had abruptly woken up
She withdrew her gaze, Inwened her eyshes, and started the car engine
Some dreams, once shamered should be left behind
After driving away from the construction site, Dorothy headed back to the office. As soon as she
entered the parking lot, she saw Austin from a distance, looking utterly exasperated while he was on
the phone with someone.
Strictly speaking Austin was her boss. At East Star Emerprises, Dorothy¡¯s position as Project Director
was more or less on par with his me as General Manager However, this development project was so
vast than it required an experienced hand to guide. Austinknew the ins and outs, and he was the
band¡¯s preted choice. Sa Dorothy did notpete with him for the leadership role
After all, of the project was sessful, everyone would share the proof. Mus, as the junior, it was
appropriate to yield
Austin aina paliced her amvat. He ward his hand, then hung up the
The checked it out. It¡¯s just as you suspected one of the designs contacted George privately. She
asked for a cut once the deal was done¡± Austin was seething as he spoke ¡°Can you imagine hav such
trouble she¡¯s caused! We were on the verge of losing out!
Dorothy chuckled ¡®Well, at least we found out in tim (in prevent further losses¡±
But what about George? Have you soned in out?¡±
The blueprints had been leaked to George
¡°Not yet but we¡¯re close¡± Dorothy paused then continued ¡®Late have the employee who leaked the
blueprintse see me. Since she¡¯s earned George¡¯s trust, need to Take advantage of that
Austin raised an eyebrow ¡°Use her? She should be fred
¡°Right now solving the relocation issue is more important. We can deal with her once in secured the
land¡±
¡°Alright, then I¡¯ll leave this matter to you appreciate your efforts, Ms. Sanchez Sorry to make you
personally involved.¡±
Dorothy waved it off. ¡®It¡¯s no problem.¡®
After changing a few pleasantnes. Austin tuned to leave, but Donally called him back
¡°Austin out investor for this report project WAC Investments Inc.
it is¡± Austin seemed puzzled by her question ¡°Didn¡¯t you read the tender document?
She did, which was why she was confused to see Kevin at the construction site. Surely he couldn¡¯t
have left the Lopez Corporation?
¡°W&C Investments Inc. must be doing pretty well to afford such a huge investment.¡±
Austin waved it off dissively if it werent for the Lopez Corporation acquiing WSC Istments Inc,
whewould they have got the most invest?¡±
elopes Corporation! Dorothy was taken aback ¡°W&C Investments Inc. is now part of
¡°You didn¡¯t know in the investment banking world, who can grow without hang corections with the Leper
Corporation?
Aher saying that, Austin smacked his los really admire the president of the Lopez Corporation You
have to admit that he¡¯s young handsome and capable Thest sume |
Im your daughter, I thought she looked at like Mr. Lopez¡±
N?velDrama.Org ? content.
Austin didn¡¯t mean anything by it but what he said hit Dorothy when it hurt.
Haha. Really?
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?Chapter 240
Austin didn¡¯t mean anything by it, but what he said hit Dorothy where it hurt.
"Oh? Haha... Really?"
"Absolutely! About two years ago, I had the honor to meet Mr. Lopez. He was so charming and perfect that even I, as a man, couldn''t find a w in him. He''s tall and handsome, and your daughter really has some resemnce to him."
"That''s quite a coincidence." Dorothy nned to keep her daughter, Abigail, away from the business world as much as possible. She wouldn¡¯t even let her daughter meet her colleagues and superiors.
Although she and Everett were worlds apart and unlikely to cross paths, she couldn''t guarantee the same for everyone around her.
"You know, I''ve never met your husband. He must be quite handsome, too. Just look at your adorable little pumpkin. Maybe one day you could bring him along for us to meet."
Austin genuinely admired the woman before him. She had wed her way up from the bottom to be a director. When East Star Enterprises was in crisis, she tirelessly persuaded investors day and night. Rumor had it that she was even willing to give up her position on the board if she couldn''t secure the deals.
Her husband must be quite a man to be married to such a woman.
"He''s often busy with work, so even I barely see him. Once he''s a bit free, I''ll have you over for dinner."
"That''s a promise, then!"
Dorothy nodded with a smile and watched him leave.
As she strode into her office in her high heels, the first thing she did was call the vice president of East Star Enterprises.
"Lane, I want to withdraw from the Everglow City''s resort project."
It took a while for the person on the other end to respond. "Did I hear you right? Wasn''t this the project you volunteered for?"
If she hadn''t met Kevin, Dorothy wouldn''t have opted out of the project. But now that she had, she needed to steer clear of him and anybody who could be lurking around him. "There''s an unforeseen circumstance. My daughter is having a hard time without me, and I need to be there for her. Running around would only waste time. Given the situation, I think it''s best I step down."
"Oh, is that all? Easy fox. I can arrange for a house in Everglow City for your husband and daughter. The project will take a while, and the scenery here is great. Consider it a business trip. All your expenses will be paid for by thepany."
Lane thought there was no one more suitable for this project than Dorothy.
She was diligent and hardworking. She was the perfect candidate for such a crucial project. Especially since the investors were a branch of the Lopez Corporation, everything had to be impable.
"But..."
"Dorothy, if you have any requests, feel free to voice them. I''ll amodate them as much as I can. But we can''t lose you on this project." Dorothy rubbed her temples. "Can I request to have no contact with the investors?"N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
"Why?"
"I''ve had some history with the Lopez Corporation. I''d rather not meet them again." She had to make up a half-true excuse.
Laneughed. "Don''t worry about that. We''re only cooperating with W&C Investments Inc. The Lopez Corporation is preupied with other more important stuff, so they won''t send anyone to liaise."
Yet Dorothy was still worried about running into Everett.
But in the next moment, she dismissed the thought.
"I heard that the CEO of the Lopez Corporation is getting married soon and is currently abroad. So, the headquarters of the Lopez Corporation only sent his secretary to oversee the project."
Dorothy fell silent.
Everett was getting married?
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Chapter 241
Dorothy was engulfed by a sudden buzzing in her ears, leaving her feeling as if she had gone del
So, Kevin had rallye to Everglow City alone. Evenell didn¡¯te because he had gone abroad to
prepare for his
Had he finally green in
Did he agree to marry Heather?
Dorothy, are you still
Lane had to call her back to earth after who knew how many
Tm sony had some signal issues¡±
Lane continued to sincerely express how important she was Just do our best! And if there¡¯s anything
you don¡¯t want to handle, et Austindo it. Though thepany assigned him as the main person in
charge of this project, your position is equally as important. Thepany wants you two to support
each other if he does anything that upsets you, you can tell me.¡±
¡°No Austin takes good care of me¡±
¡°That¡¯s good to hear is there anything else you need to discuss?
Having gollen tha
in theetsation, it would be rude for Dorothy to decline any further
¡°No, that¡¯s all. Sorry to disturb you?
it¡¯s okay. Once the project is sessfullypleted, East Star Enterprises will throw a celebration
banquet for the two of you. I also promise you a borum at the end of the year it will certainly be no less
than seven pres
All that Dorthy could do was awkwardly smile. Her mind was still burring from the news of Everett¡¯s
impending wedding
After ending the cal, she leaned back in her chair She remained silent for what felt like an eternity.
Wasn¡¯t normal for Everett to get married? He couldn¡¯t remain single forever because of her could he?
Other men remarry only a few months after their wives¡® deaths
Their ordeal together ended three years ago. He deserved to get moved and find happiness.
Composing hersell, Dorothy Fred up herptop and thew herself back into work
The most important thing right now was to make money. She needed to eam mough to hire a top¨Cnotch
foghacker to decode the missing surveince footage from her mother¡¯s hospital mom
Though they had deleted the video her the incident Dorothy borrowed money from Karen to buy the
hospital¡¯s survenceputer at a wry high price.
Keh sought out severalputer experts, but to no anal. It wasn¡¯t until someone suggested that
the only person who could restore the video was an overbeds hacker. named yte 7 that she found a bit
of hope
N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.
Actually it was her only hope
But this person¡¯s fee was incredibly high. It ranged from 30 to 50 million right off the boil.
Dorothy was unwilling to give up any chance to uncover the truth about her mother¡¯s death, men if she
wasn¡¯t sure whether the stored Surveince would reveal who ated her mother
Meanwhile, on the highway from Everglow City to Eldora Oly
¡°Mr. Lopez. Ter taken care of George within the final week dradine j?u tot¡°
The voice on the other and was deep and devoid of any emotion
Kevin nced at the few parchment emepes he held, asking. ¡°Mr. Lopez, East Star Enterprises has
sent over the detailed information about the main person in charge of the resort project. Do you want
ine to forward a copy to you?¡±
Evren paused for a few seconds. ¡°No need This project belongs to MLC Investments inc; let them
hande it.¡±
¡°Wright¡±
After Kevin ?nished speaking Everett didn¡¯t hang up.
He knew that Mr. Loper had something else to say, he waited patiently
After a long while, the deep voice finally spoke again.
¡°Snow about her?¡®
¡°No, nothing yet¡± Kevin pursed his lips. Should we keep searching?¡±
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Kevin sighed deeply as he hung up the phone
They had been searching for years but still found nothing. The only exnation he could think of was
that this person didnt want
Ms Sanchez was ruthless in their breakup, so Revin couldnt understand why Mr. Loper wouldnt let go.
Over the past three years, hundreds, if not thousands, of women have tried to win Mc Loper¡¯s Heart
Among them were beantuddes with great bodies and methy heiresses whose families were just as
powerful as the Lopez Corporation. Yet he remained uninterested, continuing to keep a distance from
the opposite sex Rumors were even starting to spread that he was not to women
Ken nced at the brown paper bag in his hands.
Since Mr. Loper said it wasn¡¯t important, he decided not to bother
He had just visited the project at Everglow City Resort anyway. The only problem was George, but
once that was resolved, they couldofficially start. The p would be dealing directly with the Loper
Corporation¡¯s head office, so he didn¡¯t need to know the details
What was most worrying now was when would there be any news of Ms. Sancher?
There was absolutely no sign of ther
Feeling helpless, Kevin dialed the number of a foreign private delection agency. This was the inch one
he had hire di
Hello, I was referred to you. I¡¯m looking for somebre
Elysian Country Willow Manor
N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.
As soon as Everett¡¯s nended, he saw the headline in the business news. The Barthog CEO of the
Laper Corporation is Geming Married?¡°
The article took up a whole page They were specting about the identity of the bride, causing que a
stir in the business world.
He didn¡¯t need to guess to know that his parents had lured him overseas for his very reason. He knew
it all too well
Aber all these pears, they hadn¡¯t given up on trying to mutch
But every time they thed Everest cold reacted the
As the car drove into the estate, Amanda was already waiting at the man¡¯s trance with her hands on
her hips, ready to scold m
Everett was used to this. He¡¯d experienced it many times over the years.
As soon as he got out of the cat his mother, Amanda, askedimpatiently, ¡°Did you find that Doty
¡°Not yer!¡± Everett¡¯s even flickered slightly when he heard Dorothy¡¯s name, and he answered calmly
¡®Then who¡¯s spreading the news about your manage? Who are you marrying¡± Amanda had almost had
another it when she saw the news.
was Jonathan who calmed her down suggesting they call their son and ask him what was going on.
He realized that, since Dorothy had agreed to leave, she couldn¡¯t be the woman the news was
specting about. She did seem like the type to change her mind so quickly Otherwise, she would not
have agreed in the first
¡°Who I marry is my business.¡±
¡°The woman you marry will be the wife of you, the CEO of the Loper Corporation. She mutat least be a
good partner for you. Apart from Heather, no one i
Evelt had expected his mother to say this.
The said it before, I will not many Heather
¡°Well, I¡¯m telling you, I will never ept Dorothy as my daughter inw!!
Amanda was also stubborn. The mother son duo began to lock horns as soon as they met
After Everett and Dorothy had gotten their dworce papers, he sent his mother back overseas. Amanda
and Jonathan Thought that if they let him cool down for a few years he would forget about Dorothy and
then they could persuade him in ept Heather.
But nom news of their engagement was public.
As soon as Everett said this, Amanda fro
She hadn¡¯t heard anything about other women in her son¡¯s
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Chapter 243
¡°Is there something else going on? I thought Dad told me you were in the hospital.¡±
It was always the same trick and excuse it would be hard for him not to see through it.
Yet, as a son, he was always scared. What if one day his father was telling the truth and he didn¡¯t
believe it?
Regardless, she was his mother the woman who gave birth to him and raised him
¡°Don¡¯t change the subject! I¡¯m asking you who you¡¯re marrying Amanda¡¯s eyes were unblinkingly fixed
on her son. She could believe this
She was also surprised How could a woman steal his heart out of nowhere after all these years of him
being so reclusive? He liked her even to the point of marriage?
it was even more unexpected than when Dorothy showed up
¡°Of course, it¡¯s the woman I¡¯ve been fond of
¡°bet you¡¯re just trying to give me a heart attack Amanda eximed as she clutched her chest and
breathed hearly. ¡°You used to never be like this. Dorothy has been a bad Influence on you I was night
to send her away, or else who knows what she could have done to you?¡±
Everett¡¯s pupils contracted fiercely and sharply
He sensed something was off.
¡°You you sent her away?¡±
Realizing she¡¯d let something slip. Amanda quickly changed the subject. She pretended to be unwell
and started gasping for breath
Seeing this, the butler and maid hurriedly came to support her. ¡°Madam, are you alright?¡±
Everett, however, was focused on finding out the truth. He stepped forward, blocking his mother and
the butler from leaving
¡°Tell me the truth. Did you did you force Dorothy to leave?
His eyes were filled with a storm of emotions and a faint glimmer of hope
If¡ if Dorothy was truly forced to leave
Knowing her son better than anyone, Amanda knew where he hurt the most.
¡°she truly loved you, would she have left just because I told her to?¡±
Everett fell silent.
Her response stabbed him like a knife, leaving him speechless
1. Since he insisted on asking, she had to make him give up on Dorothy
Everett, Heather is the one who¡¯s best for you. Listen to your mother and marry Heather You¡¯ve
announced your engagement but haven¡¯t revealed the bride yet. Let it be Heather, then I can test in
peace
She almost had a heart attack because of Dorothy She couldn¡¯t handle another shock
And honestly if it werent for Heather¡¯s understanding of Dorothy¡¯s personality, she might not have wonBelongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
¡°Mother, I hope Dorothy¡¯s departure is only because she doesn¡¯t love me anymont, and it has nothing
to do with you.¡±
Without even considering his mother¡¯s request, Everett left. He returned to his car and left the mansion
On the way he dialed Kevin¡¯s number.
¡°The engagement has been announced and there¡¯s still no news?
¡°Mr. Lopez, maybe maybe we should stop looking for her¡±
This was the first time Kevin had ever suggested this
He wasnt brave enough before
But now he couldnt hold back any longer
¡°If Ms. Sanchez wants to hide, we¡¯ll never find her. It¡¯s been three years, Mr. Lopez. She might even
have a child with that Keh by now¡±
He was prepared to be scolded by his boss for saying this Kevin just couldn¡¯t continue watching Mr.
Lopez obsess over her.
Mr. Lopez was such an excellent and devoted man was Dorothy who didn¡¯t appreciate him.
No matter how good his impression of her was in the past, all that he felt for her now was disgust
How could she be so heartless and hurt someone who genuinely loved her?
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The anticipated reprimand didn¡¯te.
To be exact, there was no sound at all from the other end of the line.
It was clear that this wasn¡¯t what Mr. Lopez wanted to hear. The normally fast paced, no nonsense man
was strangely enough, evading the issue.
Kevin didn¡¯t say anything else. He just waited patently for his boss to respond.
After a long while
In a light and tense voice that made it seem more like he was asking himself, he said, ¡®Do you believe
she doesn¡¯t love me?
¡°Yes¡± Kevin couldn¡¯t sugarcoat this. I believe if Ms. Sancher had even a shred of feelings for you, she
couldn¡¯t have been so cold hearted. She couldn¡¯t just leave so decisively You should stop looking Mr.
Leper. You won¡¯t find someone who¡¯s deliberately hiding¡±
The other end of the line fell silent again
Kevin gritted his teeth and prepared for the worst. ¡°Besides, what if you found her now, only to discover
her and Keh in a blissful rtionship? Could you bear that?¡±
He really didn¡¯t understand why Mc Lopez still wanted to find her Was it just to finally crush his own
hopes?
Finally, there was a rustling from the other end, but nothing was said, and then he hung upN?velDrama.Org ? content.
What he didn¡¯t know was that after hearing this, Everett felt like this call was thest straw that broke
the camel¡¯s back
turned out that youthful dreams couldn¡¯t be forced
Everett had thought he and Dorothy could end up together. All he had to do was slow down a hit, pay
more attention, and be more careful
If everything went smoothly they would have fallen in love sooner.
If not, then they would fall in loveter
But reality pped him hard in the face. It was so hard and so painful that he had encourage to get
back up.
He sat in the car as his game chifted out the window watching as the world passed him by bit by bit
After a while, Everett pulled out his phone and sent a message to Dorothy¡¯s contact.
Almost immediately, the screen disyed a message that he had been deleted by her
He just stared at unblinking
Finally his long fingers slowly removed that ount from his faventes, then he tested Kevin.
[There¡¯s no need to search anymore.]
It had been three years
Sometimes he didn¡¯t understand why he needed to know about her. Because no matter what it would
never be the news he wanted Kewn was right. If he ever saw Dorothy and Keh together, hand in
hand, perhaps even as a happy family of three could he bear it?
A few secondster, Kevin replied
Okay. Mr. Lopez. Do you need me to handle the wedding announcement?
The wedding announcement was a desperate move to force Dorothy out into the open. There was no
actual wedding Now that he was no longer searching
No need. Being marmed will spare me a lot of hassle
He really didn¡¯t want to deal with the women who constantly threw themselves at him. He didn¡¯t care for
any woman other than Dorothy
And it gave him an easy way out.
He had thought that Dorothy would care when he announced his wedding, even if it was just a little
But it turned out to be a calm slom
He didnt believe Dorothy wouldn¡¯t know about this. The news had been out for several days back
home. Everyone in the business circle knew it. Even his mother who had been in Elysian Country knew
it.
Since Dorothy knew and made no move, it must have meant nothing to her.
He put down his phone
Find a ce that does tattoo removal¡± He coldly said to the driver.
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The sight of these numbers made his stomach chum, and the person they brought to mind was some
he¡¯d rather forget.
If he needed to start over, he had topletely let go of the past,
Even if he ever ran into Dorothy again, he would never go back. He just could¡¯t.
After a long day at the office. Dorothy grabbed a quick blem and headed back to her temporary hotel
amodations. The moment she porked her car, her phone buzzed with a call from Austin
TII have the designer contact you soon. He said.
¡°Have her ment me at my hotel Domthy paused for a moment before adding, ¡°You didn¡¯t cold her did
you?
¡°No. I did as you asked Thad one of her friends at the office find out about it
¡®Good¡®
Austin chuckled. If you manage to sort this out you¡¯d be doing me a huge favour This has been a thom
it my side for agen
¡°No need to thank me.¡± Domthy replied Tm just doing my job. If the resort project falls through, I won¡¯t
get my bonus.
After a bit of small talk with Austin she hung up Not long after the doorbell to her hotelom
Dorothy opened the door to find a petite young woman
¡®Hello, are you Ms. Sanchey¡±
¡°Yes, Tam Come 1. Dotally stepped aside to let her in
The quhestated before entering. Her eyes were chimering with anty
Just from that lock Dorothy knew the girl had an inkling as to why she was there.
She was young, fresh out of college, and desperate for money. Dorothy realized that she had seen this
type bel¨Cm
¡°What your name? Dorothy asked as she poured her a ss of water
¡°Natalie¡± She epted the water but from her demeanor alone, anybody could tell how nervous she
was
N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.
¡°Don¡¯t worry. Yes, you¡¯ve caused some damage by leaking the design blueprims, but the fact that I¡¯ve
asked ic meet with you means I¡¯m giving you a chance to things Dorothy decides to cut straight to the
chase. She didn¡¯t have time to y games with a neer
Upon hearing this, Natalie¡¯s face fell Tm sorry! I¡¯m really sorry Tregret it, but I don¡¯t know how to fix it
¡°But you were bold rough to ask for so much money. With such arge sum, I doubt yourgretted
anything at the time Alleast not until you realized you were caught Dorothy returted, effectively
commering Natalie
Natalie was speechless.
¡°Think about
cont want to waste my time on someone who can¡¯t be forest with me if you¡¯re nning in y games,
you can leave. Thepany will sue you and demand you pay damages.¡±
Natalie¡¯s face tumed ghastly pale. She couldn¡¯t even dink the water is her hand.
¡°No, no, I swear I¡¯m being honest Please, Ms. Sanchez give me a chance to make things night. It was a
momentarypse in judgment. I promise
She was almost ready to kneel before Dorothy
was no longer the Ms. Sanchez from her days at the Prosperity Consortium. Now she wielded mough
power and
This was pactly the reaction Dorothy wanted. She was intimidation to make anyone think twice.
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Fooling the newbie was like taking candy from a baby
¡°Call George now and let him know we¡¯ve changed the blueprints. Tell him that whether he moves out
or not doesnt matter anymore¡°Dorothy nced at her phone,manding her to make the call night
these in front of her.
She had the station mostly under control, but the needed to tie up all loose ends to prevent any
unexpected surprises
Natalie hesitated. Her face mined her
¡°But he¡¯s very intimidating He¡¯ll definitely yell at me
¡°Would you rather be sued by thepany for damages be led by him? Your pack¡± Dorothy shrugged
with her hands spread outward
This was not a negotiation
Is there any other way? Hin Thim that he¡¯ll think I¡¯m jerking him around. He¡¯ll get back at me for sure
¡°You¡¯re an adult, you need to take responsibility for your actions, right? Dity calmly said. She then got
up and opened the hotel om door ¡°Since you¡¯re not willing to
do it and are still trying to bargain with me, let¡¯s just droplet thepany handle it. The legal team
should be in touch with you soon¡±
As a final note, she added. ¡°Take care. I won¡¯t see you out.¡±
Natalie didn¡¯t dare utter another word and quickly and her hands, saying. I do a call him now please
don¡¯t sue m
She humedly pulled out her phone and once the call wasmecin Dorothy signaled for her to put it
on speake
Dorothy needed to hear my word of their conversa
The call was quickly answered, and an annoyed male voice came through.
¡°What on earth is going on? You told me the blueprints were fine, was that true? Then why did some
lady show up saying you changed the blueprints and it doesn¡¯t matter whether I move out of not
Natalie pursed her lips. She was visibly nervous.
¡°I had no idea it would turn out like this! But yes, they did change it¡±
¡°What Really?¡± The man¡¯s voice med an octave ¡°ee you trying to rumme? Thatdy offeredime
100,000, and I didn¡¯t even agree! If this mess
Natale looked at Dorothy for help
Dorothy just raised an eyebrow signaling Natalie to continue
¡°Then jull agree to 100,000 in a lot
(il make you pay¡±
¡°it¡¯s toote now they probably won me that much. Were you threatened or something? The man was
no fool and could tell something was off with Natalie¡¯s
¡°I didn¡¯t want you to yell at me, okay? Anyway, I told you
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
I¡¯s going on. Thepany really is changing the blueprints. if they¡¯re still wiling to offer you 100,000,
just
With a hung up the phone
She was clearly scared
¡°Ms. Sanchez. I did as you asked so can you let me off the hook now? Dat does Austin know about
this?¡±
¡°What do you think? Dorothy countered ¡°Al your ape, you should be focusing on improving yourself, not
resorting to cheap tricks. I¡¯ll put in a good word for you. After all, it the tenant agreed to move, you will
have made amends Hot can¡¯t interfere with how the higher¨Cups decide to deal with you.¡±
¡°Will have to pay any money? Natalie asked cautiously
¡°I dont know¡± Dorothy¡¯s words had barely let her lips when Austin¡¯s call came through ¨C
She answered the call and heard a cheerful. ¡°Coorg suddenly agreed You really did solve this issue
you free now? Let¡¯s head over to these again. The investors are also on their way¡±
Investors? Oh no
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From W&C Investments inc or the Loper Coupon
Tm not entirely sure. It should be W&C Investments Inc hasn¡¯t the Lopez Corporation shearly done
their due diligence?¡±
That was a red
Maybe she was just being overly arteous. Kevin had already goneer and checked the project Exel
wouldn¡¯t be supervising it agai
Besides, he was preparing for his wedding overseas. How could he possibly be here?
¡°Wright head over right now¡±
News about George, who was reluctant to locale, quickly reached the headquarters of the Loper
Corporation.
Kenn had a keen interest in this project, not because of its scale but because it was an Everglow City¡¯s
project. As the first billion¨Cdor proje WC Investments Inc., it could not only validate the returns of the
project but also the capability of WC Investments inc
Aher some thought, Kevin sen a message to Mr. Loper
ler the acquisition of
Mr. Lopez, The Everglow City¡¯s resort project can proceed now Our project director has resolved the
issues, and we expect to break ground next week |
A reply came soon after
How¡¯s the scenery in Everglow CIV?
Thinking that his boss was questioning the project¡¯s feasibility Revin quickly sent over information
about the local culture, attractions, and unique features
is a ce with beautiful mountains, and clean water. It¡¯s a perfect location for a resort. Compared to
other scenic cises, its charm lies in its tranquility and primitiveness, giving off a sense of seclusion]
This was Kes impression of Ergow City during his busin
Since he was a picky person, prase for the city indirectly confirmed its charm.
After a long wart, there was sill no reply
It wasnt and Kevin was about in pack up and leave that
Book me a ticket to Eglow City Dont tell anyone ||
He needed some alone sme
am Mr. Lopez¡¯s text
Understood. Mr. Lopez
Ken was efficent He booked the ticket immediately and sent the confirmation to his boss
As he sat at his desk, he fruly leh releven.
in all his years working with Mr. Lopez, Kevin had never seen ham take a break. His workload was
even heavier than is sudden desire to unwind in Everglow City must
It seemed like M Lopez had trulj I go of Ms. Sanchez
It must be incredibly painful for him. He had always been attentive and caning towards Dorothy Others
might not know, but Kevin was acutely aware of in
He was always so careful. that Danthy might get hurt by anything he did. He wanted to be close to her
while maintaining a distance. He didnt want to repel her or
During ha rtionship with Dorothy, Mr Lopez became much gentler
Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.
in his whole life, the person who probably spent the most time with M. Loper and saw him smile the
most was Dorothy
Unfortunately, his ardent affection was ultimately misced resulting in such an oue
Ren could help but heave a sigh. He then quietly prepared Mr. Lopers hotel and transportation in
Exerglow City
He turned on hisputer and searched for five star hotels in Everglow City, but
Kevin meticulously checked every hotel and finally booked an executre
at the Dreamscape Hotel.
Compared to the luxurious hotels in Eldon City the hotels there were of much lower quality, but it was
the best hotel in this area.
He just hoped that Mr. Lopez, a freak, could understands situation
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at the site while Austin was on the phone with apany executive. He spotted her arrived and gave
her a man, motioning for her to well
Dorothy
showed up al
She nodded lightly, then her gaze shifted to George, who was not far off
Before, he had been downright stubborn. He used to speak with his chin practically tied to the sky Now,
with his sudden shift in demeanor, he seemed to be pally with the project manager.
¡°Dorothy Austin finished his call and approached her with a beaming face have to hand it to you. You
manage
the sue at hand
be negotiating
merely spected that there were interesis at stake Coroty raised an eyebrows a smile crossed her
luscious lips. Besides, don¡¯t celebrate quite yet. The real trouble is yet toe.¡±
¡°He¡¯s agreed, and he¡¯s even signed the papers. What roubles could possibly follow
¡°True, but out design blueprint hasn¡¯t actually been modified¡±
us at thepa
George would definitely be keeping a close eye on the resort project. If he discovered he had been
deceived he would certainly cause a ruckus at
He might even stir up drama at the marl¡¯s opening
The does anything. I call the cops
¡°Austin, Exerglow City isn¡¯t like downtown Unless something huge happens, morcement won¡¯t
interne. But if a local causes a scene and it ends up on television, it could potemally tarnish the
reputation of our sont projectt
Audien nodded. ¡®You¡¯re certainly thorough. No wonder Lane insisted that you be involved in this
project. It was a wide
¡°Don¡¯t get ahead of yourself with thepliments. Donathy took a deep breath, furrowing her brows in
thought before she continued ¡°This is what well do. You have a casual chat with George and try to get
audio or video recording of him agreeing. This way, we can confim he willingly approached us
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Would this hold any threat against
¡°Not really¡± Dorothy smirked. ¡°The main idea is to threaten him if things go awry but to cate the
public. We can argue that since George approved of the condition, its only natural for us to revert to our
ongital design. He was not coerced into ageing¡®
¡°Deal¡® Let do it¡± Austin now held Dorothy in high regard and natually trusted her if go talk to George
while you entertain the investors
Dorothy felt a headacheing on at the very mention of the investors.
Over the years.
scrutinized each project carefully to avoid any interment with the Lopez Corporation She wanted to
never all
But W&C Investments he was bought out by the Lopez Corporationjuil when she least expectedie.
Now, she was tuck between a rock and a hard ce
Fortunately this project, though consideredrge¨Cscale by others, ward
She rubbed her temples and checked the message
for the Lopez Corporation Everett probably would pay too much attent
Abigail can¡¯t stop crying She wants to see you drive to City for a short visit, then dive back should be
okay night)
It was then followed by another messag
We world stay overnight will head back night after she sees you. She¡¯s been giving me those puppy
eyes, and I just can¡¯t say no. Help!! Dorothy could almost picture the petul look on Abigal¡¯s face
Reluctantly she replied.
Fine Comet)
Truth be told she missed her little getoo
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The person in charge at WBC Investments Inc. was woman in the business world, although no one
wanted to ignite a gender wat it was true that high ranking positions
Upon seeing her, Dorothy finally breathed a sigh of siet.
sen dominated the
She wasn¡¯t from the Lopez Corporation
¡°Hello, Ms. Sanchez. Im Lana the manager in charge of this project at WC Investments Inc Lavinia
smiled and extended her hand upon seeing Dorothy
Dorothy quickened her pace to meet her and shook her hand firmly ¡°Hello¡¯s so nice to meet you. I¡¯m
Donathy!
¡°You¡¯re meeting me for the first time, but for tren you before
Lavin¡¯s curled up into a smile as she moved closer and lowered her voice.
used to work at the headquarters of the Lopez Corporation
Dorothy was at a loss for words.
Sensing Dorothy¡¯s tension, Laemiaughed and exined. ¡®Don¡¯t worry it¡¯s just that you were quite
memorable because of your stunning
7 was just an assistant at the Loper CorporationBelongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
¡°But there are no ipetent people working at The Lopez Corporation Lawn seemed to have more to
say, but let the topic drop
Dorothy wondered how much this woman knew
Thankfully during her time at the Lopez Corporation, other than the issue with Heather ausing some
ser, not many knew about her manage to Everett
She had never seen or heard of Lavinia at the Loper Corporation, which meant she likely didalt hold a
central role.
¡°Let me give you a tour of the pite and show you our design blueprints.¡±
¡®Sounds good¡® Lavinia nodded as her pane swept over Dorothy¡¯s face once more.
She really was beautiful.
Her features weren¡¯t striking, but they were pleasing to the eye She was youthful and radiant and she
emanated an aura of punty
Dorothy Ind Lavinia andund the site, introducing her to the unique features of Evergl?m City
I wasn¡¯t until Karen texted her to say she had amand with Abigalmat Dorothy handed the work over to
Austin and hushed back to the hotel
The moment she walked in the doot Abigail threw herself into her arms. Her voice was so so and
adorable that it could met your heart
¡°Mommy Mommy missed you5o much
Dorothy crouched down to hug ham and kiss her cheek. ¡°Mommy missed you too.
Kates walked over from behind, slowly sup ing her eyes into a genuine smile ¡°You know, when took
Abigail out, so many people came over to her. They all said she
Kare, try not to let her be seen in public as much as possible.¡°Donthy was somed that someone from
the Lopez Corporation might recognize Abigail
After all, Austin hadpared Abigail¡¯s face to Everetts, and sadly, he wouldn¡¯t be the only one
¡°It¡¯s been years, and Everett is getting maned now. Even if he found out, he wouldnt do anything. He
might we pretend not to know you. He might be worried about you asking him formany Karen had see
the news of Everett¡¯s uing wedding. So she couldn¡¯t help but roll her eyes querulously. He
pretended to be so in love back then, and now he¡¯s manying someone else Men ically can¡¯t be trusted¡±
¡°Karen Dorothy interrupted her. Its been three years,
It was normal for him to imaF¨COF
The one who insisted the Breakup¡±
en she saw the news of Everett¡¯s uing wedding she felt a strange mi
But she had let it go.
The decision to break up back then washers, so what was there to be upset about now?
They belonged to different world
He was just returning to his normal
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ight, alright, you¡¯ve got a point.¡± Karen sighed in magnation. ¡®I honestly thought you¡¯d regret it when you
first broke up, especially when you were about to go intobor really thought you¡¯d reach out to him¡±
Hshe were in that position, she believed she would want to connect with the most important person in
her life at such a crucial moment.
When Dorothy was inbor, she had manyplications. She was bleeding heavily, and the doctor
handed her the critical condition form to sign. Karen was outside the delivery Mom, bawling her eyes
but.
That was probably the hardest thing Karen had ever had to sign in t
¡°made my decision Dorothy resolutely dered Tchose the truth over him. I can¡¯t regret it now¡±
That wouldn¡¯t be fair to Everett
And what about him? You can¡¯t leave him nierges forever¡±
Recognizing the ¡°hum Karen referred to, Dorothy¡¯s face began to flicker with watry. Her eyebrows
tightened, and she let out a soft sigh
Maren, I¡¯m doing this for
know why you¡¯re doing it Karen injected. But this isn¡¯t a long term solution¡±
¡°Hmm.¡±Dorothy added
No one understood the pros and cons more than het and no one fel the pain of missing him more than
she did
Aher leaving hem overseas, she was the one who was always worried and aneous.
Karen walked over to her and gave her shoulder pot ¡°Bring back There are other ways to keep him
safe. He doesn¡¯t have to be res
After seeing Dorothy¡¯s increasingly gaunt figure, Karen knew she was struggling too.
111 consider it. Also, since you and Abigail are here, why don¡¯t you stay for a few days? The best hotel
in Everglow Gay is the Dreamscape Hotel can get you another room there. I haven¡¯t heard anything
from the Loper Corpostion abouting to Explow City so it should be fine Dorothy held her daughter
nightly She was reluctant to let go, her motherly instincts were kicking in
They were already here, so a few more days wouldn¡¯t hurt
¡°Really¡± Yay Don¡¯t worry if I take Abigail out. I make sure she wears a mask. Youcan focus on your
work and not worry about ust
Dorothy nodded and looked | Karen with sympathy in her eyes. ¡°You¡¯ve really worked hard these past
Karen winked at her ¡°This was my choice. Many people get jealous when they find out that Abigail is
my goddaughter¡±
Dorothy was helpless, yet also of Karen¡¯s lifestyle and mince only she could be mone am¨Cminded,
maybe she wouldn¡¯t be so tired.
There were no direct flights from Elysian Country to Everglow City so Everett had to first to Eldoma City
and then catch a connecting fight to Ever Cityport Although Everett¡¯s trip was supposed to be
confidential without any entourage, Kevin had avvanged for him pick up, amodation, and dining
Uponnding well was greeted by the pickup driver Once he got in the car, he leaned back and closed
together and his long eyshes cast a deep shadow on his lower eyelids. Hedremoved his suit jacket
version of rxing
After a full day of flying he finally touched down
Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.
eyes for a quick map. His eyebrows were slightly knitted unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shin,
which was his
The driver nced at Everet through the near¨Cmitor and cautiously asked. ¡°Mr Lopez, shall we head
straight to the Dreamscape Hotel, or..?!
¡°Go to the hotel
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*Sure thing, Mr Lopez
The driverheaded straight for the Dreamscape Hotel
Only after the vehicle came to a halt did Everett slowly open his eyes and exit the ca
He cast a nce at the hotel in front of him. The semery was pretty decent, but the building¡¯s modest
papir made it clear that
was no brary establishment ¡°Mr. Leper, would you like me to help you with your luggage? The diver
sked eyeing the suite which ditt seem to be carrying more than a few clothing items. ¡°No need¡°Everell
picked up the suitcase himself and headed towards the entrance.
Suddenly a le girl at the hotel door yelled out. ¡®Mammy¡±
Usually, Everett was allerent towards chilien. He reither disliked nor was panicrly fond of them
But today that childish voice seemed to captivate him.
He looked in the direction of the voice spotting a two or three year old girl with a tiny ponytail hobbing
along with her movements, which only added to her outtress
The girl had her back to him and Ever could only make out her chubby cheek. They looked around and
plump as a mini burger
He nced around but saw no apanying adults. He hazro idu when the was calling out to
His steps faltered for a moment, but exhaustion uimaney won sping he suitcase, he worked straight
into the hotel.
Outside, Abigal was pouting. She was impatiently waiting for her tards mom
¡°Mommy! Aunt Karen! Please hurry up!¡±
Soon, Karen came nishing over. She picked up Abigail and nted an affectionate kiss on her check.
¡°Shth Don¡¯t rush your mommy She¡¯s dealing with some work duti over the phone. Aurd. Karen will take
you out for a treat Can we wat for a bit
¡°OK¡± Abigal obediemy nodded and wrapped her chubby arms around Karen¡¯s neck. Wum Karen Ljust
sowa really tall man!¡±
¡°Did you? Ab gail, co you want to grow up tall too?¡±
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Yes¡± Abigail nodded vigurously as her eyes drifted towards where Everett had disappeared. That man
was so fall!¡±
Karen followed her gaze, but no one was in sight.
She assumed Abigail was just infinigued by att
¡°ger and sicht ge it another thought
¡°Winght, sweetie Aunt Kate will take you to the supermarket now. We¡¯ll have a look around, and by the
time we¡¯s done, your mommy should be ready. Then, we can head to the night market
¡°May I want to buy a lipap
¡°You can only have one, and to fish it before your mo¨Cmy finds out¡±
Abigal¡¯s purpy dog eyes were Karen¡¯s weakness. She could hardly we say no to the little gif requests.
Everett took the leator in the executive i that Keen had booked for him.
While it was no luxury hotel, the ce was clean and tidy Everett knew this was likely due to Kren¡¯s
meticulous insinctions.
Aber so many years by his side, Exeteti was well andre of Kevans mention to detail, healing that of a
personal assistant.
After a shower Everett noticed a missed call from Kean or ¡°is phare
He returned the call simultaneously using the remote to open the curtains to the floor to ceiling window
*Mr. Lopez, how are you finding the amodation? Do you need me to get in touch with the hotel
manager 15 improve any facilities? ¡°No. I primarilye in Everglow City for some peace and quiet!
He didn¡¯t want to draw attention and nsk being disturbed
¡°Understood.¡±
¡°Any rmendations while I¡¯m here?¡± Everett poured himself a ss of red wine and took a sip.
Tooder sightseeing spots?¡± ¡°Mr. Lopez, Everglow City has a night market¡±
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Kevin finished speaking, then quickly added. ¡°Mr. Loper, the lifestyle in Everglow City is a bit less
bustlingpared to the big cities. Other than this right market, there¡¯s hardly any nightlife. If you¡¯re
interested in going out during the day, I can rmend some nice retourants.¡±
Evenen put down his wine ss and nced at his watch
¡°Send me the location of the night market.¡±
¡°You¡¯re going¡± Kevin was a bit supened
After all, Mr Lopez was a notorious clean freak. He had always despised crowded ces and would¡¯t
team of partaking in ambiguous street food Vel, now he had suddenly expressed an interest in the night
market. How novel
¡°Well, perhaps after the resort development project ispleted, we could considerunching a fury
hotel project has a
Everette that the scenery hem was quite pleasant, and the it was clean I was a ce wine une could
find peace of mind and tranquilly
There must be many people who would also appreciate a plena live this so unwind
¡°Mr. Lopez, do you need me to go with you to help you out the ce?¡±
No need Just have the drives wat for me at the hotel entrance.¡±
¡°Understood, Mr Lopez¡®
After hanging up the phons, Everett changed out of his usual business suit and into a casual ck
outfit
in theing days, he had no ns of wearing a sut. Since he was here to rx he might as well let
gopletely
Dorothy received a call from Austin exning that George, who hat previously epted the payout,
was causing Itzuble agan.
He probably heard something or finally put two and twe
She told Kare to take Abrast to the night market first, an de the word join themter after deal fig with
this situation
Abber rushing beer in her car to Austins ce, she found George rumming loudly and relentlessly
¡°You¡¯re all con anists! I¡¯m going to empo you on the news!!
¡°Why wemed you out of? Dorothy out
This caught the anegant and domineering George eft quan
directly as she strode over in her high heels without an ist of fear.
was just looking for you You said the design blueprints had changed, now you guys have suddenly
gone back to your original blueprints?
¡°You epted thepensation and signed your consent. This property has nothing to do with you
anymore. As for how we want to design but project since when did w need your app¡¯sva
TOU
Dorothy spared him a nce. She had met plenty of his kind before and had anticipated this, just not
sup
If youdont want to squander the money you¡¯ve received and end up in jar, then behave yourself and
leart. I wont call the police, but if youinus in make an of yourself, all have to take drastic measures
Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.
¡°You¡¯re not Beaning me what can the police do? You¡¯re the cat who conted me t
¡°Whats your evidence Werent you the one who came begging us to this Dorothymised an eyebrow at
him. ¡°Since you rejected my proposal time, we havent bothered you at al ¡°
George struggle to find a coherent response
She chuckled as she stood in front of a man much taller and broad than her without the slightest inking
of fear
She had honed her im modaling out over the years
¡± your choice whether you quietly go home or wait to be nested for disturbing the peace? Dorthy
finished and gave Austin a knowing look.
He immediately understood ¡°Bring me my phone.¡±
¡°When do you need your phone for George jumped like a startiod rabbit.
¡°To call the police, of course Ms. Sanchis merciful. She even gave you two choices, but im not as
berescent You¡¯re sady disturbing nur mal ao do we how to put up with your antica? I don¡¯t have time for
that!
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Chapter 253
Aulet¡¯s try be nice and give him a chance.¡±
Dorothy the dama had unfolded enough, so it was time to reel it back in She intervened then shot
George look, signaling him to leave once Once George hastily leh, Austins expression shified from
seething anger to a broad and beaming smile
¡°My Sanchez admire you¡®
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
¡°What¡¯s there to admire? He was Someone¡¯s waiting for me¡±
after more money so it was obvious a threat of jail would calm him down¡± Dorothy nced at the clock.
Austin, I have to go
Austin chuckled. ¡°Oh, in your husband in Everglow City!¡±
¡°Yes¡± De nodded and added, ¡°He doesn¡¯t have much time, so better gol
¡°Sire, go ahead Next time, bring him along Let¡¯s grab a meal together.¡±
Laughing, Dorothy nodded and left
To the world, she had to im to be in amited rtionship. Firstly because she had a child and if
she imed otherwise, i father. What if someone pomed towards Everett? God forbid
up spection about her child¡¯s
Secondly, it served as a detement for me in the workce who tried to hit on her She didnt in work and
earning as much money as possible, nothing else mattered
(the time or energy to entengen them. She just wanted to focus on her
Once in her car Dorothy called Karen
¡°At the night market There¡¯s a street performer here, who Abigail
The night market was incredibi
are nearby. Are you done with your won
bisy, so karm hatta mase
Dorothy has been to the right market only once so she had a vague memory of the ce
I¡¯m done. I¡¯m on my way now. Keep your phone hand. III call you! I can¡¯t find you?
After ending the call, Dorothy took a deep breath and started the
Everglow City¡¯s a night market was bustling As night fell, many sleepless souls found sce there as
other faces were shut for the right
alt armed, the crowd was thinning wasnt a weekend so this was to be expected
His chauffeur parked the car by the roadside, and to end in Everett wore a cap before stepping out
Howet his tall and broad figure did attract a few states in this little southern
The chauffeur, a local rmended a v popr and delicious local snacks to Evere
Everett bought them all but didn¡¯t eat any
¡°Mr. Lopez, being a seems tough you must be red all day, right? The chutte med to sink up a
conversation, so he made sure he was tea and caulius He feared any stupid remarks might upset his
passenger
¡°Not really. I¡¯m used to it Everett handed over the snacks to him. Here. These are for you
¡°All forme? The chauffeur was surprised
¡°Yes¡±
Everett couldn¡¯t convince himself to try the socks. The neat freak part of him would allow Upon seeing
the chauffeur¡¯s delight over the snacks, Everett couldnt help but crack a urr ¨¢ri mell Suddenly his
gaze fell upon a little girl behind the chauffeur.
entrance of the Dreamscape Hotel
Her recognizable double bun hairstyle, her marshmallow like face, and those familiar big eyes.
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Abner chuckle began tugging at the corners of Everett¡¯s lips.
He came to Everglow City in hopes of forgetting Dorothy and starting over, yet the sight of tankom child
reminded him of her face.
His mother used to say he was obsessed, and now he was finally ready to admit it.
Before he knew it, the little girl had disappeared. He instinctively nced around, but she was nowhere
to be found
¡°Tim losing it.¡± He depressingly mattered to himsel
He had allowed himself to be captivated by a little girl of all things.
¡°Did you say something Mi Lopert
¡°No, let¡¯s head back to the hotel Everett decided it
ight not be the best day to be out and about it was best to go get some rest to avoid seeing her face in
every passing
Though puzzled, the driver nodded obediently. After all, he could not afford to offend his employer
¡°Alight
Mr. Lopez
Everell tumed and began to wal painst the flow of the crowd.
The driver, duiful as evet began to speak of Eviglow City¡¯s unique features and other hot spots.
¡°Tomorrow, can go hiking in the moming when it¡¯s not too hot. The from the top is breathtaking.
Then can take you to a popr local restaurant for some sulem barbecue ribs in the afternoon You¡®
Marit
Everett got into the car as he nodded in agreement
He hadn¡¯t take a break in years, so when he suddenly found himself with free time, he was at a loss.
So why not let the deer n the day!
As the car pulled away from the bustling night market, the driver, more like a tour gade now, began to
talk about the local customs pamingpicture of warm and friendly
sely while nodding ear now and then
Suddenly his gaze fell on the drivers seat of a car next to theirs, and he froze, even his blood cold
That profile was one he would never forget.
I was Dorothy
Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.
The woman he had been painstakingly searching for was night ther
at night?¡±
With only three seconds left until the light would turn green, Everell tumed to the drier and asked, ¡°Do
you see that ck Audi on our
¡°Yes, it¡¯s
atest A4 model¡± The driver said misunderstanding his question
Then, in a deep voice, Lorett said. ¡®Ha if¡±
¡°Do it buy you a new car
Dorothy couldn¡¯t believe her luck
Everglow City was practically deserted at right, yet
were 30 mary matic lights.
She was in a hurry to get to the night market, yet she had hit over a dozen red lights. And as if that
weren¡¯t enough, some reckless deer had just crashed in her.
GRASH!
All Dorothy knew was that her car had shuddered a
sharpe, which then resulted in the dashboard disying an enorme
message.
Speechless, she nced at the other driver through the rearview mirror. After some hateful thoughts
crossed her mind, she stepped out of the car.
¡°How did you manage to hit me on such a
Im so sorry! I was lost in thought. The other der apologized profusely as soon as he got out of the car.
His attitude was since that Dorothy couldn¡¯t muster up the energy to scold many further
She walked around to inspect her c The con
aused some serious damage to the paint job and even lehta dent
Just as she was about to call t insurancepany the other driver quickly said. ¡°I¡¯ll cover all the repair
costs, there¡¯s no need to contact your insurancepany. Here. give me your phone number so I can
use the money to youter¡±
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Since he asked for her number, Dorothy rummaged inside her car and handed him business card
¡°Here¡¯s my number¡±
As she said this, she instinctively nced at his car
There seemed to be someone in the back seat. I was probably a man, but he never got out, so Daroy
didn¡¯t see his face
The driver took the card with both hands, then immediately added her contact on WhatsApp and gave it
thousand dors to her
Tm really sorry about this, Ms. Sanchez Go ahead | get your car fixed, and if that¡¯s not enough, just let
me know¡±
Dorothy appreciated his sincenty and willingness to make amends. ¡°This should be more than enough.
I send you the receipt and refum the bnce¡±
She was the type to take advantage of the situation.
Alright¡±
Once she had settled the mater Donathy quickly drove off to the night market in her scratched up car
Karen had been texting her to hurry up for a while now
Behind her, the driver watched her leave before returning to his car.
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
¡°Mr. Lopereres her card and her contact
The driver respectfully handed over both the card and his own phone
Everett¡¯s gaze was intensely feed on the card and phone as he extended a hard to receive them. Till
buy your WhatsApp ount. Delete everyone except her from the
Right away Mr Lopez The driver didnt question him and began to do as instructed
Everett sat in silence for a moment before dialing Kean¡¯s number
Took up this number¡±
Before long, a reply came M Loper, this number belongs to a woman and Karm
Everett fumeed his brow
No wonder he couldn¡¯t find Dorothy¡¯s contact information
She had been using Kareris phone number all along
¡°Do you want me to look into this Karen? We aybe able to find some clues about Dorothy through her¡±
Kein remembered that Karen was Daromy¡¯s t He was curious as to why Mr. Lopez was suddenly
bringing her up
Had thee to Everglow City to forget about Dorotty and start anew
Night Market
The crowd had mostly dispersed by the time Dorothy amed.
Luckily, Karen was the definition of a lively character. With her around. Abigail was having a st.
¡°Why are you sote? You did even answer my calls, I thought something happened to you¡±
¡°Nothing much just gol
aimle ident, some driver hit my car I was dealing with thepensation issue and didn¡¯t check my
phone,¡± Shocked, Karen quickly looked Donthy over. ¡°A car ident! Are you hur?¡±
Tire, only the cars damaged¡±
¡°That¡¯s good As long as you¡¯re alright.¡±
Dorothy chuckled as she pulled her daughter into her arms and nted a kiss on her cheek. ¡°Yeah, the
guy was very proactive aboutpensating me. He transerred fifty thousand dors straight away for
me to fix the car¡±
Tilty thousand? He must be loaded What did he look like? Was he handsome?¡± Kansas widened in sup
When it came to rich, handhome men, K?ren did not y games.
After all, illy thousand was quite excessive for just a paint job.
¡°All you think about are handsome guys. The one who got out to negotiate was probably just
driver.
hink the boss stayed in the car Dorothy tried to recall the faint
silhouette she saw in the backseat. It was vague, but she could make out a tall Squre. Her intuition told
her that he was a man of great stature. ¡°The boss must be someone of high status. Hedidit get out of
the car the?ughout the entire ordeal.¡±
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¡°Everglow City isn¡¯t exactly a hub for bigshots. You¡¯re so beautiful that if he got out of his car and now
you, he¡¯d definitely be hot on your heels.¡± Karen teased her tone was inced with sarcasm. She sighed,
reaching out to touch Abigail¡¯s cheek. ¡°That then again, It¡¯s no surprise you don¡¯t have ?yen for the
handsome ones, considering you turned down one of the mest handsome ene.¡±
Dorothy from understanding the hidden meaning bear¡¯s. The mention of that persing she wanted to len
without naming names
¡°Looks like the night market¡¯s almest closing. Let¡¯s find a diner or something, gab a bite, and head
home¡± Corothy quickly changed the subjecti
Kaleyes. That¡¯s really ill You¡¯re still hung up on him. Why else would you be changing the topic?
Tm not
¡°You and Dorothy we¡¯ve been besties for years. Do you think I dont know you?¡±
Dorothy took a deep breath and, in a soft but firm veice, countered Kaver¡¯s usation Tvenlymoved on
He¡¯s married now and I can¡¯t be thinking about a marriedman.¡±
With that she held Abigail¡¯s hand and started walking ahead
Kanen quickly caught up with her ¡®If you¡¯ve really moved on, why havent you epted any sutors all
this time And daril give me the Tm too busy with worke ¡°Karen, you should spend your time figuring
yourself out fest. Your mom told me during ourst meeting that if you do bring home boyfriend by the
end of the year she¡¯s going to statanging your mattage¡±
Karen chuckled 1 don¡¯t mind in fact, why don¡¯t you join me for a blind date next weekend! I show you
what charm in ¡°
¡°Sure am My brother
¼×
her ¡°You¡¯re going on a blind dateTMTMTM
arette andes from a good family. Apmanage prospect
¡°But why would tagalong on your blind date?¡±
Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
Was she supposed to be a third wheel!
¡°You¡¯re my best friend! You can keep an eye out for me Karen took out her phone and showed Dorothy
a picture of her date. ¡°What in you think? Not bad, right?
Dorothy took a closer look
He was a clean¨Ccut, handsome man. He was very refined and a bit skinny
She smiled a Karen. ¡°Is this your type?!
¡°What? You dont think he¡¯s good?¡±
I just think you might be too lively form
¡°That¡¯s why we¡¯re meeting for a blind date. We need to get to know each
Karen mimicked Abigail and began
go our separate ways. But you have toe.
I wants to go towards to go with Aunt Karet
Abigail didn¡¯t understand their conversation, but her big adorable eyes blinked as she led Mommy
Abigail wants to
¡°Then I see if I¡¯m free next weekend¡±
Everett didn¡¯t have more follow Dorothy¡¯s car. He was
I she would notion and get spooked
Now that he knew the w in Everglow City and working at East Star Enterprises, it would be easy for him
to keep tabs on het
¡°M: Loper, Ms. Sanchez was involved in the Everglow City Resort project found the oldes from ourous
coboration. Her name is indeeded¡±
Kevin announced while handing over the documents to
Sure mough, in the column for project leaders. Dorothy¡¯s name was clearly witten
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?Chapter 257
Everett was practically studying her name. His gaze was deepening, and an indescribable feeling was stirring within him.
Just as he''d resolved to let go, fate had orchestrated another encounter with her.
What did it mean?
"Mr. Lopez? Would you like me to further investigate Ms. Sanchez''s activities over these past years?" Kevin asked cautiously.
He couldn''t figure out what Everett was thinking, and he dared not guess. After all, Ms. Sanchez was a sensitive topic for him.
"No need." Everett paused for a few seconds before adding, "Not for now."
He needed to think clearly about what he should do and what he truly wanted.
After hanging up the phone, Everett poured himself a ss of red wine, then strode towards the floor-to-ceiling windows of his hotel room.
The small town was very quiet at night, a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the big city.
Everett took a sip of his wine. The tart taste washed over his pte and trickled down his throat as he slowly lost himself in thought.
The breeze wafting through the window brought him to his senses.
Reason dictated that, since he had made up his mind to give up Dorothy, he shouldn''t change his mind so easily.
Seeing Dorothy again was a test of his resolve.
That was right. This was just a test.
Feeling that the wind wasn''t strong enough to clear his mind, Everett set down his wine ss, threw on a random jacket, and left his room.
Down on the hotel''s ground floor, the night wind blew stronger due to the absence of pedestrians and vehicles. The tall trees on either side of the road didn''t provide much shelter, making the wind feel even more powerful.
Powerful enough to bring him some answers.
Everett stood there on the road in front of the hotel. His tall figure seemed somewhat lonely as his jacket pped in the wind, like it was trying to break free.
Suddenly, he heard footsteps approaching.
Everett instinctively looked toward the sound. It was the little girl with eyes like Dorothy''s.
She was dressed in a blue puff dress and also staying at the Dreamscape Hotel.
But why was she out alone sote at night?
Everett hesitated, then decided to approach her. He squatted down in front of her and asked, "Hey kiddo, where are your parents?"
Abigail was clearly startled.
She quickly extended her chubby little hand, signaling for Everett to be quiet.
"I don''t have a Daddy, and Mommy''s working. She''s very busy and can''t y with me, so I came down to y by myself. You mustn''t tell my mommy." No Daddy?
That phrase could easily make one think of unhappy circumstances.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.
Everett''s lips twitched, and on an impulse, he reached out to pat Abigail''s head. "Okay, I won''t tell. But you can''t leave the hotel; otherwise, your mommy will worry if she can''t find you."
Abigail pouted and blinked her big, beautiful eyes, making her look all the more pitiful. "Ah? But I want to buy candy! I can leave the hotel!"
As she spoke, she took out a five-dor bill and waved it a little.
Her aunt Karen had given her the money as a reward, telling her she could buy candy with it, which Abigail remembered vividly.
When Aunt Karen fell asleep while her mommy was still busy working, she snuck out with the money.
But now this strange man was not letting her leave the hotel.
That won''t do!
Everett was amused.
Typical of a child, her sentences were disorganized and incoherent. But she was just too adorable.
Her pleading eyes made it impossible for Everett to say no to her.
"Alright then, I''ll take you back to your hotel room and ask your mommy. If she agrees, I can take you to buy candy."
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Upon hearing this, Abigails eyes widened, and her shook
¡°No, you can ill Mommy!¡± She was certain her mother wouldn¡¯t approve
Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
¡°Wright then, how about go and get you some candy? You ris here and don¡¯t wanderoll, okay? Eit was
worried that the child¡¯s parents would paric if they could And her Since he had already taken up the me
of the good guy he might as well help her out
¡®Um
Abigaled her hear and mulled it over for quite sometime Eventually with a serious expression, she
handed over her for dor to the handsome man in front of her
She then turned her little eyes on him, unable to hide her doubts about this man. ¡°So, you¡¯re not going
to cheat me out of her money
Who would have thought that the CEO of the Loper Coporation of all people would be suspected of
cheating leg out of dol
Everen could help butugh. Thant worry I will be right back.¡±
He took the money, not because he needed it, but because he dit want her to run off with it while he
buying the cardy without the money, she was I help to stay put at the hotel entrance
Everett with his long sides, headed towards the rearby supermarket. He nced down at the for dullors
in his hand and couldn¡¯t help but smile.
For some reason. The little girl possessed a certain charm that mate him want to be near het Maybe it
was be was in histues, or maybe it was because her
yes resembled sometne else¡¯s.
He didn¡¯t usually have the time or interest in children, but something about little girl softened his heart.
A thought suddenly popped into his head
2
How nice would it be the were his daughter?
This thought made Everett par before his eyes dimmed. He was key to have children in his mechi want
them to grow up in a less household One at the supermarket, Everett picked sveral types of candy from
the shelves He got milk canty, IcFipops and more. He had no idea what the pit would like.
Of course, the five dom would be enough.
After paying for the candy he made his way back to the hotel bearing as he imagined the joy on the ile
gith face when she saw the bag of candy Sutely her fami eyet would ight up with delight.
But when Extrem returned to the hotel es
The Lille was nowhere to be found
He went inside to look for her but found no trace of her
Extrem assumed she had been found by her parents, but he stil nad her candy. Did that mean he owed
her se dors?
After a moment¡¯s hestation, he went to the front desk and asked in a deep voice. ¡°Excuse me could you
tell me whom the life who was of the ce
The receptionist locked up and was momentanly timed by his handsome face.
¡°Si ane you acquainted with heri
¡°Not evartly¡± Aheral, be a driven know bet name.
I¡¯m sorry, but we cant disclose quest info
ation
Ever! held up the bap of candy ¡°I wanted to gue her tha
¡°In that case, let me cal the room and check. Could you please ha moment
Everett warted partly as the receptionist dialed the room. Out of theer of his eye, he noticed
mumber 901 yed on the phone screen.
This must be that Imo girl¡¯s room number.
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Chapter 259
It appeared the hotel management had some wn, particrly in customer confidentially
But Evercit only took a nce, he had no intention of going there thiste in the evening. He had
merely nned to ask for the room number so he could deliver it
morom.
Since the little girl had previously mentioned she didnt have a father, if she wasnt lying then she and
her mother must be staying here. It would be inappropriate for him, a grown man to go over there.
Sean, the receptionat hung up the phone and looked up in Evertell
¡°Sit they said they don¡¯t know you. If you want in deliver something, you can leave these, and they can
pick it up from the front desk tomorrow¡±
¡°That¡¯s fine.¡± Everell nodded, leaving the candy on the counter
Perhaps because Everett¡¯s handsome face caught her attention, the receptionist tried to engage him in
further conversation. As he was about to step away, she asked, ¡°Do you like children?¡±
¡°She¡¯s adorable¡±
That title gol is super cute. Her bigeyes and fair skoen are Presistible. Her mom is pretty ton
Everett passed after hearing her talk about the girl¡¯s mother ¡°Have you seen her?¡±
¡°Yes, she has been staying here for over a week, so I¡¯ve seen hei around. But the girl only arrived
reperity.¡±
Everett paused for a moment, malizing he was prying into the privacy of someone he had never met,
which was inappropriate. He quicklyposed mill and returned to
his room
The night went on, but he was not sleepy in the slightest.
He had a few sses of red wine, but his mind was still let was bowthy¡¯s face.
After so many years, he could recognize her in an instant. He didnt even need to see her full for with a
side profile, or perhaps even just a ted shoutte, he could
Everett put down his wine ss as a self mocking glim fawned in his eyes.
Despite all this time, he still hadn¡¯t made any progress
He picked up his phone and dialed Kevin¡¯s number
The call was quickly answered with the same old greeting. M: Loper¡±
¡®About Dorothy
¡®Do you want me to track her down?
¡°No Act as if this manner happened.¡± Everett¡¯s ever dimmed ¡°And book ma flight out of Exerglow Gly
This was something Kevin hadn¡¯t expected.
Although he knew Mr. Lopez was determined to start over and forget about her, he also knew that
encountering Dorothy at this point would ruin everything
So he was surprised are he received this order
took him a few seconds to mply. Alright, Mi Loper do you want the earliest fight
¡°Tamonow noon.
Everett thought for a moment before speaking, have something to do marrow morning¡±
He needed topletely eradicate all his lingering thoughts.
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
Dorothy came down and found Abigail
Karen had fallen asleep and had no idea that Abigail had run away. I want until Dorothy finished her
work and went to tuck her daughter in that she realized Abigail want
in the room
Not wanting to disturb the exhausted Karen, who had spent the day taking case of Abigail, Dorothy
took Abigail back to her wom
It was a rare moment for muller and daughter to spend time dore Dorothy bathed her daughter and
then personally blow died her balt
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Chapter 260
Promise me you wont go wandering off again, okay? Mammy was scared to death¡±
Abigal nodded as her eyes sparkled as she looked up thither, ¡°Mommy, there was a really el men down
there¡±
¡°What on earth is Aunt Karen teaching you? Dolly muttered, not thinking much of i
1 want to see the cool man again tomorrow
And maybe even get her five dors back, but that was just an afterthought
Dorothy paused and nced at her daughter¡¯s reflection in the minor when I was your age. I didn¡¯t
know anything about boys You¡¯re so young, and you¡¯re already boperasy
Abigal dit quite understand what being boy-cary meant, but she booked her big eyes and gigoled Her
laughter almost sounded like inkling bels. Hehe, I¡¯m awesomal I¡¯m boren!
Abigal fell stent. What was going on in this timer¡¯s he
Once they finished their nightly routine, Dorothy cradled her daughter while gently paling her back.
Despite the exhaustion of the day Abigail seemed not sleepy, while Dorothy was already falling deep
In her drowsy state. Dorothy thought she heard Abigai whisper. ¡°Moniny Jeriss my big brother. The
coolen from today he looked just like my big brother¡ Big brother
porothy immediately snapped back to reality, counting Abgar¡¯s mouth with her hand
¡°Dont memon your brother. Don¡¯t talk about him to anyone, understand¡±
After seeing her daughter nad Dorothy felt slightlpreloved Go to sleep now, dating Aunt Karen will take
you out again tomorrow. Remember, no maller who asks you you Can¡¯t say anything about your
brother, okay?. Especially not what he looks lik
Abigail was a startled by her mother¡¯s intense reaction. Her eyes altered with tears as the nodded key..
want talk about him
¡®Thats
Dil rom go to sleep Mommy¡¯s here¡±
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
Dorothy¡¯s drowsiness disappeared, and she continued to pat Angu back um she heard the steady
rhythm of her daughter¡¯s breathing
Once Abigail was asleep. Dorothy carefully shipped out of bes
She walked out to the fear is cling window and pulled out her phone to watch a wides over and over
again
The little boy in the video was engrossed in a book His focus and seousness made him seem nider
than his years.
Near the end of the aden, the boy finally looked up
His face was the spring image of Everen
They were pactically identical
Yes, Dorothy had sem birth to twins, a boy and a girl
Originally they all lived together, but as the boy grew older more and more peoplemented on his
familiar appearance,paring him to a carta cality
Some even outright mentioned Event¡¯s name
This samfed Dorolly. She was afraid the Lopez family would find out and try to take her chilthen away
They had proven that they would stop at nothing to get what they wanted even if it meant taking a life.
Three yearster, they could just as easily try to take custody of her cm
She could only imagine how the Loper family would treat her children.
For now she was no match for them
After much onlintion, she sent her son to a boarding school unciseas and hired a caretaker to look
after him. She took every opportunity she couldd to fly over and visit ham where the frushed a project.
Luckily Abigal resembled her more than she did Everett, as she could stay with her mother
But like Austin, people were starting to notice the resemnce between Abigail and that man
Bothykraw thesements would be more frequent because Et¡¯s genes we just too dominati
Chapter 261
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Chapter 261
She needed to start considering a move overseas after she finished this project with thepany.
While there were higher sries avable here due to the demand for talent, she needed to make
sdices for her children.
Dorothy swung open the French doors to let in some fresh air
Remembering that her daughter was still asleep, she quickly closed them and slipped on her ts to
head downstairs to the hotel lobby
Everglow City was surrounded by mountains, so the night breeze brought with it a scent of trees and
grass, that made you feel a refreshing coolness. A gust of wind seemed enough to clear one¡¯s mind
Just as Dorothy was about to step out of the hotel, the receptionist at the front desk called out to her.
¡°M. Sanchez Are you here to pick up a package?¡±
Package?
Dorothy paused ¡®What package?
¡°A gentleman left it here for your daughter The receptionist quickly retrieved a bag of candy.
If it hadn¡¯t been mentioned, Dorothy would have forgotten
She nced into the bag to see an assortment of candies.
With a resigned smile, Dorothy sighed deeply
This must be the result of her daughter begging for candy again, and some kind soul indulged her. This
was not the Erst time such an incident had urred. Abigail had charmed many people with her cute
looks before, coaxing them into buying her candy Over time. Abigail had learned the art of acting cute
to get candy
It seemed being cute could have a detrimental effect on her teeth
Dorothy smiled at the receptionist. Please thank him for me. If I bump into him, I have my daughter
thank him in person
¡°He¡¯s checking out tomorrow¡± The receptionist¡¯s face fell as she mentioned this, just found out that he
canceled his extended stay
¡°Then please give him this.¡±
Dorothy handed over a business card with her name and contact number on it. ¡°I noticed he bought a
lot of different and rather expensive candy. If he contacts me, I¡¯d like to
reimburse him¡±
¡°He probably wont ept it. He¡¯s staying in our most luxurious room. He even booked it for a month.
That¡¯s nearly 20,000 dors in hotel fees!¡±
¡°Oh? It seems Everglow City has attracted some high¨Cprofile visitors. But it is indeed a prime location
The scenery was beautiful, and the climate was ideal. Dorothy truly believed investing here was a good
move.
The receptionist chuckled as she pocketed Dorothy¡¯s business card. Hopefully when more people
come, we¡¯ll see more guests like him¡±
Dorothyughed
It seemed this gentleman had not only charmed her daughter but also the hotel receptionist. He must
be quite attractive.
The following morning, Dorothy was promptly woken up by a call from Austin
She rushed to drive to the construction site, where she found Austin in a heated argument with a group
of people.
Dorothy quickly approached the scene, immediately spotting a familiar face George.
But this time, he wasn¡¯t alone. He was apanied by over a dozen men and women.
¡°You¡¯re tricking themon people You¡¯re cheating us out of our homes
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
¡°We followed the agreement to the letter, and every cent was paid. How did I cheat you?¡± Austin, not
very skilled at verbal sparring was losing ground.
Dorothy had an idea of why these people were here. As she moved towards the crowd, she dialed 911
on her phone.
She intentionally spoke out loud. ¡°Hello, I¡¯d like to report a disturbance! I have people causing a ruckus
here.¡±
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Suddenly, she saw a fiqure approaching
George stormed over is het all ques zing Without ullering a word, he snatched her phone and hurled
it away with all his might
In no time, the phone was smashed into smithereens.
At this moment, Dorothy realized that she had underestimated how aggressive these people would be
¡°You¡® intentionaly damaging my property and that¡¯s legal¡® She said
¡°And what about you? Aren¡¯t you swinding themon folk out of the hard earned money? How much
is your phone worth anyway?
Dorothy furrowed her brons. If you believe you¡¯re in the night, then why don¡¯t you let me call the police?
You should want me to get them here to see justice served
¡°Who knows if you ve got the cops in your pocket or if you¡¯ve greased their palms?! George roared
before turning to the crowd ¡°Do you see this?! Thisdy¡¯s in catnois with the people who are coping me
off She¡¯s the boss, so she¡¯s probably pocketing our cash!¡±
Hearing this, a few bly men instantly lunged at Dorothy
It was early morning, and the security staff hadn¡¯t started their shift yet. Austin tried to intervene, but he
was no match for these construction workers, who were used to hard physicalbor
¡°Hey what are you doing? Assault is illegal Dorothy retreated a few steps, but lost her footing and fell to
the ground
Before she could ter her word, she felt a searing par from in her scalp
Looking up, she saw a man clutching her hair intent on dragging her into the crowd.
Dorothy tried to resist, but more hands reached towards her. Austin couldn¡¯t escape either, he was
punched and fell to the ground
She wanted to scream for help, but she knew that it was unlikely anyone woulde to her rescue at a
construction site at this time.
Pain spread quickly from various parts of her body.
A punchnded on the back of her head, and Dorothy felt the world spin amund her. Her
consciousness was slowly fading
She tried to stay alert, knowing that she could be beaten to death by these angry men. But it was a
severe blow and her body wasnt responding.
In a daze, Donthy heard a familiar, deep voice
¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, it¡¯s me¡ I¡¯m here¡¡..
Dorothy tell her body bing lighter. It was like she could float
She Ined to reach out for something, but her body didn¡¯t respond.
She couldn¡¯t move a muscle
The more Dorothy ined to move the more she felltrained.
Then she suddenly heard a doctor¡¯s voice near her ear.
¡°The patient has a severe concussion. She may experience headaches and vomiting when she wakes
up You should keep a close eye on her.¡±
¡°We understand¡±
I must be the nurse speaking
Dorothy thed to mow her fingers, and after a while, she slowly opened her eyes.
All she could see was a ringly white ceiling and the smell of disinfectant filled the room. It was
unpleasant
it seemed like she was stil dive
¡°Oh, you¡¯re awake¡± The nurse noticed her first and quickly called the doctor over
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After conducting several checks and confirming she was fine, the ductor finally breathed a sigh of relie
Dorothy could even see the beads of sweat on his forehead
Was it really that senous? She wasn¡¯t anyone important
She matched as the doctor rxed and quickly walked out, saying ¡°Quick! Tell him that she¡¯s okay.
Now!¡®
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Before Dorothy could ask, a piercing pain shot through her skul, contorting hem pretty features into a
gunate
Seeing her agony, the doctor rushed to provide her with some pain relief.
Minutester, the young nurse who had previously left, hunted back into the mom. ¡°That gentleman
said he knows now¡±
¡°He¡¯s noting over?¡±
¡°No, he already Whi
As Dorothy Extened to the change between the nurse and doctor there was a strange feeling in her
gut. But before she could say anything a wave of nausea hit her again.
After enduring the difon for a while the little strength she had left was quickly and Dorothy closed
her eyes and difted back into unconsciousness
When she woke up again, she was already in a regr hospital nom
The first thing show upon opening her eyes was Austin. His forehead was wrapped in gaune, and
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
scheinearby
ngside him wax Lane his towering figure seemed to have been washed over with travel grime, and
his face was filled with concern
¡°Thank God you¡¯re awake!¡®
Lame strode to her bedside as soon as he saw her eyes futter spen
Dorothy felt day but the pain had lessened. She guessed the pankilers were still working their magic.
¡°You really scared me!¡± Lane¡¯s English had a foreign ent. ¡°I something happened to you because of
the Everglow City¡¯s project, I¡¯d never forgive myself¡± She had applied for a transfer but he had
persuaded her to stay.
Dorothy managed a weak smile as her thoughts -tes 15 the mystens ¡°he¡± the doctor had mentioned.
They must have beenfeming to
To think that she had even allowed herself to entertain the hope that it might have been¡ ¡°How did you
get here?¡±
Lane.
¡°I was back home inspecting another project When I heard about your ident, immediately caught the
rest fight here. Luckily the doctors said you¡¯re fine. You¡¯re lucky. you know. The best doctors in
Everglow City were all gathered here today¡±
Tve always been lucky, especially since I have such a great bass Dorothy joing to sit up
Lare quickly helped her, propping a pillow behind her
help, was cut off as she spoke feat. With this incident, our resort project should be
Austin, who has been about to express his gratitude to Dorothy for her selfless help was cut off stroke
Wh unobstructed now George has been amested, right?¡±
seen hall
Lane didnt know whether in be exasperated or tomend her dedication that point
¡°You¡¯re in this state, and you re still thinking about the project if they had ennusly hurt you today those
thys would have s
¡°Lane, those resident¡¯s were incited Dont be too harshion them Moreown Masover I purposely
provoked Grange. I just didn¡¯t expect him to be so ruthless¡± Dorothy knew that unless George suffered
some repercussions, he would never back down. So calling the police was meart to get them arrested
for causing a disturbance, especully since the police witnessed it frsthand. That should seep tim
detained for a few days.
Upon heating this, Austin immediately chastised her ¡°Domihy dont ever do this again. While the project
is important, your personal safety is paramount. If a good Samantan hadn¡¯t happened to pass by and
save you today, who knows what could have happened?¡±
¡°Good Samaritan? Austin, did you get his contact details idike 15 thank him personally¡±
Aust shook his head. ¡°I was in a bind myself. I was surrounded by those thugs, so i did get a good look
at the man he seemed to be tall and sim and was wearing a
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¡°Lane, check if there¡¯s any surveince footage. If we can find the guy, Id love to show ourpany¡¯s
appreciation Without him, I¡¯m sure things would have been much
Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.
As they were engrossed in their discussion, both failed to notice that Dorothy¡¯s thoughts seemed to
daway
All, skinny man. Could it be him?
as just an lusion
Before she passed out she thought she heard a familiar voice. It was just as gentle as it was years ago.
She was sure it was
Everett was supposed in be getting mamed abroad, wasn¡¯t he? How could he be here, saving her?
But Austin¡¯s words made her heart race. A strange intuition began to surge within her
Dorothy asked ¡°Austin, any news from the investment firm today? Did anyonee to inspecti
Austin was taken aback. ¡°No, don¡¯t worry We won¡¯t let them see what happened it won¡¯t affect the
project¡±
Darthy¡¯s lips quivered ¡°Are you sure?¡±
¡°Absolutely someone from the investment firm came and didnt know about it, I would be fit to be the
project manager Austin assured her with a smile, which ended up being a grimace due to his injunes.
Both Lane and Austin thought she was concerned about thepany¡¯s project. Theyforted he
saying that even if the incident was seen by the investment firm, it wouldn¡¯t be an issue as long as it
was resolved
What they didn¡¯t know was that Dorothy simply wanted to know one thing
Did Everettet
But she didn¡¯t ask. Rationality told her it was impossible. It was
was just a hallucination triggered by all the chass
At Dreamscape Hotel
Everett had packed his bags and was discussing the details of a new project with Kevin
On the other side of the adeo call, Kevin hesitated before finally asking ¡°Mr. Lopez, do you want to
change your flightT Everem paused for a second before he responded, ¡°No need¡±
¡®Wright. Should I continue to monitor the hospital situation for you? The doctor did say she was
severely injured
¡°Kevin, it was a mere coincidence that (ped a colleague¡® His voice was calm and indifferent
Tapologize, Mr. Loper¡±
Kevin knew he had stepped out of line and quickly apologized
Exertook a deep breath, falling into silence before finally saying. The been tracking her whereabouts for
four years. Its
we had a knot in my heart that I couldn¡¯t ume I was obsessed and rabidly seeking any news about her
Now, having seen her do well and achieve sess in her came, I realize I was the only one who
couldn¡¯t move on. It¡¯s time for me to do so.¡±
He rarely spoke so much and rarely expressed his thoughts
¡®I understand, Mr Lopez Kevin replied
¡°Have a car pick me up. I¡¯m heading to the airport
¡®Alight¡±
After ending the call, Everett packed up hisptop. Once he was sure he hadn¡¯t let anything behind, he
headed out
As he reached the hotel¡¯s front desk, someone called out to him from behind.
Everturned around. It was the receptionist to whom he had given the condy ¡°Yes¡±
¡°The mom of the girl you gave candy to let a business card for you? She handed him the card
Before the business card even reached Everett¡¯s hand, he averted his gam
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He didn¡¯t want to remember anything about his visit to Eglow City, and that included the little girl. Once
he¡¯d made up his mind to forget, he nned to do just that. The receptionist watched him leave and
sighed heavily
¡°Oh! I should have been bald enough to ask if he was single!
Once Ever got in his car, he buried this nose in a contract from work. There had been a scandal at one
of the branches: The CEO of the branch was caught in an affair There were explicit photos of him with
his secretary causing thepany¡¯s stock to plummet. The projects that the branch had invested in
were hanging in the bnce, waiting for someone to clean up this mess
His phone rang It was Kevin ¡°Mr. Loper, are you suggesting we rece the CEO or.¡±
¡°He¡¯s dreaded thepany mage, acted out, and could face criminal charges The Loper Corporation
can¡¯t keep him onboard¡±
Then who do you suggest should take his ce
This position, although seemingly lucrative, was actually quite challenging Unless the new appointee
could turn things around right away, not only would prior efforts be wasted, but the main branch of the
Lopez Corporation would hold them ountable
Mr. Loper thought for a moment, then spoke with his thin lips barely moving. ¡°His wife was a formidable
leader befom she retired to look after the family. Get in touch with
¡°But she¡¯s in the middle of a divorce!
Any woman would find it hard to tollete such a scandal. Even if they had been leading separate lives
and were aware of their partner¡¯s activities, they could turn a blind eye as long as it wasnt out in the
open
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
Now that the veil had been lifted, she would have to face it so she could preserve her own reputation
and dignity
¡°They have a child When do you think a woman needs most after divorce?
Money?
incident as
¡°That¡¯s why she desperately needs to gain control. Use this incident as her reentry into the corporate
world while gradually taking away the rights from her adulterous husband. And to reassure other
shareholders and partners, she won¡¯t hesitate to do whatever it takes to turn things an und
At that point, all the Loper Corporation has to do is lend a helping hand
Kevin immediately responded, ¡°I understand, Mr. Lopez. 111 send some to hint at this to her right away,
then call a shareholders meeting to elect a new and invite
¡°Good¡± Everett rubbed his temples. ¡°No one knows about my retum, night?
¡°ho. The shareholders all think you¡¯re getting married abroad Many business people have contacted
me. They want to send you wedding gifts!
¡°Don¡¯t refuse all of them. ept some and find a way to return the favet¡±
¡°Understood
After hanging up, Everett put away his phone.
He wanted to close his eyes and nest, but for some reason, he couldn¡¯t stop thinking about that
adorable little gif. He had left so abruptly that he hadn¡¯t give her the five dors and candy personally.
He didn¡¯t even know her name.
He frowned slightly and sent Kent a led.
Kevin, are you heading to Everglow City for a business trip in the next few days?
tres. The resort project there is starting
Then go to room 908 in the Dreamscape Hotel and secretly take a picture of the little girl staying there.
Ask her name]
He just wanted to forget Dorothy that¡¯s all it didnt concern anyone else. It felt like he was meant to meet
that little girl, so at least he should know her name, right?
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Surely, Everett could ampate the shock on Kevin¡¯s face upon receiving
After all, it wasr request he would typically make. Yet Everett felt a certain connection to the qul, mal
he was certain that they were bound to cross paths again.
Dorothy was in the hospital untilte in the evening, and it was at this time that Karen called to check
on her. Unable to keep it a secret any longer, she confessed that had been hospitalized
Not long after, Karen and Abigail rushed to the hospital
¡°Let¡¯s see what sort of jerk did this to your Kamn shouted wh le bursting through the dear.
¡°Hush! This is a hospital empit down Dorothy quickly gestured for her top it with her index finger,
shooling Karena sing smile. Im okay. I¡¯m still alive and
Tut you were attacked, and you¡¯re saying you¡¯re okay? Dorothy, quit your job it¡¯s too dangerous
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
Karen, with her hands on her hip, was raging at Dorothy¡¯s bedsize, locking every bit raty in do whatever
it took in gel Dorothy is a
Dorothy knew Karen was just womed about her,
¡°Karen, Fred money in recover that footage. If I dont ram enough, I give up my night is the truth
This was her mother were talking about. The woman who struggled to raise her could be allowed to ce
in, leaving her helpless without even a shred of evidence
¡°You need money? It¡¯s easy Just agree to date my cousin
¡°Karen¡± Corothy cut her st
Karen pouted and tumed away blypse
Abigail dient fully understand their argument, but upon seeing the IV needie inner mont¡¯s hand, she
immediates moved closer as her big eyes welled up with tears. ¡°Mummy ket hel
Dorothy quickly smiled and pulled herself up to trade her daughter. ¡°Mommy¡¯s fine, don¡¯t cry A smiling
Abigail is much prettier than a crying one
¡°Did someone bully Mommy? Abigail will fight them!¡± Abigail wrapped her small arms around her
mothers neck, warmly nuzzling against her ¡°Abigal a grown up now. I can protect Mommy¡±
¡°Yes My Abigal the best Dorothy stroked her hair and then lock a deep bream, as if she wem making a
major decision anem, I n to finish the resort project, then take Abigail abroad to settle down I¡¯ve
already notified thepany¡±
Karen rated an eyebrow * you certan?
Dorothy moder
cari deprive my child of a mother¡¯s love, but it¡¯s too dangerous here. It¡¯s better to?
he realized that as long as she was here she couldn¡¯t let go of troughs that she shouldn¡¯t entertain
Even if she could decose herself, she couldn¡¯t fool her heart
Even when she was in danger, she would hallucinate hearing his voice
The more she thought about it, the more she realized she roudan¡¯t go on like this.
Tine, whatever you decide. I will support you. Anyway if you leave. I¡¯ming with you. My cousin is
also abroad, so he can take care of me. You both cant get nd of me
ren, thank you for everything you¡¯ve done for me over the years.¡±
¡°Stop, stop stop!¡± Kasen toled her eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t want to hear that I just want you to stay out of danger
Just as Dorothy was about to respond she noticed a figure shipping past the hospital room door I was a
male doctor.
it wasn¡¯t Lane or Austin
16:551
Karen followed her gaze in silence.
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¡°No idea¡± Dorothy found it add.
She was the only patient in this room, so the doctor must havee specifically for her. But instead of
coming in, he just stood furtively at the doorway, and the moment their eyes mrt, he turned and left. It
was all very add
¡°Do you think he finds you attractive and has fallen for you?¡±
You¡¯re
thinking¡± Dorothy refrained from telling Karen about her daydream of Everett appearing to save her.
The more she thought about it, the more impossible seemed. There wasn¡¯t even a Th chance.
The told my cousin about your ns to leave the country. He¡¯ll look after us He¡¯s been single all these
years; don¡¯t tell me you don¡¯t know why¡±
Of course. Dorothy knew.
But she had ahrady made her intentions clear. As for Kehs decisions, those were up to him. She
couldnt control him
Everett had just tumed to the headquarters of the Loper Copotion Before he could even meet the
shareholders. Jeffrey came storming in
¡°You¡¯re back at the officer He blurted out, then quickly connected himself ¡°No,am for You¡¯re getting
mament, and don¡¯t even know who the bride
When he first saw the news, he thought it was take. It wasn¡¯t until Everetts parents called to ask him
who their son was marrying that Jeffrey realized it was true
But how was he supposed to know who Everett was marrying?
¡°It doesnt matter.¡± Everett was engrossed in his work and flipping through the documents,pletely
unfazed by Jethay¡¯s outburst
Seeing his inference, Jeffrey snatched the documents from his hands in frustration
consider you my best friend and you¡¯re getting married without telling me?¡± His eyebrows futtowed as
touch for four years, and now you¡¯re suddenly together again
| questioned Everett. 7 it is it Dorothy? You two haven¡¯t b
At the mean of Dorothy,
fingers momentarily paused
He finally looked up at Jeffrey.
¡°Dorothy and are over¡±
¡°Not her Jeffrey was even more shocked. After all, he had racked his brains but could think of another
candidate
Over the years, Everett had been even more of a work olic than he ever wat before He make no time
for socializing He didnt even have a mosquito in his life, let alone a woman Jeey know this all too well
can¡¯t be Hea
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Everett interrupted him coldly, then nced at the office door ¡°Es work hours now Anything
The message was clear. He was being dismissed
But Jeffrey was about to leave without getting answers
¡°Of course there is! You the CEO of the Loper Corporation, suddenly announce your marriage, and
don¡¯t tell me a shareholder, who your bride is. I have very right to ask Ater all, if she has a tamed past,
it could affect the future of the Lopez Corporation Over the years, Jeffrey had learned to use business
as an excuse to ask about his personal matters
¡°Then you can sell your shares.¡± Everett¡¯s was clear and concise, he spoke without him of hesitation
Jeffreyughed. ¡°Everett, the fact that you would even say in this way confirms it. You¡¯re marrying Cory!
You can¡¯t fool me!¡±
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Everett didn''t respond, but his mind was no longer focused on work.
¡°I¡¯ve known you for quite a while now, Everett. Besides Dorothy, you¡¯ve never made an exception for anyone else. Normally, you¡¯re meticulous to a fault, even towards yourself. So, you can¡¯t fool me. Spill the beans. Are you back together with Dorothy? Have you remarried?¡±
¡°No.¡±
¡°You were never married. That was just a ruse.¡± Jeffrey hit the nail on the head, leaving the usuallyposed Everett speechless.
Seeing him silent, Jeffrey pursed his lips and sighed. ¡°I know what you¡¯re thinking. Your mom pushed you to marry Heather, but you couldn¡¯t ept it, so you put on this charade, hoping they¡¯d give up to show them that you would never marry Heather, right?¡±
¡°Yes. I just don¡¯t want to be hassled anymore.¡±
Over the years, countless women have tried totch onto him and establish some sort of connection; some even camped outside his office, desperately seeking his contact information.
Now, by publicizing his marriage, Everett hoped to end all this once and for all.
"So, you''re not back with Dorothy then?"
"No."
Jeffrey was silent for a few seconds before lifting his thick eyebrows. "Are you really not nning to get back with Dorothy? Have youpletely given up on her?"
Everett looked at him. "She gave up on me long ago, not the other way around. Did my mom ask you to ask this?"
"Of course not! If I were on your parents'' side, would I be here talking to you about this? They really thought you were getting married. When they asked me, I even covered for you! I said at your age, elopement is normal."
On the ne leaving Everglow City, Everett wanted to message Kevin several times to ask him to check on Dorothy''s condition, but he never did.
Over the years, he could decisively close deals worth billions in the business world, but when it came to matters concerning Dorothy, he was always indecisive.
"You announced your marriage to the world, so she must have seen it. What if... what if she wanted toe back to you and then saw your marriage announcement? That would be the end of you two. Can you bear to let Dorothy go?"
Jeffrey moved his face closer, trying to get a better read of Everett''s expression.
He might not know everything, but he definitely knew about Everett''s love for Dorothy. Even the stone-hearted Everett could bloom, learning to care for and consider others, which said a lot about Dorothy''s irreceable position in his heart.
Now, by announcing his marriage, Everett had effectively cut off any chances they had.
Jeffrey felt there must be more to it.
"Without me, she has been doing well. Back then... she didn''t lie to me." Everett found she truly didn''t need him.
"You found her?"
"Not exactly found. I just identally learned about her situation."Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
Jeffrey frowned as he spread his hands out and spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, "Logically, she should be living better now than before. Dorothy used
to work her tail off to pay for her mother''s medical bills, which wasn''t a small expense. Now she doesn''t have to since her mom..."
Everett suddenly looked up as his eyebrows knitted together in rm. "What happened to her mom?"
Realizing his blunder, Jeffrey quickly covered his mouth and shook his head. "No. Nothing!"
"Spill it!"
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Everett''s voice had such amanding tone that even his old friend, Jeffrey, was taken aback by his demeanor.
"Her mother passed away."
Everett rose abruptly from his chair. "When did that happen?"
"It''s been a while¡" Jeffrey didn''t want to lie to him, so he left his statement vague to prevent Everett from probing further.
In truth, Jeffrey had a hunch about Dorothy''s mother''s death, even though he wasn¡¯t directly involved.
He wasn''t intentionally keeping things from Everett; it was just that...that¡ the opposing party was his own mother! Even if Everett knew, what could he do? Apart from his endless regret and guilt towards Dorothy, he wouldn''t be able to do anything else. It was better if he remained in the dark.
"How did you find out about this?" Everett immediately sensed something was off
He had asked Kevin to investigate any news about Dorothy for years, but he always came up empty-handed. If he hadn''t run into her by chance, he would still be clueless about her whereabouts. Yet Jeffrey knew about her mother''s passing?!
That meant Dorothy''s mother must have passed away four years ago, before she left the Lopez Corporation, possibly even before she filed for divorce.
"I ran into Dorothy. She told me, and she asked me not to tell you. I didn''t think it was a big deal, so I didn''t tell you." Jeffrey shrunk back, fearing that any more might lead to a hard-to-cover lie. Anyway, I have some business to attend to. Don''t think too much about it. Dorothy was the one who left you first. Her mother''s situation wasn''t your fault, so why bother?"
With that, he darted away, as if someone were after him.
Everett frowned deeply, immediately pulling out his phone to call Kevin.
"I want you to look into Dorothy."
"Mr. Lopez." Kevin cut him off. "Ms. Sanchez is fine now. She can be discharged after another night of observation. There are two men taking care of her. One is a mixed-race gentleman, seemingly apany executive named Lane, and the other is Austin from theirpany. The attacker has been severely punished ording to my instructions. He won''t be free for at least a year or so."
Everett was rendered speechless by his fluid response.
So, everyone knew he couldn''t truly let go of Dorothy, and he couldn''t be indifferent towards her.Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
Even after telling Kevin multiple times to stop investigating, he still kept tabs on her recent activities.
"Mr. Lopez, I checked. These two men are Ms. Sanchez''s colleagues. They take good care of her because of her diligent work ethic. However, they don''t seem to have any personal rtionships outside of work."
"That''s not what I''m asking." Everett''s eyebrows furrowed, then suddenly rxed. "Never mind, stop investigating her. I don''t want to know about her updates."
Kevin paused for a few seconds, then said, "What about her friend? The one named Karen?"
Everett fell silent.
"She seems to have gotten married and had a child. Well, I''m not sure about the marriage, but she does have a daughter. She brought her to visit Ms. Sanchez at the hospital today. They sent me a surveince video. Would you like to see it?"
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After hanging up the phone. Everett sank back into his char and stared deeply at his mobile devic
Jeffrey was night. If he was going to cut ties heeded to do it thoroughly. He couldn¡¯t care of inquire
about anything
Despite the mounting workload at her job, Dorothy didn¡¯t stop working even while in the hospital
She did! want Karen to bring her daughter to the hospital. This wasnt a good ce for little Abigal
After sending them all, Darthy logged into herpany aciscunt on herptop
To avoid Evesell over the years, she usually only marked her work ount with an instead of a full
reme. Even though there countless people with the surname Sanchez, Evinallesul sill find her she
wrote name.
But maybe he was neat lucking for her in the first ce.
Dorothy could solideary remember Ewert saying ¡± rate you¡±
Those worth houred her even in her dreams.
She knew that she had deeply hurt Event
¡°Ding¡±
A message from Austin popped up on herptop scen
Durity clicked it open.
Me Sanchez you should be resting at this hour not working if the bars finds out, hell scoldme for not
taking care of you
She smiled
If you don¡¯t tell Lane, he wont find out Our legal department is busy with other projects, so cant just
outsource the resorts to push myself a you¡¯ll say some good words for me at the annual meeting
Austin)
Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.
Thope
Of course! Ever I don¡¯t, Lane wil, for sure. Aber leaving the hospital today, he said if you went manes,
defitely pursue you. It¡¯s rare to find a woman who¡¯s sa passionate about her work and proactive.
Dorothy forced sale and replied with an emoji
She imed to be mamed to avoidplications
Since joining thepany Lane had never hesitated to take care of her was clear that what he was
doing was beyond the usual camwadene that coworkers would share. But Dorothy never reciprocated,
let alone fe any romantic feelings.
Until the truth about her mother¡¯s death was needs ca¨C1 want to think about antigelse but eating meny
Lane has praises you multiple times. He says you¡¯re exactly his type
She paused for a few seconds, then typed, Be careful with what you say. Il my husband frols out, he¡¯ll
get jealous |
Dorothy knew exactly what Aust?n meari.
He was probing her on Lane¡¯s behalf. If she didn¡¯t reject him clearly, Lane might be more forward with
her
in the workce, especially among male leaders, they didn¡¯t care whether a woman was mamed or
not. What they cared about was conquest, challenge exchement, and
But she didn¡¯t have lime for such romantic games. So, she made it clear in her reply that she was
married and not nning to cheat
(Haha, I¡¯d better take bace what i said. Just pretend I didnt say anything. If you need help, just holler.
I¡¯m alus pulling an all-nighter]
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Along the chat Dorothy Book a deep breath and subseanssicurly nced outside the hospital
Her mother B, had spent the majority of her life in hospes Perhaps on such nights, she too watched
the constant now of patients and doctors in the hallway as her mind filled with unknown thoughts.
Her mother¡¯s death was the best get of her life
Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.
She regreted not listening to her mothers are to stay from the Lipper family which had eventualy mught
trouble upon herself.
No matter how good Exetett had been to her, no matter how much she loved him, dit meant teading her
mother¡¯s fe, she didnt want
Dorothy wanted to live a normal life. She wanted to go to work, may des vischer mother in the hospital
in her spare time, and throw herself into her career,
a while, she came back to reality
There were unread messages on herputer
Drony opened them and now that they were fomne
Most likely Austin hard told Lane everything she had told him, including work and personal matters.
[As your bass, Lenker yn take a proper rest in the hospital. Na overtime
Lane even added an angry emoj at the end.
Dorothy wanted to repeat what she had just told dussin, but before she could Enishtyping, he sent
another message
I know you¡¯re womed about the project. Thepany has hired more legal counsel. The investors take
our project very seriously so they¡¯ve decided to send their seniorwyer to assist You can rest easy
now
The investors¡®wyer wasing?
Dorothy ducky asked it camenne from the Lopez Corporation ready?
I¡¯m not sure where exactly they¡¯re sent from, but judging by their current attitude, anyone they send a
certainly highlypetent. You don¡¯t need to worry about Pria. Also, let you know in advance, I¡¯ve
secured pour yer endbars Ff thepany ques you less. I will make up the difference]
If a greenton in the workforce saw this message. They would certainly be overjoyed Lane had a way
with with He wouldn¡¯t make people feel ufattahie e attended and could achieve his goal, slowing
that he had power in thepany and won wealthy privately
But what surprised Corocity was that mem after she had made her rejection of him so clear, which
Austin had surely told him, he was still trying to chat with her privately [Lane will only take what
ingetfully deserve
Even if she really ¡°redetit
[OK, but I was really justi
¨C be kind. I thought youd be hastyl
[Thank you Lane, appreciate it. Also, Lane, could you find out what the surname of thewyer the other
party is sending is? I would like to know in advance. I help our
cooperation
Dorothy was very womed that the person they were sending was leather
Not because she feared her but because now was not the time for direct condonation yet.
Singh, 11 ask for you tomorrow]
He frowned, shut down hisputer, and walked over to the liquor cab to pour himself a ss of
red wine.
After returning to his seat on the couch, he receiveducall.
¡®H, Lane You¡¯re still up thiste?
On the other end of the line was a man¡¯s voice. ¡°Quit pretending. I know you¡¯re back in the country. Are
youing to Eldoma City this time ill show you a good time¡±
hat this time I¡¯m on a tight schedule I only came back to pursue a gil, but she rejected me, I should be
going¡±
Landspeaking and nced at hisputer again, sigting
This was estime he had faced defeat in his part of a woman. Furthermore, she hadjectadan very fly
¡°Oh? Even you got rejected? Introduce her to me Maybe I can sen her ower
That more interesting Im currently fee fum i work at the Lopaz Corporation,e to Everglow City to
find you¡±
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?Chapter 272
"Alright. The scenery here is great. Let''s drink until we drop before I leave."
The voice on the other end of the phone chuckled. "I''m mainly going to see a beauty. You think I''m going to meet you? The woman who could make youe back from abroad must be an exceptional beauty."
An exceptional beauty?
Lane smirked at thisment.
"She''s not the party type."
"A good wife and mother?! Your taste has changed so much!"
"Well, she''s not exactly a homemaker, but when I look at her and her strong, independent demeanor, I feel like she''d make an excellent wife."
"Wife?!
After hearing this, the person on the other side almostughed out loud. "Are you kidding? You''re considering marriage?! Didn''t we agree that no one should get married? Fun is fun, but don''t get emotional, or it ends badly. There''s a bloody example right next to me."
Lane sipped from his wine ss. "Oh? You mean Everett, the CEO of the Lopez Corporation? He just announced his marriage, right?"
"Bingo! You got it! Can you believe that? The CEO of the Lopez Corporation, who could have any woman he wants, is head over heels for just one woman! He gave up the whole forest for a single tree! Lane, don''t follow in his footsteps; stay cool."
"You haven''t met her yet. After spending time with her, I suddenly feel like marriage wouldn''t be so bad."
The man on the other end of the call almost rolled his eyes at him. "Wake up! She''s married! Even if she gets a divorce, she''ll be on her second marriage."
"I don''t care." Lane smiled as his eyes revealed his deep fascination for Dorothy. "My admiration for her is not affected by these things."
"Stop! I''m booking a flight right now! I''ve met the woman who bewitched Everett; now I want to see what the woman who bewitched you looks like."
Dorothy spent one night in the hospital and applied for discharge the next day.
There were piles of work waiting for her at the construction site. How could she just spend all day lying in a hospital bed?
"If you don''t rest for a few more days, Lane will me me." Austin quickly walked over when he saw her at the construction site.
"I''m fine now." Dorothy handed the contract to Austin. "I checked thisst night. There are no problems. If you''re not at ease with the food bidding at the resort, you can ask a professional to take a look. I''ve outlined several key points, and the bidding suggestions are all in the file. Lane has emphasized the food safety issue many times before. We must pay close attention to this and can''t let the resort be involved in any negative news." Austin gave her a thumbs up. "I trust you!"
Dorothy smiled and was about to leave, then suddenly stopped. "Hey, Austin, I heard that the man who hit me has been detained and is awaiting prosecution."
"Yes. That''s what the police said."
"Didn''t I suffer minor injuries?"Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
Otherwise, for such a small injury, it would be at most detention pluspensation. Dorothy did not expect the man to face criminal charges. "They said the specifics could not be disclosed. But it seems like someone above has given an order to severely punish those who hit you." Dorothy frowned. "Did Lane do this? We really shouldn''t be making enemies with these vigers."
Austin shrugged. "It wasn''t Lane. We don''t know who it was. Everglow City is not Lane''s territory, so even if he were to get involved, it would be useless. The person behind this must be quite powerful; otherwise, the locals would have definitely sided with their own vigers."
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Upon seeing the perplexed look on Dorothy¡¯s face, Austin gue bereaning pat on the shoulder. Don¡¯t
overthink it ¡°He said ¡°My beat queen is that the local authonlin ane just worried about their new
development project being affected. The rest is a big deal for Pergow City The project¡¯spromised
because the wigers attacked the project manage, they wouldn¡¯t be happy¡±
Darthy ronded feeling somewhat relieved. ¡°You might be right. You and Lare thouldn¡¯t get
et involved. These villegersbly trying to squeeze out cash a human wouse. We wouldnt want to
escte the situation and expertize the project
¡°You and your projects Aushinchuckled. No wonder your cited so high so fast. In all my years in
busness, I¡¯ve seen plenty of women who used at sorts of tricks to get ahead. But not you. Dorothy
You¡¯ve gotten where you are on your gun ment
Others might not know it, but Ausnidd With Late¡¯s affection for Dorothy, she could have any position the
warned. All shed have to do is ask
Dorothy smiled ¡°Save thosepliments for me you said them in kort af ather women, it might caure
some cardioversy
¡°P¡± Austin spalted Im just telling t
She chuckled and heated neeper into the concinicionate.
The recent project was aplexion that many offerentpares that she had to over From secunde
for food and beverage services tu negotiating contracts for amodations and extentacles, Docathy
was incharge of it also she had a lot on her ce. But she had willingly taken on these tasks in the
hope of earning arger share of the projects profis
¡°Ms. Sanchez here he Pe preliminary designs for some of the leisure facilities The project manager
nanded ter a folder
Doroty scanner the ups, causing her brow to tow try to it the number of these extreme rides. Cur guests
are going to be prople of a certain status. Do you really think they¡¯re going to want to go on a giant aller
coaster
¡°But people at The Tull
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
¡°I think you guys are just seeing dr signs Dorothy said cutting him off I don¡¯t care about increasing
the burken for this department What care about is the n Involved youte willing to take full responsibly
for any potential conspences, then I¡¯m aling to cordident¡®
The project manager immediately waved his hands and chuckled anewards 11 Ma Sancher says st,
Lanjidht tate go against it. I make the necessary ¡°Good¡± Damity rodded and handed hem back the
blueprints bean moving on to inspect other areas of the construction site.
The work was progressing quickly so Dorothy knew she had to keep a close eye on things. The
workers need to know that they could cut adal was watching
The day Few by and it was almost dark when Donathy rally realized she was hungry She decided to
heat back in the hone
Comed dust, she stopped by the bathroom to wash up before the leh. As she entered the overhead a
couple of women gossiping about her
¡°Did you hear that Ms. Sancher is matted with kids? But no one ever seen her husband bet she¡¯s a
maress. That¡¯s why her husband never shows up
¦³¦¯ ¦°¦±¦¸¦³
Ten heard that loc Every time there¡¯s apany event that allows plus ones, she never brings him. But
honestly if looked like her l¡¯u take shortcuts too. There¡¯s no way she got to where she is without yng
dity¡±
Dorothy wasted her hands with an impassive look on her face. She walked over to the bathroom staf
andikrocked
¡°Who is it? This stal¡¯s upied¡±
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As soon as she said her name, Dorothy could sense the sharp intake of breath from the gossipers.
Clearly, they hadn''t expected their high-ranking director to still be at work at this hour and, even more surprisingly, to have overheard their gossip. They had been caught red-handed.
A tense silence filled the air for nearly ten seconds before the door of the bathroom stall slowly creaked open.
They all locked eyes.
Dorothy recognized these two women. They were project ountants assigned to thepany.
"Go on, tell me. Who am I supposedly the mistress of? I''m dying to know."
"Ms. Sanchez, we just heard it from someone else."
Dorothy scoffed and crossed her arms as she stared at them. "Who did you hear it from? Call them out. I want to hold them ountable for spreading rumors."
Both women immediately mmed up.
But Dorothy didn''t really intend to make things difficult for them. She just wanted to shake them up a bit and put a stop to this rumor mill. After all, it was hard enough being a woman in the corporate world. She didn''t want these negative rumors following her around. They were bound to escte if they were not nipped in the bud.
"You were so certain when you were whispering earlier. What happened? You''re women too. Do you understand what your words imply? You''re throwing mud at me for no reason. Don''t tell me you don''t have any shred of evidence."
"Ms. Sanchez, we''re sorry. We were just making idle chat after work. We won''t do it again!"
"Yes, yes, we promise we won''t do it again! You''re so beautiful andpetent. Please be the bigger person and forgive us for our loose lips. Everyone says you''re the kindest!"
The two women were afraid of Dorothy.
Her reputation for strictness was well-known throughout thepany. She was even harsh on herself and was like a drill sergeant to her own subordinates.N?velDrama.Org owns this.
But that wasn''t the point.
The point was that thepany''s top brass all praised her. Although her position wasn''t high-ranking, her words carried weight. If she wanted to fire these two, it would be as easy as pie.
"So, if I don''t forgive you, that means I''m not kind?"
Dorothy shot back.
The two women fell silent again.
Seeing that they''d had enough, Dorothy began, "You''ve probably gossiped about me more than once in private. Tell me, who else has been talking about me? Maybe if I''m in a good mood, I''ll let it slide and not hold you two responsible."
The two women exchanged uneasy nces.
If they spoke up, they risked escting the situation, which would make their lives at work difficult.
If they stayed quiet, they might not be able to get away with it today.
"Don''t worry. I just want to know who''s talking about me. I won''t hold anyone ountable. I just want to know."
Hearing this, one of the women hesitated before finally confessing with a resigned look. "It was Alisa from the nning department who first started the rumors."
"What did she say?"
Seeing that the other woman had spilled the beans, the second one had no choice but to follow suit. "She just said... she spected that... you''re... you''re a mistress for the top brass."
Dorothy''s beautiful eyebrows furrowed. "Anything else?"
"Alisa said she had seen your daughter. She thinks that your daughter is very beautiful and... very much like Everett, the CEO of the Lopez Corporation. She suggested that maybe you are his..."
The sudden mention of Everett made Dorothy''s heart skip a beat.
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Thave nothing to do with him!¡±
The word tumbled out of Dorothy¡¯s mouth almost before she realized it
The two people in front of her startled. They thought they had said something wrong again.
Dorothy stood still, calming herself for a few seconds, before wing her hands del Lets go Don¡¯t blurt out
such things recklessly Wee in a society ofws. If this goes to court you want just lose money but also
your future career prospects.
¡°We understand! We¡¯re sorry! We¡¯re really som
She was tired to say anything else. She just gestured for them to leave.
Hearing these rumors hall drained her of all energy. Even her fingertips were trembling uncontrobly
yeats, she still couldntpletely erase him from her life
Turned out that it was not good to encounter someone too stunning in life. They be unforgettable
Back at her hotel, Karen had just put Abg to bed. Abering Dorothy¡¯s dispirited face she thought
someone must have bothered her again.
¡°Tell me what happened Did they pack on you again?¡±
¡°No Dorthy managed a then ampe as the sat on the edge of the bed while looking
¡°Karen, Take Abigail back tomanow
Karen paused only bully before nodding her head in agreement. ¡°Okay Wer wart for you there ¡°
Karen did not probe further She knew that if Dorothy was saying this, there must be something
bothering her here
Over the years, the only things motivating Dorothy to keep going anything did she would love a friend
Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.
money and her two children. Karm couldnt let anything happen to the people Dorothy cared about. Il
¡°Dont worry Abipal¡¯s a good gri. Il take good care of her. She¡¯s so excited about seeing her brother that
she doesnt even want to sleep at night!
Dorothy chuckled it seemed like only the mention of her children could bring a genuine smile to her
face.
The ne morning, Dorothy arranged for a car to take Karen and Abigail away before heading to the
constructions herself
As she approached the saw Lane¡¯s car parked at the entrance. He had actuallye to the
construction site himself, which was a rare sight
Lane always had an air of prelege about him. Although he was a very approachable leader and never
made things difficult for people, he still despised ces full of dust
and dirt, like construction site.
Dorothy got out of her car and walked into the se
Lane spotted her from a distance Dorothy over here!¡±
He waved enthusiastically at herpletely oblivious to the mention he was drawing. But after what
happenedst night, Dorothy was very conscious of She walked Towards him with steady steps and
greeted him with a respectful and distant ¡°Mr. Lane¡±
Taken aback by her formality. Lane stammered
¡°Mr. Lane, why didn¡¯t you let Austin know you wereing to the site? He could have arranged things
for you¡±
¡°I came to see you. There¡¯s no need for Austin to amange anything¡± Lane squinted his eyes and smiled
Tmleaving the country in a few days and thought for your hard work. So, I minating you to lunch
hould treat you
Dorothy was hesitant to ept his invitation. Just as she was about to decine, Lane quickly added, ¡°I¡¯s
not just us There¡¯s also someone with some clot in the business world thought induce you. Who
knows? You might have a chance to coborate in the future¡±
Lane raised his yebrows mysteriously. ¡°You¡¯ll find out when we get ere. If you¡¯re notfortable, you
can bring Aussin along it¡¯s just a gentlemanly nation. Don¡¯t
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Dorothy pondered for a moment and then grinned lightly. ¡°Let¡¯s bring Austin along. He¡¯s contributed the
most to this project. If you only bring me towork, Austin might get jealous.¡±
Lane chuckled helplessly. ¡°Alright, if you say so. But I¡¯m genuinely curious about how your husband
managed to win you over.¡±
She was bright and tactful, always maintaining a certain distance from people without ever causing any
difort. She was approachable yet somewhat inessible at the same time.
What would one have to do to earn a ce in such a woman¡¯s heart?
Dorothy didn¡¯t respond to his question. After all, that story was too much for even her to think about.
Everglow City Airport.
Once Lane left the construction site, he headed straight to pick someone up.
Perhaps it had been a while since he¡¯d seen his friend, and he was missing him.
As soon as the clock hit the right hour, he saw the man walk out of the airport. He was alone, with no
luggage in sight.
¡°Over here!¡± Lane waved his hand and rushed forward to greet him with a tight hug
¡°Can you tone down the enthusiasm? People might get the wrong idea.¡± The manined, but had
a beaming smile on his face.
Laneughed and patted his shoulder. ¡°You¡¯re still as handsome as ever! You haven¡¯t been breaking
girls¡® hearts back home, have you?¡± ¡°Me? With my workaholic boss? I don¡¯t even have time to go
hunting. It¡¯s a tough life, buddy¡±
¡°You better not tell me you have unsuitable thoughts about my crush?¡±
¡°Judging by your reaction, if I said yes, you¡¯d be ready to put me back on the ne, right?¡± The man
laughed heartily and shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m just curious, that¡¯s all Don¡¯t worry, you couldn¡¯t even make a
move on her, so I¡¯m not going to overestimate my abilities.¡±
Lane sighed when the topic was brought up. ¡°Jeffrey, why couldn¡¯t be the one to meet her first? I
wonder what¡¯s so good about her husband that she¡¯s so devoted to him!¡±
Jeffrey raised an eyebrow. ¡°Have you met her husband?¡±
¡°No, but I can tell she really loves him.¡± Lane and Jeffrey chatted as they walked to the car. ¡°You¡¯ll
understand when you meet her She¡¯s perfect¡±
¡°Alright, alright, I¡¯m looking forward to it. If it doesn¡¯t work out, I think of something for you.¡±
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
¡°I invited her to dinner, but she was on guard, so she insisted on bringing Austin from the project along¡±
Lane had been around a lot of women over the years. He had seen all kinds. Among them were some
who were hard to pursue, but that was just a matter of putting in more effort. So, he always believed
that as long as you worked hard enough, there was no such thing as a woman you
couldn¡¯t have.
But he hit a wall with Dorothy.
She was immune to all his tactics. She didn¡¯t even give him a chance to be alone with her. Even when
Lane tried to offer her benefits through his position, she only epted what she believed she deserved
and returned everything else.
And it was this that made Lane¡¯s heart flutter.
He thought that having a wife like her would provide reassurance. She was immune to temptation and
would faithfully follow her husband.
The car kept going until it finally stopped in front of a hotel.
Just as Jeffrey was about to get out of the car, Lane stopped him and warned him carefully. ¡°She
doesn¡¯t like jokes much, so don¡¯t go overboard.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t worry! I¡¯ve got to make a good impression on your future wife.¡±
Jeffrey waved his hand, smiled as he got out of the car, and looked up.
There was a familiar face he would never forget
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Like a statue, Jeffrey stood stock¨Cstill. His fingers twitched slightly as he vigorously rubbed his eyes.
Was he seeing things?
She was actualy in Everglow City?
But then again, it all made sense. No wonder Everett had changed his mind about so many things after
his brief stay in Everglow City
¡°What are you standing around for? Go say hi Lane, who hadn¡¯t noticed Dorothy, had just gotten out of
the car and saw Jeffrey standing there. frozen
¡°I ran into someone I know.¡± Jeffrey said, pointing towards Dorothy in the distance
Following his gaze, Lane broke into a grin. ¡°You know her?¡±
¡°Yeah, she¡¯s¡
the girl like.¡±
Jeffery was dumbfounded.
¡°Pretty, isn¡¯t she?¡± Lane continued, oblivious to the fact that the man beside him was turning to stone.
¡°But it¡¯s not just her looks that appreciate It¡¯s the way she focuses when she works that really gets me.
What do you think?¡±
Jeffrey¡¯s mouth twitched, and his voice became stra red with tension. ¡°Nothing special¡±Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Nothing special?!¡± Lane immediately questioned Jeffery¡¯s eyes. He tumed to see his friend¡¯s pale and
stunned face What¡¯s wrong with your Suddenly, Jeffrey clutched Lane¡¯s arm ¡°Wait Did you say she¡¯s
mamed?!¡±
¡°Yeah!¡± Lane nodded, surprised by his reaction. ¡®She¡¯s been married since she joined thepany.
Everyone knows. She¡¯s never tried to h
¡°Have you ever met her husband?¡±
¡°No.¡± Lane was even more curious than Jeffrey about what kind of man she was married to. ¡°But you
can tell they¡¯re deeply in love. Their bondis stronger than goid¡±
Stronger than gold?
Jeffrey wished he could record those words and let Everett hear them, so he¡¯d finally give up and agree
to marry Heather.
¡°Lane, you probably don¡¯t stand a chance.¡±
¡°Why?¡±
¡°Because men who are a thousand times better than you have been rejected by her.¡±
Jeffrey had always wondered what kind of woman could resist a man like Lane. He was a rich second
generation her with good looks and marriage intentions. But the moment he saw Dorothy, he knew
Dorothy was indeed a rate woman.
As Dorothy and Austin discussed their project, they walked forward.
Austinughed heartily. ¡°Im just riding your coattails. Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t have such an honor.¡±
¡°If you say so, then I¡¯d better not go I can¡¯t handle the gossip at the office. I¡¯m afraid my husband would
get jealous.¡±
¡°Your husband is lucky to have you!¡±
As Dorothy waved him off and turned around, she found herself looking night at Lane and Jeffrey
Her face changed instantly, and she instinctively turned to leave.
Lane quickly followed her ¡°Whats wrong?¡±
I just remembered that I have something to do at home. I can¡¯t join you for dinner today I¡¯m sorry!¡±
Is theree misunderstanding between you and Jelfiey?¡± Lane wasn¡¯t a fool It was clear that
something was off between Dorothy and Jeffrey. He¡¯s my friend. If he¡¯s offended you in any way, I¡¯ll
have him apologize to you!¡±
As Dorothy began to feel nervous, her hand tightened into a fist Wo it¡¯s not that I realy have something
to do¡±
¡°Lane, let me talk to her alone¡± Before Lane finished speaking, Jeffiny had already stepped in front of
Dorothy as a devious smide yed on his handsome face.
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Before Lane could utter a word, Dorothy tly rejected him.
¡°Jeffrey, there¡¯s nothing I want to diapusa with you.¡±
¡°You¡¯d prefer they hear about your past?¡±
Dorothy¡¯s posture noticeably stiffened. Was Jeffery threatening her?
He guessed that Corothy hadn¡¯t shared her history with Everett with anyone else. He didn¡¯t know why,
but he was sure she had her reasons and that they were enough to make her Isten to him
¡°What are you two taking about?¡± Lane asked as his eyes darted between Dernthy and Jeffrey.
Jeffrey smiled and said, ¡°You might not know this, but Ms Sanchez used to be involved with..¡±
¡°Enough!¡± Dorothy cut him off sharply and tumed her gaze to Jeffrey. ¡°We can talk, but lets go over
there.¡±
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
Jeffrey gave an CK gesture with his hand. ¡°Lane, you go ahead. Don¡¯t worry, Ill make sure shees
for dinner
Lane had no idea what was going on,
He looked at Dorothy. Since she did not protest, he could only nod. ¡°Okay, 111 wait for you..
As he turned and disappeared into the restaurant, Dorothy spoke in a cold voice, ¡°Mr. Turner, recall we
have no quarrel. The Lopez family and Heather wanted me to stay away from Everett, and I did Why
are you here threatening me?¡±
Jeffrey pulled out a pack of cigarettes and it cre. ¡®I¡¯m just wondering how you got involved with Lane
The word ¡®nvolved had a certain implication
It was hard not to think of something negative
Dorothy clenched her fists as her nails dug into her flesh. ¡°My rtionship with him is purely
professional. If you think there¡¯s a problem, he can fire me. If you¡¯re here just to humiliate me, Mr.
Turner, then please get to the point. I have work to do.¡±
Jeffrey took a drag from his cigarette and grinned. ¡°Why would I humnate you? I¡¯m just cuncus. You
had Everett wrapped around your finger and now Lane seems quite taken with you. And yet you marry
some nobody. Is this some kind of game? Dorothy, what¡¯s your real agenda?¡±
He could only assume that Dorothy was back for revenge.
Even though she obediently left Everett behind and didn¡¯t pursue the truth behind her mother¡¯s death,
Jeffrey had a hunch that Dorothy wasn¡¯t so easy to get rid of. She didnt want money or power, so what
was her meal motive? Would she want toe back and redaim everything one day?
¡°So, what are you afraid of? Why are you standing here and questioning me? Instead of answering.
Dorothy threw the question back at him.
Exactly! What was he afraid of? And what were the Lopez family and Heather afraid of?
If they hadn¡¯t done anything wrong, if they were truly innocent, why be afraid of her return?
Jeffrey was speechless. He hadn¡¯t expected Dorothy, after so many years, to have honed her wit and
be deadly sharp.
¡°I know you¡¯re a good friend of Everett¡¯s, and you want him to be with Heather. But all of that has
nothing to do with me now. As for your question, all I can tell you is that my goal is not to get back with
Everett,¡±
Jeffrey¡¯s digarette ash fell to the ground, narrowly missing his hand.
He squinted at the woman standing before him. ¡°Did you know he¡¯s getting marned?¡±
¡°I know¡±
¡°And you don¡¯t care?¡±
Idon¡¯t.¡±
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¡°Heh¡°Jeffrey chuckled softly. ¡°You really are as tough as nails. No wonder Everett was so taken with
you.¡±
Dorothy frowned. ¡°What are you getting at?¡±
Jeffrey shrugged. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to see you again after all these years, so I just thought we could catch
up. There¡¯s no hidden agenda. You don¡¯t need to be so defensive; I¡¯m not like the athers¡±
¡°I don¡¯t have anything to chit¨Cchat about with you Dornily was ready to make her ext.
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
Jeffrey stepped in front of her to block her path. ¡°I thought you might want to ask me about Everett, like
who he¡¯s marrying
He didn¡¯t beleve for a second that Dorothy was curious
¡°Dal need to know?¡± Dorothy asked
Who else would Everett many other than Heather? The Lopez family wouldn¡¯t have it any other way.
After seeing her indifferent expression, Jeffrey felt extremely annoyed. He pulled out his phone and
dialed Everett¡¯s number.
Everett never used to pick up so quickly, probably because he always assumed Jeffrey was up to no
good. This time, however, he answered after only two rings.
Dorothy¡¯s fingers were clenched tightly. It was as if a sharp them had pierced her heart.
¡°Hello? What is it?¡±
Ignoring Everett¡¯s question, Jeffrey put the call on speaker and turned to Dorothy
¡°Well, still got nothing to say? Why don¡¯t you ask him yourself who the bride¨Cto¨Cbe i?¡±
Dorothy fell silent.
¡°Everett, guess who¡¯s standing in front of me right now?¡± Jeffrey teasingly raised an eyebrow at
Dorothy.
Dorothy nced instinctively at the phone screen, feeling ke she could see him through t
Time seemed to stand still. She could even hear her own breathing. It had been so many years.
This was the closest she had been to him. So close that she felt like hiding the wanted to leave
Everglow City right then and there.
A few seconds passed and then Everett¡¯s calm and steady voice with a hint of imitation rang out. ¡°I¡¯m
not interested¡±
¡°Wast, you.. Jeffrey¡¯s surprised response was cut short when the call ended abruptly.
At that moment, Dorothy knew that Everett must have guessed everything. He was so smart, he
probably knew the moment Jeffrey opened his
mouth
It seemed he had nothing to say to her and didn¡¯t want to get involved with her anymore.
Right He hated her; he had said so himself.
Dorothy took a deep breath, trying to appear normal so as not to let her inner turmoil show. ¡°Mr. Turner,
isn¡¯t your curiosity salised yet? Please leave me alone! If you think there¡¯s something between me and
Lane, then I can just resign and leave. After this project, I was nning on leaving the country anyway.
She wanted to get away from this ce where she had to be constantly on guard
She had run into too many people from her past recently, and there were too many people who thought
of Everett when they saw Abigail.
She was living in constant fear,
¡°Who mentioned anything about Lane? I was talking about you and Everett.¡±
¡°There¡¯s even less chance of anything happening between me and him. You saw it yourself. Everest
doesn¡¯t want anything to do with me, and have no intention of getting involved with him either. So, rest
assured, I won¡¯t interfere with his marriage to Heather¡±
Jeffrey paused as his thin lips curled up slightly. ¡°He didn¡¯t marry Heather.¡±
Dorothy was left speechless.
¡°Everett once said he would never marry the person who hurt you¡±
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Dorothy felt like her heart was being squeezed tight as her mind entered a nk te.
Everett didn¡¯t marry Heather?
¡°So how could you just remarry someone else? Dorally, you have such a cold heart, elfroy clicked his
tongue a few times and adopted a sardonic tone. ¡°You yed with Everett¡¯s heart like it was a toy and
now you can easily bewlich Lane. I have to say you¡¯re quite talented.¡± ¡°Are you done yet? Darthy
interrupted him coldly
She didn¡¯t want to hear Everett¡¯s name anymore. I made her heart flutter every time it was mentioned.
¡°I don¡¯t know why you brought all this up today, but let me make it clear i will not have any rtionship
with Everett ever again! You know as well as I do that if I wanted to contact Everett, I have many ways
to do so, none of which you or anyone else could stop. Rest assured. I truly do not want to have
anything to do with him anymore. As for the Lopez family and Heather, as long as they are upright, they
have nothing to fear. They don¡¯t need to worry about me, a nobody. So, you don¡¯t have to waste your
time talking to me. Your sarcasm doesn¡¯t affect me.¡±
¡°You¡¡± Truth be told Jeffrey didn¡¯t know what he was trying to aplish.
On one hand, he was relieved that his good buddy had escaped his suffering by breaking up with this
heartless woman. On the other hand, he felt sorry for Evereti.
Seeing Dorothy able to start her e anew, pick up her career again, and even marry another man made
him angry
Angry at his foolish friend, who still hadn¡¯t gotten over Dorally
Despite Everett¡¯s constant denial, Jeffrey knew better.
¡°My husband and I are very happy now. You can ask Lane about our rtionship.¡± Dorothy thought that
Jeffrey was here to confirm that she would not go after Everett again, so she decided to give him a
definite answer. ¡°Even if Everett stood before me now, I would still choose my husband without
hesitation.¡±
With that, Dorothy turned on her heels and walked away.
She couldn¡¯t keep her promise to pretend like everything was fine and have dinner with Lane. She
would have to apologize to himter.
Behind her, Jeffrey silently took out his phone.
The call duration read: 10.29.
¡°Did you hear all that?¡±
¡°Yeah¡±
Yes, after Everett hung up, Jeffrey had dialed him again without taking the phone out of his pocket or
letting Dorothy see.
Everett didn¡¯t hang up. He simply listened quietly to Dorothy and Jeffery¡¯s conversation.
He heard her refer to some other man as ¡°my husband.¡±
At that moment, Jeffrey regretted his impulsive decision to make Everett hear all that, knowing that
every word Dorothy said was like a knife stabbing into Everett¡¯s heart.
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
¡°Everett, I..¡±
¡°It¡¯s okay. She being happy is all that matters.¡± Everett¡¯s voice didn¡¯t betray any emotion, but Jeffrey
knew he was suppressing his feelings.
For years, a smile had been absent from Everett¡¯s face. And Dorothy was to me.
¡°She¡¯s already marned, the wholepany knows it. Everett, she¡¯s so damn cold? She¡¯s just in
cruel! You should get married too! Marry Heather Why upset your parents over her?¡±
¡°Jeffrey, who I love is my business¡±
Whether she loved him back or not was her choice.
Everett had never wanted to impose his feelings on Dorothy. Neither in the past nor in the present.
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Despite his resources and capabilities, he could have easily manipted Dorothy into staying by his
side. But he didn¡¯t. He couldn¡¯t bear the thought of Dorothy getting hurt. He wanted Dorothy to be
happy. If her happiness couldn¡¯t include him, he¡¯d rather disappear.
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¡°But she¡¯s already hurt you so much! I can¡¯t stand to see it anymore, Everett! Just give me the word,
and I¡¯ll find out who her husband is and let him know who he¡¯s messed with! If that doesn¡¯t work. Il
confront her! make Dorothye back to you, even if it means dragging her back!¡±
¡°No.¡°Everett¡¯s voice finally broke, barely able to conceal his destion Treally love her, but it¡¯s time for
me to let go.¡±
Instead of returning to the construction site, Dorothy went back to her hotel.
Shey down on the bed without even taking off her coat or setting down her purse.
Everett¡¯s voice kept reying in her head.
Truth be told, she missed Everett. She wanted to record his voice and listen to it when she felt like she
was losing control, so she could find some sort of peace.
Like a junkle finding relief in their addiction,
But reality wouldn¡¯t allow it.
There were too manyplications. She had to remind herself to stay away from Everett
Her phone rang abruptly from inside her purse, making Dorothy sit up. Tears fell from her eyes down to
her coat, and only then did she realize that she was crying
After taking a few deep breaths. Dorothy reached for her phone and answered the call.
¡°Hello. Lane.¡±
¡°Why haven¡¯t youe back? Did Jeffrey do something? Tell me! I may be friends with him, but justice
is on my side.¡± Lane sounded anxious. He assumed Jeffrey must have caused some trouble.
Corporation, remember? There was a minor misunderstanding
Lane seemed skeptical ¡°it¡¯s just a minor misunderstanding, then let¡¯s clear it up face¨Cto¨Cface
¡°No, we just talked about the past. We used to work together at the Lopez Corpora
¡°No need I won¡¯t cross paths with him anymore, so there¡¯s no need to clear anything up. Lane, after
this project, I¡¯m leaving the country, I don¡¯t want my past to haunt me anymore.¡± Dorothy paused. ¡°I¡¯m
sorry I couldn¡¯t make it for dinner. I promise I treat you next time. I¡¯m not feeling well today.¡±
There wasn¡¯t much Lane could say to that
¡°Even though I don¡¯t know the details between you and Jeffrey, I know you¡¯re a good person. If there¡¯s
a conflict, it¡¯s definitely Jeffrey¡¯s fault. Don¡¯t worry, at least in my presence, you won¡¯t get hurt.¡±
¡°Lane, that¡¯s a strong statement. My husband wouldn¡¯t like that¡± Dorothy said whileughing lightly. She
didn¡¯t want to embarass Lane, but she also didn¡¯t want him to harbor any illusions.
fit
She didn¡¯t have the energy to entertain anyone¡¯s pursuit, even if it was her caring boss.
Because no one could ever be as good to her as Everett had been.
Absolutely no one
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¡°So, you¡¯re really smitten with your husband, huh?¡± Although Lane tried to pass it off as a joke his voice
betrayed his disappointment.
He knew he¡¯d probably never win the spot in her heart he longed for
¡°Lane, I don¡¯t want any drama in my life. I just want to be an ordinary woman¡±
¡°But does your husband feel the same way about you?¡± Lane persisted. He was unwilling to let it go.
Dorothy hesitated for a long time before finally whispering. ¡°No one could love me more than he does.¡±
¡°Alright, Tunderstand¡±
After hanging up the phone, Dorothy set it aside. She feltpletely drained. All her courage had been
spent on her confrontation with Jeffrey earlier.
Every second of it was incredibly hard to be
She was terrified Jeffrey would detect something amiss and that held realize she was lying
She wouldn¡¯t see Everett again, but she still loved him.
In the restaurant, Lare had been visibly upset srce returning from his call
Jeffrey knew he¡¯d messed up their meeting and could erly try to make up for it by refling Lane¡¯s ss.
¡°Long time no see. Wort you have a drink with me?¡±
Lane lifted his gaze to meet Jeffrey¡¯s as he downed his drink in one go. ¡°Tell me what¡¯s going on
between you and Dorothy. I¡¯ve known her for a long time, and I¡¯ve never seen her so unsettled.¡±
Dorothy was known to be easy¨Cgoing and hardworking at the office. She even often helped new
employees. As a leader, she wasn¡¯t arrogant, and while she wasn¡¯t everyone¡¯s favorite, no one ever
had anything bad to say about her
This was the first time Lane had ever seen her like this.
Jeffrey poured himself another drink and also finished it in one gup. ¡°This one¡¯s on me. I messed up the
dinner¡±
¡°Lasked for the reason!¡±
¡°I really can¡¯t tell you.¡± Jeffrey¡¯s main concem was for Everett.
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
Now that Dorothy had made her stance deat he didn¡¯t want her to have any further twolvement with his
best friend. He hoped they¡¯d have no
Lane opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to ask for rity, but hesitated and stayed lent.
¡°Forget it, I won¡¯t ask anymore. Im just her boss; we¡¯re not even friends outside of work¡± He sighed it¡¯s
pretty pitiful, isn¡¯t it? The one woman who makes my heart flutter is the one woman I can never get.¡±
¡°Has she ever shown any interest in you?¡± Jeffrey arched an eyebrow. He was quite curious about
Dorothy¡¯s charm.
What was it that made Everett and Lane, two elighle bachelors, so captivated by her?
¡°She¡¯s always been professional at work and never crossed any lines. That¡¯s what makes her stand
out, recalled a project that had trouble getting approved by investors. Dorothy decided to camp out in
her office, conducting research and interviews during the day and writing reports at right. All she had to
do was sweet talk the investors, maybe also agree to have dinner with them, and they would¡¯ve
agreed. But she refused, preferring to perfect the project¡¯s documentation to leave them with no
objections.¡±
¡°Then Dorothy is definitely special¡±
¡°Yes, the man who marries her is truly blessed.¡± Lane massaged his temples, locking a bit dejected
Plus, her husband must be pretty handsome, given how beautiful Dorothy¡¯s daughteris.¡±
Wait a minute.
¡°Daughter? Dorothy has a daughter?¡±
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¡°Yeah, she has a daughter. She¡¯s a real cutey Lane turned to Jeffrey. ¡°You didn¡¯t know?
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Jeffrey shot up from his chair. The sudden movement
knocked over his cup, causing it to shatter on the floor
¡°She has a child?! She actually has a child?! Are you sure?!¡± Jeffrey felt his mind go nk. It was as if
he had just been struck by lightning, once and then again.
Could it could it be what he was thinking?
Im sure she does. Now will you spill it? Lane was truly left hanging by Jeffrey¡¯s reaction.
He initially thought that if he introduced Dorothy to Jeffrey, he could possibly offer some advice. But
instead, Jeffrey had caused quite a stir, and he was still in the dark about what was going on.
¡°How old is her daughter, do you know?¡±
¡°I think two years old¡±
Jeffrey¡¯s mouth twitched involuntarily.
Two years old¡
Then it definitely wasn¡¯t Everett¡¯s
They had been separated for four years and hadn¡¯t seen each other since. Jeffrey knew this because
Everett had exhausted every possible channel to hear news about Dorothy but hade up empty
handed
Jeffrey¡¯s energy, which had been so frenzied a moment ago, suddenly drained away as if he were a
balloon that had been pricked.
had bee
¡°Is there something wrong with her being two years old? Spit it out! Are you trying to kill me with
suspense
Jeffrey waved his hand dismissively and took a deep breath. ¡°You know Everett, night?¡±
¡°Of course! Who wouldn¡¯t know the CEO of Lopez Corporation? Don¡¯t tell me
¡°You guessed it.¡± Jeffrey nodded while looking at Lane. ¡°Dorothy is Everett¡¯s ex¨Cgirlfriend, no, ex¨Cwife.¡±
Even though he hated to acknowledge it, Everett and Dorothy had indeed been mamed,
Lane¡¯s eyebrows furrowed. ¡°So why did they get a divorce? Did Mr. Lopez cheat?¡±
¡°No, Dorothy fell out of love! Jeffrey couldn¡¯t help but defend his best friend. ¡°Everett gave up
everything for her, even his own parents! But Dorothy just said she felt too much pressure being with
him and left.¡±
Lane didn¡¯t respond to that. In his eyes, Dorothy didnt seem like the kind of person who would do such
a thing
She was so dedicated to her work and was not the type to back down when faced with challenges. She
should be the same in rtionships
As for the pressure, she was a staff member with no background who had struggled her way up to her
current position based on her capabilities. The pressure must have been immense. What other
pressure could be greater than that at work?
Unless it came from other ¡°pressures.¡±
¡°Mr. Lopez¡¯s parents didn¡¯t approve of them, did they?¡±
¡°Exactly¡± Jeffrey nodded ¡°Dorothy didn¡¯t have a good background, she basically had nothing. The
Lopez family would never agree. They probably thought she was a gold digger¡±
Lane guessed as much
This was amon urrence in high society.
Every couple who wanted to break the ss barrier and be together would face this problem.
Especially for a family as wealthy as the Lopez¡¯s, I was not surprising that they looked down on
Dorothy
¡°Dorothy is not the kind of person to sacrifice love for money.¡±
¡°I know that too¡± Jeffrey understood the different viewpoints and positions in this matter, but he and felt
that Dorothy had been too ruthless.
¡°So, why were you so surprised when you heard Dorothy has a daughter? Lane finally realized the
significance of this
¡°They were married before, so I thought Dorothy¡¯s daughter.¡±
¡°Dorothy¡¯s daughter is Everett¡¯s?¡±
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Lane was dumbstruck the moment he said this.
Others might not know, but Lane sure did. He¡¯d seen Dorothy¡¯s daughter, and she indeed looked a lot
like Everett
In that instant, he could even confirm it
Dorothy¡¯s daughter was Everett¡¯s
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Luckily, Jeffrey didn¡¯t notice Lane¡¯s reaction, and he just nodded to himself, letting out ang sigh of
relief. ¡°But thank goodness they¡¯ve been separated for over four years and that her kids only two It
can¡¯t be Everett¡¯s¡±
Jellery still fet like something was wrong with this whole scenario.
¡°Hey, do you have a picture of Dorothy¡¯s daughter?¡± After he asked, he noticed that I ane seemed a bit
distracted, so he waved his hand in front of him. ¡°What are you thinking about?¡±
Lane gave him an awkward smile. ¡°Ah nothing, just some work stuff! What were you saying?¡±
¡°Do you have a picture of Dorothy¡¯s daughter?wart to see her
Lane¡¯s handsome face paused for a moment, then he shook his head stiffly. ¡°No, her Twitter and
Instagram are all work stuff.¡±
¡°Oh, never mind then. Im not that curious about what her daughter looks like, as long as she¡¯s not
Everetts. Let¡¯s get back to our drinks, tum the page on this one and pretend you never knew.¡± Jeffrey
gged down a waiter to change ther sses. He could now finally eat and drink with a weight lifted
ofths shoulders
Lane, after a long silence, managed to conjure a smile again. ¡°Yes, let¡¯s turn the page! Are you
nning on telling Mr. Lopez about this when you get back to Odomia City?¡±
¡°What? That I ran into Dorothy? He already knows
¡°But he doesn¡¯t know about her having a daughter, does he?
Jeffrey waved him off. ¡°Nape. I just found out right now. I haven¡¯t had the chance to tell h
Lane chuckled as he refilled Jeffrey¡¯s ss think you shouldn¡¯t tell him. Forly upset Mr. Lopez more,
night? They¡¯ve been divorced for four years, and Doretry¡¯s already remarried and had a daughter. What
good would it do to tell him about this? It just make him upset all over again,¡±
¡°You don¡¯t get it My buddy doesn¡¯t know when to quit. He might say he¡¯s given up, but I know he hasn¡¯t.
He¡¯s still hung up on Dorothy, and I need him to get over herpletely¡±
Lane shook his head. ¡°That¡¯s exactly why you
why you shoudnitel him! I can tell Mr. Lopez still has a thing for Dorothy, but he¡¯s too stubborn to admit
it. Don¡¯t tell him. In time, hell forget her. What he needs now is to hear less of Dorothy¡±
Jeffrey raised an eyebrow. ¡°Really?¡±
¡°Absolutely! There¡¯s a saying, isn¡¯t there? Time heals al wounds¡±
¡°Hmm¡ makes sense. 111 pretend I don¡¯t know anything, and I won¡¯t mention Dorothy when I get
back. She doesn¡¯t seem interested in getting back with him anyway¡±
Lane nodded and felt pleased to see that the topic was settled. He then quickly changed the subject.
¡°Come on, let¡¯s eat. This is a local delicacy in Everglow City. Try HI¡±
¡°Sure, it¡¯s good. Very tasty.¡±
Jeffrey just thought that Lane was being very hospitable and didn¡¯t give it another thought
He had no idea that Lane, who had been downcast just moments ago, was suddenly exhrated.
Lane¡¯s thin lips couldn¡¯t stop curling up. Because he had found Dorothy¡¯s biggest secret, and with this,
how could Dorothy refuse him?
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Meanwhile, at the Eldoma City Airport.
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
An international flight had justnded.
A woman, dragging her suitcase, emerged from the terminal. She stood at the entrance of the airport,
removing the oversized sunsses from her face
After looking up at the blue sky and white clouds, her lips curled into a slight smile.
¡°Eldarria City, I¡¯m back!¡±
It had been years since Heatherst set foot on this ground. She had given Everett space to heal from
his heartbreak with Dorothy. She avoided upsetting him and stayed out of his sight as much as
possible, only to find out he was getting married.
And she was not the bride¨Cto¨Cbe.
How could that be?
If she could separate Everett and Dorothy four years ago, then she could defeat any woman trying to
steal Everett from her now.
Heather refused to believe that all the effort she put into Everett would not win him over
After a moment¡¯s pause at the entrance, she pulled out her phone and dialed Jeffrey¡¯s number. ¡°I¡¯m
back¡±
¡°Back where? Home?¡±
¡°Eldoria City ¡°Heatherughed. ¡°Everett didn¡¯t even tell me about his wedding. That¡¯s not cool. I have to
rush back to see his bride.¡±
There was silence from Jeffrey on the other end of the line before he finally spoke. ¡°Stop beating
around the bush, you¡¯re here to steal him back, aren¡¯t you?¡±
Heather didn¡¯t feel embarrassed after being called out
She hailed a cab outside the airport and slid into the backseat. ¡°Shouldn¡¯te? If his fianc¨¦e isn¡¯t
epted by the Lopez family or by his parents, then the marriage is mald¡±
¡°Cant you see? Everett doesn¡¯t like you. You should just give up.¡±
¡°Would you give up a project you¡¯ve spent your whole life nning?¡± Heather¡¯s tone was heavy, she
then followed it up with a coldugh. ¡°Of course. I don¡¯t expect you to understand. Just tell me who the
new woman in Everett¡¯s life is. What¡¯s her name? ill find out the rest myself.¡±
Im not in Eldoria City, and I don¡¯t know He¡¯s kept this one very hidden, so I can¡¯t help you.¡±
Heather¡¯s eyebrows furrowed, and her posture straightened. ¡°I don¡¯t believe you don¡¯t know?
¡°Beleve it or not, that¡¯s your problem. Why don¡¯t you ask Everett? You guys never consulted me when
yo
n you were scheming against Dorothy. I¡¯m worried that if Everett knew the truth. I can¡¯t even imagine
the consequences. I won¡¯t get involved now.¡±
Understanding his meaning, Heather let out a sigh of mocking resignation. ¡°What are you afraid of?
Even if he knew, it was his parents who did it. What does it have to do with you? I won¡¯t tell him
anything You and him are good buddies, which gives you more reason to understand that him marrying
me is the best choice for the Lopez Corporation! I can sacrifice everything for him. No one loves him
more than I do!¡±
¡°That¡¯s only if Everett himself is willing¡±
¡°Never mind it doesnt matter if you don¡¯t help me. Anyway, I¡¯m already here.¡± Heather¡¯s lips twisted into
a smirk. ¡°He was so in love with Dorothy back them and was ready to give up everything for her, but
they still broke up. You can hide from me, but I find out in the end. This is me giving you a chance to
pick sides¡±
Jeffreyughed oddly from the other end. ¡°Then you go ahead and find out. Take your time.¡±
His response aroused suspicion in Heather. If he was saying this, it meant things were not as simple as
they seemed.
¡°It cant be¡ Dorothy is back, is she?¡±
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¡°Stop it! It¡¯s not her fault!¡± Jeffrey urged. ¡°You¡¯ve already caused the death of her mother How could you
have the heart to do that?¡±
He didn¡¯t approve of Everett and Dorothy¡¯s rtionship either. Because he thought Everett was being
irrational and his emotions were impeding his career. But he never thought of forcing Dorothy away
from him in such a devious, lethal way.
¡°We didn¡¯t harm her mother. Her mother¡¯s emotional instability led to her illness and death.¡±
¡°We both know what really happened We have been friends for many years, and I haven¡¯t told Everett
about this. I kept this a secret for you, but that¡¯s all I can do for you. Don¡¯t expect to use me anymore.¡±
Then Jeffrey hung up.
Heather stared at the now dark screen with her eyebrows furrowed in deep thought.
Something was off.
Jeffrey¡¯s reaction was clearly protective of Dorothy. They had met overseas before, but Jeffrey hadn¡¯t
shown any favoritism towards Dorothy at that time. Now, however, he was constantly warning Heather
to leave Dorothy alone.
This could only mean that Dorothy had reappeared.
Something must have happened between them again.
¡°Dorothy. Why won¡¯t you just disappear?!¡±
The next morning. Dorothy went straight from the hotel to the construction site.
She was surprised to see Lane talking to Austin from afar.
She thought she had made it clear to Lane that she wouldn¡¯t consider him, so he should have left the
country. Why was he still here?
Austin was the first to notice Dorothy. He waved cheerfuly at her then walked over with Lane
¡°If you¡¯re not feeling well, you don¡¯t have toe to the construction site. It¡¯s dusty here. It¡¯s not a
ce for ady.¡± Austin¡¯s attitude towards Dorothy had be more and more respectful, all thanks to
whatever Lane had told him.
He was obsequious, ttering, and overly respectful
Not at all the way a supervisor should behave towards an employee.
¡°There are many things here that need supervision and finalization. I¡¯m strict about the details, and I
worry that they might cuters when I¡¯m
not around.¡±
¡°I¡¯m here too, so you can just tell me.¡± Austin quickly added, ¡°Oh, I just remembered I have something
else to do. You two chat, I¡¯ll leave first.¡±
He didn¡¯t was for Dorothy to respond and tunned to leave, as if someone were chasing him
Once Austin left, only Dorothy and Lane were left. An awkward atmosphere hung between them
¡°Um. I should go too.¡±
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¡°You don¡¯t really have a husband, do you?¡± Lane asked.
Dorothy was speechless
Dorothy didn¡¯t expect Lane to say that outright.
She was taken aback and just stood there staring at him.
¡°You made up the husband because you didn¡¯t want to be pursued ¡°Lane continued.
¡°You¡¯re overthinking Not only do I have a husband, but I also have a daughter. Surely you don¡¯t think I
made that up too?¡±
Lane smiled as his thin lips curled up.
¡°You do have a daughter, but she¡¯s not two years old, right?¡±
¡°What do you know?¡±
¡°Jeffrey told me everything about you and Me Lopez Lane¡¯s gaze met her frantic eyes. ¡°Including your
manage history¡±
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Being a divorcee, the news of Dorothy¡¯s pregnancy and the birth of her daughter seemed like a natural
progression of events.
In truth, the moment Lane discovered the connection between Dorothy and Everett, he didn¡¯t need any
further proof.
The uncanny resemnce between father and daughter was so obvious that only a fool would fail to
see it.
Dorothy felt like her knees were about to buckle. She could put on a brave face at any time to appear
strong and invincible, but not when it came to her children
She couldn¡¯t let the Lopez family know about her daughter, let alone her son.
¡°What are you trying to achieve by telling me all this?¡± Dorothy¡¯s eyes turned sharp and vignt. She
looked at Lane as though he was a potential
threat.
Lane raised his hands in surrender, signaling her to calm down. ¡°Don¡¯t jump to conclusions just yet.
Yesterday, I had a long chat with Jeffrey. He even asked me for a picture of your daughter, and I told
him I didn¡¯t have one.¡±
¡°You have a picture of my daughter?¡±
Lane shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t have one on me, but if I wanted one, I could just check the security cameras at
the Dreamscape Hotel couldn¡¯t I?¡±
Dorothy was at a loss for words.
¡°But I didn¡¯t do that. I even managed to curb Jeffrey¡¯s curiosity and convince him not to tell Everett
about your child.¡± Lane tried to soothe her growing anxiety. ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry anymore. You
should know by now that I¡¯m on your side¡±
Dorothy knew he was probably telling the truth. Otherwise, with Jeffrey¡¯s temperament, he would ve
confronted her by now
Everett might have even reached Everglow City by this time.
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
¡°So, you¡¯re pressing me for confirmation? Is that it?¡± Something told her there was more to this than
just curiosity or a simple interest in helping her.
¡°Somewhat.¡± Lane admitted with a smallugh. ¡°When I found out about all this, I was actually quite
thrilled. I thought you were so in love with your husband that I wouldn¡¯t stand a chance. But now that I
know it¡¯s all a fabrication, I see a window of opportunity to pursue you.¡±
Dorothy pressed her lips together and spoke in a stern tone, ¡°I won¡¯t ept anyone¡¯s pursuit, Lane. I¡¯m
telling you this straight so that you won¡¯t waste your time on me.¡±
you¡¯re worth the effort.¡±
¡°But whether it¡¯s a waste of time or not is for me to decide. I believe yo
¡°Lane, I can tell you the oue right now.¡±
Lane smirkedzily. ¡°No one can predict the future, not even you.¡±
¡°You don¡¯t want to tell Everett about your child. There must be a reason, and I¡¯m guessing it¡¯s because
there¡¯s an irreconcble issue between the two of you. As long as that issue exists, you two are off the
table, which means I still have a chance.¡°Lane cut her off as he leaned closer to her. ¡°Don¡¯t rush to
reject me. I can keep your secret, and I promise that I will treat your daughter like she is mine. Everett
will never find out.¡±
He sounded like he was making a promise, but it felt more like a threat
Being a businessman, he knew how to manipte a situation to his advantage, especially when he had
the upper hand
Dorothy had known Lane for some time now. Though they didn¡¯t have a lot of personal interaction, she
knew his tactics. He might look like a rich, carefree yboy who spent his days partying and
asionally running his business, but the truth was, Lane had a firm grip on hispany¡¯s
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He was well aware of thepany¡¯s recent projects and their profits. Hed consistently find ways to
retain talented employees and was always approachable in conversation.
His penchant for fun was just a facade. It was designed to disarm people and put them at ease.
For a woman like Dorothy, a man of his caliber was someone she couldn¡¯t get too close to. She knew
that her limited abilities and cunning were
no match for him.
¡°Lane, I think you only see me as good because y
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you don¡¯t fully know me.¡± Dorothy said, managing to keep her emotions in check, She shed him a
polite smile and subtly put some distance between them. ¡°Jeffrey must have told you something about
Everett and me. I wonder if he
mentioned that it was me who ended things with Everett. I asked for the divorce because I fell for
another man¡±
¡°He did mention that you fell for someone else.¡± Lane said, cutting her off before she could continue.
¡°But I don¡¯t believe him¡±
He was confident in his judgment of character. He had been observing Dorothy for some time,
otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have pursued her especially knowing she was married. People in business do
not fall for others easily.
¡°The truth is what it is, whether you believe it or not. You can ask Everett if you want.¡±
¡°I won¡¯t ask him. Your past is your past.¡± Lane said while spreading his hands as a gesture of
sumender. Realizing the conversation was leading them nowhere, he softened his tone. ¡°I think you¡¯ve
misunderstood me. I don¡¯t mean to threaten you or force you to be with me. I just want you to give me a
chance.¡±
Dorothy remained silent.
? Who
¡°Just one chance; if it doesn¡¯t work out, I won¡¯t force you. You¡¯re single, and I¡¯m single, so why are you
so adamant about rejecting me? 1 knows? You might even end up liking me
Lane¡¯s plea was humble, to say the least. Dorothy knew that if she rejected him harshly, she might
provoke him.
People from high society always care about saving dignity. Embarrassing them could lead to
uncontroble situations.
Moreover, she feared that Lane might tell Jeffrey about their conversation.
That would be beyond her control
¡°Lane, I¡¯ve got a lot on my te with the ongoing projects. Let¡¯s do this once I¡¯m less tied up with work.
I¡¯ll give you my decision then. Is that okay?¡±
Lane made an ¡®OK gesture with his hand. ¡°Sure, Im willing to wat
Finally, she managed to get rid of him
Dorothy felt as if she¡¯d just fought a war.
The situation was spiraling out of control, and she needed to think carefully about her next move. She
didn¡¯t want to be caught off guard when the next crisis hit.
Seeing Dorothy finally relent felt like a small victory to Lane.
He drove to the hotel where Jeffrey was staying. The guy had drunk too muchst night and was still in
bed.
Upon seeing Lane, hezily got up as he rubbed his eyes in his bathrobe. ¡°You¡¯ve really improved your
tolerance. We drank the same amountst night, yet here you are, bright and early, as if nothing
happened¡±
¡°Well, happy asions tend to boost one¡¯s spints¡±
¡°Hmm?¡±
¡°Nothing You¡¯re a guest here, so I thought I shoulde and see you. I¡¯ve just ordered breakfast. It be
here soon. Why don¡¯t you freshen up?¡±
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Jeffrey nodded. His eyes were still blurry from his hangover, and it was apanied by a trild
headache.
Lane watched him shuffle into the bathroom to freshen up; all the while, his gaze flickered to Jelfmy¡¯s
cell phone lying on the table.
There were several missed calls from Heather
Speaking of Heather. Lane knew her well. She had made quite a name for herself in the business
world. She also fought teeth and nal for the Lopez Corporation.
He also knew about Heather¡¯s fondness for Everett,
Lane hesitated for a moment, then went over to effrey¡¯s contact Ist, found Heather¡¯s number, and made
a note of it
¡°I¡¯m nning on leaving tomorrow. I¡¯ve already booked my fight ¡°Jeffrey suddenly emerged from the
bathroom while toweling off his face Lane was taken aback, but luckily Jeffrey didn¡¯t notice him fiddling
with his phone.
¡°You¡¯re not staying a bit longer?¡±
¡°Nah, there¡¯s a lot o
t going on at thepany Everett, that workaholic freak, took on a few big projects, and there are
some overseas inspections. I need to get back to help
Lane raised an eyebrow. He¡¯s going abroad too?
¡®I don¡¯t know, but Kevin and him went off to some ce¡± Jeffrey paused and looked at Lane What about
you? Aren¡¯t you leaving?¡± Jeffrey assumed that since Dorothy had rejected him and Lane knew about
Dorothy and Everett, he would give up.
¡°Well I¡¯m not leaving for now ¡°Lane¡¯s lips curved upwards. Im very invested in the Everglon City project
I n to stay until itspleted¡±
¡°It¡¯s just a resort project. Why are you so keen on it?¡± Jeffrey frowned as he looked suspiciously at him.
¡°You still haven¡¯t given up on Dorothy, have you? She¡¯s not worth it Even Everett, who treated her like a
queen, couldn¡¯t win her over In front of Dorothy, Everett evenprem sed his principles You stand no
chancel¡±
Lane shrugged nonchntly. ¡°We¡¯ll see. Maybe ill outdo Everett.¡±
¡°You can¡¯t! Everett almost broke ties with the Lopez family for her, and he¡¯s been infatuated with her for
years. Do you have that kind of persistence?¡±
¡°I do¡± Lane was more interested in a woman that even Everett couldn¡¯t get.
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
Everyone in the business world knew about Everett¡¯s power. It was unparalleled. Yet he couldn¡¯t win
over Dorothy.
What if he Lane, married Dorothy and became the stepfather to her daughter? Wouldn¡¯t that be a
victory?
This was his one chance to triumph over Everett.
Jeffrey waved a dismissive hand. ¡°Whatever I don¡¯t see what¡¯s so great about Dorcity. She has you and
Everett wrapped around her tile finger. Is it because she¡¯s beautiful? Aren¡¯t there plenty of beautiful
women around you twe?¡±
¡°There are, but they¡¯re not Dorothy.¡±
¡°You¡¯re hopeless.¡± Jeffrey rolled his eyes. ¡°Good luck then! But if you do end up with Dorothy. I¡¯m afraid
I won¡¯t be able to attend your wedding.¡±
He didn¡¯t want to witness Dorothy marrying someone else, and if Everett found out, it would be hard to
exin.
¡°Thanks for your well wishes.¡±
¡°Ha! You¡¯re actually serious?!¡± Jeffrey snorted and tossed his towel at Lane. ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid of
crossing Everett? You¡¯re both in the business world, and he¡¯s the investor in your project¡±
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To put it bluntly, the Lopez Corporation wielded such a significant influence in the business world that
cklisting apany like Lane¡¯s would be a piece of cake.
¡°Surely Mr. Lopez isn¡¯t the type of man who can¡¯t handle losing, right?¡±
¡°Actually, he really can¡¯t stand losing Dorothy¡±
On the fourth attempt to reach Jeffrey over the phone, he still didn¡¯t pick up. Heather finally had to
ept the bitter truth that she was short of a right¨Chand man
Without Jeffrey as her inside man around Everett, things would indeed be more troublesome.
While sitting on the sofa in her hotel room, Heather meticulously contemted where to start
investigating Everett¡¯s sudden marriage announcement Even his parents didn¡¯t know who the bride¨Cto¨C
be was. If she couldn¡¯t squeeze any useful information out of Jeffrey, then she would have to rely on
her own efforts
Suddenly the cellphone, ced aside, started ringing.
Barefoot, Heather walked over, and, upon seeing that it was Maxton calling, she furrowed her brows in
annoyance but had to answer it nheless.
¡®Dad¡±
heard from your mom that you¡¯re back. Where are you? I¡¯d like to see you
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Tm swamped with work, Dad. I don¡¯t have much time I reach out when Im free
With that, Heather was about to hang up, but Maxton beat her to it. ¡°Aht I was just thinking of setting up
a meeting between you and Dorothy You two are sisters, after all You¡¯re bound by blood. Her mom is
dead, and in this world, all she has left is me, her father, and you her sister. My health hasn¡¯t been the
best ofte. I¡¯m getting old, so who knows when I might be gone? I want you two to settle your past
grievances. Don¡¯t let the issues of our generation affect you.¡±
¡°Dad, do you two keep in touch?¡± ¨C
¡°She wants nothing to do with me. But I¡¯ve been to her mom¡¯s grave and managed to get her current
phone number.¡±
Heather¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Quick¡± Tell me her number!¡±
Afraid that Maxton might suspect something, she quickly added in a soft tone. ¡°Dad, you¡¯re night. We
sisters should get along well. Although she took Everett from me and made me furious, we¡¯re still
sisters. I¡¯m thinking we should mend our rtionship.¡±
¡°Hmm. Dorothy is as stubborn as her mom, and I didnt like her for that. But I¡¯ve been doing some
thinking. She is my flesh and blood. She bears the Sanchez family name, so I have to acknowledge her
as my daughter¡±
¡°Dad, don¡¯t worry. I can forgive her for her past actions.¡±
Maxton suddenly added, ¡°By the way, your mom and I have already gotten our marriage license. When
you have time, change yourst name to Sanchez It¡¯s your moms wish¡±
Heather¡¯s lips twitched, and she hesitantly forced a smile. 18 do it when I have time¡±
In her memory, Heather hated it when her ssmates and friends asked her why she and her mother
shared the samest name while her father didn¡¯t. She didn¡¯t have an answer,
How she wished as a child that she could share her father¡¯sst name, just like other kids. But Maxton
couldn¡¯t give her that. He¡¯d just tell her mother to put up with it a while longer, saying that Be would
soon be gone.
And that while turned into decades
Now he wanted her to change it, but she no longer cared.
Did Maxton think that Heather knew nothing of his little scheme? He just thought that she could marry
into the Lopez family, and once she had power, he could use it to his advantage.
Humph
All of them were just self¨Cserving.
After hanging up, Maxton sent Dorothy¡¯s phone number.
Heather chuckled
it seemed that Lady Luck was on her side after all. She provided her with a lead so swiftly.
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Although Heather was unsure whether Everett had reconnected with Dorothy, she knew all too well the
sway Dorothy had over him.
She hoped that whoever was by Everett¡¯s side was anyone but Dorothy
Any other woman would be easier to deal with than Dorothy. It wasn¡¯t that Dorothy was particrly
talented or powerful, but rather that Everett was deeply invested in and in love with her.
Heather was certain that Everett would never pour as much time and effort into another woman in his
lifetime. So, as long as it was not Dorothy she was not concerned.
After ncing at her wristwatch, she realized it was about time for her to leave.
Heather changed into a sharply tailored business suit that entuated her aura ofpetence and
authority. She was ready to return to Florria City and the Lopez Corporation. She had to assert her
power and make it clear who the real winner was
Inside the Lopez Corporation¡¯s boardroom, Everett was engrossed in a project update from the
investment department manager. His brow would furrow from me to time, signaling his dissatisfaction,
which his assistant would promptly note.
Dressed in a custom tailored ck suit, he sat silently in the chair of honor listening to the report. His
silence caused a wave of fear among the team. They were scared of making any mistakes that might
upset the CEO.
¡°Knock, knock,¡±
The sudden sound of knocking disrupted the stence in the boardroom.
¡°Come in Everet: uttered his first words of the day.
The door swung open, revealing Kevin
He walked straight over to Everett, leaned down, and whispered. Your father has appointed Heather as
the chief legal counsel of the Lopez Corporation. The HR department just received the notice, and
Heather will be here to take up her post in half an hour.¡±
Everest¡¯s handsome face turned grim
He knew his parents wouldn¡¯t sit idle. They were bound to make a move.
Tell HR to ignore it. Business as usual.
¡°What about, Heathers office?
The office of the chief legal counsel was independent. Since Heather¡¯s resignation, their legal affairs
had been handed over to otherwyers, and the office had been handed over as well.
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
in an awkward position.
Now that Heather was parachuting back in as the chief legal counsel, the existing head of the legal
department would be in a
¡°Without HR¡¯s signature, she is not an employer of the Lopez Corporation Everett didn¡¯t hesitate for a
moment when he said this. He was simply stating
fact
Kevin immediately nodded understand.¡±
After he left, the meeting resumed
It wasnt until the report was over that Everett coldly said, ¡®Is this the best due diligence you can do for
the project? You can¡¯t even give me a precise revenue rate. Do you expect me to do the due diligence
for your project?¡±
¡°Mr. Lopez, give us some time. We will surely.¡±
¡°This project is suspended indefinitely.¡± Everett didn¡¯t Isten to his exnation. He stood up and said.
¡°Meeting adjourned.¡±
The manager in charge of the project was stunned. He tried to catch up with Everett
¡°Mr. Lopez, Mr. Lopez, hear me out! The meeting was too sudden this time. I have already sent people
to do the due diligence. The precise data will be avable soon it will be urate.¡±
Normally, Everett would ignore such pleas.
But this time, he paused, looked the project manager up and down, and said in a low voice, ¡°There are
countless projects vying for investment from the Lopez Corporation every day. I don¡¯t have time to give
this project a second chance.¡±
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¡°Mr. Lopez..
¡°Same to you.¡±
Ipetent people have no ce at the Lopez Corporation.
Everett made his way to the elevator. As soon as he reached his office floor, he saw his assistant trying
to stop someone.
From the figure¡¯s back, he knew exactly who it was.
¡°Mr. Lopez.¡± Upon seeing Everett, the assistant quickly bowed his head in respect
Upon hearing this, Heather quickly turned around. Her heels clicked loudly against the floor as she
approached Everett. ¡°What is this about? Your father asked me toe back and help the Lopez
Corporation and yet I don¡¯t even have an office?¡±
¡°Joining the Lopez Corporation requires approval from the HR department. If they approve, you¡¯ll
naturally have a ce.¡± Everett didn¡¯t stop walking and headed straight towards his office.
¡°Everett really was your father Jonathan who asked me toe back and help you. You can call and
confirm it ¡°Heather quickly chimed in.
1 don¡¯t have time.¡±
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Heather didn¡¯t expect to face such rejection upon her return Jeffrey wasn¡¯t answering his phone, and
Everett simply refused to acknowledge her. As he was about to enter his office, Heather quickly used
he hand to block the door.
¡°Hold on! Everett, we¡¯ve been friends since childhood. Are you really going to be this cold hearted to
me?¡± She hadn¡¯t seen Everett in a while
In fact, thest time they saw each other was when Dorothy was still around. To avoid any
misunderstandings, she had been staying overseas with Everett¡¯s parents and had no private contact
with him. However, as soon as they met, he was still as cold as ever.
Everett finaly looked at her, but he still couldn¡¯t care less about her ¡°Move¡±
Heather was getting anxious. She never imagined that their reunion would put her in such an awkward
position. It was Dorothy who fell out of love and asked for a divorce; you can¡¯t me this on me!
Clearly, upon mentioning the name Dorothy Everett¡¯s eyebrows twitched slightly
But it was just a moment before he resumed his aloof demeanor.
¡°Move¡± He coldly demanded again.
¡°Everett, aren¡¯t you already married? Look, I didnt stop anything. I just want toe back and help the
Lopez Corporation. I have no other intentions Jonathan sad that the legal department made two major
mistakesst year that led to us breaching our project contracts. West a lot, right? cont want to see
the legal department of the loper Corporation, which I built from scratch, ruined by those idiots!¡±
In terms of pure professional capability, indeed, very few people couldpare to Heather
She had always managed the legal department of the Lopez Corporation, and there had never been
any issues.
Everett at least had to admit that.
But that didn¡¯t mean he was willing to ept Heather¡¯s sudden return
Suddenly, Everett¡¯s phone rang
He frowned and nced at it. It was a call from his father
¡°Are you giving Heather a hard time again? Everett, there¡¯s almic to your antics. Do you want me to
investigate where Dorothy is now?¡®
¡°Dont touch her.¡® Everett¡¯s voice instantly turned cold.
1 don¡¯t want to ether.¡±
Everett clenched his fist, and, after a long pause, he said, Tel Kevin to arrange an office for Heather.¡±
Heather, who was standing by heard this, and her lips twitched. She wasn¡¯t happy.
Although she had temporarily gained Everett¡¯spromise, she knew that it was due to Dorothy.
As she watched Everett leave, Heather blurted out, ¡°Everett, have you reconciled with Dorothy? Is she
the one you married?¡±
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¡°It¡¯s none of your business¡± Again, he spoke to her coldly.
Heather could never understand Everett What did sheck? When it came to her feelings for him and
her contributions to the Lopez Corporation, how was she any less than Dorothy?!
He was supposed to be hers!
In his office, Everett had just sat down when Kevin messaged him that everything was arranged.
He opened hisptop and quickly scanned the documents on the screen. His gaze uncontrobly fell
on the report from the branch office about the Everglow City¡¯s Resort project.
Had the project entered its second phase already?
How was her injury healing?
Had Keh been visiting her in the hospital?
As he thought about this, a self¨Cmocking smirk appeared on Everett¡¯s thin lips. He felt unbearably
pathetic, more so than he had when he was trying to win Dorothy over.
What was even more humiliating was that he was simultaneously taking out his phone and dialing
Jeffrey¡¯s number.
After a few rings, Jeffery picked up What¡¯s up? Can¡¯t handle thepany on your own?
Everett rubbed his forehead in frustration. It seemed like the words he wanted to say got stuck in his
throat
From the other end of the line, the sounds of an airport announcement could be heard.
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
¡°You¡¯re leaving Everglow City?¡±
¡°Yeah, there¡¯s not much left to do here I need to get back to help you out at thepany
Everett drummed his fingertips on his desk. He remained silent until Jeffrey thought he had hung up.
Then he finally spoke in a low voices Dorothy¡ Is she healed?¡±
¡°Oh, so that¡¯s what you wanted to ask!¡± Jeffrey eximed, ¡°She¡¯s doing great! She¡¯s swimming through
thepany like a fish in water. Many male superiors are relentlessly chasing her, just like you. It
seems more than a few are pouring their hearts out for her. Anyone wanting to care for her would have
to get in line.¡±
¡°Jeffrey, I¡¯m being serious.¡±
¡°And I¡¯m answering seriously Dorothy¡¯s injury is healed, and she¡¯s back on the project. She¡¯s thriving in
her career and swimming happily in love. Not only has she married, but in the second year after your
divorce, she..¡±
Jeffrey¡¯s statement hang in the ar
He suddenly remembered what Lane had said to him, which made a lot of sense
Since he knew how much his good friend, Everett, cared about Dorothy, he realized that if he found out
that she had not only married in a hurry but also had a daughter, his mental state would definitely take
a hit.
So why bother telling him?
¡°And then what?¡±
¡°And then she forgot about you? Jeffrey sighed as he gave him advice. ¡°Everett, you¡¯re so outstanding
that the line of women wanting to chase you could reach all the way to France. Let go of Dorothy. You
heard it yourself, she openly dered her love for her husband. You can¡¯t possibly want to be the
homewrecker, right?¡±
Everett was silent. He didn¡¯t utter a single word. He hung up after nearly a minute.
Jeffrey didn¡¯t need to tell him this. He had already repeated it to himself countless times. But it seemed
not to work.
Suddenly, the ringing of a phone broke the silence in the office.
Everett nced at his phone instinctively, realizing it wasn¡¯t his that was ringing, but another one.
He lit up the screen, revealing an unread message on WhatsApp.
It was a message from Dorothy.
[Hello, sir, I¡¯m the owner of the car that you bumped into in Everglow City. My car has been repaired,
and I¡¯ve refunded the remaining money to you. Here¡¯s a photo of the receipt)
Along with it, a picture of her holding the receipt was attached.
This must be her personal WhatsApp. Everett could see the wound on Dorothy¡¯s finger when he
zoomed into the picture.
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At this moment, Everett felt as if someone had abruptly squeezed his heart. He felt a mix of
nervousness, excitement, and, more than anything, a sense of overwhelming confusion.
Yes, the president of the all¨Cpowerful Lopez Corporation, at this moment, felt as helpless as a
schoolboy who had unexpectedly received a message from his crush.
in four years, this was the first time he had received a message from Dorothy
He had totally forgotten that he had purchased the chauffeur¡¯s WhatsApp.
[Hello?
After not receiving a reply, Dorothy sent another message.
Snapping back to reality, Everett¡¯s slender fingers promptly began to type I¡¯m here
Perhaps realizing that his response was a bit too characteristic of his usual style and fearing that
Dorothy might recognize him, he added a smiley emoji. When he saw the typing¡± notification, Everett
decided to wait He gave was intensely focused on the screen
Soon, a transfer retification came through
This is the remaining money. Could you check if it¡¯s night?)
Everett didn¡¯t care about the money. Without ever check rg, he responded, [right]
[Alright then. (Smiley face))
[Okay]
Everett had never needed to learn how to continue a conversation because others always made an
effort to chat with him. He didn¡¯t need to acquire that skill.
So he just waited for her to say something else. But after a while. Dorothy didn¡¯t reply.
Frowning, he tried sending another emoji, but this time he found that Dorothy had deleted him from her
WhatsApp.
She deleted him?! Just like that?
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
Everett¡¯s handsome face stiffened as he stated at the screen.
It was the same scenario from years ago when he woke up the morning after their first night together
and tried to message her, only to be greeted by her deleting him. Now, yearster, the same thing
happened.
Dorothy hadn¡¯t changed a bit..
Everett hescaled for a moment before, as it possessed, he sent a friend request.
Dorothy epted almost instantly and then send a message.
Hello, is there anything else?
He stared at the screen for a while beforeing up with ame excuse. Ji need the original copy of
this receipt; is that okay?
[Of course! Where in Everglow City are you?ll bring it to you
Despite the inconvenience caused by their car ident, Darathy felt that the driver had been very
sincere in his apology andpensation. She didn¡¯t hold a grudge. As for deleting his contact, she
didnt think they would need to keep in touch.
She didn¡¯t like keeping strangers on her phone
Everett thought for a while before replying. [I¡¯m not in Everglow City at the mument, is it okay if I
contact you when I return!]
After nearly a minute, Dorothy hadn¡¯t replied.
Fearing he might be deleted again, he quickly sent another message.
Don¡¯t delete me yet.]
Ms. Sanchez?)
Dorothy still didn¡¯t reply, so Everett casually opened her Twitter.
It was filed with promotional posts about herpany¡¯s projects. She was clearly passionate about her
career. He had to scroll way down to find a non¨Cwork¨Crted picture.
He saw a child¡¯s hand.
It looked soft and chubby, so it was probably a girfu, judging by the star stickers on the nals as well.
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Everett remembered Kevin mentioning that Karen had a baby girl. He guessed that the Uny hand in the
photo belonged to her.
It made sense, especially considering Karen and Dorothy were closer than blood sisters. It was only
natural for Dorothy to share photos of Karen¡¯s
daughter
Like a man possessed, Everett scrolled down and clicked on every understand more about her life in
the past four years.
picture. H
He even
clicked on those rted to her work, as it, by doing so, he could
It was clear that Dorothy was busy with work. Her Twitter feed was minimal, and personal updates were
even scarcer
He exited the app, only to see that Dorothy had replied to his message.
Okay, 111 cooperate as much as I can]
Everett stared at the message for a moment before he quickly dialed Kevin¡¯s number.
The driver helped me in Everglow City, are you able to get in touch with him?¡±
1 can try. Let me find his number, and I¡¯ll get back to you¡± Kevin didn¡¯t fully understand what he meant,
but he would do as asked.
A minute after hanging up, Kevin called back. ¡°Mr. Lopez, I managed to contact the driver, but he¡¯s not
in Everglow City anymore. He¡¯s out of town. If you need a driver, I can find you another one!
Kevin assumed Mr. Lopez was nning another trip to Everglow City
Everett frowned. Tell him to return to Everglow City in three days and stay put¡±
¡°Alright. Would you like me to book a flight for you to Everglow City in three days?¡±
¡°I¡¯m not going¡±
Kevin was a bit confused.
¡°Give me the driver¡¯s number. I talk to him¡±
Kevin hesitated before agreeing. ¡°Alright¡±
He had no idea why a random driver in Everglow City would be given the opportunity to speak directly
to Mr. Loper. What could they possibly have to discuss?
Kewn sent the number on and Everett dialed it immediately.
The driver picked up quickly. ¡°Hello?¡±
There was a hint of an Everglow City ent in his voice.
¡°This is Everett.¡±
The driver was taken aback but quickly responded, ¡°Mr. Lopez, I remember. Is there a problem?¡±
Tll have someone contact you to record a voice changer system¡± Everett paused. Five million dors.
I¡¯ll have it sent to you immediately
Five million dors?
That was more money than most people would ever see in their lifetime.
The driver was taken aback by his generous offer. With so many scams these days, he couldn¡¯t help
but be suspicious.
¡°Do you need it for something specific?¡±
¡°You don¡¯t need to know¡±
Everett frowned ¡°What do you have that you¡¯re afraid of being scammed?¡±
¡°Well, nothing really I just wanted to know what the purpose of the recording would be¡±
*Do you remember the car I asked you to hit? I want to talk to the owner myself.¡±
The driver caught on quickly. ¡°You don¡¯t want to use your own voice?¡±
¡®Confect
1 understand! Il cooperate fully
After hanging up, Everett instructed Kevin to get started
rangement right away
Everything was set. He nced at the phone of his desk, which still disyed the conversation with
DorothyN?velDrama.Org owns this.
His Ips lightened. Everett felt like he was betraying fansell.
Was this what it meant to give up?
His steadfast nature, which had never wavered over the years, was crumbling
y situation that had something to do with Dorothy
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Everett rubbed his temples, trying toince himself that it was merely curiosity that had him worried.
Or maybe he was just concerned about her injuries. After all, she was hurt while working on the project,
and as the CEO, it was only natural for him to check up on her.
Yes, that was i
Dorothy nced at her phone to make sure the driver hadn¡¯t messaged hack before putting it away and
focusing on the meeting
She had casually deleted his contact earlier, thinking that they would probably never cross paths again
after she left Everglow City. But then he sent her another friend request.
This made Dorothy quite ufortable.
It was as if she were caught red handed doing something wrong
She hadn¡¯t thought much about it. She just didn¡¯t like having strangers on her WhatsApp contact list
and she assumed that the driver wouldn¡¯t need to contact her again.
¡°Ms. Sanchez, is there anything else you¡¯d like to add?¡± Austin suddenly changed the topic.
Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.
Dorothy quickly gave him a small smile, then presented the PowerPoint she had stayed upte to
prepare ¡°At our current construction site. I think there are some potential safety issues that we need to
pay more attention to. I have already discussed this with the person in charge of the amusement
facilities, and now we need to focus on the main building. I hope we can increase the frequency of
facility inspections and strictly enforce the use of hard hats.¡±
¡®Absolutely! You¡¯re absolutely night! I was at the construction site yesterday and saw two people not
weaning hard hats, if something were to happen. who would be held responsible? Who would take the
me for the negative impact on the project?¡± Austin immediately agreed. ¡°1 meant to bring this up
earlier but I forgot. Good thing Ms. Sanchez reminded us.¡±
Everything he said was dripping with ttery
And everyone could hear it.
But when the boss spoke like that, the employees couldn¡¯t help but nod along. ¡°Understood! Ms.
Sanchez is looking out for us. We should be grateful¡±
Dorothy furrowed her eyebrows. She wanted to say something, but she didn¡¯t know what to say.
After the meeting she didn¡¯t leave right away, instead, she asked Austin to stay. ¡°Austin, can I speak
with you for a moment?¡±
¡°What¡¯s up? Did we miss something earlier?¡±
¡°No.¡± Dorothy warted until everyone else had left. ¡°For this project, you¡¯re the project manager, and I¡¯m
just here to assist. I hope you won¡¯t be too concerned about me in the future. I¡¯m worried it might cause
some unnecessary misunderstandings¡±
Austinughed while waving his hand dismissively. ¡°You¡¯re overthinking things. We¡¯re all here to work
for thepany. Yes, I¡¯m in charge, but Lane handpicked you! We¡¯re supposed to help each other, so
naturally, I care about your opinions.¡±
¡°That¡¯s not what I meant!¡±
understand! I try to be more mindful in front of others. Don¡¯t worry Austin was called away before he
could finish ha sentence.
Dorothy could only sigh and massage her temples. She felt a headacheing on
She didn¡¯t have to think hard to know that Austin wasn¡¯t respecting her. He was respecting his boss,
Lane.
But there was no chance of anything happening between her and
Dorothy, dressed in her high heels, returned to her makeshift office on the construction site. The office
was rather simple and was mainly used for handling minor tasks.
On normal days, it was manageable. But on windy days, the dust from the construction site would blow
over and cover the ss windows, so she couldn¡¯t see the outside. That¡¯s why she usually worked from
her hotel room.
It had been a while since she had been in this office.
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Dorothy was startled when she opened the door to her office. She found an extra desk that wasrl there
before.
An office deck?
Was someone supposed to share this space with her? No one had mentioned it
Just as Dorothy was about to turn around and ask Austin, she saw Lane striding towards her with a
spring in his step.
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
¡°Meeting¡¯s over?¡±
¡°Mmm¨Chmm Dorothy couldn¡¯t avoid him now, so she just nodded with a smile
Lane dangled a takeout box in front of her. Hey, I drove for an hour to get this for you Have you eater
yet? This food is a specialty in Everglow City¡± I¡¯m okay. I grab something back at the hotel once I frish
up here. I¡¯m not hungry right now.¡±
¡°You¡¯re still on quard even when ites to food? Lane wirked as he feigned burt on his handsome
face ¡°Are you afraid I¡¯ve added something to it? Here, take the first bite¡±
Dorallye a cornered duck and had no choice but to wave her hand in embarrassment. ¡°No, I¡¯m really
not hungry. I take it and eat itter at the
hotel¡±
She knew if she didnt ept it, Lane would keep talking and talking.
To save time, Dorothy epted it with a smile
That¡¯s better ¡°With that, Lane walked straight into Deralty¡¯s office and sat behind the new desk. From
now on be working here too. Austin mentioned that there are some contracts that need signing. It¡¯s not
convenient to take them back to the hotel, so I just sign them here! Dorothy was speechless.
Lane was sharing an office with her?!
Wait, why would someone of Lane¡¯s standing need anctice in a subsidiary project like this?
His intentions were as clear as day
¡°By the way, you¡¯re heading to Haverbrook City next week for a project
Without waiting for her protest, Lane dropped another bombshell
Dorothy was stunned 1 n to leave the country after this project. I¡¯m not taking on the next project
¡°Even if you¡¯re going abroad, money still needs to be made, right? Lane raised an eyebrow and spread
his hands. 1 really cant help it. I can¡¯t find anyone in thepany who I believe can satisfy me with
their due diligence. You¡¯re the only person who can do it. So, for this project, you just need to head
over to Havelock Cty, do some due diligence, write a report for me, and that¡¯s it add your name to the
project¡±
if this were before, Dorothy would definitely agree
Having her name on another project would bring many benefits
But¡
1 don¡¯t want to go to Havenbrook City¡±
¡°Do you have some bad memories there?¡± Lane knew she was from Haverbrook City, which was why
he sent her there. But her response made him guess the reason. In that case, you can.¡±
¡°Never mind, I go. Ill bring my two assistants. Dorothy suddenly changed her mind. ¡°Tim familiar with
Havenbrook City, and it¡¯s just due diligence anyway Send me the details of the project¡±
She felt suffocated by the recent events in Everglow Ct, Maybe a change of scenery would help. Also,
the conditions Lane offered were too good to refuse. Who didn¡¯t like money?
Another reason was that she thought she should retum to Haverbrook City before leaving the country.
To see the ces where she had lived, worked, and studied
She had no idea when she would return next.
Lane shed her an OK sign. His narrow and bright almond¨Cshaped eyes were showering Dorothy with
affection. ¡°I have to meet with some eklers in the family for the next few days, so I can¡¯t apany you
to Havenbrook City Be careful and call me right away if anything happens, okay?¡±
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There it was. That tone.
He talked as if he were looking out for his girlfriend
A smirk crossed Dorothy¡¯s lips as a chuckle escaped her. ¡°Thanks for the concern, boss.
His silence was deafening.
If he could blur the lines between work and their personal lives, she could certainly remind him of their
rtionship status
Night fell
Dorothy came back to the hotel, took a shower, video¨Ccalled her daughter, and then finally opened her
laptop to work
Lane had already sent over the new project¡¯s detalls, and she nced over the information. The due
diligence on this project shouldn¡¯t be too challenging. but they¡¯d need to focus on the partner
company¡¯s certification
Usually, in this agro¨Cindustrial processing sector, some corners were cut when it came to product
certification and dealings with the Bureau of Industry and Commerce. But unless it was something too
ludicrous, it shouldnt cause major problems. Her team had to thoroughly investigate all potential risks
when conducting their due diligence to avoid any unpleasant surprises after the contract was signed
Before opening the detailed information, she picked up her phone to order a cup of coffee
Suddenly, something came to mind, and she quickly opened WhatsApp to search for a conversation
Hello, be leaving Everglow City next week. Would you have time to pick up the original receipt before I
leave? Or I could leave it somewhere for you.] She¡¯d already deleted him once, so it was the least she
could do to help him with the invoice. She felt that it was her duty
By the time Dorothy had ced her coffee order, he had replied.
Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.
Where are you going?
Dorothy paused. Her fingertips hesitantly hovered over the screen before replying.
I¡¯m going to Haverbrook City I¡¯m not sure when I¡¯ll be back]
So, you¡¯reing back to Everglow City, night?)
Yes, I still have work here. But it might be a while. Do you need the receipt urgently?]
No rush. I¡¯ll wait for you
were curt, as if he
As she looked at the messages, she couldn¡¯t reconcile this person with the middle¨Caged taxi driver
who¡¯d bumped into her. His replies w were not a man of many words, yet he responded rtively
quickly
If she didn¡¯t know he was a taxi driver, she might have mistaken him for someone else. His responses
were always full stops, as if he were issuing
He texted like every extra word cast him money
Dorothy pulled a face and tapped her forehead
Why was she thinking of him while texting a driver? She must be going crazy
She didn¡¯t know if Jeffrey had said something he shouldn¡¯t have to Everett or how Everett would react
A trace of mncholy flickered in Dorothy¡¯s eyes
But she quickly hid her emotions. She opened the document and began to pore over it, noting down
every important point.
Right now, she didn¡¯t have time to dwell on these things. She had to focus on her work. She had made
her decision four years ago, so these matters didn¡¯t warrant further time or thought.
She quickly booked a fight to Haverbrook City and informed her two assistants to directly fly there
instead of wasting timeing to Everglow City.
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to tie up all loose ends at work
Before she left, she had to tie up
She always finshed what the started.
Dorothy had been hunched over her desk for hours. When she finally lifted her head, it was already two
in the morning.
Her neck felt stiff from the strain, and she decided it was time for a break.
Absentmindedly, she picked up her phone and saw a message from the driver in case she lost his
contact information, she left a note for him in WhatsApp
[Headed to Havenbrook City for work?)
Although Dorothy was puzzled by the question, she still replied (Yes, I¡¯m going to Havenbrook City for a
business trip]
Only after she sent her reply did she realize thete hour. It was well past midnight, and the driver,
given his age, was likely fast asleep.
After stretching her stiff limbs, Dorothy returned to herputer and was surprised to see a WhatsApp
message from the driver.
She checked the time. It was hall past two in the morning.
Oh, safe travels |
A rueful smile appeared on her face. His message warmed her heart
The way she and the driver had met might not have been ideal, but he seemed like a good person. The
unexpected kindness from a stranger was a refreshing experience
Thank you! I update you when I¡¯m back]
She set down her phone and took a deep breath
Given thete hour, it seemed impossible to finish her work tonight. Tomorrow, she had a meeting and
contracts to renew Plus, Lane had mentioned that the investors would be sending overwyers. She
needed to be alert and on her toes. She didn¡¯t want to look like she had just woken up. That wouldn¡¯t
leave a good impression.
On the other end, Everett stood by the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling window in his dark robe, rereading the message
on his phone
Had their conversation ended just like that?
Why did it always feel like he was the one ending their exchanges?
He was about to type a message but stopped himself,
In waste. He was certain that Dorothy was probably going to sleep
Everett set down his phone and took out a bottle of wine from the cab. His sleep quality had been
deteriorating, and he needed the slight butto help hem fall askep
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Just as he was pouring the wine, his phone began to ring. At this hour, the call could only be from his
patents.
He picked up his phone after filling his ss. Mom¡±
¡°Did I hear that you¡¯re giving Heather a hard time at thepany?¡±
Everett frowned. ¡°If the Lopez Corporation starts to ept people without due process, it will set a bad
precedent¡±
¡°Others are others, Heather is Heather She has done so much for the Lopez Corporation, everyone
knows that it would only be normal if she were parachuted into the legal department or even the board!¡±
Amanda¡¯s tone was dripping with indignation it was as if she were more of a mother to Heather than to
him ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s about setting a precedent, is it? If it were Dorothy parachuting in, I bet you would
be apuding!¡±
The mention of Dorothy made Everett¡¯s heart skip a beat.
Her name held such power over him that merely hearing it made him react
¡°What does Dorothy have to do with this?¡±
¡°Then tell me who you are marrying in the announcement you made. You didn¡¯t even discuss it with
your parents! You just went ahead and announced your marriage like it was nothing! Did you think
about thepany?! I¡¯m asking Heather to go back and take charge, so she can help your
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Everett massaged his temples as his eyes revealed a deep sense of imetion.
The announcement of my engagement hasn¡¯t affected thepany¡±
Amanda¡¯s voice rase in pitch. ¡°Hasn¡¯t affected? Shareholders have been calling to inquire about the
future Mrs. CED. Do you think they¡¯re just curious?¡± For a corporation asrge as Lopez Corp., any
addition had to be scrutinized if there was any scandal or any hint of dirt that could be dug up, it could
impact the steck market.
The said it hasn¡¯t had an impact.¡±
Then tell me who she is and let me investigate. I wont rest easy otherwise
1¡¯m the acting CFC of thepany. If I say it¡¯s fire then it¡¯s fine. If you and Dad are worried, you can
strip me of my title.¡±
Amanda was seeling. ¡°You.¡±
¡°So, I¡¯m a CEO who can¡¯t even decide onping persorne? Maybe I shouldn¡¯t be in this position¡±
¡°You would sfice your CEO postion for a woman?¡± Amanda paused and called. 1 bet its Corally No
one else could make you lose your sense like
Everett didn¡¯t rebuke her Instead, his lips curled into a mocking smile.
¡°So, you knew.¡±
She knew that Dorothy could make him lose his senses.
Amanda fell sient
¡°She¡¯s remarried and living happily. Don¡¯t disturb her.¡± Everett a voice was calm, but then was an
absolute threat in his tone. 1 don¡¯t want to argue with you¡±
It was best not to cross his line.
¡°You¡¯re really losing & for Dorothy?¡±
Tve lived my life by the book in both school and work, I never strayed from the path save for Dorothy
She was his only exception
Dorothy slept soundly that night, only to be woken by her rm clock in the early morning.
After lounging in bed for a while, she got up to freshen up.
Just as she was about to leave her phone rang.
It was Lane.
Tm downstairs at the entrance of the Dreamscape Hotel. I give you a lift to work.¡±
¡°There¡¯s no need. I can manage by myself. Her car was food so she could die herself to work
She had been nning to keep her distance from Lane. There was no way she was getting into his car
¡°Look at you overthinking again. I wanted to discuss a few things about your trip to Havenbrook City.
Our partners there can be a bit difficult. Cur previous dealings weren¡¯t very pleasant. I thought I should
prepare you, since you¡¯re ady and al.¡±
¡°Let¡¯s discuss it at the office. There¡¯s no rushN?velDrama.Org owns this.
I¡¯m already downstairs at your hotel. Are you going to reject me like this? That would really hurt my
feelings¡±
This was Lane¡¯s usual tactic. He¡¯d always justify his actions with work, and if that didn¡¯t work, hed quit
her into it.
After all, Dorothy was working under him. She had to respect her superior¡¯s face
Timing down.
Even though Dorothy wasing downstairs, she had no intention of getting into his car.
She knew better than to give people something to gossip about.
Employees were already spreading rumore about then when they barely had my personal interactions,
s? imagine what they would say if they saw her and Lane together
She didn¡¯t want to waste her precious time exning things
Dorothy descended the stairs with her bag, spotting Lane¡¯s car from a distance.
He was leaning against his car, dressed in white casual attire. A pair of sunsses adomed his
handsome face, allracting quite a few onlookers There was no doubt that Lane was strikingly
handsome.
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His captivating hazel eyes would be en
enough to charm any woman.
Add to that his impressive lineage and work ethic, and he would have no trouble finding a gend if he
weren¡¯t such a yboy. Dorothy dismissed him as a man with too much time on his hands who was
just looking to amuse himself.
For men, the more you ignore them, the more they try to get your attention.
¡°Over here¡± Lane spotted her and waved as he removed his sunsses
After taking a deep breath, Dorothy navigated the distance in her heels. Why so early? I figured I
wouldn¡¯t see you until noon¡±
¡°sn¡¯t it customary to make an effort when pursuing someone? I was afraid you leave for work without
me.¡±
With that, he handed her a breakfast bagel that he bought from a nearby dek
His actions made it seem as if he were genuinely interested in her.
Dorothy didn¡¯t take it and kept a healthy distance between them. ¡°You¡¯re making me ufortable,
Lane. I liked how things were between us now. I don¡¯t want to change it¡±
¡°But you said you¡¯d give me a chance to prove myself isn¡¯t this my chance?¡±
¡± don¡¯t usually eat breakfast. I prefer to wait until lunch.¡±
She preferred the breakfast made by a certam someone who would cook for her in the mornings.
¡°Oh, well, now I know.¡± Lane¡¯s eyes shed with disappointment, but he kept smiling. Let¡¯s not waste it.
I¡¯ll give it to Austin Let¡¯s get going¡±
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
Dorothy pointed to her car parked nearby. TEdrive myself. See you at the office
Wh
She didn¡¯t give Lane a chance to negotiate. Instead, she returned to her car and drove off
Caught off guard, Lane could only sigh.
When did closing a gul be so difficult?¡±
In the past, he was the one being pursued, and he couldn¡¯t care less. Now, the tables had turned.
It was about time he got a taste of his own medicine
Upon arriving at the office, Dorothy gathered her files and headed to meet Austin
She had already exined everything in dead at thest meeting, now she just had to supervise. But
this was also important.
¡°Send more people to the construction site, preferably experienced ones. They have the skills and
experience Dorothy was worried about the project getting tainted by any idents
Especially on suchrge construction sites, one or two casuales were, sadly, the norm. But Dorothy
wanted to minimize any risks as much as possible. Austin sighed and threw his hands up in
resignation, ¡°You¡¯re not often on site, so you don¡¯t know. Sometimes it¡¯s not the workers who want to
risk their lives, but there¡¯s a timeline to respect. It¡¯s unrealistic to expect everything to be perfect.¡±
¡°Is there anything more important than a human life?¡±
¡°All we can do is remind the workers to be careful and wear their hard hats. The rest is up to them. Ms.
Sanchez, even if there is an ident, it¡¯s just a matter ofpensation. It wont affect the project¡±
Dorothy didn¡¯t like this viewpoint
Yes, money was important, but human life was imeceable
¡°No I think we can prevent this if we take precautions in advance. Let¡¯s extend the deadline¡±
Austin was about to respond when Lane suddenly appeared and interjected. ¡°Extending the deadline
means pushing everything back. This project isn¡¯t just ours. There are investors and local government
support. It¡¯s not that simple.¡±
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Dorothyed her gaze to him as her brow furrowed slightly
She wasn¡¯t ignorant of the logic he was trying to convey, but the thought of deaths at the construction
site was something she couldn¡¯t bear
And did you know that several of the workers are willing to die on site?¡±
Dorothy was taken aback. She found such a statement absurd
Lane shrugged with a small smile. He gestured for Austin to leave, indicating that he wanted a word
with Dorothy. ¡°If they die on the job, thepany pays out a hefty sum. It¡¯s an amount they may never
earn in a lifetime of hardbor, Our construction site¡¯spensation rate is much higher than that of
otherpanies. I¡¯ve even insured the project, so dont feel over it¡±
sn¡¯t that just your personal perspective?¡±
It was unimaginable that anyone would want to die.
¡°There are many people in the world whomit suicide. Are they all a result of my perspective?¡±
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Dorothy struggled to find a response
Lane chuckled. ¡°I know you¡¯re kind hearted and want every worker toe to work safely happily take
their pay and return home. But everyone¡¯s situation is different. I¡¯ve done my best for them, Dorothy Im
a businessman¡±
A businessman¡¯s priority is profit.
¡°I understand¡±
¡°So then ¡±
¡°But I don¡¯t agree.¡± Dorothy finished speaking and turned to leave.
Lane quickly stopped het, eager to exin, ¡°See, there have been no casualties on the site, right? I
promise to assignmore supervisors to the site and rece their safety helmets with new ones.¡±
¡°Lane, I hope you¡¯re making these decisions out of genuine concern for your workers, not to impress
me
1swear, I dont want any negative publicity either¡± Lane raised his hand, as if taking an oath.
Dorothy sighed deeply and settled for thispromise
After returning to her office, she sat down and switched on herputer.
A nce at her phone revealed an unread message on WhatsApp.
Morning
was the driver.
If he had added ¡°E¡® at the end, the almost would¡¯ve thought it was Everett messaging her.
Morning, what¡¯s up?]
(Sorry about the car ident. I¡¯ve arranged for some gifts to be sent to you. I hope you¡¯ll ept them
Dorothy raised an eyebrow
The driver seemed quite well¨Coff, How else could be arrange for others to buy gifts on his behalf?
Thats not necessary. The ident wasn¡¯t a big deal, and the car¡¯s been fully repaired. You don¡¯t need
to feel bad]
No sooner had she replied to his message than an unknown number called her
After picking up, in turned out to be from a local delivery service.
Ms. Sanchez, right? Someone¡¯s sent some items for you. Where should I deliver them?¡±
With no other choice, Dorothy nyed her location to the delivery person.
After hanging up, she messaged the driver. [You¡¯re too kind Now I¡¯m the one feeling awkward |
(It¡¯s my apology Thope you¡¯ll ept it]
Meanwhile, in the office of the president of Lopez Corporation.
Everett looked at the day¡¯s conversations on his phone as a subtle unde yed on his lips.
Heid asked Kevin for advice on how to keep a conversation going, and Kevin suggested finding
common interests, discussing shared topics, or simply sending gifts. Out of politeness, the recipient
would generally respond with more conversation
Everett had chosen the simplest and most disici approach
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After all, he was just a ¡°driver¡±What could he possibly have inmon with Dorothy? the tiled in force a
conversation, given Dorothy¡¯s personality, he¡¯d probably be deleted in no time.
She didn¡¯t take kindly le sudden intrusion.
Everett knew this all too wel.
He was al too aware of how quickly Dorothy could cut someone off.
¡°Knock, knock¡±
The sudden sound of kracking echoed from outside his office
Everett¡¯s gaze finally shifted from his phone ¡®Come in¡±
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The door creaked open to rewal Kevin
¡°Mr. Lopez, I am heading to Everglow City¡±
Should he also book a flight for Everett? Of course. Kevin didi dare ask that outright
¡°Hmm.¡± Everett simply hummed inresponse, and then his attention returned to the documents on his
desk
Upon seeing his reaction, Kevin assumed that Everett was eat nning to apany lum to Everglow
City so he set down the project proposal he was holding and turned to leave.
Just as he was about to reach the door. Everett called out to him
¡®Book me a fight for next Monday¡±
To Everglow Cr?
Everen locked up at him and furrowed his brows. To Haverbrook Cry¡±
¡°Huh?¡±
Kevin was finding increasingly difficult to understand Mr. Lopez.
After exiting the office he took the elevator up to the fifteenth foor, where he ran into Heather Heather
was dressed in a sleek dress, and her high heels added to her morous burs
Upon seeing Kevin, she offered him a small sm
¡°Hello.¡±
¡°Hmm.¡± Heather didnt seem interested in making conversation and merely stund in front of him.
Just as Kevin was about to breathe a sigh of reled, the elevator emptied until only the two of them were
left.
He didn¡¯t particrly want to be alone with Heather in a confined space, mainly because he feared she
would ask him about Mr. Lopez. Se, Kevin stepped forward, intending to get off at the next floor and
take the stairs.
Before his hand could reach the elevator button, Heather¡¯s voice cut through the silence.
¡°Are you nervous, Kevin?¡±
¡°Nervous? Why would I be nervous?¡±
¡°You¡¯re afred I ask who Everett¡¯s bride is, right? Heathe turned her face towards him as her red ips
curled into a smirk. Don¡¯t worry, that¡¯s not what want to know!
Kevin shrugged, indicating he did not understand her meaning.
¡°I want to know if Everett has been in touch with Dorothy again Heather¡¯s eyes bore into Kevins face.
She couldn¡¯t miss any small charge in his expression.
¡°I wouldn¡¯t know anything about Mr. Lopez¡¯s personalrs.¡± Kevin, a seasoned worker, wasn¡¯t about to
get caught in her trap
A simple I dont know could dismiss any question.
If Mr. Lopez wanted to tell Heather, she wouldnt need to ask him.
if Mr. Lopez didnt want to tell Heather, and he did, would there be a ce for him at the Lopez
Corporation anymore?
¡°You¡¯ve been will: Everett the longest, and you¡¯re his most trusted assistant. So, you should know how
deeply Dorothy hurt him. He can marry someone else I wont stop him, but nol Dorothy¡®
Heather¡¯s repeated insistence that she was acting in Everett¡¯s best interest could easily too, the
ininformed.
But not Kevin
He was a witness to Heather¡¯s scheme against Dorothy
¡°Mr. Lopez has been very busy with worktely. He probably doesn¡¯t have time to think about these
things Heather, you came to the Lopez Corporation because we have too many projects and needed
your help, right?¡±
Sewing that she was geting anywhere, Heather grew frustrated. ¡°Kesin, I know you¡¯re on Dorothys side
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Kevin chuckled. His demeanor was cool and collected. ¡°Heather I work for Mr. Lopez.¡±
As for whether he was on Dorothy¡¯s side, that depended on Mr. Leper, if Doenthy was Mr. Lopez¡¯s
confidante, then by default, he was also on Dorothy¡¯s
team.
But as for Heather, she sure as hell wasnt going to be part of Mr Lopez¡¯s chicle
Heather¡¯s brows frowed Her return had been a whirlwind of ufortable experiences, andcing
Kevin was the icing on the cake.
¡°You¡¯re so certan that Everett will never marry me?¡± She challenged him ¡°Amanda already sees me as
her daughter¨Cinw, Kevin. You should start thinking about your future Don¡¯t be shortsighted, you
might regret
Kevin pretended to carefully consider her suggestion. He even nodded in agreement. ¡°Thank you for
the advice, Heather¡±
Heather didn¡¯t know how to reply to that
¡°Do you need anything else? I have to rush back to the office to deliver documents to Mr Lopez¡±
Once work was on the table. Heather couldn¡¯t keep him any longer. After all, causing a dy in his
professional duties would be a major issue
Heather¡¯s lips tailched. Fine, Kevin, you¡¯ve got guts.
¡°Thank you for thepliment.¡±
The elevator stopped, the doors slid open, and Keve carly stepped out without even a backward nce
For now, thepany was still Mr. Loper¡¯s, not Heather¡¯s;
If the day ever came that Heather took over, he could always resign and move on
He had years of experience as a CFOs assistant, al homed at the Lopez Corporation. Manypanies
would be eager to pay top cor for his capensise. He wouldn¡¯t be jobless.
There was no chance of him ever working with Heather.
In Everglow City
Dorothy had just about wrapped up her work before heading to Haverbrook City
She wasn¡¯t sure how long it would take toplete the project there, so she¡¯d been puling al¨Cnighters
making thorough preparations and ns the entire time Especially since Lane had warned her about
how cunning the other party could be ready to exploit any oversight that could potentially
eopardize thepany
The night before her inp, she video called Abigai, then trans kiired some money to Karen
Karen was already doing her a huge favor by looking after her child; the least she could do was cover
the expenses.
¡°Do we realy need to keep such a clear distinction between us? Karen questioned
¡°You know I¡¯ve always been like this. Don¡¯t make it difficult for me
With a sigh, Karen epted the money ¡°Just be careful in Havenbrook City: don¡¯t run into trouble
again. Remember, always have a backup n before charging ahead. Your job is important, but so is
your life and health
Dorothyughed at her concern. She knew Karen was being overly cautious. She was afraid of Dorally
being another mishap that couldnd her in the hospital
¡°Read The person who hurt me has paid the price.¡±
Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.
¡°When my brother heard about it, he almost flew back from overseas to help you¡±
¡°No¡°Dorothy quickly interjected. ¡°Don¡¯t tell him about my problems. He has enough to deal with.¡±
Karen huffed. ¡°You¡¯re always worried about causing trouble. Sometimes I wonder if you actualy
consider us family. Isn¡¯t family supposed to help each other?¡±
¡°Of course, you guys are my family now¡± She didn¡¯t want to be an orphan
¡°That¡¯s good to hear. Now you should get some rest. Your fight¡¯s tomorrow at noon, right?¡±
¡°Yup, at 12 pm, goodnight. You guys should go to sleep loo!
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Chapter 305
Chapter 305
After ending the video call, Dorothyy on her bed and stared at the cling
She was suddenly devoid of a mountain of work, so it felt surprisingly strange to have the luxury of
lying down at this hour
She took out her phone with the intention of checking thetest on Wall Street, only to find unread
messages
Most likely, they were messages that hade in while she was video chatting with Abigail She hadn¡¯t
checked her phone after they hung up.
Hey, are you still up
Recalling the abundant gifts he had sent her way, which were all sorts of food, drinks, and dietary
supplements, Dorothy assumed that histe message Indicated that he wanted to ask for a favor. She
felt obliged to respond.
She had the sense that he was a decem man. He seemed straightforward and not one for scheming.
His manner of speaking was always respectful, and he never crossed any lines
[Still up, what¡¯s up?)
I heard you¡¯re heading to Havenbrook City. I was wondering how well you know the ce, as I¡¯m
nning to visit. I¡¯d like to know what¡¯s unique about it
Havenbrook City
That was a
she knew like the back of her hand
I¡¯m actually from Haverbrook City Would it be okay if we switched to a voice call? I can give you a
rundown]
She didn¡¯t have any ulterior motives After a full day at work, she didn¡¯t feel le typing on her phone:
After sending the message Dorothy began to wonder if she was being a bit presumptuous waste at
night, after all, and although there was a significare age gap between them, they were still of the
opposite sex. What if his wife was around and got the wrong idea?
Dorothy started to type it it¡¯s inconvenient, never mind. |
But before she could finish, an iing voice call notification appeared.
She hesitated for a moment before epting the call
Soon enough, his voice came through ¡°Hello¡± _
Truth be told, Dorothy could only vaguely recognize his voice. Thest time they had met, she was in a
rush to get to the night market, so she hadn¡¯t paid much attention to the driver¡¯s voice. Their
communication since then had been in anting, so hearing his somewhat mature voice out of the blue
felt a bit
¡°Hello, Mr. Driver Dorothy greeted him cheerfully. Are you taking your family to Haverbrook, City for a
vacation?
¡°Just me.¡±
Traveling alone?
Dorothy pulled a face. She was puzzled.
Whenever she was alone, all she wanted to do was space out, sleep, or just lie down
Perhaps sensing her surprise due to her momentary silence, he spoke again. ¡°A friend of mine is in
Haverbrook City. He¡¯s interested in developing a ride haring app, so I¡¯m going over to check it out.¡±
¡°Oh?¡± Now this piqued Dorothy¡¯s interest Perhaps it was just her professional sideing out ¡°Doesnt
Havenbrook City have a ride¨Chailing app?¡±
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They have the Swiftsude app, but it¡¯s notprehensive, and the coverage isrit wide. Havenbrook City
isn¡¯t on their priority list for business expansion, so they don¡¯t promote there heanly¡±
True Havenbrook City has a lot of winding mountain roads, and it¡¯s not easy to navigate in the city
center. To get more people to use the app, you need more drivers wiling to join and then step up the
promotion.¡± Dorothy temporarily forgot that he was asking for travel advice and seriously considered
the feasibility of the project.
If she weren¡¯t about to move abroad, she would definitely w
¡°You seem to have a good understanding of app development¡±
Dorothy chuckled. Not really. They were just my thoughts¡±
He asked, ¡°Are you interested?¡±
to get involved.
1 am, but I¡¯m moving abroad soon and wont be living here tone, so I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t participate in this
project
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The moment Dorothy spoke, she clearly heard the sound of a ss falling on the other side of the line.
It must have shattered. The sound was sharp and crisp.
¡°You¡¯re going abroad? The driver sounded genuinely surprised
¡°Yes I want to see the world. I want to get out and explore She had indeed been too consumed with
work over the years. She was solely focused on making money and forget to take a moment to
appreciate life.
She even reglected her cherished children. This thought alone made Dorothy feel guilty
So, after resigning, she decided to spend some quality time abroad with her children to give them a
taste of motherly love
She didn¡¯t want her kids tock the same things she longed for in her childhood.
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¡°Oh that¡¯s great¡±
Then let me rmend some great ces to eat in Haverbrook City. You can check them out during
your visit¡±
¡®Sure
Dorothy charted away, sharing everything she know
The driver listened attentively without interrupting. There was a moment when Dorothy thought he
might have fallen asleep.
Finally, when she couldnt keep her eyes open any longer, the said. ¡°That¡¯s about it. If you forget
anything, you can ask me on WhatsApp¡± ¡°Okay, get some sleep. Goodnight¡±
¡°Goodnight.¡±
After ending the cat. Dorothy realized that she had inadvertently revealed her tiredness.
Could it be that he was suggesting she should sleep?
The tone of his voice did not sound like that of a newly acquainted driver, but rather an old friend¡±
However, chatling with him was quite fun for Datoly
Having someone toten to her felt great. It was a stress relever, and she was also able to help him.
Sheht two birds with one store.
After cing her phone down, Dorothy brushed her teeth and went to bed
She had a dreamless night and was woken up by a call from Lane the following day.
¡°Good morning! You¡¯re still asleep?¡±
Tm awake. What¡¯s up?¡± Dorothy sat up quickly and reached for her sses on the rightstand.
She couldn¡¯t wear contacts while sleeping, and since she didnt have to go to work the next day, the dug
out her sses.
¡°Judging by your groggy voice, I can tell you just woke up. I¡¯m sorry for calling this early, but I couldn¡¯t
contan my excitement.¡± He had waited until almost eight o¡¯clock to calher
¡°What happened? Is there a problem at the construction site?¡±
¡°No! Get dressed ande downstairs. I¡¯m outside the Creamscape Hotel. You¡¯ll know once youe
down
Alter stretching her back, Dorothy mumbled a response and hung up to freshen up and change.
Initially, she thought Lane was seeking her out because she hadn¡¯t given clear instructions about
something. But when she came downstairs, she saw his Tell figure standing in front of her car, holding
a white pol.
It looked quite exquisite
Dorothy approached. She was curious about what he was up to ¡°Lane, what¡¯s going on?¡±
As soon as Lane saw her, he quickly handed her the pot and spoke with a voice filled with pride. ¡°Here,
this is the breakfast I made for you after learning how to cook all right!¡±
Huh?
He showed Dorothy the cuts and blisters on his hand Tealy, I¡¯m not kidding! I made it mysell. You said
you couldn¡¯t stand the taste of takeout, so! decided to cook for you¡±
Dorothy was taken aback. She hadn¡¯t expected this.
¡°Jeffrey yloid me that Everett used to make breakfast for you early in the moming¡± Lane smiled as his
eyes twinkled. If Everett can do it, so ca
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Lane actually cooked breast himself, which was a surprise for Dorothy.
But she wouldn¡¯t exactly say she was touched.
¡°You don¡¯t have topare yourself to Everett¡±
No one couldpete with Everett in her heart.
¡°Of course, I can¡¯tpare with him in terms of family background and social status, I am far behind.
But the only difference between me and hm is
that my parents won¡¯t stop me from marrying anyone¡± Lane shrugged and looked at her. ¡°For them,
they¡¯d be happy as long as I bring home a bride, even
room woule de
Dorothy didn¡¯t believe this.
Their wealthy families were very exclusive.
Cindere stories only existed in fairy tales. In reality, who didn¡¯t want their clddren to have an equal
match?
Lane I¡¯m de nicely nat your best choice. Dont waste your time on me¡®
Lone suddenly became assertive, and his gaze fell on the breakfast in her hand
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1 know whether Im wasting my time or not I understand your situation. You just need to see what I can
do for you¡±
Dorothy fell silent.
¡°Be careful on your trip. If someone bullies you, call me I wont let anyone of them in peace.¡± Lane
smiled and then got in his car and drove away Dorothy was stunned for a moment as she looked down
at the Breakfast in her hand, which was stil warm She couldn¡¯t help but sign lightly.
Lane had no chance of winning against Everett But the problem wasnt that she wasparing him
with Everett it was that she didn¡¯t want to ept anyone at all.
Around ten o¡¯clock Dorothy packed up her belongings and drove to the arport
She had slept wellst night, so she was in good spints today. Once on the ne, she could even
catch up on some reading
At the arport. Dorothy went to get her boarding pass, only to find that she was in first ss.
She looked down at her phone and discovered that Lane had sent her a message (Don¡¯t work too hard.
First ss is on thepany
He even added a smiley face.
Dorothy was at a loss
If Lane was pursuing a young girl who just started working and didnt understand anything she would
have been deeply in love with him by now, right?
After all, he was quite wealthy handsome, considerate, and had a good eye for things. His status looks,
and temperament were beyond reproach. Athough,pared to Everett, he was a bitcking.
Dorothy chuckled and replied. (Okay I¡¯m grateful for thepany¡¯s consideration]
[You should thank me instead | Lane sent her a pouting face. [Did you enjoy your breakfast? It¡¯s the
first time I¡¯ve cooked in my life. Before I gave it to you I tasted it. It¡¯s edible. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s poisonous
it was good, but cont do it again Dorothy didn¡¯t want to take Lane¡¯s sincerity for granted, it wouldnt be
nice to throw away the meal he had painstakingly made so she really ate it.
As for the taste, it was far from Everett¡¯s cooking.
[You¡¯re clearly telling me it¡¯s not good. No problem; during your trip. Ill work on my cooking sk. Ill
definitely impress you
Dorothy was helpless, but she also found it a bit funny.
Lane, bring a businessman, must beplex¨Cminded, otherwise, how c
could he do business and oversee such argepany? But his calctions didn¡¯t make people feel
ufortable
if he were a friend, it would be great. She learned a lot from him about how to deal with people But
when it came to taking things a step further, she really didnt want to.
It wasn¡¯t that Lane was not a good man she was just altaki
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Over the years, she¡¯d thought about providing her son and daughter with a fledged family.
However, Evercit had stolen her heart sopletely that no other man could make her feel the same
way. As time passed, shepletely gave up on
The idea.
Perhaps if she didn¡¯t have two children she might have given Lane, who was trying so hard to win her
over a chance. But with children in the picture, ch couldn¡¯t.
Whether Lane could be a good stepfather or not didn¡¯t matter. Dorothy didnt want him to rece
Everett in their lives.
Everett was innocent in their divorce. He hadn¡¯t done anything wrong.
Dorothy knew that.
This time, Dohy had chosen to stay near Tranquil Read during her business trip to Haverbrook Ce
The only ce that made her nostalgic was the school
There she had the chance to leam and see a world beyond her job. The world where people her age
should be
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There she met Evereit.
After checking into her hotel, Dorothy went straight to the fast¨Cfood joint where she used to work
Many years had passed, and it looked like they had renovated the ce. The storefront locked new,
and the sign was new too.
After walking ir, Dorothy was
You¡¯re Derally night?¡±
mediately recognized by the owner.
¡°Yes, that¡¯s me Dhy pulled out a chair and took a seat as the looked around the relyefur shed
ce. ¡°When did you guys renovate?¡±
it was during school hours so the ce wasnt crowded. The owner pulled up a chair and sat next to
her.
We renovated over a year ago. The ce was getting old, and the money we were making wasn¡¯t
enough to cover the costs. We thought about selling the ce, but a young man contacted us. He
wanted in to keep it open and even offered to pay for the renovations.¡±
Really? We figured he must be a student from the school. He must have some sentimental attachment
to this ce.¡±
The owner thought for a moment. Is the same young man mentioned to youst time you were here.
He was the one who suggested we stay open ten at night I thought he was doing it for you?
Because after ten, Dorothy was the only one who would somet
it¡¯s probably just a coincidence¡±
¡°He¡¯s a handsome one, he¡¯s tall too. The owner sently pped her thigh. Tremember! Thest time
he was here, I snapped a picture of him. Let me show you. See if you recognize him.¡±
As she got up to get her phone, Dorothy didn¡¯t think much of it. She didn¡¯t realize what was going on
Then she saw the picture on the owner¡¯s phone.
was Everett
Even though the picture was a bit blurry, it seemed like it was taken secretly this face wasn¡¯tpletely
in the frame, but Dorothy could recognize him with just a nce
It was him.
¡°He asked you to stay opente when he was in middle school?¡±
¡°Yes! Otherwise, we wouldn¡¯t have stayed open till ton. We would have gone bankrupt. You were the
only one who came in for a med. It wasnt even enough to cover the electricity bilE¡±
Dorothy was speechless.
Dorothy realized her eyes were welling up with tears She couldnt control i
He had done so much for her, but he never mentioned H.
¡°Oh dear, why are you crying? The owner quicklynded her a tissue. ¡°Did the handsome guy steal
your heart? Are you two together?¡±
We we dicht..we¡¯re not
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Dorothy was all choked un Her tears fell uncontrobly, one after another.
She didn¡¯t expect. She really didn¡¯t expect
It turned out that someone had been silently protecting her since her junior high years. In those days,
she always thought she was unloved.
¡°Huh? You didn¡¯t end up together? the owner looked purred. ¡°But he was here a year ago. He helped
us stay in business, left a phone number, and said to call him if we ever needed financial support
She had assumed that they were already a couple.
¡°Ma¡¯am, can have this photo?¡±
¡°Of course! You better hurry back to the young man. He loves you so much, so don¡¯t let him down.
There aren¡¯t many men out there who are as thoughtful and caring as he is. Dant let him slip away¡±
Dorothy raised her head. Her lips were quivering before she managed to say, Mm, if hees back,
could you not tell him I was here?¡±
¡°Why?¡±
¡°There are some reasons we can¡¯t be together I want him to forget about me and move on¡±
The owner frowned. She was utterly puzzled. ¡°What reasons could possibly keep you two apart? As
long as there¡¯s mutual affection, there¡¯s nothing you can¡¯t ovee. Look at me and my husband, we
argue every day,in about the mundane things in life, and even threaten each other with divorce,
but we¡¯re stil together after af these years.¡±
Dorothy lowered her gaze and shook her head.
¡°Our issues can¡¯t be resolved. And he¡¯s already mamed.¡±
She wished there were just petty quarrels. Sheid be thrilled if they were just trivial matters of Me
¡°What a shame: You two seemed perfect for each other, sighed the owner as she got up to serve
Dorothy her meal.
This was probably the most emotionallyplicated meal Dorothy had weer had
She didnt know if the bowl contained soup of her tears, either way, her face never dried of tear stans.
While looking at Everett¡¯s side profile on her phone, Dartry touched the screen over and over again.
He had lost weight.
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He must not have been eating wird.
The spark in his eyes had dimmed. Was it all because of her?
When she got up to pay after finishing her meal, the owner and her off. There¡¯s no need for that!
Consider it on us. It¡¯s only because of you that this young man was willing to help us. In a way, you re
cur benefactor, Come back to see us when you can.¡±
¡°Ma¡¯am, take this moneye back often¡±
Realizing that the dient seem like she would give up, the sener epted. Wright then Remember to
come back¡±
Dorothy had already stepped out when she turned back hesrartly. ¡°Ma¡¯am, please don¡¯t tell him.¡±
As she walked away, she could still hear the owner¡¯s sigh.
She was probably the only person genuinely wishing for Dorothy and Everett to be together
After leaving the diner Dorothy didn¡¯t want to go back to the hotel, so she wandered down the street.
She was famr with the roads of Havenbrook City. She had walked this small path countless times
when she was in school.
Dorothy resized that, back then, Everett must have been observing her. He must have secretly watched
her from the shadows.
But at that time, she was solely focused on earning money and studying. She never thought about
anything else.
The thought of Esetelt an excellent student with outstanding character, having a crush on her since
junior high and persisting for so many years was both absurd and touching.
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He was truly a man who knew how to hold on to love
But the more a prison held onto it, the harder it was to let go.
Thankfully, he had moved an He was married now, No matter it was arranged or not, he had a family
now.
Dorothy spotted a bench ahead Feeling weary, she ambled over and sat down
She pulled out her phone and checked her messages. There was a message from Lane and another
from the diver she had met back in Everglow City You made it to Haverbrook City yet?]
Yeah, I¡¯m here Did you make it to Havenbrook City too¡¯s brought the receipt with me. If you¡¯re avable,
we can meet in Havenbrook City, and hand in over]
It took a while for him to reply
I didn¡¯t make it to Haverbrook City]
Dorothy wanted to text him back but her eyes were bothering her from all the crying that she did earlier,
a
G, and her contacts felt ufortable. She took
them out and her vision blurred, so she decided to send a wice note instead.
¡°Let me know when you¡¯re avable to pick it up. Or I can mail it to you¡±
He responded quickly this time.
[Have you been crying?
Dorothy paused, reaching her voice must have giver taway
¡°Yeah I¡¯m just cealing with some heartache
Did someone upset you?]
¡°No. I just got a litle semimental. Thanks for your concern¡®
Dorothy sent the message and waited for a bit, but there was no response. She pocketed her phone
and continued walking.
Meanwhile, in the offices of the Lopez Corporation
Everett rose from his desk and strode towards the ext
Startled, his assistant looked up. Mr. Lopez as it time for the meeting already? it doesnt start for
another hour!
Treschedule it. I¡¯m heading to Havenbrook City for a few days.¡±
The assistant quickly checked his schedule. Mr. Lopez, Kevin mentioned that your fight to Hawbk
City is tonight.¡±
Kevin had booked Everett on te flight due to several Monday moming meetings and project reports.
¡°Change it to the earliest flight. I need to leave now¡±
¡°Yes, Mr. Lopez.
Dorothy didn¡¯t respond to Lane until she got back to her hotel
Just as she was typing out a response, his call came through.
¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me you¡¯dnded? I¡¯ve been worried about you. I almost booked a fight toe find
you.¡±
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had some things to take care of when Inded, then I went to grab something to eat.¡± Dorctly nced
at the time. The assistant from thepany should be aiming soon. We¡¯ll meet and start working on
the due diligence tomorrow.¡±
¡°I didn¡¯t call to check on your work¡± Lane then realized something. ¡°Wait, you¡¯ve been crying?¡±
Dorothy frowned slightly. ¡°No. I think I might being down with a cold?
She didn¡¯t want to exin her tears to Lane or to have him press the issue
¡®Go see a doctor. Work can wait. A few days¡® dy won¡¯t break the project!
Bose didn¡¯t you say that is not just ourpany¡¯s project? Apon¡¯t investors involved too? We can¡¯t
dy¡±
Lane bit his congue. What else could he say?¡± just wanted to check on you¡±
Tim not a child anymore. I¡¯m fine. Thank you,boss.¡±
There was a pause on Lane¡¯s end beforehead, ¡®Once I clear my schedule, I¡¯ll see how soon I can fly
over if possible, I¡¯ll join you in Havenbrook City¡±
Dorothy Immediately asked, ¡°What are youing for?¡±
¡°Work! Just aurki Dont overthink it.¡±
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There was no way that Dorothy was buying that
¡°Don¡¯t be so guarded around me, wil you? I¡¯m not a venomous creature. What harm could I possibly
do¡°¡°Lane sounded very hurt.
He was genuinely trying to pursue a romantic rtionship with thisdy.
1know you won¡¯t hurt me.¡±
But he sure could make things difficut for her.
¡°Didn¡¯t we make a deal? I chase, and you just give me a chance. That means I should at least be able
to show myself off a bit right?¡± Lane was also feeling a bit frustrated with her attitude.
Even if he was not the best, he didn¡¯t think he was appalling enough to be despised by ady to this
excent
¡°just don¡¯t want to hold you back¡±
¡°No worries, you won¡¯t.¡±
Lane hung up immediately after saying that He was afraid she might say something else to infuriate
him
Dorothy stared at her phone screen and let out a sigh
By dusk, Dorothy¡¯s two assistants had arrived in Havenbrook Cry
Being a leader herself, she didn¡¯t dive straight into business discussions with her assistants but instead
took them to a local diner
This is so delicious! Ive been to Hawenbrook City before but never knew they had such amazing food¡±
Her assistant, Natalia praised the food enthusiastically after taking a bite
¡°If it¡¯s good, eat up Dorothy chuckled and pushed the dish closer to her.
Her other assistam, Emmett, appeared to be more reserved. As the only male at the table and being
new to Dorothy, he didn¡¯t dare speak or act too much
¡°Miss Sanchez, I¡¯ve organized the documents you
su gave me. Would you like to
¡°Let¡¯s eat first. I find you guys back at the hotel. Traveling for work is hard so let¡¯s fill up our bees first¡±
Dorothy smiled at Emmett. A friendly gesture
might put him at case
Emmett nodded and finally picked up his fork.
Dorothy¡¯s assistants were both highly educated, but they were fairly new to the workforce.
Sometimes when she looked at them, she saw herself when she first started at the Prosperity
Consortium.
¡°Miss Sanchez, are you a local of Havenbrook Cry?¡±
¡°Yes, I grew up here Dorothy admitted it readily. She had grown to ept this ce now.
Because no matter what kind of awful memones lingered here, it was stil her hometown.
¡°So how did you end up at East Star Enterprises? Most people here usually go to Eldora City to make a
living. Didn¡¯t you consider applying to the Lopez Corporation Nat, who was naive and quieless,
didn¡¯t realize that Dorothy froze for a moment when she mentioned the Lopez Corporation
I never had the opportunity¡±
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¡°With your work capability not going to the Lopez Corporation is their loss! You have no idea but while
you were away on business in Everglow City Deveral headhunters were asking for your contact info.
Some even called me.¡±
Dorothy chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s their job. It¡¯s not because I¡¯m exceptional¡±
If you were not exceptional, why would they headhunt you? Why arent they headhunting me?! As soon
as Natalia said this, Emmett discreetly pulled at her sleeve
Dorothy noticed their little interaction and waved her hand. It¡¯s okay. Don¡¯t be nervous, Emmett. It¡¯s
your first time traveling with me, so it¡¯s normal to not feel ustomed You don¡¯t have to be so formal in
the future¡±
¡°Exactly! Miss Sanchez is the best boss in the world Natalia gave her a thumbs up while still munching
her food.
¡°Let¡¯s eat. We¡¯ll talk about workter when we get jack. Don¡¯t shortchange yourself on this business
trip. Thepany will cover all expenses Dorothy continued trying to help Emmett rx.
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In any case, Lane had already set the stage, so Dorothy¡¯s words were as good asw.
¡°Really? Yay¡± Nataka threw her hands in the air in a victory sign, then tucked into her food with
renewed vigor
Dorothy nced at Emmett, who seemed a bit less quarded than before, yet his cautious demeanor
was evident.
In the corporate world, people like Emmett were more likely to make great strides than the carefree
Nat
But there was nothing wrong with being like Natalia Living life easy and free of wonies was noble in
itself.
After they finished ther meal, Dorothy showed them around the neighborhood before heading back to
the hotel.
She initially thought of taking a breather before resuming work, but Emmett¡¯s paperwork had already
arrived, making her feel like a less than enthusiastic lender
With no other choice, she picked up herptop and headed to the small conference room in the hotel
that she had previously booked.
It was more convenient for the tro to work there rather than hold meetings in any one of their rooms.
As she passed the hotel lobby, she was about to call Natalia when a familiar figure caught
But as soon as she blinked, the figure disappeared.
She wasn¡¯t even sure if it was real or not.
Because the figure looked so much like Everett.
But he shouldn¡¯t be in Haverbrook City. Such coincidences didn¡¯t happen in the real world.
¡°Ms. Sanchez¡± Emmett was the first to arrive. He headed straight towards Dorothy as soon as he
spotted her
Dorothy gave him a small nod. ¡°Where¡¯s Natalia? Did you get in touch with her?¡±
¡°She overdid it with the spicy food, and now her stomachs upset. I told her toe down as soon as
possible.
Is d serious? Should we take her to the hospital?¡±
¡°We¡¯ll ask her when she gets here. I¡¯m not sure.¡± Emmett said, trying hard to keep his eyes from
straying towards Dorothy¡¯s face
She was truly beautful
The kind of beauty that would attract anyone, regardless of their gender.
Dorothy wasn¡¯t overtly morous, but there was a pure, wholesome quality about her that was
undeniably attractive
Even though she was significantly older and his boss, he couldn¡¯t help but be drawn to her.
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
in the middle of their conversation, Natalia appeared. She was clutching her stomach and looking quite
ufortable.
Dorothy hurried over to her. ¡°Are you okay?¡±
¡°Yeah I think I overdid it with the spicy food. I might have indigestion¡±
¡°We need to get you to the hospital Dorothy turned to Emmett ¡°Let¡¯s call off work for today. You go rest
while I take her to the hospital¡±
Emmett paused for a moment, then swept Natalia up in his arms.
¡°It wont be convenient for you two. I¡¯lle with you¡±
¡°Alright¡± Dorothy nodded. She appreciated his concern
After they left, a figure emerged from behind a pir in the hotel lobby, looking in the direction that they
had left
Everett pursed his lips. He felt a sudden urge to follow them, but he held himself back.
He needed to remember his ce. He couldn¡¯t overstep.
Showing up at her hotel just because he heard Dorothy¡¯s distressed voice was already crossing the
line. He couldn¡¯t follow her anymore.
Everett took out his room key, intending to return to his room
Suddenly!
He drew a sharp breath, as if he were making an important decision. Then, with a swill stride, he
followed in the direction that Dorothy and the others had gone.
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Everett decided that he would just be an observer. He would stay o
clea
of any
Involvement
At the hospital, the outpatient department was already closed for the day. Emmett carried Natalia
straight into the emergency room to find a doctor.
Dorothy trailed behind, handling the registration and payment
Thank goodness he was here. Dorothy couldn¡¯t manage all of this on her own.
After the doctor examined Natalia it was confemed that she was suffering from acute gastroententis.
Thankfully it wasn¡¯t severe, but she still needed hydration therapy
After all themotion, it was close to midnight when Natalia finally got her IV drip started
As she dozed off on the hospital bed. Emmett sat by her side, closely watching the IV drip.
¡°Ms. Sanchez, why don¡¯t you head back? I¡¯ve got everything under control here. Once she¡¯s done with
the drip, we¡¯ll head back.¡±
¡°No worries. It¡¯s not convenient for you to be here, either. After all, she¡¯s a girl. If she needs to use the
restroom you can¡¯t apany her.¡± Dorothy was a bit tired but insisted on staying until her assistant
was finished with her
The doctor suggested Natalia be monnored overnight, and if all went well, she could leave the next day
Tight ¡± Emmett dared not look at Dorothy too much. He forced himself to look away.
He had only recently joined East Star Enterprises, so he had only seen Dorothy a few times in meeting
rooms or simr settings.
After seeing her up close now, it felt like something inside his chest was running wild. It was threatening
to burst out at any moment.
¡°You¡¯ve had a long flight today. Why don¡¯t you go back to the hotel and rest?¡±
101 leave, wont Ms. Sanchez be alone? It¡¯ste at night. It¡¯s not safe for a girl¡±
The doctor had said Natalia wouldn¡¯t need any supervision and could leave on her own if she felt better
tomorrow, so they hadn¡¯t arranged a room wi extra bed for Dorothy
Tm fambat with Hawnbrook City. Il be fine.¡±
¡°That¡¯s not the point. During the day, you¡¯re my boss, and I follow your orders. But this is off¨Chours, and
I¡¯m a man How could I just leave you alone?¡±
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
He sounded like a righteous man, which made Dorothy smile.
She wasn¡¯t often protected
Wright then. Thank you¡®
this when she was young, but as she grew older, more and more people said these kind words to her.
Nataka was fast asleep on the bed, probably due to the sedative inher medication.
With nothing to do, Dorothy and Emmett started chatting about various topics
When the conversation turned to family Emmett was surprised. ¡°You¡¯re married Ms. Sancher! I would
never have guessed:
I¡¯ve been married for quite some time.¡± Dorothy didn¡¯t mention her child this time
She didn¡¯t want any more people to know about her child for now.
¡°Your husband must love you very much¡± Emmett¡¯s voice held a hint of disappointment
He didn¡¯t delve into Dorothy¡¯s personal life, so he didn¡¯t know she was
¡°Yes, he loves me very much¡±
Just as Dorothy finished speaking, her phone rang with a message.
She thought it might be Lane, but when she looked at the screen, it was the driver from Everglow City
What could be ward at this hour?
[Sorry to disturb you. I just arrived in Hayenbrook City and got lost. Could you give me directions?
Dorothy was taken aback and quickly called him back. She then got up and walked outside the ward
The hospital corridor seemed endless in the deep of the right
was deserted and smelled strongly of disinfectant
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Dorothy felt a chill of apprehension, so she didn¡¯t wander far. Instead, she chose a nearby bench to sit
on
The call connected, and the driver¡¯s voice sounded on the other end.
¡°Sorry to bother you sote¡±
¡°No problem. Where are you now?¡± Dorothy lowered her voice, not wanting to disturb the other hospital
patients.
I¡¯m near Tranquil Road. I cant seem to hail a cab, and I¡¯m trying to get back to my hotel,¡± Dorothy
searched for the hotel on her map app, then carefully exined how to get there The man on the other
end listened in silence until she asked, ¡°Did you get all that?¡± ¡°Mmm, I¡¯m listening
Ime up on WhatsApp or try to make it to the main street. There should be cabs there.¡±
¡°That¡¯s about it. If you still can¡¯t find your way hit r
¡°Alright¡±
Dorothy nced at the time on her wristwatch and murmured. Since you¡¯re in Haverbrook City should I
deliver the receipt to you tomorrow
¡°No need.¡± The driver responded without hesitation. I ask you if I need it
Dorothy was a bit puzzled
Previously, she had deleted his contact, but he added her back just to get this receipt.
But now, when she repeatedly offered to give him the receipt, he seemed to be avoiding it. He didn¡¯t
show ap
pressing need for the receipt.
¡°Thank you¡±
¡°No need.¡±
Without any further fuss, the call
Dorothy¡¯s mind was still in a whirl, so she didnt continue to dwell on it.
She got up from the bench, intending to head back to the ward, when suddenly, Dorothy heard
something being kicked behind her.
was very close
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What could it be at this time of night?
Feeling a bit frightened, she quickened her pace
But she had only taken a few steps when she bumped into a solid chest.
Startled, Dorothy looked up.
It was Emmett.
¡°Ma. Sanchez, what¡¯s wrong?¡±
¡°Nothing ¡°Seeing Emmett brought a sense of relief to her. ¡°It¡¯s a bit spooky in the hospital at night. What
about you? Did something happen? Is Nat
¡°No. She¡¯s sleeping soundly and the doctor removed her IV. I noticed you hadn¡¯te back, and I was
worried something had happened.¡± Emmett stood next to Dorothy as his tall figure cast arge shadow
over her.
¡°Just chatting with a friend.¡± Dorothy smiled. ¡°Since she¡¯s had her Vermoved, can we go now?¡±
Emmett nodded. ¡°Sure! 111e back to check on her in the morning. You can go on with your work,
Ms. Sanchez.¡±
Dorothy agreed.
After all, she wasn¡¯t here on vacation. She couldn¡¯t keep putting her job on hold. If Lane became upset,
it wouldn¡¯t be good for their careers.
As their figures receded into the distance, a man emerged from the corner of the corridor.
Everett squinted. The displeasure in his eyes was clear.
Why were there so many pecky men around Dolphy?
He took out his phone and dialed Kevin¡¯s number.
¡°Find out what projects East Star Enterprises has in Havenbrook City¡±
¡°Yes, Mr. Lopez. Are you in Haverbrook City now?¡±
¡°Yeah¡±
¡°Would you like me to arrange anything for you? The presidential suite at the Crimson Hotel is always
avable for you.¡±
¡°No need.¡± Everett¡¯s lips moved slightly, and his deep voice echoed. ¡°Just investigate what I asked.
Investigate this man as well¡±
With a flick of his slender finger, he sent over a picture of Emmett he had snapped earlier
¡°Alright, Mr. Lopez get right on it?
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All of this
was an unexpected snap, causing a dy in their ns. So, the next day, Dorothy had a private
meeting with Emmett before Natalia returned from the hospital. Only then did the three of them head to
the conference room
After they had mapped out the due diligence process and delegation of tasks, Natalia stood up and
made a point of apologizing to Dorothy. Tim sorry Ms. Sanchez. I indulged in my love for food too
much, and it¡¯s affected our work. It won¡¯t happen again.
¡°No problem, I get it. The food in Havenbrook City is too good to resist Domly reassured her while
patting her on the shoulder. ¡°Let¡¯s make s this due diligence. Once we¡¯re back in the office advocate for
some additional benefits for you both with Lane.¡±
sure we nail
Ms. Sanchez, you¡¯re too kind. Thank you! Natalia¡¯s face was filled with so much gratitude that she
looked like she might burst into tears. People have been talking badly behind your back, but they just
don¡¯t understand you¡±
At that, Emmett shot Nat a waming look reminding her to watch what she was saying
Dorothyughed it off. Tm used to it. Some people can¡¯t handle their jobs but excel at spreading
rumors. Thepany will weed them out eventually im
not bothered¡±
Sometimes, when she looked at Natalia, she could see a younger version of Karen. She was candid,
naive, and was clearly spoiled with a lifetime of love and affection from her parents.
Dorothy sent Emmett to the Bureau of Industry and Commerce without telling anyone, hoping to catch
them off guard and get some real insights.
Natalia, not being the best atmunication and because she was still recovering from her stomach
problem, was asked to wait in the hotel. If they needed her, they could easily reach out.
Dorothy, on the other hand, went alone to Verity Holdings Limited in Havenbrook City. This was the
company they were due to examine
She was greeted by a young man in a smart suit. He was older than Dorothy, but not by much, and he
had a constant smile that gave him the air of a seasoned professional.
¡°Our leadership is taking this coboration with East Star Enterprises very senously. We¡¯re hoping for a
prosperous partnership.¡±
Dorothy smiled back. ¡°That¡¯s a mutual hopel Venty Holdings Limited has been in business for many
years and is a respected enterprise in Haverbrook Cny. It¡¯s an honor for East Star Enterprises to
coborate with you¡±
The man handed over his business card. ¡°My name is Gabriel. I¡¯m the project manager at Verity
Holdings Lamited¡±
Tim Dorothy Nice to meet you.¡±
After some small talk, they moved on to the main topic
Gabriel suggested they could go to a restaurant to discuss things further while having lunch, but
considering the incident at the Prosperity Consortium. Dorothy was hesitant to go to a restaurant alone
with a man
She didn¡¯t want to risk encountering a simr situation without Everett around to help this time
¡°I find restaurants can be a bit noisy. Let¡¯s continue our work, and once we¡¯re done, I can imite you for
dinner Dorothy suggested. She thought that if she brought Emmett and Natalia along, it would be safer
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Gabriel didnt object. He simply nodded in agreement.
In the conference room, Dorothyid out the teema from East Star Enterprises. Naturally, stiffened
sit came to matters of profit, Gabriel¡¯s expression
However, as a representative of East Star Enterprises, maximizing thepany¡¯s profit was part of
Dorothy¡¯s job.
1 need to discuss these terms with our leadership, Ms. Sanchez. How long are you nning to stay in
Haverbrook City?¡±
head back as soon as we¡¯ve reached an agreement. There¡¯s a lot of work waiting for me at the office¡±
Dorothy replied, implying that she was serious about the coboration. If it didn¡¯t work out, it would be
their loss, not East Star Enterprises.
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Gabriel chuckled. 11 discuss it with the higher ups ASAPP
Afterwards, be passed another brown paper bag he¡¯d been holding ¡°By the way, you might want to take
a look at this. It¡¯s the track record of otherpanies in agro¨Cindustrial processing. Youll see that
there¡¯s a promising future in this business. Right now, supporting agriculture is a priority for the
government. They¡¯re more than willing to give the green light to various projects, if you catch my chill¡±
She caught his crit
How could shenal?
If the higher¨Cups would be willing to nod in approval, everything would be easier
But weather changes are unpredictable one moment it¡¯s sunny and everyone is overjoyed the rest
sovercast.
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Who would bear the responsibility when that happened?
1 take a good look at it Fast Star Enterprises sees potential in this sector, hence our interest in eining
the project. Dorntly said
As the first meeting came to a close, Dorothy prepared to leave.
Gabriel suddenly spoke io. ¡°Didnt you mention something about treating me to dinner?¡±
¡°Well ¡°Dorothy was at a loss for words, then quickly recovered. ¡°Oh my, look at mel i was so eager to
review the documents that Ipletely forget. What do you feel like eating Gabriel? It¡¯s on me. I can¡¯t
let you pay in Haverbrook City. I was just hoping to strengthen our working rtionship, considening
we¡¯ll be working together in the future¡±
¡°It¡¯s settled then I¡¯m paying. You can treat me next time? After saying this, Dorothy dialed Natalia and
Emmett, directing them to meet at ¡°I introduce you to my two assistants as well¡±
¡°Sounds great! Gavriel didn¡¯t object. ¡°My boss might join uster. He¡¯s currently ma meeting but asked
me to keep you here to meet him when he¡¯s free¡±
Dorothy din 1 mind the crowd. In fact, she preferred r.
A chance to meet the head of Verity Holdings Limited was also a chance to gauge their intentions
¡°That would be a horor¡±
In the hotel only the lights in the living room of the pres dental suite were on
Theputer screen disyed a video conference with the Lopez Corporation, but its CEO, Exerell,
seemed unable to focus
His eyes mere frequently darting towards the phone by his side.
¡°Mr. Lopez, the growth rate for the new quarter is very promising¡± & shareholder said Luoparty.
Everett nodded slightly, not showing much joy
The shareholders couldn¡¯t gauge his mood and grew more reserved. ¡°So, are
currently untapped¡±
you p
i nning to expand into Nordica next, Mt Lopez? The market there R
¡°Ill send someone to survey the area first. We won¡¯t make any rash decisions without at least a 70%
certainty
The shareholders nodded in agreement
Just as Everett was about to speak, his phone screen it up
The next second. Everett cleaned his throat, saying, ¡°Wempit up here for today. Meeting adjourned.¡±
The shareholders exchanged surprised looks, but they couldn¡¯t object to the CEO.
Alter exting thepany meeting Everest immediately picked up his phone and dialed back.
¡°Mr. Lopez, we checked Last Star Enterprises¡® ongoing projects Besides the maort development in
Everglow City, they also have several real estate
Are there any projects in Haverbrook City?¡±
Everett cut am off.
Kevin paused for a second. Let me check. Yes, they have an agro¨Cindustrial processing project in
partnership with Verity Holdings Limited. But they haven¡¯t signed a contract yet, and the investment isnt
that age it¡¯s as than 50 milion. Are you interested in this project?¡±
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"No, don''t touch that project. I don''t want anyone else on it either."
Kevin was finding Mr. Lopez''s instructions increasingly baffling. But if he insisted, there had to be a reason.
"Alright, rest assured. I''ll keep a close eye on it." Kevin continued to report his research findings. "Also, the person you referred to me, a certain Emmett, is a project assistant at East Star Enterprises. He''s a recent recruit. He¡¯s a bright graduate from an elite university."
"Is he single?"
Kevin hadn''t anticipated Mr. Lopez wanting him to investigate that.
At first, when he saw Emmett''s profile, he assumed Mr. Lopez was considering poaching him for the Lopez Corporation.
"I believe so." After all, the guy was still quite young. He was only a few years out of college. It was unlikely he''d already be married.
"I don''t want you to believe; I want you to confirm."
"Give me ten minutes."
Everett hung up and began rubbing his temples.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.
He thought back to the previous night, when he saw them together. Seeing them together alone stirred up an inexplicable sense of displeasure in him.
Wasn''t Dorothy supposed to be with Keh?
Why was Emmett now in the picture?
Everett had clearly heard the pair discussing returning to the hotel together.
The more he thought about it, the more irked he felt. He sent Dorothy a message.
[Ms. Sanchez, I''m sorry, but I''ve gotten lost again. Can you take a call?]
She responded in no time.
[I''m sorry, I can''t right now. I''m at a restaurant discussing business over dinner. Can it wait?]
Everett replied instantly. [With a man?]
He realized toote that he shouldn''t have asked that. Just as he was about to delete the message, it was clear that Dorothy had already seen it.
[Yes, why?]
Why?
She actually asked why?!
Everett felt a throbbing in his temples.
Had she not learned her lesson from before? She was daring to dine with a man for business matters again?
This time, Everett didn''t beat around the bush with Kevin and called him directly. "Find out which restaurant Dorothy is at."
"Ms. Sanchez is in Havenbrook City?"
"Yes."
Kevin suddenly understood it all.
His boss had been acting secretive these past few days, leaving Kevin puzzled. It seemed it was all because of Ms. Sanchez. His recent instructions had been rather strange.
"I''m on it."
In the restaurant, Dorothy checked her phone for the third time.
The driver had disappeared after asking his question.
Why was he curious about the gender of her business partner? Could it be that he saw her?
With that thought in mind, she scanned the room.
She didn''t spot any familiar faces.
"Ms. Sanchez?" Gabriel poured her a ss of wine and interrupted her trance.
Dorothy quickly smiled. "I''m sorry; I''m a lightweight. I''m feeling a little tipsy after just one ss."
Upon hearing this, Emmett immediately reached for her wine ss. "I''ll drink for you for the rest of the evening."
"I was bonding with Ms. Sanchez. Who are you?" Gabriel''s face instantly fell. It was clouded over with displeasure.
Dorothy didn''t want to upset anyone from Verity Holdings Limited on her first day.
So, she picked up her ss and proposed a toast. "Don''t be upset. He''s just worried that I''ll have a headache if I drink too much. They''re very protective of me at the office. Please don''t take it personally. Here, this one''s to you."
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Gabriel finally broke his stem facade. He downed his ss of whiskey before turning to Emmett and
saying, ¡°Don¡¯t worry.both of you are here, right? If Ms. Sanchez has a bit too much to drink, you can eat
her home¡±
Having been in the corporate world for many years, Gabriel knew what these two were worned abou¡
Yes, he found Dorothy charting. She was undenably attractive, but thepany¡¯s coborations were
of the utmost importance. There was no way he would risk tarnishing thepany¡¯s reputation, or his
own career, by doing anything untoward
Still, being doubted was always ufortable
¡°Tm sorry, Gabriel¡± Emmett immediately apologized, showing his ability to be humble when recessary
Dorothy was not lying about her low alcohol tolerance. Despite her years in the corporate world, she
had not developed the ability to drink without getting drunk
She had hoped to endure for a while before leary, fur then the head of Verny Holdings Limited arrived.
The moment she saw his beer belly Dorothy knew she was doomed to get drunk
Taking advantage of her still somewhat sober state, she excused herself to the restroom and called the
driver from Everglow Chy
Soon, the driver picked up.
¡°Did you find your way? Dorothy washed her face with cold water hoping to sober up a bit more
She thought she sounded normal, but was immediately called out.
¡°You¡¯ve been drinking¡±
¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve had a bit. Im still clear headed, though, so tell me where you are. Il quide you
was determined to see this good deed through
with ment
¡°You¡¯re a young woman. You shouldn¡¯t be out drinking with men.
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
Dorothy chuckled. ¡°Thanks for the concern, but I be fine. My coworker is with m
me and hell seen
me home¡±
Male coworker?
That was Emmelt, right?
As if he be any safer
Thave a friend in Haverbrook City, I have hem pick you up
¡°That¡¯s not necessary! Just tell me where you are, so can guide you I snuck out and need to get back
soon¡±
As she spoke. Natalia had already begun looking for her.
Dorothy knew that the head of Verity Holdings Limited must have asked about her, so she quickly tried
to end the call ¡°Um. ask someone else for now. I¡¯ve got something going on here, I gotta go¡±
Without wating for a response, she ended the cal
Natalia came over, sighing. ¡°They seem so hard to shake off.¡±
¡°Yes, but it¡¯s al in a day¡¯s work.¡±
¡°Ms. Sancher, were you just on the phone with your husband?¡±
Dorothy was taken aback, then d her hand. ¡°No, it was a friend of mine. He got lost in Haverbrook
City and asked me to help him out.¡±
Natalia raised an eyebrow. ¡°Doesn¡¯t he have a smartphone? He could use GPS¡±
Dorothy fell silent.
She was right.
Everyone had a smartphone nowadays, so who needed to ask for directions?
He should have been using a smartphone since he was able to voice-call her
she spoke her mind. ¡®Ms. Sanchez, you¡¯re so beautiful. Men fall for you left and
You better be carelu, he might be trying to wody
| you ¡± Natalia armirked. right. Gabriel¡¯s and his boss¡® eyes practically lit up when they saw you I cou
Dorothy washed her hands andughed. ¡°That¡¯s ilkely He¡¯s much older than me. I guess has just not
very good at using GPS apps?
In her eyes, she sail had a favorable impression of the driver.
He was sincere wherepensated her for the ident, showed concern for her safety, and didn¡¯t say
anything inappropriate. He even kindly offered to have someone take her home
And besides, the diver should be mamed. If he marred waily his kids would probably be in their teena
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Dorothy returned to the table and found Gabriel ingratiatingly filing his boss¡® ss with wine. After
seeing her, he immediately moved aside to give her a seat next to the hass
She was no stranger to such workce flirting and decided to ignore it, taking her original seat instead.
Gabriel nced at his boss. He was d to see he was it upset, then he turned to Dorothy Ms.
Sanchez, our boss, Hayden, has been singing your praises. He¡¯s impressed by your charisma and is
certain of your professional capabilities. It¡¯s quite an achievement for someone your age to be a project
director.¡±
¡°Hayden is too generous. I¡¯m honored Dorothyughed and raised her ss. ¡°A toast to you, Hayden¡±
Hayden was only too happy to ept, and she nodded enthusiastically ¡°Cheers¡±
Emmett, watching the scene, was sure that Deenthy would not be sober by the end of the night He
quietly texted Natalia, asking her to arrange a car to wait outside the restaurant, ready to take Darily
back to the hotel.
¡°We had a brief discussion about the coboration details with Ms. Sanchez earlier today, and we seen
East Star Enterprises¡® sincerity Gabriel. steered the coversation back to work.
Dorothy understood his subtle dissatisfaction with the terms offered by East Star Enterprises, but she
had to pretend otherwise as the negotiation was still ongoing Indeed, you ve seen it. My original barras
this was n Everglow City but our boss specifically sent me to Hanbrook City. He wanted to Avoid any
mimuncation that could potentialy upsel everyone¡°.
Hayden needed emphatically and refilled Dorothy¡¯s empty wine ss.
After seeing this, Gabrielughed Ms. Sanchez, you should try this wine. Hayden brought it espec ally
for you. He wouldn¡¯t share this with just anyone¡± ¡°Oh? Well, I must give it a try then¡±
Truthfully, Dorally couldn¡¯t tell the difference between goud and had wine She simply closed her eyes
and took a sap.
¡°You two shouldn¡¯t just sit there have some too Let¡¯s al enjoy it together Gabriel suddeny included
Emmett and Natalia in the conversation
if the twe assistants declined, things would be quite awkward
Dorothy was about to entervene, but Hayden beat her to it. ¡°I can see that Ms. Sanchez values you
both highly. The fact that she brought you to this asion suggests that you¡¯re bothpetent
employees. Who knows? In the future, you might be sessful and prominem fyures in the
future. Let¡¯s done to our Ir endship Hove drinking good wee and enjoy thepany of those who de as
well¡±
Natalia¡¯s tolerance for alcohol was even weaker than Comily¡¯s. She was about to decline, but Emmett
stopped her with a tug of her sleeve. He knew that if Natalia ruined the atmosphere all the drinks
Dorothy had would be in vain.
¡°Thank you mayden, but I¡¯m afraid they might spor your wine¡± Dorothy frowned. She was still trying to
protect them
But Hayden was not going to let them off the hook. Tensense Just drink?
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The sses were already in front of them, and they were already filed with wine, so there was no room
for them to refuse
Emmett closed his eyes, picked up has ss, and cowned it in one gulp
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Since Emmett went along with it, Natalia had no choice but to follow
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¡°Alright! That¡¯s the spirit! Gabriel, pour them another round! Hayden gave Gabrie knowing look, and
he instantly picked up on it
Dorothy was already feeling the effects of the alcohol, and she didn¡¯t want Nat, a young woman, to
get drunk too. ¡°Emmett, Lane just called me and said he needs a file. Go with Natalia to the hotel and
send it to him:
¡°Ms. Sanchez, I¡
¡°Just go!¡± Dorothy gave him a look, signaling for him to take Natalia away first.
Emmett had no choice but toply. ¡°Alright.¡±
Dorothy wasn¡¯tpletely disregarding her own safety. She was nning to have Emmette back
for herter, but for now, she needed to get Natalia out of there.
She had just been discharged from the hospital so she couldn¡¯t afford to end up there again just
because of alcohol.
Once the two of them left, the frequency at which Gabriel and Hayden poured Dorothy more drinks
increased. It seemed as if the moment she finished one ss, the next was already filled to the brim.
Dorothy knew she couldn¡¯t drink any more. She waved her hand and was somewhat unsteady as she
stood up. need to use the restroom.¡±
¡°Let me help you¡± Hayden said, already standing up
¡°No need; I can manage At this point, even if it took all her remaining sobriety Dorothy had to pretend
she wasn¡¯t drunk
She nned to call Emmett from the restroom, but the moment she stepped inside, her vision started
to blur
Her phone rang at that exact moment. Dorothy took it out to answer, but she couldn¡¯t even make out
the words on the screen.
¡°Hello..¡±
¡°Where are you. Dorothy?
¡°Hel hello. I¡¯m drunk¡
After she said those three words, her knees buckled, and she copsed in the restroom.
When Everett found her in thedies¡® room, she waspletely unconscious
Without any hesitation, he strode in and lifted Dorothy from the floor as his handsome face dawned a
cold and grim expression
Everett didn¡¯t even want to think about what could have happened if he hadn¡¯t arrived.
She waspletely wasted Wasn¡¯t she easy prey?
Four years, and you haven¡¯t changed at all¡±
Outside, Gabriel and Hayden were still waiting. The spiked drinks were finally serving their purpose,
Hayden cut a piece of steak as heughed. ¡°Gabriel, this is business as usual, huh! Women are so
easy to deal with, and she¡¯s the project director too. If she¡¯s willing to let things slide, negotiations will
be much smoother.¡±
Indeed, Hayden, you are a genius. You¡¯re willing to sacrifice a lot for thepany
¡°Haha! I¡¯m not losing anything. She¡¯s quite attractive, but too bad she¡¯s a married woman¡± After saying
this, he nced at the bottle of wine as his eyes darkened. However, he was still unable to hide the
smile on his lips. ¡°Tell me, how much did you put in this drink? I hope I can handle it; I¡¯m forty after all
¡°Don¡¯t worry! I¡¯ve read the message you sent me. I¡¯ve added just enough. You¡¯re in your prime, so
there¡¯s no doubt you can handle it¡±
Hayden put the cut steak on his te, then patted Gabriel on the shoulder, ¡°Gabriel, no wonder you¡¯re
doing so well in thepany! You¡¯re a smart one!¡± Even though Gabriel had managed to restrain his
ulterior motives, it didn¡¯t mean he didn¡¯t want to use Dorothy to curry favor with his boss.
After all, if anything happened, he had Hayden, a senior execute, to take the fall. If not, he could please
his boss. It was a win win situation.
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After pouring a ss of wine for Dorothy, he surreptitiously sent a message to Hayden back then.
Hayden replied promptly, instructing him to ¡°take care of Dorothy first because he wasn¡¯t a fan of
women who struggle
As time ticked by, even after the steak had been consumed. Domthy still hadn¡¯t returned.
Things felt off to Hayden.
He shot Gabriel a look. Go see what¡¯s up. Check if she¡¯s drunk
¡°Sure¡±
With that, Gabriel rose and headed towards the restroom
However, when he entered the bathroom, he realized there wasn¡¯t a soul in sight
He instantly felt a sense of dread, but he seasoned that Dorothy, if she were to leave, would at least
say goodbye. She wouldn¡¯t just vanish
Unless the was so drunk that someone had taken her.
Quickly Gabriel took out his phone to call Dorothy. But no one picked up.
After a moment, he dialed Lane¡¯s number. ¡°Hello, Mr. Lane.¡±
¡°Yes, what¡¯s up?¡±
e, then excused herself to
¡°I¡¯m the manager of Venty Holdings Limited. We were having dinner with Ms. Sanchez. She was quite
merry and had some wine, the restroom. But she hasn¡¯t returned, and she¡¯s not answering her phone.¡±
¡°What?¡± Lane¡¯s tone spiked instantly. ¡°She¡¯s drunk? You got her drunk?!¡±
Gabriel hurriedly tried to nty ¡°No, we were having a good time, and Hayden happened to have a
bottle of wine for tasting Ms. Sancher wanted some, and so¡
¡°Find her immediately! Call the police if you must! if anything happens to her, I will not let. Verity
Holdings Limited off the hook
The call ended abruptly Gabriel stood dumbfounded for a moment before bolting out of the door.
After seeing him, Hayden looked past Gabriel ¡°Where is she?¡±
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¡®She¡¯s gone! I tried calling her, but she didn¡¯t pick up, so I contacted the boss of East Star Enterprises.
He seemed to care a lot about Ms. Sanchez Gabriel licked his lips nervously before continuing.
¡°Hayden, I think¡ we shouldn¡¯t mess with this woman. We can¡¯t afford to upset East Star Enterprises
over this. Let¡¯s deny any involvement with the wine and say that she drank too much on her own.¡±
Hayden was naturally displeased. He was anticipating a romantic evening.
¡°What a mess you¡¯ve made!¡±
Im sorry, I didn¡¯t expect this. East Star Enterprises boss, Lane, seemed very concerned about Ms.
Sanchez. Maybe he¡¯s had his eye on her for a while now. We better notpete with him.¡±
What else could Hayden do at this point?
He rose from his seat, wiped his mouth, and tossed his napkin onto the table. ¡°You handle the rest.
Follow your own n¡±
¡°Okay, don¡¯t worry I¡¯ll take care of it.¡±
Gabriel watched as Hayden left, then quickly turned to the restaurant staff. ¡°Pull up the surveince
lootage for me. I need to see where the woman who
came with me went.¡±
¡°Sure, follow me. When did youst see thedy?¡±
¡°She said she was going to the restroom.¡±
The waiter paused and adopted an apologetic tone in his voice. There¡¯s no surveince camera around
the restroom area, and the one at the entrance isn¡¯t working. We might only have footage of her
heading to the restroom
Gabriel was instantly filled with a sense of regret.
He should have thought twice before scheming against Ms. Sanchez. A woman as beautiful as her
would definitely catch the eye of the boss of East Stat Enterprises. How could he have been so blind to
not see that?
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¡°Sic do we need to call the police?¡±
¡°No. Il look around a bit more¡± Gabriel didn¡¯t want to escte the situation. He quessed that Dorothy,
being a mature woman, must have been taken away by a co¨Cworker.
It would be better if she were taken away.
This way, there would be no evidence to prove that he and Hayden did anything to her.
Gabriel turned around, picked up the ss of wine on the table, left the restaurant, drove to a secluded
ce, poured the wine into a trash can, and smashed the wine bottle into it.
After everything was done, he sent a message to Dorothy
[Ms. Sanchez, are you drunk? I couldn¡¯t find you when I went out, and I thought I¡¯d find a female co¨C
worker to send you back to the hotel. Did you already go back? If so, I won¡¯t disturb your rest. Well
speak tomorrow]
Dorothy felt incredibly dizzy
She realized that she seemed to have gotten into a car.
The difort in her stomach became more and more apparent, and she couldnt control herself
anymore.
With a jolt of her body, Dorothy vomited a lot.
Everett was now covered in vomit. He looked very ufortable
But one of his hands was still patting Dorothy¡¯s back.
Finally, they arrived at the hotel, and Everett carried her in
There was no time for Everett to think about anything else. He couldn¡¯t just entrust her to someone else
in this state, could he? He wouldn¡¯t feel at ease if anyone else took care of her
Everett ordered a set of women¡¯s clothes for her to be delivered and then helped her change out of her
dirty clothes
As he was thinking of getting a towel to wipe her down, Dorothy suddenly grabbed the corner of his
shirt
Tm hot. I¡¯m so hot¡
Hot?
Everett touched her forehead. She didn¡¯t have a fever, but her hands and body were indeed flushed
111 go find a doctor for you¡± As he reached out for his phone, Dorothy pulled at his shirt, and with a
stumble, he fell onto her
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
How long had it been since he was this close to Dorothy?
Even a nce at her was a luxury.
Her features were still delicate and wless. She was basically unchanged from when they parted.
For a moment, Everett forgot about leaving, and he forgot that she was already a married woman.
¡°You.¡± Dorothy suddenly opened her eyes.
Everett instinctively wanted to get up, but she was holding on too tightly
Their eyes met, and neither of them spoke.
Until she broke the silence after a long time. ¡°You.. why do you look so much like Everett?¡±
¡°You¡¯re drunk.¡±
Tm really drunk. I see Everett when I¡¯m. I¡¯m looking at you¡±
Everett really wanted to ask who the ¡°you¡± she was talking about was.
¡°You sleep first. I find a doctor to check you out.
Before he could faish his sentence, Dorothy kissed him on the lipa.
She she actually kissed!
Everett froze even his heartbeat stopped.
Dorothy didn¡¯t give him. chance. She had been drugged, and she was in a state of irrationality. She
was kissing him, and her small hands were puling
Finally, she found the buckle on his suit, and then she reached down.
In that moment, Everett Trembled like he had been electrocuted.
She was actually holding.. his¡
¡°Dorothy He looked down to see her seductive gaze.
¡°I want. I want you give it to me, please.¡±
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Everell¡¯s voice darkened instantly as he gripped her wrist.
¡°Dorothy, don¡¯t do something you¡¯ll regret
But how could Dorothy listen at this moment? The concoction of drugs and alcohol blurred her vision,
causing her hands to feverishly fumble over him.
Everett felt as if she were dancing on his sanity
¡°Dorothy, snap out of it
¡°Don¡¯t you want me.. Im not feeling well I¡¯m hot¡¡±
Everett¡¯s temples throbbed as he tried to pull Dorothy¡¯s hands away
Yet the more he did so, the tighter she clung his little friend!
Pain forced a hiss from him, but he gritted his teeth
He didn¡¯t want to take advantage of Dorothy in this state. She was drunk, but he wasn¡¯t.
¡°Dorothy, let go.¡± Everett squeered these words out through gritted teeth
¡°No! Dorothy giggled ¡°You¡¯re hotter than me.
¡°Tim warning you, Dorothy¡±
¡°It¡¯s so hard.¡±
Everett could almost hear his sanity shattering
¡°Don¡¯t regret this when you wake up.
¡°I wont. Mmm.
Suddenly, he was the one in control. He captured her lips as he plundered her body and tangled
himself up in her essence.
Everett bildelt as if he were dreaming. It was so sunteal
It wasn¡¯t until she bit into his shoulder that he felt somewhat grounded in reality.
All the emotions and pan she was feeling made her bite down harder.
¡°It hurts Everett, it hurts¡
¡°Bite harder, Dorothy Harder!¡±
Only then could he feel more real
d to know that this was real
He needed to know that this wasn¡¯t the same dream he¡¯d been having for the past four years. He
needed to
Lane took the earliest flight to Hawnbrook City.
He was lucky that there was a flight that day, and he managed to get a ticket
The bad news was that the flight was dyed, so he didn¡¯t take off until the next morning.
He had been calling Dorothy so much that her phone probably ran out of battery.
When the nended at Havenbrook City Airport Austin gave him Emmett and Natalia¡¯s phone
numbers.
He didn¡¯t even wait to disembark before calling Emmell
What happenedst night? Where¡¯s Ms. Sanchez?¡±
1 don¡¯t know. I took Natalia back to the hotel, and when I went back to pick up Ms. Sanchez, she was
gonel No one answered her phone, and no one was
the restaurant!
When Emmett went back, even Gabriel and his boss y
were gone
¡°You haven¡¯t been able to contact her since? thd she go back to the hotel?¡±
¡®No, I just knocked on her door, and no one answered.¡±
¡®She might be drunk and didn¡¯t hear you! Get the hotel stall to open the door and check¡±
Emmett hesitated. ¡°Isn¡¯t that a bit inappropriate?
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
He was a man, after all. What if he saw something he wasnt supposed to see? It would be an awkward
for them to work together in the future.
Lane seemed to realize this too.
¡°Then get Natalia to do it
¡°Alright, I¡¯ll wake her up. Natalia got drunk too. The alcohol they brought was strong, and she got drunk
after a few sips Emmett had a low tolerance for alcohol but he usually could handle a few drinks. After
drinking their alcoholst night, he felt dizzy, so he knew the two women must have been seeing
Lane became incredibly furious
¡°I won¡¯t let this gol Verity Holdings Limited clearly doesn¡¯t respect me! They dare bully my people?!
He left all his work behind toe here, and he intended to make Verity Holdings Limited pay!
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Heaven knew how much Lane regretted sending Dorothy over here.
He knew all too well what kind of men lurked in the business world, and after adding Dorothy¡¯s
attractive features to them, their eyes must have nearly popped out of their sockets.
If they darey a finger on Ms. Sanchez I swear 11 make Verity Holdings Limited pay big time! After
hanging up the phone, Lane immediately got in his car and headed for Verity Holdings Limited
He didn¡¯t even bother to give them a heads¨Cup. He wanted to catch them off guard. At this point, Lare
wished he could shut down Venty Holdings Limtedpletely. If only he had the power
Lane furrowed his thick eyebrows.
In this moment, he realized how much he fell shortpared to Everett.
If Everett were here, with his capabilities, shutting down Verdy Holdings Limited would be a piece of
cake,
The search for Dorothy was in full:
swing
However she was in a hotel room, sleeping in unti almest noon
The moment her consciousness returned, the splitting headache from the hangover and the soreness
throughout her body hit her all at once. The pain was so intense that it felt like her temples were about
to explode.
¡°Hiss ¡°She tried to push herself up with her hands, but her arms were trembling.
Dorothy felt puzzled
She could understand why she had a hangover. Because she had a lot of drinksst night. But why
was her body aching? It felt as if she had been in a physical frald
When she fraty regained some strength, Dorothy tuck a look at her unfamiliar surroundings
This waset her halel
Dorothy¡¯s heart sank, in that moment, she thought of all possible scenarios, especially when she
noticed that she was dressed in different clothes
They werepletely different from the ones she werest night
KNOCK, KNOCK
Suddenly there was a knuck on the door
Dorothy quickly adjusted her clothes and with wobbly legs, got off the bed to open the door
¡°Hello, would you like your breakfast now?¡±
It was a hotel staff member.
Where is this? How how did I get in here?¡±
The staff member smiled. ¡°You were brought here by someone who imed to be your friend¡±
Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.
¡°A male?¡±
¡®Yes.¡®
Dorothy clenched her fists. She dared not think further.
¡°Oh yes, he asked us to send you breakfast and said that if you asked, he told us to tell you that he
was the driver from Everglow Chy
Tverglow City Driver?¡±
Dorothy blinked. She vaguely remembered that she had received a call from him. He also and he was
coming to pick her up.
So, he was the one who brought her here?
She quickly turned around to grab her phone to confirm this, only to find that it was dead.
¡°Excuse me, could I borrow a charger?
¡°Sure. Please wall¡±
The staff member went to get a charger.
Dorothy finally breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that she was not harmed by anyone else.
Wall
But who changed her clothes?
When the staff member came back, Dorothy asked. ¡°The person who imed to be my friend, was he
ne? Were there any other women with him?¡±
1 didn¡¯t see. Your friend is quite handsome, though.¡±
¡°Oh, thank you¡® Dorothy thought back to the driver¡¯s appearance,
Handsome?
17:071
She could only say he was not ugly.
Alter her phone was charged and turned on, countless missed calls and text messages flooded in.
She didn¡¯t want to deal with that now; she just wanted to know what had happenedst night! So,
Dorothy opened WhatsApp, found the driver¡¯s chat, and made a voice call
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The call was picked up after a few moments.
¡°Hey? You awake?¡±
¡°Yeah. It was you who picked me up from the restaurantst night, right? Thanks a lot.¡± Dorothy didn¡¯t
directly question who had changed her clothes. She was just grateful that someone had taken care of
her
¡®No problem¡±
¡°Was it just you who came to get mest night? Dorothy ventured. I mean, I was pretty smashed. You
sure you handled that all by yourself?¡±
She was still trying to justify why she was asking this
The driver cut night to the chase. ¡°It was my girlfriend who changed your clothes¡±
¡°Oh! That¡¯s..uh, I mea
¡°It¡¯s fine, you don¡¯t need to thank me. You¡¯ve helped me a lot too
After a wild night, Everett was filled with regret. Not because of anything else, but she was a married
woman now, and he¡¯d always prided himself on his cleanliness Now, he ended up being the other man
Morally, he couldn¡¯t bear this kind of self¨Ccondemnation
So, he made sure Dorothy was settled in and then left the hotel.
Having found her answer, Dorothy said a few more words and then ended the call. There were still
other people she had to reply to, lest they continue worrying about her.
As she considered getting up and taking a shower, she dialed Natalias number, but there was no
answer.
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
After hanging up, Dorothy headed to the bathroom, only then noticing a dull ache in her lower abdomen
And a certain difort in a secret ce.
Could it be that her period wasing?
She checked her phone again. Yes, she was due in a few days.
Dorothy turned on the shower and stood under the stream of water as she let it wash over her
She closed her eyes, hoping this would help allevate the difort.
Suddenly!
A fragment ofst night¡¯s events and a sound shed in her mind.
¡°Dorothy, sober up!¡±
She snapped her eyes open
That was Everett¡¯s voice.
heart seemingly stopped for a moment.
But after a moment of shock, she dismissed it as a hallucination. Her mind must have been ying
tricks on her again,
Recently, she didn¡¯t know what was up with her. Was it because she was about to leave home and
couldn¡¯t bear to let go? Was this why she kept thinking about Everet1
Lane stormed into Verity Holdings Limited, scaring the life out of Hayden. He really hadn¡¯t expected
that Dorothy would mean so much to Lane.
¡®Hayden, I sent my people here to discuss business, not to get drunk!¡±
¡°Yes, yes, it¡¯s all my fault.¡± Sensing Lane¡¯s great anger, Hayden quickly apologized. ¡°I was just so
excited that I was thinking. And Ma, Sanchez was so amodating, she kept drinking what I poured,
so I thought she could hold her liquor, who knew she..¡±
Lone shot him a re. ¡°So you¡¯re saying it¡¯s my people who can¡¯t handle their booze?¡±
¡°No, no, not at all Hayden waved his hands, trying to look sincere. understand how you feel, and I¡¯m
worried too! When she didn¡¯te back yesterday, I thought she had gone to rest. Thad quite a few
drinks mysell, or else this wouldn¡¯t have happened. In the end, this is my responsibility, and since it
happened on my turf, I must be ountable.¡±
With that, he called a few security guards over. ¡°Gd
find her, and don¡¯te back until you do
19:07
¡°Yes, Hayden¡±
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Lane narrowed his eyes as he watched Hayden¡¯s actions. He sensed that there was more to the story
than Hayden was letting on.
Normally, if Dorothy had really left in the middle of their meeting, she would have at least said
something. Wouldn¡¯t Hayden have gone looking for her when she didn¡¯t return? Why did he leave
instead?
He must have left because he had something to hide.
As Hayden turned around, he met Lane¡¯s probing game. He quickly averted his eyes, looking
somewhat guilty.
When Ms. Sanchez gets back, I need to take her to the hospital for a blood test, I need to see what
kind of liquor you¡¯ve really been serving her¡±
A blood test?
Hayden panicked.
¡°sn¡¯t that a bit extreme? What¡¯s the point of a blood test?
t? I just served her some fine wine, nothing more¡±
¡°Who knows what else was in that wine? I bet there was something that shouldn¡¯t have been there¡±
Lane scoffed. ¡°We¡¯re both veterans in the business world. We know the tricks of the trade, I sent Ms.
Sanchez to you becaused trusted you. I thought there wouldn¡¯t be any incidents, but you went ahead
and got my employer drunk. I have to investigate this.¡±
With that, Lane made to leavE
Hayden quickly blocked his way with a forced smile on his face ¡®Look, I did my best to find her! I didn¡¯t
do anything to her I just served her some wine!¡±
¡°I know for sure once I check
¡°Come on Lane. We¡¯re both businessmen. Well need to cooperate in the future. Don¡¯t take this too far
Hayden¡¯s expression changed, and his eyes. darkened ¡°I said I didn¡¯t do anything You¡¯ve got to save
me some dignity¡±
¡°You messed with my employee, and you want me to save you some dignity?
¡°She¡¯s just a project director.. AM¡±
Before Hayden could finish speaking, Lanended a punch on him.
Hayden staggered back and hit
ral. ¡°Lane, you¡¯re throwing punches over a woman?!
1 told you already that she¡¯s my employer. It seems you still don¡¯t understand¡±
Hayden fell silent.
¡°You think we will cooperate in the future? You¡¯re overthinking Not only will not cooperate with Verity
Holdings Limited, but also make you pay the price
As soon as Lane¡¯s words left his mouth, Hayden¡¯s secretary tushed in.
¡°Bad news, Hayden! Our stock market is plummeting rapidly. Several partners have called to terminate
their contracts!¡±
Hayden immediately turned to Lane
But thetter seemed just as surprised as him
Lane hadn¡¯t taken action get, and even if he had, he wouldn¡¯t have the resources topletely crush
Verity Holdings Limited.
After all Verny Holdings Limited was an establishedpany. It had a decent reputation locally, and its
annual projects were always worth at least tens of millions lis stock market had always been stable.
Now, someone was choking Verity Holdings Limited, leaving it no chance to fight back or ask for help.
¡°Lane did¡did you do this?
¡°No, but it seems like you¡¯re getting your just desserts¡±
So, it wasn¡¯t just him who wanted to take down Verity Holdings Limited
Inside ck Bentley, Everett coldly delegated tasks to his employees.
He was only in Harenbrook City temporary, soat of his instructions had to be given online
Kewn called at this moment. ¡± Lopez, everything¡¯s been taken care of.¡±
¡°Good. I want Venty Holdings Limited to disappearpletely
When Everett picked up Dorothy yesterday, he truly thought she was just simple
The wine definitely had something in it.
There was no need to guess what else happened. Who else would serve Dorothy spiked wine?Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.
1/1
when she started acting crazyter, he realized that it wasn¡¯t that
13:
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Chapter 327
Everett couldn¡¯t directlyy a finger on Verity Holdings Limited; thatpany was truly formidable, so
he had to bring them down through connections. ¡°Roger that¡± Kevin was at his best when it came to
such tasks.
Sabotaging Verity Holdings Limited was no sweat off his brow. A few contract terminations, and it would
crumble. But since the big boss had ordered its immediate downfall, it was clear that his patience was
weaning thin
He ventured a guess that it probably had something to do with Ms. Sanchez agan
Aside from her, no one could send Mr. Lopez into a frenzy.
¡°You¡¯re in Everglow City, Kevin?¡±
¡°Indeed.¡±
¡°Bring the driver you hiredst time in Everglow City to Havenbrook City¡± Everett was preparing for the
worst¨Ccase scenario. If Dorothy insisted on thanking him in person, he needed that driver to be around.
¡®Understood!¡±
After hanging up the phone, Everett took off his suit jacket and unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his
muscr shoulders.
From smallps to deep bites, his body was covered in teeth marks, each tinged with remnants of dried
blood
The fabric brushing against them brought forth a dull throb, but Everett didnt want them to disappear,
he wished they could stay there forever. Because these marks were from Dorothy
She was the woman he had longed for for countless sleepless nights, the woman he couldn¡¯t stop
thinking about
So, Everett didn¡¯t apply any medicine, nor did he see a doctor. He wanted the wounds to scab over and
leave scars. He wanted them as a constant reminder of their night.
Before he could finish dressing, his phone suddenly rang
A nce at the screen revealed Jeffrey¡¯s name
Why was he calling at this hour?
Everett frowned as he pressed the answer button.
¡°You sound so serious Who pissed you off? Jeffrey¡¯s tone was always upbeat. It was like nothing could
bother him.
¡°Just spit it out.¡± Everett slowly buttoned up his shirt as his expression returned to its usual stoc
demeanor.
I was just wondering why you¡¯re suddenly in Havenbrook City We don¡¯t have any Lopez Corporation
projects there¡± Jeffrey was ying dumb,
He knew exactly why Everett was in Haverbrook City.
¡°Just taking a stroll?
¡°Oh, you¡¯re strolling in Dorothy¡¯s hometown, huh? Don¡¯t hide it! Do you think I don¡¯t know you? You¡¯ve
snuck off to Haverbrook City a few times before to reminisce, I assume. Everett, you should let go, but
she¡¯s already¡¡±
Jeffrey always choked up at this point.
Everett waited for him to continue, but he suddenly changed the subject. ¡°The Lopez Corporation is
swamped with work at the moment. You really shouldn¡¯t be wasting time pining for Dorothy Plus,
everyone is gossiping about your uing wedding. Several shareholders have called me to inquire
about it. What should I tell them?
¡°That¡¯s my personal business.¡±
¡°Sure, it¡¯s your business, but you¡¯re the CEO of the Lopez Corporation. If you were an ordinary man,
you could marry whoever you want, but that¡¯s not the case now, is it?¡±
¡°Next time someone asks, tell them to ask me¡±
Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.
Jeffrey sighed. ¡°I really don¡¯t get it. What¡¯s so special about that Dorothy other than her looks? Lane¡¯s
the same as you Havenbrook City, and Lane followed suit. I¡¯m starting to think you guys are in cahoots.
right now. You suddenly left for
¡°Who? Lane?¡±
¡°Yeah! My good friend, who also had a thing for Dorothy. I just called him, and he said he¡¯s in
Havenbrook City too.¡± Jeffrey suddenly realized something. ¡°Ah! Dorothy¡¯s in Haverbrook City now,
right?¡±
Everett didn¡¯t respond.
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But Jeffrey already had his answer. 1 knew it! You two are just too much! Everett, listen to me just give
up on Dorothy already¡±
Everett was silent for nearly a minute. Just as Jeffrey thought he was seriously considering his advice,
he suddenly spoke. ¡°Give me Lane¡¯s information.¡±
¡°Everett, you¡¯re beyond help¡±
Everett had epted that fact a long time ago. He truly was beyond help.
All that talk about giving up on Dorothy never thinking about her again, and starting a new life was just
self¨Cdeception
The truth was that as soon as she snapped her fingers, he would immediately rush to his death, like a
moth to a me, without a second thought.
When Dorothy called Lane, she was on her way back to her hotel
soon as he picked up his voice nearly shattered her eardrums.
¡°Where are you?! Are you okay?! Who are you wither
She sighed. ¡°One question at a time. Don¡¯t be so nervous. I¡¯m fine, I just had a little too much to drink
last night. A friend of mine happened to be around, so they took me to a hotel room to get some rest.¡±
¡°Friend? Manor woman?
Lane sounded like he was questioning his girlfriend
Dorothy massaged her temples. ¡°A guy but don¡¯t worry, nothing happened. I waspletely cked
outst night. I cant remember if I said goodbye to the bosses at Verity Holdings Limited, either. They
won¡¯t be mad, right? I should probably go to Verity Holdings Limitedter,¡±
Her mind was still filled with work.
Lane scoffed. ¡°No need. Since they lost you punched their CEO
¡°What?¡± Dorothy snapped to attention What are you doing? How are we supposed to cooperate now?
Lane, how could you be so impulsive?¡±
For the sake of this partnership, she reluctantly drank drink after drink. She was so drunk thatst night
was now just a blur to her
Now she had a splitting headache, because Lane had just ruined everything.
¡°We¡¯ll talk about the partnershipter. They got you drunk, so I won¡¯t let them off so easily
¡°Wait. You¡¯re in Havenbrook City?¡±
¡°Of course! You disappeared. You think I could just sit around? I rushed over immediately¡±
Dorothy felt her headache intensity
¡°OK. Let¡¯s talk about it when I get to the hotel,¡±
After hanging up. Dorothy was left to figure out how to salvage this situation. The partnership was
profitable, and it seemed like Verity Holdings Limited had genuine intentions. As long as there were no
idents, they should be able to sign a contract
But now, all because she got drunk, an ident had urred.
When she arrived at the hotel, she hurried upstairs to find Lane, Emmett, and Natalia waiting outside
her room.
Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.
Thetter two looked apologetic. Tim sorry, Ms. Sanchez I shouldn¡¯t have left
Dorothy quickly waved them off. ¡°Don¡¯t apologize. You didn¡¯t do anything wrong. Emmett. I told you to
take Natalia home, so why would I me you?¡±
Tears welled up in Natalia¡¯s eyes. ¡°But if I could hold my liquor better, you wouldn¡¯t have had to¡
Tve been working for so many years, and I still can¡¯t hold my liquor. Isn¡¯t that perfectly normal?¡± After
saying this, Dorothy nced at Lane and sighed ¡°Emmett, Natalia, why don¡¯t you go back to your
rooms for now I need to talk to Lane,¡±
¡°Alight.¡±
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Chapter 329
As they departed, Dorothy took out her room key and unlocked the door.
Lane followed her inside. His gaze scanned her from head to toe, as if he were trying to see right
through her.
you just got drunk and stayed the night at another hotel?¡±
Dorothy frowned as she poured herself a ss of warm water to soothe her upset stomach. What
else?¡±
¡°Did anything else happen with the people from Venity Holdings Limited?¡± |
1 don¡¯t think so. We just had drinks: Dorothy was clueless about the entire situation since she was
completely cked out.
So, from her perspective, she simply couldn¡¯t hold her liquor. She even worried that she might have
offended the executives from Verity Holdings Limited, thereby jeopardizing the coboration.
Dorothy, I think they spiked your drink Lane finally voiced his suspicion
Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.
He wanted to know how the effects of the drug Dorothy was given had worn off
¡°Spiked my drink?¡±
¡°Yes! If you don¡¯t believe me, we can go for a blood test now. They should still be able to detect it.¡±
Dorothy felt her mind go nk. No matter how hard she thought, she couldn¡¯t remember anything else
fromst night.
But one thing she was certain of was that the people from Verity Holdings Limited hadn¡¯t taken
advantage of her.
¡°Let¡¯s not blow this out of proportion. I¡¯m standing here perfectly fine, arent Dorothy finished her ss
of water, then had a thought. ¡°Did the people from Verity Holdings Limited admit to it?¡±
It wouldn¡¯t matter if they did or didn¡¯t!
Then we can use this to our advantage. They¡¯d have to sign the contract on our terms, wouldn¡¯t they?¡±
Dorothy wasn¡¯t oblivious to her own dignity But since they hadn¡¯t seeded, she had nothing to be
afraid of. Having such leverage in business was deadly Hayden would never risk his reputation or
company
¡°Dorothy Can you stop thinking about work for once? Lane was on the verge of losing his patience.
¡°These people had malicious intentions towards you! You should be thinking about making them pay
¡°Isn¡¯t making them ede to our terms for the coboration their payment? Noticing that Lane was
getting agitated. Dorothy tried to reassure him. T¡¯m certain I was taken away by a friend, and my friend
is rble¡±
¡°So how did the effects of the drug wear off? Lane decided to cut to the chase.
Now it was Dorothy¡¯s turn to be stunned. She hadn¡¯t thought about that.
But surely it couldn¡¯t be that the driver had somehow neutralized the drug? Could it?
After seeing the changing expressions on Dorothy¡¯s face, Lane stepped forward and gripped her wrist.
¡°Let¡¯s go to the hospital. We can get a blood test and make sure no one touched youst night.¡±
Dorothy followed him mechanically for a few steps before suddenly pulling her hand free.
Tm not going You¡¯re overthinking things. No one touched meli drank so muchst night that I bet the
alcohol overpowered the drug
She didn¡¯t even want to think that there was a chance that the driver had done it
¡°Do you trust your friend that much?¡±
¡°Yes! I do!¡±
Lane clenched his teeth. ¡°Fine, then there¡¯s nothing more for me to say. But you can forget about the
deal with Verity Holdings Limited.¡± ¡°Why?¡±
¡°There¡¯s no Verity Holdings Limited anymore.¡±
Then what was there left to negotiate?
Dorothy thought he was joking. ¡°Stop messing around. We¡¯re discussing serious matters
Tm serious Verity Holdings Limited dered bankruptcy this morning. Their stocks have plummeted,
shareholders are selling off their shares, and banks have filedwsuits against them, demanding early
repayment. Hayden has disappeared.¡±
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Dorothy felt as if she were still in a daze
Verity Holdings Limited, such a massive corporation, had gone bankrupt Just like that?
That seemed preposterous.
¡°Did you do tha, Lare?¡±
Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.
Lane stiffened momentarily before nodding. ¡°Yes, I did. They dared to mess with you. How could I
possibly stand for it?¡±
¡°There¡¯s no need for such extreme measures! A warring would have sufficed! The secondary
processing of agricultural goods isn¡¯t just beneficial to ourpany, it would also help farmers. It¡¯s
such a neble undertaking. Do you have any idea how many farmers were waiting for us to sign that
contract?¡± Nowadays, there were fewer farmers, primarily because they couldn¡¯t earn much.
If secondary processing could be implemented, it could trigger a new wave and provide higher ie
for farmers.
Lane pursed his lips as he stood in front of her, looking ikea child who had done something wrong. 1
was only thinking about how they had bulled you. I wasn¡¯t thinking about anything else¡±
He wasn¡¯t the one who annihted Verity Holdings Limited
However, he couldn¡¯t admit that in front of Dorothy He had to make Dorothy think it was his doing After
all, no woman disliked a man with power and influence. Regardless of who ruined Verity Holdings
Linded, he had to im the credit.
¡°So, what now? is there any way to get Venty Holdings Limited back?¡±
¡°Dorothy, you should worry more about your health night nas! Leave the business matters to me. I
promise you continue the secondary processing project. I¡¯ll find anotherpany to partner with,
okay?¡±
¡°Really?¡±
¡°Really¡± Lane wished he could swear to the heavers. 1 wort let your hard work go to waste. Your efforts
must bear fruit!¡±
Dorothy tack a deep breath
Things were as they were, and she had no other means to salvage the situation,
¡°Alright then. Lane. Don¡¯t be so impulsive in the future. Im just an employee at East Star Enterprises I
don¡¯t want any special treatment. My position as project director has already caused enough rumors in
thepany. You might be deal to them in your high seat, but I cant ignore them.¡±
¡°Who¡¯s goss ping about you? 111 take care of them!¡±
¡°Don¡¯timertere. I can handle it myself just warded to say that you need to respect our bourdanes. Dont
let it be a burden for me.
Lane was about to retort, but Dorothy raised her hard to interrupt him. T¡¯m a bit tred row and need
some rest. You should go back to your work Now that this partnership has fallen through, I¡¯ll return to
East Star Enterprises with Emmett and Natalia as soon as possible.¡±
She had more pressing matters to attend to after sending Lane off She had to meet with the driver from
Everglow City to probe if he had¡
Dorothy ran her fingers through her hair in agitation
It couldn¡¯t be!
That driver seemed like an honest man. If he had any intentions towards her, he could have
approached her in Everglow City, not in Havenbrook Cry
She couldn¡¯t falsely use a good person.
Dorothy took out her phone and found her chat with the dilver on WhatsApp.
Hreally appreciate your helpst night I was wondering if you¡¯re free: I¡¯d like to invite you for a meal to
express my gratitude]
It took a while before she received a response.
[Sure, but you¡¯t have to want. I¡¯m tied up at the moment|
[That¡¯s fine. Let me know when you¡¯re free
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Everett knew Dorothy would insist on meeting the driver. If he refused at this point, she would definitely
be suspicious. Honeally, this was the first time in his life that hecked the courage to face the
consequences
He was truly at a loss for how to tell Dorothy about this. She was drank und was under the influence of
drugs, while he was not.
He was fully saber.
Everett pressed his temples hard as he thought about this
The quit in his heart was unbearable, causing his headache to throb incessantly. He wanted to tak to
Dorothy and tell her everything, but he was afraid Dorothy would hate him
He didn¡¯t have the courage to face Dorothy
When Keven brought the driver to the Hawenbrook City Airpen and saw Mr. Lopez¡¯s car parked at the
entrance, he was really startled.
He was just a secretary hurt his boss personally came to pick him up?
After getting in the car, Kevin quickly spoke to Everett in the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°Mr. Lopez let me drive,¡±
Everett nced at the driver in the back seat through the rear view meter and nodded. ¡°Sure¡±
He needed to hurry and tell this driver what to say He couldn¡¯t mess up in front of Dorothy.
When the driver saw Everett and then looked at the luxury car he was sitting in, he was surprised but
then thought it made sense.
¡°So, you¡¯re the big boss! No wonder you had me bump into thatdy¡¯s car, you must be loaded!
Kevin, who had no idea what had happened in Everglow City couldnt help but hold his breach to listen
to this gossip
Everett¡¯s lips twitched Let me tell you what you should say to thedy you¡¯re about to meet
¡°No problem, no problem! The driver had alwadly seen how wealthy he was several times, suratualy,
he was very obedient now. ¡°Whatever you want me to do, ili da d¡¯Et Mr. Lopez. I have a favor to ask,
even though you¡¯ve given me a lot already. My daughter is sick
¡°How much do you need? Everett didn¡¯t have time to isten to his request. It was probably just about
money anyway
¡°They said the surgery would cost a hundred thousand, a
d the subsequent treatment is uncertain, so we been driving day and right to earn money.
Everett nced at Kevin, who was driving Give him had a millionter¡±
The driver hurriedly waved his hand. No, no, no I don¡¯t need that much I¡¯m already embarrassed. It¡¯s
like I¡¯m asking for too much from you & hundred thousand is enough I do whatever you tell me to!
¡°This half a million is for renting your time, I don¡¯t know how long I need you?
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Exclett didnt know how long this connection between him and Duruthy needed tost. He didn¡¯t know
how long it would be until he could give up, so he would always reed the driver to be on standby.
¡°I¡¯m yours for life, Mr. Lopez Call me anytime?
Everett roughly told him about what had happened. Of course, he left out the part about their
passionate encounter, so the driver fully believed that nothing had happened between them. This way,
there was no possibility of him slipping up.
In the end, the driver tentatively asked, ¡°Mr. Lopez, at the samedy asst time?¡±
¡°You¡¯re really good to her. Are you pursuing her, but she¡¯s not interested?¡± Gossip was human nature,
and the diner was no different.
Kevin, who was driving, didn¡¯t dare speak. Ha m¨¢s just waiting for his boss to speak,
After a long while, Everett finally answered in a deep voice, ¡°Yes, she doesn¡¯t love me¡±
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Lane stepped out of Dorothy¡¯s room but didn¡¯t truly leave Havenbrock City. Instead, he booked himself
another room in the same hotel
Thoughts about Verity Holdings Limited gued him. His unease grew the more he mulled over it. After
much contemtion, he dialed Jeffrey¡¯s number. Jeffrey didn¡¯t pick up the first time he called. It was
some timeter when Jeffrey called hack,
¡°You called?¡±
¡°Yeah, have you heard about Verity Holdings Limited going under?
Jeffrey was momentarily stunned ¡°Wait, the Verity Holdings Limited in Haverbrook City
¡°Exactly! They went bust overnight!
¡°Weren¡¯t they a rather big deal? I briefly looked into them before Their projects seemed to be doing
well, so how did they suddenly cpse?
That was exactly Lane¡¯s query. ¡°So, who do you think could have the power to topple such arge
corporation¨Cevemight?¡±
7
Jeffrey wasn¡¯t fool. He instantly caught Lane¡¯s drill
Did Verity Holdings Limited cross paths with Dorothy?¡±
Indeed, their bess Hayden, spiked Dorothy¡¯s drink. Hended to take advantage of her.¡±
Jeffrey understood instantly ¡°Of all the people he could have messed with, he had to go after Dorothy
Lintally thought that the downfal of Verity Holdings Limited could be due to their own internal issues that
had suddenly erupted, but if Derathy is involved, everything makes sense¡±
Jeffrey knew all too well that Dorothy was Everetts Achilles heel. Who could tolerate ther most precious
treasure being tampered with?
¡°But how did he find out about Dorothy? Lane frowned. A sense of foreboding doom began to wash
over him.
Given the orcustances, it was clear that Everett hadn¡¯t given up on Dorothy pet.
His opponent seemed to be nane uth an the towering Everest himself.
¡°I¡¯m not quite certain Everett is constantly upied with work at thepany, and he has assigned me
countless tasks, so i wouldn¡¯t be aware if he had any dealings with Dorothy currently¡±
¡°Does Everett have someone around Dorothy?¡±
¡°I¡¯m not sure¡± Jeffrey was genuinely clueless; he wasn¡¯t just ying dumb. When Dorothy rested on
divorcing Everest, I ran into her at the hospital. She mentioned that the doctors had told her that she
might not be able to conceive, I suspected that was why she was so adamant about the divorce, but
now in looks Ike things arent that simple since she got pregnant and had already given birth. Are you
sure that child is really Dorothy¡¯s
Jeffrey distinctly remembered that Dorothy had made a special trip to the hospital due to this issue, and
the doctor had even suggested that she discuss it with her husband
Lane replied, The chid is herx¡±
And Everett¡¯s 100
However, Lane was defintely not going to share the rest with him
¡°Then she must have found a cureter on Jeffrey was beng naive by not choosing to dele any deeper
into the matter. ¡°Oh, Lane, there¡¯s something else I need to tell you¡±
¡°Shoot¡±
¡°Everett is as in Havenbrook City. I think he¡¯s there for Dorothy but he denies it.¡±
Lane shot up from his chair and asked, ¡°He¡¯s in Haverbrook Cty?¡±
¡°Yes! He has been frequenting Haverbrook City quite a bit ever since his divorce from Dorothy. I¡¯ve
gotten used to it, but this time it doesn¡¯t seem as simple. Lane, as a friend I must advise you not to
waste your time on Dorothy She¡¯s a mystery, and she¡¯s kept Everett hooked for all these years, so
please don¡¯t get yourself entangled too.¡±
Lane wanted to tell him that it was already toote. He was already entangledMaterial ? of N?velDrama.Org.
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¡°Uh¨Chuh, I got it. Could you maybe check in with Everett for me? I¡¯m curious about what brought him to
Havenbmok City. Was it really Dorothy?¡±
1sn¡¯t it obvious?
The Lopez Corporation didn¡¯t have any projects in Havenbrook City currently. Even if they did,
domestic projects that weren¡¯t worth a few billion dors weren¡¯t worth the CEO¡¯s time.
So what else could it be?
But they¡¯re divorced. Didn¡¯t Everett remarry?¡± News of him getting married was all over the business
world.
Lane thought he had moved on.
After all, divorce usually meant there were issues between them. Now that Dorothy was unting her
married life with a child and Everett had announced his remarriage, Lane couldn¡¯t imagine there being
any connections left between them
He was surprised to find out that Everett came to Havenbrook City for Dorothy
Most importantly, Everett knew about Dorothy being drugged. This meant that he was either still in
contact with Dorothy or that he had someone close to her.
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
If it was thetter, then it was only a matter of time before Everett found out about Dorothy¡¯s daughter.
Lane didn¡¯t even want to think about it..
Now that Dorothy imed to be married and Everett was still protecting her, if he found out that the
child was his, what chance would Lane have left?
¡°But he just made an announcement. None of us have seen the bride.¡± Jeffrey said cautiously. He
avoided talking too much about Everett¡¯s personal matters for fear of repercussions.
¡°Jeffrey do you think he might not have gotten married after all?¡±
1 wouldn¡¯t know that. He¡¯s not one to discuss everything with me.¡± Especially not when it came to
Dorothy
Everett believed that Jeffrey was on Heather¡¯s side, so naturally, he wouldn¡¯t share much
¡°Then did you mention anything to him when you left Everglow City? Like about Dorothy having a
child?¡±
¡°No, didn¡¯t you tell me not to? You said it would only hurt him, and I agree. It¡¯s not his child, so knowing
would only cause him pain. But if he keeps this up.
I¡¯m thinking of telling him I should let him see how happy Dorothy has been without him: Jeffrey said
angrily
His good friend was still stuck, while Dorothy had moved on quite quickly. She not only remarried but
also had a child!
Poor Everett
He was still waiting in ce, but he didn¡¯t know what exactly he was waiting for. A miracle?
¡°Don¡¯t¡± Lane immediately stopped him. ¡°Don¡¯t tell him.¡±
¡°Why are you so nervous?¡± Jeffrey jumped at his sudden increase in volume
¡°As a man, I understand what he¡¯s feeling. I¡¯m also stuck in unrequited love, remember? If I were
Everett, I wouldn¡¯t want to hear this news. It would be too painful
Jeffrey sighed. ¡°Alright, I won¡¯t say anything. You¡¯re going to Havenbrook City this time for Dorothy too,
right?¡±
¡°won¡¯t deny it. I am going for Dorothy. But my reasons are not the same as Everett¡¯s. Dorothy, as my
employee, is on a business trip to Havenbrook City. and now she¡¯s in trouble, so I have to step in.
However, the coboration with Verity Holdings Limited fell through, and with Verity Holdings Limited
gone. we¡¯re nning to leave.¡±
¡°Her Dorothy goes on a business trip, gets drugged, and you, the boss, personally go to handle it. You
say you don¡¯t have any ulterior motives? Who are you trying to fool?¡±
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Tve got no chance with her. She wouldn¡¯t give Everett the time of day so what hope do I have?¡®
1 see your point¡±
After a short conversation with Jeffrey Lane hung up the phone Heimmediately reached out to Austin.
He ordered him to tell Dorothy that there was an urgent matter back in Everglow City that required her
attention
Everett was also in Haverbrook City and he couldnt afford to give him any opportunities to approach
Dorothy.
As he was about to leck his phone, his eyes inadvertently caught a glimpse of a number saved
onhsphone.
It was Heather¡¯s number, which he stole from Jeffrey¡¯s phone. But he didn¡¯t dial it.
It wasnt time to y hisst card yes. He didn¡¯t want to escte things.
When Austin called, Dorothy was still worried about the driver She wanted to meet with him as soon as
possible to figure out what had happened and how her drug had been neutralized,
¡°Dorothy, Everglow City needs you. When can you return?¡±
Tve almost finished up here. so probably in a day or two Lane is also in Havenbrook City now, let me
check with him.¡±
¡°Wright!¡±
After hanging up the phone, Dorothy once again found that the driver had not yet responded to her.
The longer she kept waiting, the more restless she became.
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
Finally, she received his miss?ge
[How about we meet at Harvest Restaurant at 7 pm tonight?)
Sounds good ill bring your receipt]
She quickly got herself ready, making sure to put the receipt in her purse.
As she stepped out of her hotel room, she saw Lane standing around the corner smoking a cigarette
Upon seeing Dorothy, Lane extinguished his cigarette and naked towards her. Did you have a good
rest?¡±
¡°Yeah¡±
¡°What are you up to? Lane examined her from head to toe, noticing that she was clearly dressed for an
outing.
Tm meeting a friend who helped me outst night Im treating him to dinner as a thank you¡±
Laneughed Her Trend must be one of Everell¡¯s men
Otherwise, how could he have known about these things and moved against Verity Holdings Limited
even before he did?
Mind if I tag along? Id like to thank your friend too
Dorothy paused and frowned slightly I dont think that¡¯s a good idea. He doesn¡¯t even know you¡®
We can get to know each other then! After all, he did me a huge favor too. The people from Venty
Holdings Limited might have tried to harm you. Your friend stopped them in time, so I must express my
gratitude.¡±
Dorothy didn¡¯t want to bring Lane along.
Mainly because this was only her second meeting the driver. What would he think if she brought Lane
along?
¡°He¡¯s from Cverglow City. You can meet him there if you get a chance. It¡¯s not convenient for me to
bring you along tonight¡±
¡°Then let me give you a lift Lane didn¡¯t push any further He was mainly interested in finding out who
this person was. He needed to know his enemy.
¡°I can just order a cal
¡°I¡¯ve got nothing to do. Why take a cab? Are you worried that I might do something to you?¡±
¡°Ainght then ¡°Dorothy didn¡¯t want to argue with Lane Tight now, all she wanted was to meet the dryer
and find out what happened the night before
Lane drove her to the restaurant. Since was not yet the agreed¨Cupon me, Dorothy didnt get out of the
car Instead, she discussed some work matters
with Lane
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Lane, once the project in Everglow City wraps up. Ill hard in my resignation.¡±
¡°No need, I¡¯ve got apany abroad too!¡±
Before, Lane was hesitant about Dorothy leaving the country, but now he was all for it.
The further she was from Everett, the better
That way, he wouldn¡¯t stick his long nose into everything.
¡°After going abroad, I don¡¯t have a concrete n yer Whether or not continue in this professors still up
in the air.¡±
Lane nced at her. ¡°You can¡¯t not work forever!
¡°Well that¡¯s true.¡± But she wanted to spend some time with her kids first.
She still had the opportunity to be with her children. They were young and still hadn¡¯t been traumatized
by her absence. But once they were older, it would be toote for any remedy.
¡°If you want to work, juste to me, Dorothy, you didn¡¯t have any unpleasant experiences at East
Star Enterprises, did you?¡±
¡°Not at all.¡±
This was the truth, During her time at East Star Enterprises, although she had to work overtime to
achieve the sess she had today, her superiors were very considerate. She had no status or identity,
and it East Star Enterprises had been biased. I wouldn¡¯t have been easy for her to be a project
director. They could havee up with any excuse to keep her from climbing up thedder
*So, consider East Star Enterprises like your own home who knows, maybe well.¡±
¡°Lane.¡± Dorothy cuckly interrupted him. ¡°I really dont want to think about rtionships right now. I dont
want to deceive you because I think you¡¯re a good person¡±
Lane looked into her eyes. It took him a long time to ask, ¡°Are you not over Everett?¡±
He didn¡¯t want to ask.
If he got the answer he dreaded most, what would he do? Let go?
Dorothy didn¡¯t directly respond. She just pulled at the corner of her lips as she said, ¡°We¡¯re over¡±
She didn¡¯t want to tell others about the actions of the Lopez family because she didn¡¯t have sold
evidence yet. If the truth was made public, everyone would understand why she couldn¡¯t be with
Everett.
Lane wasnt a loot He knew Dorothy¡¯s non answer was an answer in itself.
But since she said it was over, why did he need to know the definite answer?
¡°I wait for you I can give you some more time¡±
Dorothy was at a loss for words.
She didn¡¯t want to waste any more time arguing with Lane.
Once she left the country over time, he would naturally how new
Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
new interests. She was just a temporary distraction when he was lonely. Pls, she didn¡¯t believe that
Lane, a man known for his many romantic escapades, could stay serious about her.
Lane wanted to say something, but the driver¡¯s voice call came through
She saw a car stop up ahead, so she picked up the call and got out of the car. ¡°Hello im here. I¡¯m right
at the entrance¡±
Dorothy barely walked a few steps from the car when she saw the driver also get out from the opposite
side.
Upon seeing her, he waved and smiled genuinely
Seeing him put many of Dorothy¡¯s thoughts at ease.
With one look at the driver, anyone could tell he was an honest man. His pure, smiling eyes seemed
too genuine to be fake.
¡°Shall we go in and talk?¡±
¡°Sure¡± The driver¡¯s innocent look wasn¡¯t feigned. The version Exerell had told him was simply one of a
friend helping another. He just did a good deed.
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The driver followed her into the booked private room. Dorothy had specifically ordered high end
seafood dishes to make sure he had a good time. She said she wanted to thank him, so she couldn¡¯t
be stingy nom
¡°Wow, this is quite a feast. I¡¯ve never had anything like this before¡± The driver¡¯s eyes widened at the
sight of the array of dishes.
¡°You should eat up then¡± Dorothy pushed some dishes towards him andughed. ¡°We met in such a
rushst time, so I never asked your name. I didn¡¯t expect you to be so kind. You really went out of
your way to help me.¡±
The driver was surprised and waved his hard damissively. It was no imuble, I happened to be in
Haverbrook City with a female friend of mine. She was able to find your location, and we just went. I
figured if you needed my help, I¡¯d lend a hand. I did crash into your cat
feel bad about that¡± ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t think you¡¯de I was really drunk that day¡± After seeing the driver
speak to and cly. Jurothy fell there was no need to ask her remaining questions.
¡°You should be careful when you¡¯re out at night, lest your pa. The driver stopped mid sentence, then
said, Parents would worry! The world is aplicated ce.¡±
Dorothy nodded, not giving it much thought. ¡°Yes, I was so determined to get that contract. I was too
eager
Actually, ther methods weren¡¯t that sophisticated Dorothy was prepared, otherwise, she wouldnt have
brought Emmett and Nat. Butter, when they started bullying her subordinates, she as a leader,
had to say something. She couldn¡¯t offend them for the sake of the contract, so sheet the two of them
leave first
¡°You don¡¯t have to thank me that much. I have a daughter too. Although she¡¯s younger than you, but as
a father, if she encountered such a scuation, id hope someone would help her too.
¡°If your daughter ever needs my help. I¡¯ll do everything I can
She owed him a big favor
¡°No need! Just..¡± The crner really wanted to bring up Mr. Loper, but the hold back ¡°Pay me back for the
hated hill from yesterday¡±
He didnt really want the money, he just didn¡¯t know how to handle the situation
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Dorothy was taken aback, and she immediately asked ¡°Of course, of course, how much?¡±
The hundred?¡± in his new, a hotel stay for five hundred was already a lot.
But Dorothy thought he was just too shy to ask, sa s
transferred five thousand to him directly
1 know that hotel is unscale. A night¡¯s stay would be at least three to one thousand. You helped me,
and I¡¯m already extremely grateful. I can¡¯t let you lose
The driver didn¡¯t dare say much now. He was afraid he wouldn¡¯t be able to handle der So, he could only
ned
Anyway, he could give the money back to Mr. Lopezter.
wouldn¡¯t pocket the money.
Downstars, outs de the restauram.
Lane hadn¡¯t left.
He was leaning against his car, lighting a cigarette for himself, and asionally ncing up at the
restaurant
He wondered what they were talking about..
Just as Lone was about to make a call to hispany, he noticed, out of the corner of his eye that
there was another car parked not far away,
It was a Bentley There were only a handful of people in Havenbrook City who would drive a Bentley.
Adding to what Jeffrey had told him earlher about Lverett being in Havenbrook City he had a hurch that
Everett was in that car.
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This must have been Everett¡¯s scheme
Lane took thest drag of his cigarette, then ground it out under his boot before striding towards the
car.
TAP TAP
He knocked on the window
The ss rated down, revealing a face that clearly belonged to a secretary, who was dressed in a
sharp suit.
¡°Can I help you sir?¡®
Lane took the opportunity to nce at the backseat, but a divider blocked his view. He was certain that
there was someone there.
¡®Mind if I borrow a light? I need a drag Lane pulled out his pack of smokes and gave it a little shake.
¡°Sorry, I don¡¯t smoke.¡°Kevin gave him a polite smile and started to roll up the window,
But Lane beat him to the punch and started a new topic. Is there a big shot in this car? Mayck who it
is? I¡¯m also in the business world. I¡¯m the owner of East Star Enterprises. Would it be possible to get
acquainted?¡°¡±
East Star Enterprises?
Wasn¡¯t that Dorothy¡¯spany?
Ken reflexively nced in the rear¨Cview mirror, but he saw no reaction ¡°My boss is resting. Sorry for
the inconvenience.¡±
¡°Alright.¡±
¡°He was clearly rejected. Lane knew his attempt at smalltalk had failed.
Just as he was about to turn away, he heard the sound of the car door opening from behind him.
Turning his head, he saw a face that he usually only saw in magazines, now brightly it in his line of
sight.
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Everett was extraordinary dazzling
Even though he was dressed casually now, his tall figure alone standing there was enough to create an
invisible pressure. The aura of nobility and aloofness that permeated his whole being was inmate.
¡°You¡¯re Lane.¡± Everett¡¯s statement was not a question
Lane was still a bit surprised that he could say his name so urately
He readily admitted as he stepped forward and extended his hand.
But Everett didn¡¯t seem to have any mention of shaking it.
¡°What do you want?¡±
¡°Nothing in particr, I just saw your car parked here. It¡¯s quite
If in were anyone else, Everett might have believed them
conspicuous, so I thought I¡¯d introduce myself¡±
But for a man who pursuing Dorothy he would be a fool to believe such empty words
¡°You brought Dorothy here.¡± His appearance here left no room for doubt.
Lane nodded as a sly smile yed on his lips. ¡°Yes. She wanted to thank the person who helped her it
waste, so I offered to drive her here. She wanted
to take me up with her, but I thought it wouldn¡¯t be appropriate for me to meet her friends, especially
since she hasn¡¯t announced our status yet.¡±
His statement was loaded with information. It was not just a hint to Everett, but a clear message that
Dorothy was now his
But Lane made a mistake. There was no one in the world who knew Dorothy better than Everett
¡°Younted oing, didn¡¯t you?¡±
Lane fell silent
Dorothy wouldn¡¯t ask forpany¡±
¡°Mr. Lopez, you¡¯ve been apart from her for so many years, so how can you be sure she hasn¡¯t
changed?¡± Lane chuckled. People always change¡±
Everett¡¯s than lipstched slightly. ¡®She won¡¯t.¡±
¡°Loper, if you know her so well, why did you divorce Dorily in the first ce?¡± Lane shrugged as he
spread his hands. Because you didn¡¯t understand her! You didn¡¯t know what she really wanted!¡±
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Do you understand her?
1 do! Everett tell me, what woman doesn¡¯t crave to be cherished? Even when she goes out with her
friends, I¡¯m willing to wait for her downstairs bet you can¡¯t do that, right?¡±
In Lane¡¯s eyes, Everett was a man who was always swamped with work. How could he possibly spare
time to apany Dorothy?
So, part of their breakup must have been because Everett could it be with Dorothy at all times.
What he didn¡¯t know was that Everett could dmp everything even cancelpany meetings, just to
make Dorothy a homemade breakfast Including right now. He had moved all his meetings online just to
be in Haverbrook City
¡°She won¡¯t ept you¡± Everett saw night through Lane. He was just another suitor.
Just like him.
The only difference was that he could openly pursue her, while Everett had to do so in secret.
¡°Let¡¯s wait and see¡® There was confidence in Lane¡¯s voice as the waved to Everett won¡¯t disturb you
anymore. Until next time¡±
As he turned to leave, Kevin got out of the car.
¡°Mr. Lopez, should we do something about East Star Enterprises?¡±
¡°No need.¡±Everett¡¯s gaze shifted from Lane¡¯s retreating figure to the restaurant door. His eyes were
deep and unreadable as he said, ¡°Dorothy won¡¯t choose him.¡±Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Of course! You¡¯re better than him in every aspect, whether it¡¯s social status or personal traits
It was the absolute truth
There wasn¡¯t a hint of ttery in his sone
self¨Cmocking smile. Everett chimed in. Yet, she wont choose me either
Kevin didn¡¯t know what to say.
¡°Verity Holdings Limited is bankrupt. They should be leaving Hasenbrook City soon. I should retum sa
Eldaria C
Everett knew he had responsibilities. He couldn¡¯t afford to act on a whim all the time.
He got back into the car, where the conversation between the driver and Dorothy was ying
The driver had gone in with a recording device. It wasn¡¯t that Everett wanted to cavesdrop he was just
afraid the driver might say something wrong.
¡°Thank you so much. You¡¯re really a good person¡±
Dorothy¡¯s voice was as warm and pleasant as ever. She was genuinely grateful to the driver.
Everett couldn¡¯t imagine what would happen if she found out the truth about that night.
Suddenly Dorothy¡¯s phone rang
Everett frowned as his eyes widened
¡°What?! He¡ he ran away? Did you go look for him?? Did you call the police? You have to find him
He wasnt sure who Dorothy was referring to, but it was clear she cared deeply for this person.
I¡¯m sorry, but I have an emergency I need to leave. I¡¯ll call you again another time¡±
¡°Okay.¡± The driver could only nod in surprise.
Dorothy hurriedly left the restaurant.
Once she left, the driver called Everett. Ms. Sanchez has left.¡±
¡°Who was the person on the phone?¡±
1 don¡¯t know. He sounded really worried, and Ms. Sanchez looked anxious too. She left immediately¡±
Aman?
Could it be Keh?
¡°You¡¯re done here, you can go back.¡±
After hanging up. Everett had Kevin follow Dorothy and L
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He wanted to find out who this ¡°runaway¡± was that had Dorothy so worried and desperate. He found
himself wanting to help her, even If she probably didn¡¯t need him
The call that Dorally had received was indeed from Keh
He said that Langston had run away from home, leaving only a note stating that he was going back to
their homnd to look for his mother.
Lane didn¡¯t know what happened to her, and when he asked, she said nothing
Dorothy naturally wouldn¡¯t reveal more of her secrets to others. Lane already knew about her
daughter¡¯s rtionship with Everett, so she couldn¡¯t possibly tell him about her son too
The only ones who knew about her other child were Karen and Keh
Upon reaching the hotel Dorothy immediately started packing her belongings, preparing to head to the
airport
She needed to go back and discuss ns with Karen If all else fated, she would immediately lly
coverseas to find her son,
What are you doing?¡± Lane asked.
As soon as she stepped out she saw Lane still standing at theer of the entrance
¡°Lane, I need to a tome¡±
7s your daughter in trouble Lane was stupid. After seeing her so anxious, he could guess what had
happened
Dorothy paused, then nodded. ¡°Yes, sul need to go back I might need to take a few days of!¡±
She didn¡¯t know how long it would take to find her son
¡°Sure you can take as long as you need. On one condrion: Ie with you
He wanted to be more involved in Dorothy¡¯s life and interact with her daughter.
But to his surpose, Dorothy medutelprefined. Na, Shes very shy¡±
Lane fet abt awkward, He hurnedly said, ¡°Treally mean well I have no utenor motives. I¡¯m worried about
your daughter too¡±
¡°I can find her on my own. Thank you though Dorothy dragged her sutcase and was about to leave.
Lane followed her and Ired helping her with the luggage. ¡°At least let me take you to the airport.¡±
¡°Lane..¡±
¡°You¡¯ll waste time haring a tad. My car is faster!¡±
¡°Alright¡±
She was in such a mess right now. She didn¡¯t have the energy to draw a line with him. Al she wanted
was to find Langston as soon as
He was so young: it would be easy for him to run into trouble
Dorothy couldn¡¯t bear to think about the what¨Cils
possible.
Upon arriving at the airport, Lane didn¡¯t say much. He simply helped her with her luggage and watched
as Dorothy went through security before he left
Dorothy sat in the wating room and quickly called Keh,
¡°Did you find Langston?¡±
¡°Not He took his passport. It seems like he¡¯s really nning to go back.¡±
Dorothy frowned. ¡°He¡¯s too young. The altport wouldn¡¯t let him board?
¡°I hope so. I¡¯m at the airport right now. There are only a few fights back, so 111 want a bit longer
¡°Were there any signs before he ran away? Did he say anything to you? Dorothy¡¯s voice was honise.
She wished she could fly overseas immediately. Keh paused, then said ¡°Not really I had just
bought him now clothes, and he seemed happy the even said how nice it would be if I were his dad,
and then he went to do his homework. I thought he had fallen asleep after finishing his homework, but
when I opened the door, there was nobody there. He had jumped out of the window, leaving only a rate
for me.¡±
¡°Could it be that he didn¡¯t finish his homework and ran away to moid the teacher¡¯s check?
Kids usually non away for such reasons.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
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¡°It¡¯s impossible. He always finishes his homework swiftly, and the school teachers never force them toplete their assignments. Langston is a bright and quick-witted kid. The stuff they learn at school is a piece of cake for him."
Dorothy felt a pulsating ache in her temples.
If it weren¡¯t for the fact that Langston was missing, she would have fallen apart when she received Keh¡¯s call. She wouldn¡¯t have been able to stand.
"Keh, everything is up to you now. You must help me find him."
¡°I will do whatever it takes! In my eyes, Langston is no different from my own son.¡±
Dorothy knew he must be trying hard, but Langston always had a mind of his own. He did things that were beyond his age. He possibly inherited too much from a certain someone.
Just as she hung up with Keh, Karen¡¯s call came in.
¡°Did you find him? My brother¡¯s line was busy. It¡¯s driving me nuts!¡±
¡°He was on the phone just now.¡± Dorothy anxiously nced at the departure time. "Langston is still missing. I¡¯m about to fly back to meet you, and then we¡¯ll go there together."
Her voice carried a sense of urgency that was unusual for her. Hearing that,
¡°Alright, I¡¯ve already packed up Abigail¡¯s stuff. We can leave at any time,¡± Karen¡¯s voice replied. Langston being missing was like losing her own child.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
¡°Karen, take care of Abigail.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t say such things! Look at the time.¡±
After hanging up, Dorothy couldn¡¯t sit still. She started pacing around the airport.
All she hoped for now was a call from Keh telling her that Langston had been found. She didn¡¯t want to hear anything else.
Dorothy was so absorbed in her worry that she didn¡¯t notice two pairs of eyes watching her from not far away.
Upon seeing her like that, Kevin softly said, ¡°Mr. Lopez, should I call Ms. Sancher? Our rtionship wasn¡¯t bad before. She wouldn¡¯t ignore my call.¡±
¡°No. What¡¯s the difference between you calling and me calling?¡±
Dorothy must know about Kevin and Everett¡¯s close rtionship. Once the call went through, they would know that Everett had been around.
¡°Then should we ask someone from East Star Enterprises?¡±
¡°Lane¡¯s people won¡¯t tell us about it.¡±
That was his rival in love.
Well, he supposed that was the right term.
Mainly, Everett didn¡¯t want to disturb Dorothy, nor did he want her to know that he was watching her.
She was so scared of him that she wanted to avoid him at all costs. If she found out, she would only go further away.
¡°But Ms. Sancher¡¯s really worried; she can¡¯t even sit still. I wonder who has run away from home.¡±
¡°It must be about her child,¡± Everett thought calmly as he recalled Kevin mentioning that Karen had a daughter.
Given Dorothy and Karen¡¯s rtionship, if her daughter was missing, Dorothy would be extremely anxious.
¡°Mr. Lopez, should I send someone to help find her?¡±
¡°Let¡¯s not rush. We¡¯ll follow her and see what happens.¡±
If the child had just run out to y and they started a big search, it would be too conspicuous, and they¡¯d be quickly noticed.
If they genuinely couldn¡¯t find her anywhere, it wouldn¡¯t be toote to step in then.
A kid couldn¡¯t have gone far.
Kevin nodded. ¡°Right.¡±
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Lopez Corporation, Legal Department
It had been two days since Heatherst saw Everett. For a workahole Ike him, if he wasn¡¯t at the office
and had no business trips scheduled, what could he possibly be up to
asy the fat. She feared that Everett might be with another woman.
N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
The more she thought about it, the more uneasy
But after calling Everett multiple times, he never picked up the end, she had no choice but to find
Jeffrey agan
Right now, the quickest way to find out Everett¡¯s whereabouts was through ?nm.
After calling twice Jelfrey finally picked up.
Ms. Garpa can you give it a rest? Does the Legal Department have nothing to do? I¡¯ve got a tor of work
on my ter
Nowadays, Jeffrey¡¯s attitude towards her was increas nay impatient.
just want to know where Everett in Why isn¡¯t he at thepany?¡±
11 you¡¯re looking for him for work, reach out through thepany¡¯s channels. Why
y are you caling
The Lopez Corporation had apany software, whemmunication and information reporting could
be done.
Everett was hardly ever offline, and Heather, as the head of the Legal Department, had the privilege to
message him directly. It¡¯s about work!
¡°Then know even less.¡±
How could he know? Who knew which word could stir up trouble? If he wasn¡¯t careful he would no
longer be friends with Everett
In the past, he didn¡¯t know what Heather was capable ef and thought that if he could help the two of
them out, it would work out. But now he had decided to newer meddle again.
Although he didn¡¯t like Dorothy eitherying a hand on someone¡¯s family was indeed going too far.
Even he couldnt stand it anymore.
¡°Jeffrey you should know what Exerett¡¯s parents want. Wouldn¡¯t they want the best for their son im the
only one who¡¯s truly devoted to Everett and the Lopez Corporation Heather tried to brainwash Jeffrey.
Without his help, things were indeed tricky.
¡°If you two were meant to be, there wouldn¡¯t be any Dorothy in the first ce I can see it clearly now.
There¡¯s no way Everett will ever like you Stop
Dorothy only got his attention because she looks like me! Otherwise, why do you think Everett woud
lock at her?¡® Heather could only twist the truth as much as possible to persuade han
But how could Jeffrey be so easly brainwashed now?
1 doubt that. Maybe he was taking care of you back then because you reminded him of Dorothy¡±
¡°Absurd You know that I was living with the Lopez family at the time. I was with Everett day and night,
what¡¯s Dorothypared to that?¡±
¡°That¡¯s still not a reason for you to frame her, is ? Jeffrey hadn¡¯t forgotten that part yet
Heather sneered. ¡®I framed her? Think about it. If Everell hadn¡¯t been so protective of Dorothy, who
would believe her? The fact that this matter hase this far is all because of Everett. There¡¯s nothing
I can do¡±
Jeffreyughed ¡°Then tell me the truth. Did you frame Daruthy?¡±
¡°No I dont even consider her threat!
Jeffrey was sent for a long while, then he sighed. ¡°Honestly, I used to believe you. With your position,
you really didn¡¯t need to consider Dorothy a threat. But now Idol, and that¡¯s the truth¡±
¡°Why?¡±
¡°Because I can see how important Dorothy is to Everett. You cant rece her, which gives you a
malive to frame Dorothy¡±
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Everyone subconsciously assumed that Heather, as the Chief Legal Officer of the Lopez Corporation,
couldn¡¯t possibly have any designs
on a mere assistant.
But what they didn¡¯t know was that Dorothy was more than just an assistant. She was the apple of
Everett¡¯s eye.
Heather would even prefer to be an assistant, just to be that special someone to Everett
¡°Jeffrey, don¡¯t talk nonsense. I didn¡¯t.¡±
¡°Well, say what you will, but it¡¯s all set in stone now. Everett and Dorothy are not getting back together.¡±
Jeffrey felt a certain difort
in his chest whenever he thought about his buddy failing to win back the woman he loved.
Before, he didn¡¯t know how much Everett loved Dorothy. He thought it was just a fling.
When he courted women, he¡¯d sweet talk them and be gentle and considerate, but he never thought
about the long run.
But Everett¡¯s love for Dorothy could only be described as undying.
¡°They¡¯re definitely not getting back together?¡±
¡°Of
course! Dorothy got married and even had a kid after leaving Everett. How could they possibly
reconcile?¡± in Jeffrey¡¯s eyes, Dorothy was diagnosed as infertile, yet she tried to have a child for her
husband. That must be true love.
Heather¡¯s voice suddenly rose. ¡°Dorothy had a child?!¡±
¡°Yeah, the kid is two years old now. Counting the time, it means she never stopped after leaving
Everett and became pregnant not long after remarriage.¡±
In contrast to Jeffrey¡¯s belief, Heather was skeptical
¡°Are you sure Dorothy has a child?¡±
¡°Why would I lie about that? You¡¯re not nning to make a move on her again, are you?¡±
¡°Not at all, if she¡¯s really done with Everett, then I have no issues with her. But Heather paused, then
whispered, ¡°This kid¡ You¡¯re sure it¡¯s not Everett¡¯s?
Given the way they were in love, Heather had to harbor this suspicion
¡°It¡¯s not. I¡¯m sure Everett hasn¡¯t seen her at all these past few years, let alone had any rtionship with
her. For a long time, Everett tried every channel to find Dorothy, but to no avail¡±
So as long as Dorothy¡¯s child was two years old, it definitely wasn¡¯t Everett¡¯s.
All this information came from his good friend, Lane, who surely wouldn¡¯t lie to him, right?
*I see, then I can rest easy¡± Heather wasn¡¯t as easygoing as Jeffrey. She had to be absolutely sure that
this child had nothing to do with
Everett
¡°You should stop focusing so much on Everett and think about yourself. Jeffrey said and hung up.
A smirk pulled at Heather¡¯s lips as she dialed Maxton¡¯s number. She asked him to subtly inquire about
Dorothy¡¯s child.
At the airport.
It was finally time for Dorothy to board the ne. She quickly boarded and sat down to call Keh.
¡°I¡¯m about to take off. I be out of touch for a few hours, but if you find Langston, please text me right
away so I can see it as soon as i
¡°Alright, I¡¯ve already contacted the local police. They¡¯re conducting arge¨Cscale search¡±
¡°Thanks, Keh.¡±
Kehic voice was filled with guilt. ¡°I can¡¯t even keep an eye on a kid. I feel terrible.¡±
N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
¡°Don¡¯t say that, it¡¯s not your fault that Langston ran away. I know how good you are to him¡± Dorothy
never doubted this for a second.
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Keh and Karen might as well be Abigail¡¯s and Langston¡¯s true parents. They are more dedicated
than even their own mother. If there¡¯s anyone to me, it¡¯s her
She hadn¡¯t paid enough attention to them and hadn¡¯t spent enough time with them. That was what led
to Langston¡¯s sudden departure. ¡°Dorothy, don¡¯t worry I am determined to find Langston¡±
Dorothy had no doubt that Keh would do so, but she was filled with self reproach
After hanging up the call, Dorothy didn¡¯t switch off her phone. She kept it on until the ne took off,
leaving her with no signal. Just before she lost signal, she checked onest time for any news of
Langston,
She could only hope for good news once shended
¡°Ms. Sanchez, congrattions. You¡¯ve been selected for our airline¡¯s upgrade service. You can now
move to the first ss cabin.¡±
Suddenly, a flight attendant dressed in uniform bent over to inform Dorothy of some good news.
1 didn¡¯t enter any raffles.¡±
¡°We randomly select from our ticket holders.¡±
Dorothy nced at the front; she initially didn¡¯t want to move, but¡
¡°Does the first¨Css cabin have Wi¨CFi?¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
¡°Okay, thank you¡±
She quickly followed the flight attendant to the first¨Css cabin, which only had four seats due to the
small size of the ne.
Dorothy casually looked around. Other than herself, there was only one other person in the back seat.
However, the person waspletely covered in a nket, making it impossible for her to discem
whether the person was male or female. However, judging by the physique, it seemed to be a man, and
a tall one at that.
Finally, her phone connected to the Wi¨CFi, and Dorothy hurriedly checked for updates.
Sadly, there was still no news of Langston.
Dorothy even began to wonder if Langston had actually taken a fight back
This
s was her worst fear.
Langston and Abigail were different. Abigail had the typical child¡¯s mindset. She wanted sweets,
wanted to y, and wanted to stick to her mother, but Langston was a child who could seriously make
his own decisions.
With Dorothy not around, Langston needed to be more independent so she had reasons to suspect
that Langston might have really boarded a flight back home.
In fact, Langston was currently on a flight back to his home country.
¡°Thank you, ma¡¯am. You¡¯re so kind¡± Langston¡¯s praise made thedy sitting next to him blush. His
handsome face made him even more
adorable.
exim. Weren¡¯t they afraid of losing such a
¡°Your parents must trust you a lot to let you travel alone.¡± The woman couldn¡¯t help but ex good¨C
looking child?
Langston nodded and pouted slightly. ¡°They¡¯re both very busy, so they don¡¯t have time for me. If it
weren¡¯t for your kindness to take me on this flight, I wouldn¡¯t know what to do.¡±
Yes, Langston had arrived at the airport on his own and then asked thisdy to take him on the ne.
On his own, he would definitely have raised suspicions, and the airline wouldn¡¯t have allowed him to
board. But since he found himself a Temporary mother there were no issues at all.
Such a small thing was not a problem for Langston.
¡°What will you do after yound? Do your parents know?¡±
¡®Til call them¡±
Thedy nodded. ¡°Then 11 lend you my phone when wend.¡±
Langston took out a brand new phone from his bag. ¡°No need, ma¡¯am. I have my own. contact them
once Ind.¡±
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Gold!¡± Thedy nced at him, then said, ¡°Shall we take a selfie? You¡¯re so handsomel I¡¯ve never
seen such a good looking child like. you!¡±
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Langston pondered for a moment before nodding
Despite his mom¡¯s numerous warnings not to reveal his face in public, he felt indebted to thedy who
had helped him so much. He didn¡¯t know how he could decline her at this moment
After taking a picture together, thedy nced at Langston and furrowed her brows slightly
¡°Hmm. You look familiar. What are your parents¡® names? I might know them.¡±
Langston blinked and made up a pair of names on the spot. He knew how to protect himself when he
was away from home.
It was not until dusk that the ne touched down securely at Eldoria City International Airport.
Yes, Langston was headed to Eldoria City. He was on a mission to find his deadbeat dad.
As the passengers disembarked from the ne, Langston grabbed his backpack. He was ready to
leave when thedy behind him suddenly eximed. ¡°Ah! I know who you resemble! You look just like
Everett!¡±
The resemnce was uncanny.
Langston paused as he tilted his head innocently. ¡°Ma¡¯am, who¡¯s this Everett you¡¯re talking about?¡±
¡°The CEO of the Lopez Corporation, He has quite an influence in Eldornia City. If I didn¡¯t bump into you
here, I¡¯d really think you were his
son.¡±
Thedy didn¡¯t think much further. After all, how could the son of the Lopez Corporation¡¯s CEO show
up alone at an airport?
Once they had all left, Langston took out his phone and searched for the address of the Lopez
Corporation
If his mom was so worried about him returning to the country, it must be because he and his deadbeat
dad looked alike.
So, Langston¡¯s first step was to locate the CEO of the Lopez Corporation.
If it wasn¡¯t him, he would go from there.
Dorothy also disembarked from the ne. Still, there were no updates about Langston
With a heavy heart, she shared her suspicions with Keh. ¡°I think Langston might have returned to
the country. Could you check his passenger info?¡±
¡°He¡¯s so young. He couldn¡¯t have boarded a ne.¡±
¡°If we can¡¯t find him, we have to consider all possibilities.¡±
¡°Alright, Ill go check at the airport. Wait for my update¡±
Dorothy anxiously got into the car to meet Karen without even taking a nce at her surroundings.
Everett and Kevin, who had been sitting in the economy ss, were standing not far away.
Kevin reported, ¡°She said a child named Langston is missing. Maybe it is the girl¡¯s name.¡±
N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
Everett agreed, which further confirmed his belief that it was Karen¡¯s daughter.
¡°Let¡¯s help them look, but be discreet, if we find the child, let¡¯s take her to the police station so they can
contact the parents.¡±
Kevin nodded. ¡°Understood¡±
After their conversation, they nced at each other without saying a word.
Everett had followed Dorothy here, so now that she had left and they knew who the missing child was,
what were they supposed to do?
Finally, Kevin broke the silence. ¡°Mr. Lopez, it¡¯s gettingte. Shall we find a hotel?¡±
¡°Sounds good¡±
Everett nodded. He was about to leave the airport with Kevin when his phone rang.
It was a call from Jeffrey
That man was always up to no good. Everett didn¡¯t pick up and even silenced his phone.
It was only after he had found a hotel with Kevin, checked in, and taken a shower that he picked up his
phone again.
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It was then that Everett noticed the barrage of missed calls and messages from Jeffrey on his phone.
Where are you? Pick up your phone, man!)
[Dude, you have a surprise visitor at the office. He ims to be your son!
Well, well, well. Look who¡¯s been ying hide and seek. You better call me back with an exnation!]
A son?
Everett furrowed his brows in annoyance.
He didn¡¯t like Jeffrey¡¯s taste for mindless jokes. He had only ever been with Dorothy in his life. There
was no chance of him having a child out of wedlock
Just as he was about to dismiss the messages and check on his work, Jeffrey called again.
Everett pressed the answer button, his tone heavy as he said, Tm trying to work here, Jeffrey. Cut the
crap¡±
¡°I¡¯m not kidding! Jeffrey was almost shouting. Your son is actually here at the office!¡±
¡°I don¡¯t have a son.¡±
¡°That¡¯s impossible! This kid is definitely yours. Everett. If you saw his face, you¡¯d never say that.¡±
Jeffrey sounded extremely convinced
But to Everett, it seemed like Jeffrey was bored and found some random kid who looked like him to
ruffle his feathers
¡°Jeffrey, did you finish dealing with the office projects? If you¡¯re not busy, I can send you abroad
¡°Hey! Why won¡¯t you believe me?! I am going to send you a picture right now!¡±
¡°Im not interested¡±
Jeffery was dumbfounded. Why was this guy so difficult?
Everett massaged his temples in frustration. Being in this unfamiliar city outside his scheduled ns,
was already making him irritable. Im serious! Im not lying! Come back to Eldora City and see for
yourself!¡±
Is there anything else? Everett¡¯s voice was cold. He had clearly run out of patience.
ly am¡
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
¡°I really
Before Jeffrey could finish, Everett hung up.
What he didn¡¯t expect was Jeffrey¡¯s persistence. Despite being hung up on, Jeffrey sent him a picture
via WhatsApp.
Everett didn¡¯t bother to open it. Instead, he logged onto hisputer and opened thepany¡¯s
system.
Since he left the office abruptly, there were loads of pending tasks waiting for him.
Everett started attending to thepany¡¯s matters and noticed a project contract from Heather.
Besides work¨Crtedmunication, he wouldn¡¯t spare her a word.
KNOCK, KNOCK
There was a knock at the door
Everett got up to answer.
It was Kevin, carrying some food and drink.
¡°Mr. Lopez, you faven¡¯t eaten yet. Have some nourishment. I will look at the system¡¯s emails in a bit, so
you don¡¯t need to bother with them. If there¡¯s anything important, I¡¯ll let you know.¡±
Everett knew how much Kevin had taken on for him over the years. He wasn¡¯t a harsh boss ton,
Twe got nothing else to do tonight. You should get some rest¡±
Kevin chuckled. Tm not tired¡±
Everett stepped aside to let Kevin in.
He arranged the food on the table and then made to leave.
¡°Join me.¡± Everett offered.
¡°No, thanks. I¡¯ll grab a bite when I get home¡±
Kevin knew that Mr. Lopez had a serious case of mysophobia and was extremely particr about his
food. Kevin didn¡¯t need to indulge In such luxuries.
¡°I can¡¯t finish all of this myself. It¡¯s a good opportunity to discuss work.¡±
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Mr. Lopez had brought his work along, leaving Kevin with no choice but to oblige
¡°Alright then, Mr. Lopez. Thank you¡±
Though they were supposed to be discussing work, once they sat down, neither of them seemed in the
mood for business.
There was only one thing on Kevin¡¯s mind. Was Mr. Lopez going to continue pursuing Dorothy, or was
he heading back to Eldoria City tomorrow? Kevin could back his flight in advance if he knew
But at this moment, Kevin didn¡¯t ask directly, figuring that Mr. Lopez might not even have made a firm
decision himself yet. It was best to let him think it over first.
¡°Ahem¡ Mr. Lopez, about the Everglow City project
¡°Kevin, do you think I¡¯m being foolish?¡±
Kevin had intended to break the silence, but Everett beat him to it.
Kevin pondered a bit before finally sighing
¡°Mr. Lopez, those who are heartbroken have usually invested their emotions deeply.¡±
¡°So, she didn¡¯t invest in me.¡±
Kevin didn¡¯t want to say the wrong thing, so he neither agreed nor disagreed.
Everett pursed his lips, poured himself a ss of whiskey and then drained it in one gulp. ¡°I feel like I¡¯m
drinking poison to quench my thirst, I want to see her one more time, but logically, I know I shouldn¡¯t.
However, my subconscious always wants to chase after her. It never gives me a chance to think
rationally¡±
From childhood to adulthood, only Darathy could make him lose his sensespletely.
He understood what the right thing to do was. He knew everything.
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
But he couldn¡¯t help it.
¡°Mr. Lopez, Ms. Sanchez has already started a new life. You should too.¡±
¡°Yes, yes. I should move on.¡±
When hadn¡¯t he wanted to move o
on?
Kevin poured himself a ss of whiskey, then chuckled
¡°Mr. L
Lopeze to think of it, this is our first time drinking together privately.¡±
¡°Yes, thepany has relied a lot on you over the years.¡±
Kevin smiled and shook his head. ¡°No, it¡¯s your guidance that has brought me where I am today. So,
over the years, I¡¯ve never thought of leaving the Lopez Corporation or you¡±
Everett didn¡¯t know why he suddenly brought this up, so he just kept quiet and continued drinking.
¡°Mr. Lopez, you¡¯re a great man, both professionally and personally. So, I think you should let yourself
move on, find a love that brings you happiness, and find a partner who will progress alongside you. I
used to think Ms. Sanchez was that person because, when you were with her you smiled the most. But
now I don¡¯t think she is.¡±
Even though he didn¡¯t know the reasons, he could clearly see Mr. Lopez¡¯s distress and repeated
disappointments.
Everett remained silent and continued drinking.
Kevin knew his words were futile at this point. He could only wait for Mr. Lopez toe to terms with it.
So, he just kept his head down and joined him, ss after ss.
In the end, they hardly touched the food, but the whiskey was all gone.
¡°Mr. Lopez, you should get some rest Shall we head back to Eldonia City tomorrow?¡±
After a moment, Everett nodded. ¡°Okay¡±
He watched Kevin leave, then, feeling a little tipay, he made his way to the bathroom to freshen up
before lying back down on the bed.
But he tossed and turned the entire time, unable to fall asleep.
He wondered if Dorothy had found the child she was concerned about.
In his distress, he picked up his phone to check for any messages. The first thing he saw was a photo
sent by Joffrey through WhatsApp.
His long fingers tapped the image, and a young child¡¯s face appeared on the screen.
Everett¡¯s handsome face changed instantly, and his pupils involuntarily constricted.
This child looked a lot like him.
Those eyebrows, that mouth, and those eyes. They were the spitting image of his.
But how could he have an illegitimate child? He had only ever been with Dorothy.
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Only a few seconds passed before Everett began dialing Jeffrey¡¯s number
After many rings, the call was finally answered.
The noise on Jeffrey¡¯s end was chaotic. It sounded like he was out drinking with friends; the clinking of
sses was evident in the background.
¡°Where are you?¡±
¡°Having a drink, man. A buddy from abroad just got back, so we¡¯re catching up.¡±
Everett frowned. ¡°The picture you sent me of that kid, cd you photoshop it?¡±
Jeffrey was taken aback and raised his voice. ¡°I don¡¯t have time for that kind of nonsense Today, while I
was workingte at the office, this kid showed up at the Lopez Corporation. The security guards
probably saw the resemnce between him and you and decided to bring him to me.¡±
¡°Where¡¯s the kid then?¡±
¡°Right next to me! The kid doesn¡¯t know his mom¡¯s name. All he knows is that his dad looks a lot like
him. I couldn¡¯t just leave him out on the street, could 17
But Jeffrey had already made ns for the night, and, left with no choice, he had to bring the kid along
¡°You brought a kid to a bar?!
¡°What else was supposed to do? Jeffrey seemed to step out of the bar. The surrounding noise was
significantly quieter. ¡°He really does look a lot like you. I¡¯m almost certain that you two are father and
sun. Otherwise, why would I go through all this trouble?¡±
He was a free spit, so he wasn¡¯t particrly fond of children,
¡°Don¡¯t drink anymore, and take the kid to a hotel for the night. I¡¯ll be back tomorrow?
Although Everett was still unclear about the whole situation, he had to figure out why a child resembling
him had appeared.
¡°Deal! I make sure to deliver him to you in one piece! After all, this might be your son!¡± Jeffrey chuckled
¡®Hm, you¡¯re something else. You had a son this big and didn¡¯t even know about it. I have to interrogate
you when you get back
Everett could only sigh in frustration. He tried Hard to recall his past, but couldn¡¯te up with
anything.
Alter a moment, Everett picked up his phone and called Kevin.
It waste, and Kevin sounded groggy
¡°Mr. Lopez, what can I do for you?¡±
¡°Sony to disturb you. I wanted to ask something. You mentioned earlier that Dorothy¡¯s friend Karen
might have gotten married and had a daughter, right?¡±
Kevin paused. ¡°Yes! I saw the surveince footage, Karen was rushing to the hospital with a child when
she was admitted,
you sure it was a gid?¡±
¡°Yes, the child even had pigtails. It was easy to tell that she was a girl.¡±
Everett felt a headacheing on.
¡°Does the girl look like me?¡±
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Kevin was taken aback by the question; after all, he had only seen surveince footage, which wasn¡¯t
very clear. 1 think¡ not really,¡±
But he wasn¡¯tpletely sure.
¡°So it should be¡ Everett wasn¡¯t sure how he fell
He had suddenly thought that maybe the child Karen had brought with her that day was the sume child
Jeffrey had mentioned. If that was the case, then it was possible that he and Dorothy had a child
together.
They had a son.
But Kevin shattered his theory.
The two children were of different genders, and Kevin said the child didn¡¯t look like him.
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¡°What was that? Kevin didn¡¯t catch what Everett said.
¡°Nothing Just get some rest.¡±
After hanging up the phone, Everett felt like his mind had flung itself into turmoil. He definitely couldn¡¯t
sleep now
He thought about returning to Eldoria Cily as soon as possible the next day to see if this was all a
coincidence or something else.
Jeffrey was quite obedient. When Everett asked him to bring the kid to a hotel, he did so
He nced at the small figure walking beside him and patied the kid¡¯s forehead. ¡°So Everett really is
your dad, huh?¡±
Langston locked up at him as his eyes blinked. ¡®I don¡¯t know. All I know is that I look a lot like him.¡±
¡°And what about your mom? What¡¯s her name?¡±
Langston thought for a moment, then shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡±
¡°And her sumame?
¡°I don¡¯t know that either.¡±
Jeffrey had hoped to get some information out of the child, but it seemed like the kid knew very little.
¡°You must know what your mom looks like, right? He asked curiously, eager to know who else besides
Dornthy could have shared a bed with Everest. He realized he didn¡¯t know Everett as well as he
thought he did.
But it was understandable. After being single for so many years, he thought Everett having some
physical needs was normal. As a man, he undersicod.
¡°My mom is really beautifu
¡°I don¡¯t doubt that Any woman that Everett was interested in would definitely be attractive.
After all, with his social status, could he not have 5 pick of any woman, with any figure or face? Even
Jeffrey was picky so Everett
must have been worse.
¡°Do you know my mom? Langston looked up at him.
Jeffrey shook his head. ¡°How could I? If I did, wouldn¡¯t you be the little prince of the Lopez Corporation
by now?¡±
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¡°I don¡¯t want to be a prince, I just want to know who my dearthest dad is!¡±
¡°Deadbeat Dad?¡± That was a new way to describe Everett. ¡°Did he abandon your mom?¡±
¡°Yes!¡± Langston nodded hard as his face filled with anger. ¡°Otherwise, why wouldn¡¯t hee to see me
and Mom? I haven¡¯t even met him yet!
Jeffrey thought for a moment, then nodded, ¡°Indeed, from your perspective, he would be a Deadbeat
dad. But, kid, when I called him earlier, he clearly had no idea you existed. Could 1 be that your mom
never told him about you? That¡¯s why he didn¡¯te to see you As a good friend, Jeffrey felt obliged to
defend Fverett, His own son shouldn¡¯t harnor resentment towards him.
¡°Why wouldn¡¯t my mom tell him? Isn¡¯t it because he wasn¡¯t good to her?¡±
¡°Hey!¡± Jeffrey was left speechless. ¡°You make a good point, kid. I like it?¡±
Jeffrey could guess the story behind this
¨C
It was probably a fleeting romance; the woman realized she was pregnant but was afraid Everett
wouldn¡¯t want the child, so she secretly gave birth.
It must have all been about money,
¨CIf the word knew her ce, she would understand she was not qualified to step into the Lopez family.
And if she thought she could
rise in status because of her child, the consequences could be ugly.
¡°Sir, are you going to take me to meet him?¡±
¡°You¡¯ll meet him tomorrow. He¡¯s not in Eldoma City today. He¡¯s gone to chase his first love¡±
After hearing this, Langston¡¯s little eyebrows immediately funowed.
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Jeffrey couldn¡¯t help but marvel at their uncanny resemnce. Langston looked identical to Everett,
especially when he furrowed his brow in that same sericus way that could easily get under one¡¯s skin
¡°I knew il! He¡¯s a deadbeat dada¡®
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¡°You¡¯re right! He certainly is Jeffrey bent down to lift Langston and nted a peck on his cheek. ¡°Come
on, I will take you out for some good grub. Let¡¯s forget about that jerk. If we see him tomorrow, 111 kick
him for you!
Langston ncdded vigerously ¡°Okay!¡±
Jeffrey took him so a local diner. He had no idea what kids typically ate, so he just ordered what
seemed fancy. He filled the table with a variety of dishes.
Before they could even finish eating, a call from Heather came through. After seeing her name sh on
the screen, Jeffrey realized he was not in the mood to answer but he knew she would not let it slide
easily. With a sigh, he answered the call.
¡°Hello?
¡°Where are you. Jeffrey? Heather¡¯s voice wasced with urgency
¡°Im out havir a dinner
¡°I heard there was a kid who looks exactly like Everett looking for him at the office today.¡±
Jeffrey rubbed his temple. He knew this news would eventually reach her.
¡°I think there might have been something like that.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t y dumb with me. The security guard said they couldn¡¯t find Everett, so they sent the kid to
your office. Don¡¯t tell me you didn¡¯t know!¡± As soon as Heather heard the news, she immediately called
Jeffrey. She didn¡¯t waste a single second
Jeffrey sighed. ¡°Why are you interrogating me? The kid isn¡¯t mine, and I didn¡¯t invite him here.¡±
¡°Then where is he now?¡±
Jeffrey nced at Langston, deciding to follow his lead
¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±
¡°Where did he go?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±
¡°Who picked him up?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know¡±
¡°Jeffrey!¡± Heather¡¯s voice was tinged with anger. ¡°You know this is important to me! If that child is really
Everett¡¯s, have you considered what I should do?¡±
Even Heather couldn¡¯t bear to think about the possibility that it was true. Was she expected to ept
that he had a child with another
woman?
¡°What¡¯s wrong with you? if that child is Everett¡¯s, what¡¯s it to you?¡± Jeffrey couldn¡¯t understand her
possessive lone. ¡°At most, you two are friends now You¡¯re probably even just colleagues in Everett¡¯s
eyes. And that too is only because his father forced him to work with you. His having a child has
nothing to do with you.¡±
1 can¡¯t ept being a stepmother!¡±
*Don¡¯t worry, Evereit doesn¡¯t n on making you one¡±
Heather fell silent.
Jeffrey felt his face harden, and he murmured, ¡®It¡¯s been years; you should understand by now. Don¡¯t
pretend to be the heiress of the Lopez Corporation. Until he agrees, you¡¯re nal¡±
¡°Amanda.¡±
¡°Do you n on marrying his mother?¡± Jeffrey didn¡¯t know why he was saying these things, but he
couldn¡¯t stop himself. He was fed up with Heather living in her fantasy world, where she always tried to
interfore in Everett¡¯s life.
Jeffrey hade to realize that Heather wasnt as innocent as she seemed. She would do anything to
get Everett, which was far more terrifying than mere jealousy.
Love can be fought for but there was no need to harm someone¡¯s mother. That was downright scory
¡°Jeffrey, I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re not on my side either What? Has Dorothy charmed you too? I thought we
were old friends!!
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¡°Yes, you¡¯ve been my friend for many years, and¡ and leven used to have feelings for you, but now
you terrify me.¡±
Heather froze. ¡°What did you say?¡±
¡°Nothing. I gotta go I¡¯m busy¡±
With that, he hung up, ignoring Heather¡¯s subsequent calls.
Langston was leisurely enjoying a dinner while ncing up at him from time to time.
Finally he asked, ¡°Your girlfriend?¡±
¡°No, just a delusional woman who wants to be your stepmother.¡±
Dorothy and Karen were already looking at flights overseas when Keh called.
¡°I found out that Langston really got on a flight back home¡±
Dorothy felt as if her heart was about to stop. ¡°Where did hend?¡±
¡°Eldoria City¡± Kehs voice was heavy as he said this, for he too had an inkling of what was
happening.
Dorothy instantly understood. Tm going to Eldoria City to find him right now!¡±
Tve also bought a ticket: ill be boarding soon. Keh said, hesitating before adding, ¡®But until we hear
something from Everett, maybe you should let Karen go to Eldomia City to find Langston. If she can
intercept him before Everett finds out, everything will be okay. Karen and I can bring him back¡±
If Dorothy went to Eldoma City, she¡¯d be in Everetts turf.
So many people knew Dorothy.
If Langston was spotted there and Dorothy happened to appear, everything would be exposed.
¡°Keh, I¡¯m worried
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¡°I understand your concerns, but do you want to escte this situation? Stay at home with Abigail,
Karen and I will find Langston. Langston has been with me for very long, he has deep feelings for me,
so I try to talk him amund ¡°
Dorothy hesitated for a long time before finally agreeing. She didn¡¯t want Everett to find out about his
son. She couldn¡¯t even bear to think about the direction things would take then.
But sometimes the thing you feared the most was the thing that happened.
Upon seeing Dorothy in a panicked state, Karen walked over and patted her hand. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, my
brother and I will definitely bring the kid back. Once your project here ispleted, well all leave
together. We won¡¯t ever return to this godforsaken ce!¡±
¡°Yes.¡± Dorothy nodded as her gaze fell. ¡°It¡¯s my fault. I didn¡¯t provide aplete family for the kids;
that¡¯s why this happened. Langston must be envious of the kids in kindergarten who have dads.¡±
¡°Isn¡¯t that easy to solve? My brother has wanted to y the dad role for a while now¡± Karen said with a
smile. ¡°You just need to promote
him¡±
Dorothy fell silent.
Honestly, if it weren¡¯t for Everett and the feud with the Lopez family, she might really consider Keh
for the sake of the children.
But she couldn¡¯t go against her heart now, it wouldn¡¯t be fair to anyone.
The next morning, before Langston had even woken up, Jeffrey was already awake.
Since he had a kid around, he couldn¡¯t even get a good night¡¯s sleep. His decision to stay single and
childless was definitely the right
He didn¡¯t wake the little one next to him. Instead, he got himself ready and sat on the living room
couch. After ordering breakfast from room service, he dialed Lane¡¯s number
Lane sounded very sleepy.
¡°Hmm? Jeffrey, do you realize what time it is?¡±
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¡°I have a burning question¡± Jeffrey nced at his sleeping buddy, Langston. Are you sure that kid
Dorothy had is a girl? Not a boy?¡±
¡®It¡¯s a girl. I¡¯ve seen her¡±
¡°Are you sure? Could it be that he was so pretty that you mistook her for a girl?¡±
Lane wasn¡¯t sure why Jeffrey was asking, but he knew for sure that Dorothy had a girl.
¡°No way. Do you think I¡¯m an idiot?
¡°Oh¡ well, guess not then¡±
Jeffrey just wanted to confirm. He figured if Dorothy¡¯s child looked like Everett, Lane would have told
him by now. Lane knew Jeffrey was close with Everett, and he had seen him before.
¡°What are you even talking about? As soon as he heard Dorothy¡¯s name, Lane was wide awake.
He was worried that something he said might have given Jeffrey a clue.
¡°Not much. I just realized that Everett might have a secret child¡±
Jeffrey¡¯s careless remark made Lane¡¯s heart skip a beat. ¡°How how could that be? Isnt Mr. Lopez a
very disciplined mar? He¡¯s never been involved in any scandals in the business world, so where would
a secret childe from?¡±
¡°I would have said the same before seeing that kid. I know Everett very well. But after seeing that child,
had no doubts that he was Everetts. The resemnce was uncanny
¡°Did you see the child?¡±
¡°Yes. He is right next to me.¡±
¡°A boy?¡±
Jeffrey nodded. ¡®Definitely a boy. I gave him a bathst night. I¡¯m absolutely sure. That¡¯s why I asked
you if child was a ginct a boy.¡±
if you were sure that Dorothy¡¯s
you
¡°It¡¯s a girl, and she doesn¡¯t look like Everett.¡±
¡°Alright, I must be overthinking.¡±
Lane chuckled, feeling a bit relieved.
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From this prospective, it seemed that Everest didn¡¯t love Dorothy that much after all. He could still have
a secret child, so he must be quite a yer. He was just pretending to be deeply in love.
¡°You don¡¯t need to be shocked. He¡¯s a powerful man; there are many women who want to share his
bed. He can refuse once or twice, but could he resist every time? If something happens, there¡¯s a
chance of pregnancy. If a woman gets pregnant, it¡¯s like hitting the jackpot she definitely wouldn¡¯t have
an abortion.¡±
So, that was how the secret child came about.
¡°You¡¯re right, but I¡¯m still surprised that he would you know, with other women¡ Jeffrey grimaced.
¡°Guess love is a lie. I¡¯ll stick to the game of life. I don¡¯t understand adult games.¡±
¡°What¡¯s so surprising? Aren¡¯t you a man, Jeffrey?
¡°Yes, but Everett really loves Dorothy.¡±
¡°A man¡¯s body and heart are separate. They¡¯ve been divorced for years, so it¡¯s normal to have desires.
This could mean that your buddy is gradually mowing on from the past. Isn¡¯t that a good thing?¡±
Jeffrey thought for a moment, then nodded. ¡°I guess it¡¯s a good thing. I think he¡¯s more shell¨Cshocked
by suddenly having a son right now.¡±
¡°Shell¨Cshocked? Didn¡¯t he know who he slept with?
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¡°Lane, imagine this. A little boy shows up out of the blue, iming to be your son. You get a DNA test,
and, lo and behold, he¡¯s yours. How¡¯d you react?¡±
Definitely baffled.
He¡¯d been with more women than he could count, some whose names he couldn¡¯t even remember. He
couldn¡¯t be one hundred percent certain that none of them had ulterior motives.
¡°But hasn¡¯t Everett always been a saint? Can he bepared to me?¡± Lane chuckled. ¡°Who knows?
Maybe he¡¯s got a wilder side than both of usbined¡±
¡°That¡¯s impossible! Ever since he broke up with Dorothy, he¡¯s practically been living at the office. He¡¯s
always online on thepany. software.¡±
¡°Does that necessarily mean he couldn¡¯t have done it?¡±
Jeffrey raised his voice. ¡°Hey! Why do I get the feeling you¡¯ve got a beef with Everett?¡±
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Even this oblivious man, Jeffrey, could sense it
¡°I¡¯m just stating the facts¡± Lane smiled. ¡°Alright, let me know if the kid turns out to be his son. I could
use a po moment.¡±
¡°Screw you!¡± Jeffrey said, then hung up.
He was about to call Everett when Heather started bombarding him with calls, like a woman
possessed.
Jeffrey didn¡¯t want to answer, but he identally did.
Heather¡¯s anxious voice came through. ¡°Where are you? L¡ I think I¡¯m having a heart attack
¡°What?¡± Jeffrey was taken aback. ¡°Since when do you have heart disease?¡±
¡°Never mind that now. Can youe pick me up and take me to the hospital?
Jeffrey wanted to agree, but the kid was still sleeping. Should he wake him up now?
y second.
¡°Jeffrey¡ are you going to abandon me too? Heather added. Her voice sounded genuinely distressed,
as if she could faint any ¡°Alright, I¡¯m on my way Send me your location.¡±
Jeffrey was a softie deep down.
He got up and walked over to the sleeping Langston with a small smile tugging at his lips.
After all these years, he could finally see what Everett looked like sleeping. He must look exactly like
this kid.
Jeffrey didn¡¯t feelfortable leaving him alone, fearing he¡¯d wake up scared. So, he called his
assistant toe over immediately. and then he left.
He figured that in the half an hour it would take his assistant to arrive, the kid would be fine alone in the
room.
Jeffrey drove to the location Heather had sent.
was so remote that he wondered why Heather had chosen to live there.
Not only was it far from the city, it was also quite a distance from the Lopez Corporation
¡°Why are you living here?¡± Jeffrey helped her to the car, gently opening the door for her.
¡°I¡¯ve been restled¡¯stely and unable to sleep. I thought the quiet here might help.¡± Heather looked
distressed. She was clutching at her chest the entire time.
Jeffrey nced around the deste surroundings and frowned. ¡°You sure know how to pick a spat.¡±
Heather shot him a look. ¡°Stop mocking me. If you don¡¯t want to help, you can leave. Let me die here
alone!
¡°I didn¡¯t say anything! Jeffrey rolled his eyes, started the engine, and pulled up the GPS to the nearest
hospital.
Before he could even pull out, his phone started ringing.
Suddenly, Heather clutched his arm and said, ¡°Ouch¡ it hurts so much!¡°
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Jeffrey had assumed her pain was real and so he¡¯d prioritized driving her to the hospital over
answering his ringing phone.
Upon arrival, he¡¯d shouldered Heather into the cardiology ward
After all the hustle and bustle, he was drenched in sweat and only remembered his ignored calls when
he finally took a seat to rest. He pulled out his phone to see several missed calls from his assistant,
followed by a call from Everett
Since he hadn¡¯t picked up. Everett had messaged him.
I¡¯m on board and heading back to Eldoria City. Get back to me when you see this]
Just as Jeffrey was about to reply to the message, his assistant called him again.
He wondered if there was a problem with the kid.
¡°Hello? What¡¯s up?¡±
¡°Mr. Turner, you asked me toe to the hotel to look after the kid. I¡¯m here, but there¡¯s no kid in this
mom
Jeffrey shot up from his chair.
¡°What did you say?
¡°There¡¯s no kid in this room. I tried calling you, but you didn¡¯t pick up. I asked the front desk, and they
said they s took the kid!¡±
Jeffrey felt a pit in his stomach
Had he lost Everell¡¯s son?
said a man came and
¡°Quick, go look for him Have them check the surveince video and find out where that man took him!
You must find him!¡±
¡°I understand, Mr. Turner¡±
After hanging up the phone, Jeffrey¡¯s hands were shaking.
If he were to tell Everett now that the kid was lost¡
He didn¡¯t even dare think about the consequences.
¡°Family of Heather. The nurse called out from the examination room.
He moistened his dry lips and entered the room. ¡°Doctor how is she?¡±
¡°She¡¯s fine: I¡¯ve done some tests, and everything is normal. Her issues are probably due to ack of
sleeptely, causing an irregr heartbeat.¡±
¡°Thank you, doctor¡±
All Jeffrey could think about now was the missing ch.d; he had no interest in Heather¡¯s condition.
After helping her into the car, Jeffrey said, ¡°I¡¯ll drop you off at the office, then I have to go.¡±
Heather looked at him. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Can¡¯t you crop me home?¡±
¡°The kid who looks like Everett is missing! I have to go look for him!¡±
¡°What?¡± Heather was stunned. ¡°What happened? How could you lose a kid?! Come on, take me with
you; I¡¯ll help you look!¡±
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Jeffrey nced at her. ¡°You¡¯ll help?¡±
¡°Yes!¡± Heather locked determined. ¡°Even though I can¡¯t ept the fact that Everett has a kid, he¡¯s still
just a child! If something happened, I would be upset too! Jeffrey, do I seem that heartless to you?¡±
Jeffrey didn¡¯t waste any more time and drove straight to the hotel.
The assistant had already pulled up all the avable surveince video footage and was going through
it.
¡°Mr. Tumer.¡±
¡°Any news?¡±
The assistant shook his head. ¡°No, and it seems like the person who took him was prepared. The
cameras didn¡¯t catch a clear shot of his face.¡±
Jeffrey was fuming.
Heather patted his shoulder, trying tofort him. ¡°Hey, why are you so upset?! It¡¯s clear that
someone¡¯s been looking after the kid. He snuck out, and now someone¡¯se to collect him. Isn¡¯t that
normal?¡±
Jeffrey fumowed his brows. ¡°Evan hasn¡¯t even met him yet! And right now, we can¡¯t be sure who took
him.¡±
What if the person had nefarious intentions?
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Or perhaps they thought the boy looked like Everett and wanted to kidnap him for a ransom.
¡°You¡¯re just too hasty! Use your head for a second, and you¡¯ll realize he must have been taken by
someone who was looking for him. Who else could pinpoint his exact location among all the hotels in
Eldora City?¡±
Jeffrey pondered a bit. She seemed to have a point. Her theory seemed usible.
¡°But what do we tell Everett when hees back?¡±
Everett had specifically returned for the boy.
¡°What else can you say? If all else fails, tell Everett it was a prank. I can help keep the folks at the
office quiet¡± Heather was really going
out to help.
Jeffrey, however, after some thought, declined her ¡°kindness.¡±
¡°I can¡¯t say that. The boy dide. I have to let Everett investigate if he is indeed his son. If he is, then
what could the other party¡¯s intentions be?¡± Jeffrey felt that even if he got scolded, it would be better
than the other party scheming something to harm Everettter. Since they had discovered this, they
should let Everett investigate. There must be some trail to follow
¡°What other intention could there be? It¡¯s all about money! The other party probably felt it wasn¡¯t the
right time and took the boy back Everett has been so stressed out with worktely, why do you always
have to stir up trouble?¡± Heather sighed helplessly as her eyebrows furrowed in frustration. ¡°I¡¯m not
even sure if you¡¯re truly looking out for Everett anymore¡±
¡°At a time like this, can you stop with the cold remarks? Jeffrey was in a bad mood
Suddenly, he turned to look at Heather. ¡°You¡ Is your heart condition not bothering you anymore?¡±
She was standing here, having a full blown discussion with him.
¡°Ah¡ I felt better after seeing the doctor Heather¡¯s face froze for a moment before she feigned
innocence. ¡°Why? You think I took the boy? He was with you, not me! I was in the car with you when he
disappeared!¡±
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Jeffrey rubbed his temples. I didn¡¯t say it was you
¡°Whatever! Just think about how you¡¯re going to exin this to Everett. I¡¯m heading back to the office.¡±
With that, she walked out of the hotel.
Before Jeffrey could even sigh, Everett called.
I¡¯m in Eldoria City. I¡¯m heading back from the airport. Where are you and the boy?¡±
¡°I¡¯m at the hotel.¡±
Sadly, the boy was nowhere to be found.
¡°Send me the location. I¡¯ll head straight there.¡±
¡°Everett¡ It seems like the boy was taken by his family. I was only gone for a moment, and he
disappeared.¡± Jeffrey shrunk his neck and blurted out the truth.
A prolonged silence followed before Everett spoke
¡°You¡¯re not joking?¡±
¡°I¡¯m really not joking! Jeffrey was on the verge of tears. ¡°I slept in the same room as the boyst night. I
bathed him and fed him. A lot of people at the office saw him, you can ask them. He looks just like
you!¡±
Find him. I want to find this boy¡± Everett¡¯s emotions were steady, and he didn¡¯t reproach Jeffrey
Tim looking! I¡¯m just worried they¡¯re hiding him.¡±
Find him no matter what.¡±
Everett needed to confirm his rtionship with the boy now
A boy resembled him so closely. It sounded like a joke.
Even now, Everett doubted if this was a prank.
Because if the boy was his, then he must be Dorothy¡¯s child.
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Otherwise, it was impossible for it to be his child.
He had never been with any other woman in his entire life apart from Dorothy. There was no one else
in the picture.
Upon learning that Everett might have an illegitimate child, no one was happier than Lane,
The news kept him awake all night.
It was still early, and he didn¡¯t want to disturb Dorothy and her daughter so he didn¡¯t immediately call
her about it. But as noon approached, he couldn¡¯t hold back any longer
After a few rings, Dorothy¡¯s voice came through. Perhaps due to anxiety, her voice was a bit hoarse.
¡°Hello, Lane¡±
¡°Has your daughter been found yet?¡±
Dorothy was about to say no, but after hearing him refer to her daughter, she quicklyected herself.
¡°Yes, she has been found¡±
¡°That¡¯s good¡°¡± Lane let out a sigh of relief.
¡°But my daughter is quite attached to me, so I might need some time before I can return to work, can
¡°No problem! I¡¯m here at thepany. If necessary, I will handle everything for you. Just concentrate
on being with your daughter Lane chuckled. ¡°And you don¡¯t have to worry about Everett finding out
about your daughter anymore.¡±N?velDrama.Org owns this.
¡°Hmm?¡±
Lane purposely steered the conversation towards Everett¡¯s illegitimate child.
He wanted Dorothy to give up and let her know that Everett was not the saint she thought he was.
¡°ording to Jeffrey, he has an illegitimate child who went looking for him at thepany. The boy
locks so much like Everett that everyone who sees him is convinced he¡¯s Everett¡¯s son.¡±
As Lane spoke, Dorothy went silent. But this was within Lane¡¯s expectations.
It was clear that Dorothy still had feelings for Everett. She surely wouldn¡¯t be able to ept the
existence of this illegitimate child. It was a huge blow, so her silence was understandable
But actually, this was doing Dorothy a favor.
It had to be Langston.
¡°Dorothy? Are you okay?¡± Lane feigned concem.
¡°No, I¡¯m fine! What happened next? Did Everett ept the child?¡± Dorothy wanted to figure out
Langston¡¯s current situation,
It seemed her worst fears hade true
Now she just needed to bring Langston back home quickly so they could leave for abroad and avoid
being found by the Lopez family
¡°With such a striking resemnce, how could he not ept him? Under the public eye, would he deny
the child¡¯s fidentity? I assume the Lopez family took him in and gave him a proper ce in the family.¡±
¡°Lane, who told you this?¡±
¡°Jeffrey. So, there¡¯s no doubt about it¡±
¡°Oh.. could you ask Jeffrey for me? What are Everett¡¯s ns for the child, and does the Lopez family
know about this?¡±
Lane interpreted this as Dorothy refusing to give up on Everett. She still cared about Everett¡¯s
decisions.
¡°Okay, 111 ask for you. Dorothy, even though you were once married, you¡¯re divorced now. You have to
ept that he¡¯s moved on. Everett, with his status, is bound to have a session of women by his
side. Having an illegitimate child is not surprising.¡±
Lane¡¯s constant reference to the illegitimate child¡® made Dorothy ufortable. ¡°Everett just doesn¡¯t
know, so it shouldn¡¯t be considered illegitimate, right
¡°Aren¡¯t all children born out of wedlock considered illegitimate? What¡¯s the difference?¡±
¡°That¡¯s not necessarily true. Everett is married, right? it might be his wife¡¯s child.¡±
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Lane believed that Dorothy just couldn¡¯t stomach the thought of Everett¡¯s reputation being fainted right
now. But she¡¯de around soon enough
Anyway, he¡¯d done his part. As long as she knew that Everett already had a child, there was no longer
any chance for them. He had achieved his goal.
¡°Well, who knows? Just don¡¯t take it too hard and get upset, Dorothy
She wasn¡¯t upset right now, she was worried.
The one who went to find Everett had to be Langston. But if Everett had imed him, she wouldn¡¯t be
able to get him out even if she charged in there.
Dorothy didn¡¯t dare contemte whether she would ever see her son again if Everett found out about
Langston.
After ending the call with Lane.
immediately sought advice from Keh and Karen.
They were still discussing how to make a move in Eldoma City to find Langston. Now there was a new
development
¡°You¡¯re saying Langston went to find Everett
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Yes, he went to the Lopez Corporation.
Keh didnt speak, but she heard Karen exim from the other side. ¡°Keh, are you okay?!¡±
Dorothy quickly showed her concem. Keh, what¡¯s wrong?¡±
Karen took over the phone and spoke with a voice filled with worry. ¡°He hasn¡¯t slept for days trying to
find Langston. He¡¯s already fainted once tram low blood pressure.
¡°I¡¯m fine. Don¡¯t tell Dorothy about this.¡± Keh snatched the phone back once he had recovered.
always giving silently, but when
¡°Keh, if you don¡¯t express your feelings, how will Dorothy know how deeply you care for her?
You¡¯re always will you ever catch up?¡±
Dorothy furrowed her brow and nced at Abigail ying nearby. She whispered, ¡°Keh, Ill go to
Eldoria City. Now that Everett knows about this, the only way to get my child back is if I step in.¡±
She had thought about it over and over again. All other methods seemed futile. It was time for her to
step in.
¡°If you do, all our previous efforts will be wasted Trust me, just this once, I can figure out a way to get
Langston out. You re not with him, so you don¡¯t know. He didn¡¯t go looking for Everett because he
wanted a father. He always felt that his father was inespersible.
Keh had heard simr remarks several times before. He couldn¡¯t confront them directly, he could
only gently steer them away by giving Langston all the care he could to fill the gap left by theck of a
father¡¯s love
¡°So you mean, we¡¯re betting that Everett doesn¡¯t know who Langston¡¯s mother is, and then you¡¯ll find a
way to get Langston out?¡±
¡°Yes! I don¡¯t think Langston would tell him¡±
Dorothy furrowed her brows
But the woman who bore Everett¡¯s child must¡¯ve had a rtionship with him. He hadn¡¯t been with
anyone else during that time, had he?
Wouldn¡¯t the biggest suspicion soll fall on her?
Keh had also thought of this, so he reassured her ¡°Don¡¯t worry. At Langston¡¯s age, as long as he
doesn¡¯t say how old he is, you can¡¯t tell whether he¡¯s three or four. After your divorce, he probably
wasn¡¯t celibate. As Inng as he was with a woman, there¡¯s a chance she could we gotten pregnant.
We¡¯re not giving up any chance to win until the very end¡±
really is no other way, then
¡°But I¡¯m womed about staying here alone. Il also go to Eldonia City, but I won¡¯t show myself for now if
there really in §± go find Everfi.¡±
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Keh hesitated for a moment, but understanding Dorothy¡¯s predicament, he agreed
¡°Wright then. I use my driver¡¯s license to get you a room, then I¡¯ll go crash at a buddy¡¯s ce. This way,
there will be no trace of you.¡±
¡°Okay, thank you, Keh.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t mention it. I don¡¯t want to hear about it.¡±
After hanging up. Dorothy stared at her phone, feeling a heavy weight in her heart
She should¡¯ve set boundaries with Keh the moment she decided not to ept his proposal. But
now she still needed his help
Sometimes, Dorothy felt quilty. She could not ignore the reproach of her conscience.
Wasn¡¯t she just leading him on?
After Everett and Jeffrey met, Jeffrey had already scoured all potential surveince cameras in the
vicinity.
However, the person who took the child seemed to be prepared. He was fully equipped when he came
to the hotel and purposely avoided the surveince cameras when leaving with the child.
As a result, they ended up with nothing.
¡°Everett, do you think it¡¯s possible that this person is trying to use the child to ckmail you?¡± Jeffrey
asked.
Everett looked at Jeffrey with his brows furrowed
*No one has contacted me for now.¡±
¡°Maybe it¡¯s not time yet.¡±
¡°What¡¯s your definition of the right time? Everett shot back. ¡°If the child is as tall as you say, he must be
about five or six years old. During that time, I hadn¡¯t divorced Dorothy yet. So, is the child Dorothy¡¯s?¡±
Jeffrey shook his head with certainty
¡°No, it¡¯s not hers!¡± She had a daughter, not a son, so it wasn¡¯t her child
Of course, Jeffrey didn¡¯t dare say thest part.
He had already messed up by losing the kid; he didn¡¯t want to push his luck.
¡°Except for her, I¡¯ve never been with another woman.¡± Everett said without any hesitation, and here
was no embarrassment or difort in his voice.
He believed that being faithful in love was nothing to be ashamed of
¡°You¡¯ve only ever been with one woman? Just Dorothy?¡± Jeffrey repeated in disbelief.
¡°Yes.¡±
¡°So, you¡¯ve never gotten drunk and mistaken another woman for Dorothy?¡± Jeffrey reasoned
A child doesn¡¯t just appear out of thin air. There must have been a rtionship of some sort.
Perhaps Everett was just unaware of II.
Everett looked at him calmly. ¡°When you get drunk, do you really not know who you¡¯ve slept with
Jeffrey was left speechless.
True enough, when a man waspletely drunk, he would be incapable of any action. How could he
possibly have rtions with someone?
The weren¡¯tpletely inebriated, he would know what the woman he slept with looked like.
Even if he didn¡¯t consider other factors, he would at least consider whether the woman was clean and
what her background was.
¡°Jeffrey, you¡¯re sure the kid is five or six years old?¡±
Jeffrey shook his head vigorously.
¡°No, no, no, I just made a rough estimate. He was very tight¨Clipped, so I don¡¯t know if he was
deliberately keeping it from me or if he really didn¡¯t know. If it¡¯s your child, they would naturally be taller
than others at birth, so my estimation could be wrong¡±
¡°You¡¯re saying¡
Event¡¯s heart was filled with a hint of anticipation. He was so hopeful for the answer that he couldn¡¯t
think too much about it. He was afraid that he would be disappointed.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
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Everettcked Jeffrey in the ere, his voice heavy. ¡°Could it be that the baby is really crathy¡¯s?¡±
After their divorce, she was pregnant, then secretly gave birth to the child without letting him know.
Jeffrey waved his hand dismissively, his tone as certain as if he was swearing an oath.
¡°Absolutely not Look, I¡¯ll tell you! When you two were going through the divorce, I coincidentally
bumped into Dorothy al the hospital. She was there for a check¨Cup¡±
Everett was entirely unaware of this. His thick brows furrowed. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡±
¡°Why would I to you that? She was all determined to get a divorce! Back then, she went to the hospital
because she had trouble getting pregnant. Leven suspected that was why she insisted on divorcing
you But it turned out it wasn¡¯t.¡±
The real reason was because of Heather and Forrett¡¯s parents¡® meddling
But Jeffrey wouldn¡¯t tell Everett that even though he didn¡¯t agree with Heather¡¯s actions, if he did, it
would undoubtedly cause trouble.
How would Everett face his parents then?
There would also be no benefit for Everett and Dorothy to get back together. After all, what happened
had happened. There was no turning back, and Everett¡¯s mother, Amanda, could actually be pissed!
Jeffrey didn¡¯t want to see that oue.
¡°She had trouble getting pregnant?¡±
¡°Yes!¡± Jeffrey nodded heard the doctor telling her to discuss it with her husband!¡±
¡°The doctor¡¯s ¡®t scussion, are you sure it was about her infertility, and not pregnancy?¡±
Jeffrey was taken aback.
Right!
Back then, all he heard was the doctor telling her to discuss something. But as for what that something
was, it was what Dorothy tald
him!
Seeing Jeffrey¡¯s face turning pale, Everett¡¯s heart skipped a beat.
He grabbed Jeffrey¡¯s shirt, pulling him close. ¡°You didn¡¯t actually hear the doctor say she was infertile,
did you?¡±
¡°No the doctor didn¡¯t say that.¡±
N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
¡°Which hospital did she go to for the check¨Cup?¡±
¡°The hospital where Dorothy¡¯s mother was adir led,¡± Jelfrey replied
Everett tumed to leave.
Jeffrey hurriedly followed. ¡°What are you going to do?¡±
Tim going to the hospital to find out if she was pregnant!¡±
¡°Everett, can you calm down?¡± Jeffrey grabbed his shrt. ¡°Yes, I didn¡¯t hear the doctor mention her
infertility. But that doesn¡¯t mean she
was pregnant and gave birth to the boy! I can help you investigate this. You should go find the boy first
¡°Don¡¯t stop me. I need to know the truth Everett slinck him off, his tone grim to the core. ¡°No matter the
result, I will face it.¡±
He knew Jeffrey was trying to stop him mainly because he wasn¡¯t prepared if this tumed out to be true.
But what Jeffrey didn¡¯t know was that Everolt would do anything for Dorothy.
Watching Everett¡¯s determined departure, Jeffrey fell a headacheing on
The problem between them was not just about a child, but Dorothy¡¯s deep¨Cseated resentiment for her
mother.
And Everelt was clueless about all of that
If the child really was Dorolly¡¯s, then things would get even worse!
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Evert knew that Dorothy had bome his child, and as a father, he was obligated to take responsibility to
marry Dorothy.
But Dorothy, she would never marry him!
Everett¡¯s parents¡® reaction to this news was something Jeffrey didn¡¯t dare to think about.
Before, he thought they were just fond of Heather and wanted her to be their daughter inw, as simple
as that! But ever since he suspected them of being the force behind the death of Dorothy¡¯s mother,
Jeffrey didn¡¯t see it that way anymore.
Apparently, anyone standing in their way had to be removed!
Dorothy¡¯s child would face a grim fate. Heather would be a terrible stepmother, and Dorothy was not
epted by the Lopez family. This was a dilemma, and it suddenly loomed before Everett.
Choosing Dorothy would mean Everett¡¯s mother could fall ill and pass away at any time, and Everett
would lose the woman who had raised him all his life.
But to save his mother, he would have to abandon Dareth
In this situation, all Jeffrey could do was pray that the child really wasn¡¯t Dorothy¡¯s, or perhaps the child
wasn¡¯t Everett¡¯s at all! At least the current bnce could be maintained.
Heather hailed a taxi
She first went to the Lopez Corporation, sorted out her files in the office, and clocked in before leaving
thepany
She got into another car before dialing a virtual number on her phone
¡°Are you sure you won¡¯t be found our?¡±
¡®I know what I¡¯m doing don¡¯t worry! Don¡¯t forget my money The voice on the other end was also
synthetic.
Heather scoffed. ¡°You¡¯re only interested in money Don¡¯t worry, you won¡¯t miss a cent. Where¡¯s the child
now?¡±
¡°In a ce only I know about¡±
¡°Don¡¯t let anyone find you I¡¯ve paid you plenty to keep your mouth shut, so don¡¯t make trouble for me¡±
She had already transferred the money to his ount
When it came to these mullers, she always paid promptly, never owing anything!
After a few seconds, the other person replied, ¡°Got it. But this child¡are you sure it¡¯s not Everett¡¯s?
Looks just like him.¡±
¡°Absolutely not his! How could you get Everett¡¯s child so easily? That¡¯s the future heir of the Lopez
Corporation! This impostor is trying to create confusion and ckmail the Lopez family! You must have
heard that the chairman of the Lopez Corporation and his wife, Amanda, have always only recognized
me as their daughter¨Cinw, so how could they allow another woman to bear a chid for the Lopez
family?¡±
¡°But I don¡¯t want to mess with the Lopez family.¡±
To be precise, no one wanted to mess with the Lopez family
It wasn¡¯t a problem that could be resolved with money it was practically asking for trouble.
¡°What are you afraid of with me here? Everything of the Lopez family has long been in my grasp. I have
beenying low for so many years, and the things I¡¯ve done for the Lopez family are unmatched¡±
The manughed. ¡°When will you be publicly acknowledged by Everett? I heard he..¡±
¡°That¡¯s none of your business! He¡¯s busy and doesn¡¯t want to rush the wedding. That¡¯s why there¡¯s
been no preparation. But hasn¡¯t the engagement been announced? He announced it himself?
N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
¡°So the mystenous bride everyone¡¯s talking about is you?
¡°Who else could it be?¡¯ Heather retorted.
The man chuckled, ¡®Okay, what are you nning to do with the child?¡±
Heather was silent for a while before she spoke, ¡°How much to get rid of this child?¡±
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¡°Do you want him dead? The man on the other end of the line was clearly taken aback.
¡°Yes.¡± Heather was done ying nice. I need to eliminate all potential threats.¡±
She had thought it through. If she let go of the boy, sooner orter, he would seek out Everett
There was no other way. The boy had to disappear from this world.
¡°You im he isn¡¯t Everett¡¯s son, yet you see him as your threat¡± The man was no fool, he instantly
picked up the inconsistency. ¡°You¡¯re trying to get me to cross the Loper family!!
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
¡°You won¡¯t cross them,¡± Heather assured him. ¡°The child, Everett¡¯s or not, is not someone they would
ept I guarantee your safety. Isn¡¯t that enough¡±
¡°No.¡± The mans telusal was swift and decisive cant do this job. You have to find someone else.¡±
Heather frowned. ¡°I can pay you more.¡±
¡°It¡¯s not about the money! He¡¯s just a child. I cant do it¡±
And the child could be Everett¡¯s!
Wasn¡¯t that like dancing on the devil¡¯s head? Them would be no good oue
¡°You¡¯ve killed others before Don¡¯t pretend you cant do it now, Heather scaffed. How much do you
want?¡±
¡°No amount can make me do this! Send someone to pick the bay up. I can¡¯t handle this.¡±
Had he know the boy was Everett¡¯s, he wouldn¡¯t have taken the risk for all the money in the world.
¡°Do you want to back out now? I¡¯ve already given you the money! And don¡¯t think you¡¯re off the hook
just because you won¡¯t do it if the boy escapes it will be even more conspicuous. you kill him now
quietly, no one will know
Heather had already devised a perfect alibi for herself With Jeffrey around, she wouldn¡¯t be a suspect.
¡°Ms. Garcia, there¡¯s a line that shouldn¡¯t be crossed.¡±
¡°Then should leave a loophole for others to attack me?¡±
She had lost all reason, Anything and anyone that coulde between her and Everett had to be
eliminated,
¡°OK. I¡¯ll think soyut it
Sensing him budge, Heather didn¡¯t press for an immediate answer
After hanging up, she smirked, looking out the car window
The driver nced at her in the rear¨Cview mirror, nat danng to say a word, but it was clear he had
heard her conversation.
Heather raised an eyebrow, her voice was light but chiling. ¡°Don¡¯t meddle in things that aren¡¯t your
business. No one can save you if you bring trouble upen yourself.¡±
¡°Ms. Garcia, I heard nothing. Mrs. Lopez told me just to follow your enders.¡±
Heather patted his shoulder, ¡°Good boy¡±
Everett drove straight to the hospital where Dorothy had once been treated. On the way, he instructed
Kevin to find the child.
Now that the boy had shown up, whoever look him and for whatever reason, he had to find him!
ording to Jeffrey, the boy was likely taken by his own family, but what if?
His appearance alone, bearing a sinking resemnce to Everell, would be enough to attract attention,
possibly even from danger.
¡°Kevin, dio, everything and focus on finding the boy¡±
¡°Yes, Mr. Loper.¡±
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Kevin
was the only person Everett trusted to handle this matter.
Just as Kevin was about to hang up. Everett added one more thing
¡°Keep an eye on Heather.¡±
¡°Heather? Jeffrey just said she was with him when the boy¡¯s missing urred.¡±
¡°She didn¡¯t go doesn¡¯t mean she didn¡¯t send someone else.¡±
Everett felt that the part Jeffrey mentioned about Heather during the incident was quite strange
Firstly, since when did she move to that far¨Coff ce?
Moreover, in all the years he knew Heather, she never had a history of heart disease. Yet, at such a
crucial moment, she suddenly fell ill and was quickly rushed to the hospital, only to find out she was
fine.
This was suspicious.
¡°Wright, Mr. Lopez, ill start checking her whereabouts now!
¡°Don¡¯t alert her. I¡¯m afraid she¡¯ll do something to the kid.¡±
¡°Okay¡±
As he hung up. Everett nced out of the car window.
They were almost at the hospital. His emotions were a whirlpool of anxiety and fear.
He was scored
Scared that the results wouldn¡¯t be what he hoped for
He hoped that the child was indeed Dorothy and his. That way, even if she had truly moved on, he
would still have a child, which was a reason to keep living.
Jeffrey was frantic when the child went missing
He had pulled all his connections to search for the child, almost exhausting all his resources.
Actually, it was not that Jeffrey was particrly afraid of Everett ming him, but that child was really
cute.
Jeffrey, who never had a fondness for children, felt that if the child was his, he would love and cherish
him dearly.
His search was so intense that he didn¡¯t even notice when Heather called.
By the time he saw the missed call, almost an hour had passed.
¡°What is it? I¡¯m busy.¡±
¡°Busy? Looking for the child?¡± Heather feigned surprise, ¡°You still haven¡¯t found him?¡±
There was no lead at all!
¡°I told you long ago, it must be the child¡¯s family who took him. With such a vast number of people,
where would you even begin to look? Now you¡¯ve upset Everett, and the child is still missing. How can
he focus on his work? The Lopez Corporation depends on him!¡± ¡°Can you stop talking? I¡¯m really
stressed out right now Jeffrey¡¯s voice was fem, his tone harsh, ¡°Everett just said the child might be
Dorothy¡¯s. It scared the hell out of me. I still don¡¯t know if it¡¯s
Heather was silent for a few seconds, then her voice instant
N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
¡°What did you say? Dorothy?¡±
¡°Yes!¡±
¡°But you said she was infertile! You saw it yourself at the hospital!¡±
¡°That¡¯s why I never thought much about it.¡±
if he had thought harder, he might have realized it sooner.
¡®Where¡¯s Everett now?
¡°Hes at the hospital checking records to see if Dorothy was really pregnant when they divorced.¡±
He frowned in imitation, took a deep breath, and hurried forward to stop a passerby. ¡°Have you seen
this child? He¡¯s fair¨Cskinned and has big eyes.¡±
The passerby nced at him and shook his head. ¡°No¡±
Jeffrey immediately went to ask another person
He regretted so much going to pick up Heather from the hospital! He should ve woken the child up and
taken him along.
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Chapter 362
At least the child would still be in sight, and no one could¡¯ve taken him aw
Now Jeffrey was really worried that Langston was not taken away by his family, but by other people
with ulterior motives.
People with ulterior motives.
Jeffrey suddenly thought of a possibility: Heather!
Who would least like to see Everett having a child? Who would least like to see Everett meet that child?
Who was most active in contacting him before the incident?
It was herl
Jeffrey immediately called het, but Heather didn¡¯t pick up. She hung up right away
But every time she hung up. Jeffrey would just keep calling until she answered, sounding extremely
displeased.
¡°Jeffrey I¡¯m waiting for a call! Can you wait?¡±
¡°Isn¡¯t that how you always call me?¡± Jeffrey had no patience this time, he got straight to the point,
¡°Heather, I¡¯m asking you did you take the child away?¡±
Heatherughed after hearing this
¡°What are you talking about? I¡¯ve been with you all this sime. How could I take the child away?¡±
¡°You must have arranged for someone else to do that! You lured me out of the hotel, and then took the
opportunity to take the child away¡±
¡°Jeffrey if you¡¯re delusional, go to the hospital! Your story is well made up, but does it make sense? You
never told me which hotel you were staying in! How could I know in advance?¡±
Jeffrey sneered. ¡°Do you really take me for a fool? The Lopez Corporation¡¯s software has a location
disy, and it¡¯s not difficult to track a phone¡¯s location now! You can easily find out if you want to
¡°So you mean no matter how much I deny it, you¡¯re determined to pin this on me? How are you any
different from Everett back then? He didn¡¯t listen to my exnation about not framing Dorothy and now
neither are you! Both you and Everett are my friends! How could you not trust me?¡±
Heather didn¡¯t expect Jeffrey to point the finger at her so quickly
Mostly, she was surprised that Jeffrey cared so much about the child.
As far as she could remember, Jelfay hated kids. He even near kids at all
avoided being
¡°Yes, because you¡¯re my friend, I¡¯ve helped you hide so many things! You¡¯ve used me so many times
that you¡¯ve probably lost count right? But this time, can you do me a favor? Give me the child and don¡¯t
harm him! Don¡¯t do something you¡¯ll regres!¡±
Regret? The thing Heather most regretted now was not killing Dorothy at any cost earlier!
¡°I don¡¯t know where the child is, so how can I give him to you?¡±
¡°You¡¯re beyond help! Im going to find Everett right now, and let him investigate you!¡±
As soon as Jeffrey said this, Heather panicked. ¡°Why are you looking for him? He doesn¡¯t trust me in
the first ce. If you say this, he¡¯ll definitely investigate me!¡±
¡°If you¡¯ve done nothing wrong, why are you afraid of being investigated? Heather, I¡¯ve given you a
chance. Give me the child, and I won¡¯t tell Everett anything 11 just say I found the child.¡±
Heather seemed to hesitate, but in the end, she still said, ¡°I didn¡¯t take the child.¡±
¡°Alright, then lets investigate
¡°Jeffrey! Are you determined to ruin my rtionship with Everett? You¡¯re not trying to destroy me
because you can¡¯t have me, are you?¡±
Jeffrey sneered, his tone dripping wiN?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
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¡°You think I¡¯m going to destroy you now? I hardly recognize you anymore, Heather! You used to be
gentle, understanding and gracious. You were a woman who would go through hell and high water for
the Lopez Corporation and a woman who would stand firm in court to protect thepany¡¯s interests.
Look at you now!¡±
¡°And why do you think that is, Jeffy? If it wasr fer Dorothy snatching Everett away from me I¡
¡°Oh, so if Dorothy hadn¡¯te along do you think Everett would¡¯ve fallen for you? Don¡¯t make me
laugh! I¡¯m not in the mood for pointless chatter. If you won¡¯t admit your faults. then I¡¯ll go to Everett
myself¡±
As he was about to hang up, Heather brake in. ¡°You cant go, Jeffrey! If you do this. I will never forgive
you¡±
Jeffrey frowned, feeling closer to the truth, ¡°What are you so afraid of?¡±
¡°Because your going to Everett with all this will only worsen his impression of me You can dig into my
life all you want, but don¡¯t let Everett dig into this mess
She knew if Everett got involved, things wouldnt be as simple.
Having nned to quietly deal with the child, Heather never expected Jeffrey wouldn¡¯t give up! He
seemed even more invested than Everett.
¡°Heather are you really that stubbom? I¡¯ve told you before hand over the child now and I won¡¯t let
Everett know about this, I promise! Just spare the child, for my sake. But if you refuse, don¡¯t me me
for what happens next¡®
Caught in a heated argument Heather suddenly solvered. She sobbed on the other end of the line.
¡°How do you expect me to prove my innocence? I had nothing to do with the child¡¯s disappearance. Do
you want me dead? Will you only believe me if I¡¯m dead?
Jeffrey was speechless.
*Fine! Il die! You all despise me anyway considering me a burden. I can¡¯t live like this anymore, with
every scandal and smearnding on my shoulders might as well die, then you won¡¯t have to insult me
anymore!¡±
Her plea made Jeffrey doubt.
-Could he have winged her?
¡°Swear to me you didn¡¯t harm the child.¡±
1 swear! If Thawe, may never rest in peace Heather sware without hesitation
After all, she never believed in these things,
People say God can provide blessings and retribuliers, but all the times slie prayed during her
childhood, hoping for a better life, did God hear her?
No! God never blessed her! The public humiliation and the disdainful nces never ceased.
Since blessings were never given, she believed retributions would be the same
¡°Fine, I believe you for now¡± Jeffrey sighed, ending the call.
Maybe he was just too desperate, thus making rash decisions.
Although he disapproved of Heather¡¯s actions, he didn¡¯t want to wrong hert After all, she was the only
woman he truly loved. The old Heather was truly dazzling
At the hospital, the director personally weed Everett. He dared not show any negligence.
¡°Mr Lopez wee. I didn¡¯t know you were curning Inday, my apologies for not being able to greet you
properly.¡±
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Everett nced at the director, too busy for pleasantries.
I need you to pull up all of Dorothy¡¯s medical records, not a single page missing.
¡°Okay, I¡¯m on it!¡±
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Chapter 364
The hospital director didn¡¯t dare to ask further. He quickly called his subordinates to get the files
There was no talk of privacy now. After all, if he offended Everett, it was hard to say if this hospital
would still be around or not.
Everett sat silently in a chair, the air around him so tense that it seemed to solidify. Nobody in the room
dared to even breathe.
The silence was finally broken by the ring of a cell phone.
It was a call from Amanda.
Everett had already hung up on her once, but she had called back.
So he answered on the second ring
¡°Mother.¡±
¡°You remember I¡¯m your mother, do you? Why did you hang up on me?¡± Amanda used. ¡°Now you
don¡¯t even want me as your mother, is that it?¡±
Everett¡¯s eyebrows furrowed, and he had a hunch about what was happening.
Only Heather could have brought his mother into this.
¡°Is there something you need, Mom? I¡¯m busy.¡±
¡°Busy? Busy looking for a child that might not even be yours?¡±
¡°Right.¡± Everett saw no need to hide. He admitted outright. ¡°If he looks like me, he might be my son,
and I have to find him.¡±
Amanda was so angry that she wished she could fly home now.
¡°The Lopez family does not acknowledge bastards! Don¡¯t give me that nonsense. You really want to
piss me off, don¡¯t you?¡±
¡°There¡¯s no negotiation on this. If he¡¯s mine, I have to take responsibility¡±
¡°Then who¡¯s the mother of this child? Apart from Dorothy, who have you been with?¡±
Everett pursed his lips, silent.
Amanda, smart as she was, quickly realized, ¡°Only Dorothy? So is the child hers?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know. I haven¡¯t figured it out yet.¡± Everett suddenly denied it.
He was worried that Amanda might be faster than him, and if she did anything against Dorothy, he
wouldn¡¯t be able to intervene in time, and things would get worse.
Moreover another person wanting to harm Dorothy was never good news.
¡°Don¡¯t you remember who you slept with?¡±
¡°No, I¡¯m not quite sure, so I need to investigate.¡±
¡°You¡¯re being too unfair to Heather! You¡¯ve already been married twice, have a child, and I don¡¯t even
know how to face Heather! She¡¯s still waiting for you!¡± Amanda was protective of Heather, as if she
were her own daughter. ¡°You were reckless, ran off to marry that Dorothy, and then she dumped you,
didn¡¯t she? I let Heather get closer to you, but she said she was afraid you¡¯d hate her, and wanted you
to calm down before you two talking. But then you suddenly announced you were marrying someone
else!¡±
After saying all these words, Amanda began to cough violently.
Knowing his mother was in poor health, Everett couldn¡¯t argue. He could only try his best not to involve
Dorothy in this.
¡°Mother, you should see a doctor I can handle things here.¡±
¡°Your way of handling things is to hurt Heather! I haven¡¯t even digested the news of your sudden
mage, and now you¡¯re telling me -you have an illegitimate child! How am I supposed to ask Heather
to many you now?¡±
¡°Mother, I don¡¯t n on marrying her, I don¡¯t understand why you insist on me being with her!¡±
Everett thought that it couldn¡¯t be just about liking Heather to force his own son this much.
N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
But Amanda just paused and didn¡¯t say anything just like her!¡± she fina
Everett couldn¡¯t pick up on that
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Chapter 365
It was clear that Amanda was not willing to understand his perspective.
¡°And what¡¯s wrong with Heather? What is it that you don¡¯t like about her? Look at her She¡¯s beautiful,
talented and capable. What¡¯s not to love?¡±
¡°Her character¡±
¡°And Dorothy¡¯s character is better, is it? Let¡¯s not forget, she only agreed to marry you for your money!
Can you still say she has a good character when she sold herself for cash?¡± Amanda had done her
homework. She knew that Dorothy had agreed to marry Everett to secure funds for her mother¡¯s
medical bills.
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
It all boiled down to money.
¡°I think Dorothy¡¯s character is good, and that¡¯s all that matters. I don¡¯t need anyone else¡¯s judgement.¡±
YOU
¡°Mom, I won¡¯t marry Heather No matter how many times he had to repeat himself, he did not mind
doing it again.
¡°Then I¡¯m not your mother Infuriated, Amanda hung up the phone.
Everett frowned tightly. He knew upsetting his mother would inevitably lead to sleepless nights and
hospital visits for her. There was even a risk of losing her.
He didn¡¯t want that. But he also didn¡¯t want to betray his own heart.
As he put down his phone, a doctor rushed over with some documents in his hand.
¡°We¡¯ve got the results, Mr. Lopez. We¡¯ve got them!¡±
Heather didn¡¯t know who else to turn to, so she called Amanda
She knew that having Amanda order Everett to marry her wouldn¡¯t work. But at least she could help
Heather get through this difficult period.
¡°Everett has been bewitched! Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll handle this!¡±
¡°Thank you. I shouldn¡¯t have burdened you with all of this.¡±
¡°Nonsense! You¡¯re doing this for Everett!¡± Amanda paused, then asked in a hushed tone, ¡°Tell me the
truth, do you know where the child
After hesitating for a moment, Heather confessed. ¡°Yes. A friend of mine took him. I just want to bring
him back home. Amanda, Im sorry, I just¡ I¡¯m afraid Everett will leave me
¡°I¡¯m not ming you! You did the right thing! If the child stays with you, Everett will eventually find out.
Give him to me, and I handle this.¡±
¡°But what if Everett¡¡±
¡°He won¡¯t! What¡¯s he going to de, investigate me?¡±
Heather originally intended to get rid of the child to avoid future trouble. But now that Amanda had
stepped in, and she trusted her, she felt she could hand over the child.
It was not that she was scared, but she didn¡¯t want her rtionship with Everett to worsen. If it were
discovered now, she could say that Amanda had forced her to do it.
She would be absolved of all responsibility, and Everett couldn¡¯t me her.
¡°Alright, I have someone bring the child to you.¡±
¡°Good. As for the child, you don¡¯t need to know anything or get involved.¡±
¡°Okay.¡±
After hanging u
the phone, Heather was about to call the man who had the child, but he called her firs
As soon as Heather answered, she could hear the panic in his voice.
¡°Bad news! The child escaped¡±
¡°What?¡±
I didn¡¯t expect him to be so smart! He cracked the code I set up! He¡¯s gone!¡±
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Chapter 366
In a twist of fate that Heather could¡¯ve never anticipated, the child managed to escape!
¡°Go after him now!¡± She shrieked, her voice shrill with panic. Tim telling you, if this gets out, we¡¯re both
finished! Everett won¡¯t let us off the hook
Tve got people out looking came the reply, the man¡¯s voice steady but strained. ¡°But there¡¯s no word
yet. I¡¯ll let you know if we find him:
¡°No, not if, when!¡± Heather snapped, her tone threatening.
The thought of Everett discovering her plot to kill the child left Heather cold. It would shatter the image
she¡¯d worked so hard to build. And if this man was investigated, every past misdeed could be traced,
leaving her totally exposed.
That was something she simply couldn¡¯t allow. If necessary, she would make sure this man and the
secret disappear from the world together.
Langston was holding his phone, watching the moving figures about 500 meters away from the secret
warehouse. He changed the entrance code to ¡®dumbo, erasing all data in the system with a casual
swipe of his finger
How dare they try to attack while he¡¯s not fully awake yet!
With that done, Langston checked his messages.
Keh had sent him countless messages, but he¡¯d missed them all. Realizing he¡¯d been gone for a
few days now, he decided to put their minds at ease, puckering his lips and dialing Keh¡¯s number.
¡°Keh,e pick me up! I¡¯m sending you my location.¡±
After ending the call, Langston plopped down on a patch of grass, watching the fools on his tracker
scramble around in search of him, They thought they could find him with infrared detectors. He
chuckled to himself, having already blocked their signals.
Feeling yful, he drew arge tiger on his phone and sent it to their infrared detectors
Soon, a frantic cry echoed not far off, ¡°Shit! There¡¯s arge animal nearby, possibly a tiger Run!¡±
Langston snorted in amusement.
¡°Why are they scared of a tiger?¡±
He then drew an evenrger dinosaur
If Keh hadn¡¯t arrived soon, those idiots might¡¯ve thought they¡¯d stumbled into a zoo, with lions,
thinos, and flying creatures all appearing on their infrared detectors.
¡°Langston, over here!¡± Keh called, waving him over.
Langston reluctantly stopped his mischief and sauntered over, ¡°Keh¡±
Once they were safe in the car and back in the city, Keh finally turned to look at the mischievous
boy in the backseat. ¡°Are you trying to give your mom a heart attack?
¡°No.¡±
¡°Then why did you disappear without telling me? At least let me know so I can preparel Keh was
both angry and worried.
Langston, however looked calm andposed, siling there like on adult
*I needed to settle a sctire with my deadbeat dud. Once that was done, I¡¯d contact you¡±
Keh sighed in exasperation, ¡°And how exactly did you n on ¡®settling a score with him?¡±
That was Everett, the CEO of the Lopez Corporation, not some yground bully.
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Langston raised an eyebrow at Keh, ¡°Why not? It¡¯s just the Lopez Corporation. I went to their office
and imnted theirputers with my virus.¡±
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Chapter 367
When Langston went to the Lopez Corporation to find Everett, he coincidentally found aputer in
the security mom. Thisputer was logged into the Lopez Corporation¡¯s softwar
Although it was a lower version, which didn¡¯t allow directmunication with thepany¡¯s top brass,
it didn¡¯t stop him from imnting a virus.
Keh shook his head in disbelief. ¡°You don¡¯t actually think it¡¯s that easy to breach the Lopez
Corporation¡¯swork, do you? Even though yourputer skills are impressive, the Lopez
Corporation has gathered top experts from home and abroad and their interceptionwork must have
detected you by new
But Langsten just waved his phone in front of Keh ¡°Well, I can control their top¨Ctier ounts now!
Ill send you an announcement to prove it!¡±
He thought for a moment, and then typed a message in the software and sent it out.
¡°Keh, go check it out¡±
Of course, Keh didn¡¯t believe him, but he s pu led his car over and checked the Lopez
Corporation¡¯s official website on his phone. Right now, the headline banner on the website read:
Everett is a total jerk and a puppy.
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Are these the ¡®ull medical records?¡±
Everett looked at the sparse words on the paper, his brows furrowed deeply
¡°Yes, that must be all of them! We have also pulled her mather¡¯s case files, but some parts are missing
¡°Why are they missing?¡±
The hospital director hurriedly exined, ¡°At that time, theputer was malfunctioning, so it didn¡¯t
save the data! We lost all the records from that period.¡±
Everett scanned the words on the paper again. They were just records of a few fevers.
There was no record of Dorothy being pregnant
But also there was no mention of her being infertile.
This was incons stent with what Jeffrey and he had been fuld.
¡°Find all the doctors who treated Duruthy¡±
Since the medical records were hidden, he decided to find the doctors who were involved.
¡°Mr. Lopez, the doctor resigned a year ago, and we cant contact him now. I can give you his
information. The hospital director looked helpless, as he didn¡¯t have the same influence as Everett to
pry into others¡® whereabouts. He had no idea where to look for the resigned doctor!
¡°Bring it.¡± Everett didn¡¯t make it difficult for him. He just left this sentence and got up to leave.
Before he had even left, Kevin called
Everett thought it was about the boy, so he answered immediately.
¡°Did you find him?¡±
¡°No.. Mr. Lopez, please check our official website.¡± Kevin¡¯s lone was odd, as if he found the matter hard
to discuss
Everett furrowed his brows and opened the Lopuz Corporation¡¯s official weballe
¡°Who wrote this?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know! It seems like someone has nted a virus in our software. Many executive ounts
have lost control, and the ount that manages the homepage of the website can be logged in at alll
That means this person behind the scenes can post whatever he wants on the official website.¡±
This was shocking news the business world.
Without a doubt, all the otherpanies must be wulching this unfold.
¡°Shut down the official website, and close all the servers.¡±
¡°Okay, I do it right away¡±
After hanging up the phone, Everett sow Jeffrey calling.
However, the first thing Everett asked when he picked up was, ¡°Did you find the child?
¡°No. I called to ask about the official website. Who have you pissed off? That child keeps calling you a
deadbeat dad, and now there¡¯s a hacker attacking thepany¡¯s software, posting such words!¡±
¡°What did that child call me?¡±
¡°Deadbeat dad!¡±
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Chapter 368
Jeffrey pondered a moment. ¡°Could the hacker be your son?¡±
¡°So he should be safe for now.¡±
¡°Why is your focus always different from others, Everett?¡±
Everett rubbed his forehead. ¡°He¡¯s still young. What I someone kidnapped him? The official website
can be shut down, but what if something happens to him?¡±
Everett never cared much for how others perceived him, but he didn¡¯t want any harm toe to the
child.
Jeffrey chucked from his side of the phone, ¡°Are you starting to worry about your san?¡±
¡°Let¡¯s find him first and ensure he¡¯s sale Everett hesitated before saying. Tm mainly worned about
Heather. She knows about the child, and I can¡¯t guarantee she won¡¯t have ill intentions.¡±
Jeffrey wanted to say he had the same concerns, but instead just pursed his lips and remained silent.
¡°She¡ she wouldn¡¯t, would she? Jeffrey had made Heather cry. She truly seemed wronged.
If she was lying her acting was top¨Cnotch.
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Without proof, won¡¯t use anyone. I just have suspicions, and I hope she¡¯s innocent.¡±
Otherwise, he knew Amanda would find a way to protect her!
He could handle Heather on his own, but with his mother involved, the situation would be much more
complicated
Eventually, Jeffrey just sighed. ¡°By the way, how did your hospital investigation gu? Is Corothy pregnant
or infertile?¡±
¡°The hospital records have been erased.¡±
¡°What? Could Corothy have done i
¡°She doesn¡¯t have that kind of influence Everett knew there was only one person capable of this and
who would relish in doing so.
That was Amandu.
Yet, from his mother¡¯s reaction, it didn¡¯t seem like she knew about Dorothy¡¯s pregnancy. Rather, she
wanted to erase something else and ended up erasing Domthy¡¯s records by mistake.
Or perhaps, Dorothy didn¡¯t use her own ID for treatment
He had also looked into the people amund Darotly, including Karen, but found nothing Kuren¡¯s records
were a nk te.
Suddenly. Everett asked Jeffrey in a senous tore, ¡°Do you know the details of Dorty¡¯s mother¡¯s death?¡±
It took Jeffrey a while to stutter out, ¡°How would I know? I¡¯m not close with Dorothy!¡±
¡°All the records rted to Dorothy¡¯s mother¡¯s death are also gone. The hospital records seem to have
been entirely wiped out after o certain date.¡±
Dorothy¡¯s records were likely identally deleted, as her previous records were intact, men those
regardingmon colds and prescriptions.
¡°Ah¡ well, I don¡¯t know the
then! Could be a system glitch at
a system glitch at the hospi
hospital¡±
Everett didn¡¯t pursue further, But this had already nted a seed of doubt in his mind.
¡°Langston, you need to restore this now!¡± Keh truly believed Langston¡¯s ability now, but he was
even more afraid!
Because what Longston did was too conspicuous.
What if Everett found out?
¡°Why?¡± Langston knew what Keh was worried about and showed him his IP address, ¡°Don¡¯t worry,
he won¡¯t be able to trace anything! Even I don¡¯t know where my current IP address is. Keh, should
bring down the Lopez Corporation?¡±
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Chapter 369
Keh was taken aback by Langston¡¯s words. It took him a while to regain hisposure.
¡°Oh, my little rascal, don¡¯t go stirring up trouble Your mom is anxiously waiting for you, so let¡¯s go home
and see her first.¡±
At the mention of his mother Langston¡¯s face immediately turned sour
¡°I¡¯m doing this to make my mom happy! They mistreated my mom, so I want to avenge her¡±
¡°As long as you¡¯re by your mom¡¯s side, shell be happy! You¡¯re too young to understand this now, but if
you get caught, they¡¯ll take you away from her Keh had no choice but to believe this little rascal
now, especially after he had hacked into the Lopez Corporation¡¯s official website. But he also knew that
the Lopez Corporation wouldn¡¯t fold that easily
Langston lowered his head, not saying a word, his little fingers fiddling around as he frowned,
¡°The Lopez Corporation has no signs of tax evasion Their finances are clear, so we can¡¯t target them
from this angle¡±
Keh was astonished. ¡°You understand all that?¡±
¡°I just simply skimmed through some knowledge in that area, not too deep into it¡± Langston looked up,
his eyes identical to Everetts, blinking innocently as if to suggest that this was as straightforward as
1+1 equals 2
¡°But since there¡¯s nothing fishy about their finances, I¡¯ll look into their project vitions. Everypany
has some irregrities in their projects, and the Lopez Corporation must have some tou.¡±
Keh could only marvel at Everett¡¯s potent genes.
He had such ar intelligent child!
¡°Keh,¡± Langston¡¯s demeanor suddenly shifted from assertive and determined to a pitiful look ¡°when
we see my mam, will she me me?¡±
Keh could onlyugh helplessly
After all, Langster was still a child, afraid of his mom¡¯s scolding
¡°No, she might lecture you, but she wont genuinely me you She¡¯s just terrified of losing you¡±
Langston was still a child after all, unable toprehend theplexities of an adult¡¯s emotions.
she still love me then?¡±
¡°Of course! She will always, always love you and Abigail. She would give her life for you guys¡±
¡°That¡¯s great! As long as mom loves me, I don¡¯t mind I she scolds me
Langston squinted his eyes and giggled, then held up his phone. ¡°Hahaha, look, the Lopez
Corporation¡¯s official website is shut down! They must have found out
¡°How couldn¡¯t they find out after all that?¡±
1. p. my virus
¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. Unless they rebuild the app.
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
will stay there. It definitely wont be removed.
Who would¡¯ve thought that Everett had such a brilliant child? Is this a blessing or a curse?
Dorothy let every moment was excruciating.
Even though Keh had tested her saying he had picked up Lungston, unless he was standing right
in front of her, she couldn¡¯t rx!
Seeing her anxiety, Karen came over tofort her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, my brother already sald he¡¯s bringing
Langston home. Do you think someone will kidnap him on the way?¡±
¡°I¡¯m just word! The people from the Lopez Corporation are scattered all over Eldorida Cily. Who knows
if Longston and Keh will be stopped at some corner Standing on Eldora Cily¡¯snd, Dorothy
couldn¡¯t rx for a moment.
¨C
It felt like sitting on pins and needles.
¡°They won¡¯t! Everett isn¡¯t even sure if he¡¯s his son yet, so he probably won¡¯tunch a full¨Cscale search.¡±
¡°I hope so.¡±
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Chapter 370
But Dorothy had an unsettling feeling.
After this incident, she knew that Everett would not rest until he got to the bottom of it that was just the
way he was
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
In the midst of their conversation, Keh¡¯s car pulled up outside
¡°Here they are They¡¯re back!¡± Karen called out hurriedly
Dorothy, without even putting on her slippers, ran downstairs.
The moment she saw Langston¡¯s little face, she couldn¡¯t hold her tears anymore
¡°Langston you almost gave me a heart attack! Langston
¡°Mommy, I¡¯m sorry¡± Langston clearly panicked at the sight of Dorothy¡¯s tears. ¡°It was my fault. I
shouldn¡¯t have run off like that?¡±
¡°No, no¡it¡¯s me. I haven¡¯t been giving you enough love. It¡¯s my fault!¡±
She had been so focused on earning more money, nning when to leave home and when to be with
her children, without considering whether they could ept such arrangements!
Dorothy felt horribly guilty.
Seeing their reunion, Karen couldn¡¯t help but shed a few fears as well.
Keh walked over and patted her shoulder. ¡°Let¡¯s go in
¡°Alright.¡±
Back at home, Abigail had just opened her eyes to find her big brother standing in front of her
She was astonished!
¡°Langston?¡±
¡°What¡¯s with that face? It¡¯s really me.¡± Langston walked over and, despite his verbalints, sat
down beside his little sister.
Abigail, ever the enthusiastic one, hugged her brother and began kissing him all over making Langston
squirm in embarrassment.
Watching the two of themughing and ying together, Dorothy felt a sense of relief and
completeness.
She made up her mind then and there that she would never separate from her children again.
Keh nced at Dorothy and quietly pulled her aside ¡°Uh Dorothy, it seems like Langston has
stirred up some trouble!¡±
He recounted the incident to Dorothy, watching as her face gradually turned into a look of shock.
¡°What? He hacked into the Lopez Corporation¡¯s software?¡±
¡°Yes¡¡±
¡°Does Everett know it was him?¡±
¡°Langston said he wouldn¡¯t be able to trace it, but I¡¯m not really familiar with cyber stuff¡±
Dorothy rubbed her forehead, feeling a headacheing on. She nced at Langston, who was still
ying with Abigail, and spoke up. ¡°I¡¯m taking them and leaving Eldoria City right away, in case the
news gets out!¡±
After all, this was Everett¡¯s territory. It was fraught with danger, and she didn¡¯t feel safe at all.
¡°I¡¯ll go with you¡± Keh hade back to find Langston. If they were leaving, there was no need for
him to stay in Eldoria City.
Dorothy looked at him, pursing her lips. ¡°Keh, the kids are with me. They¡¯ll be fine! You must be
busy with work back home. You should go back.¡±
¡°It¡¯s okay¡± can take a leave.¡±
1
¡°But this favor is too huge. I feel suffocated Dorothy had to voice her thoughts. ¡°I consider you and
Karen family, but when ites to you and there¡¯s no chance for anything more. So please, stop letting
your time trickle away on me.¡±
¡°it¡¯s my choice! You¡¯ve rejected me many times. I know that you¡¯ve made your stance very clear. It¡¯s all
voluntary on my part. I have noints, nor will force you to be with me or owe me anything¡±
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Chapter 371
Dorothy¡¯s worst fear was Keh¡¯s affectionate persistence. As a result, she insisted on covering all of
Langston¡¯s expenses abroad, including a monthly stipend for Keh.
If he didn¡¯t agree to this, she wouldn¡¯t allow Keh to take care of Langston.
N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
Yet, despite all this, she still felt she was holding Keh back!
¡°Keh, you need to live your own life; you can¡¯t keep revolving around me.¡±
Karen, who had overheard the conversation, sighed and walked over, ¡°Dorothy, let him take care of it.
We all know what kind of person he is! Even his parents can¡¯t convince him.¡±
¡°Yeah, I feel fulfilled taking care of Langston; it¡¯s kind of my joy! If you don¡¯t let me be with him, I¡¯ll feel
like I¡¯ve lost my purpose in life.¡± Keh didn¡¯t know how to express himself.
He had known for years that he and Dorothy would never be together.
But sometimes, giving became a habit, and over the years, he had grown ustomed to treating
Langston as his own child.
Keh had even thought that if he had Langston, he wouldn¡¯t need his own child.
¡°Keh, you¡¯re the only child your parents have. If not for your sake, think about them! What will they
do?¡±
Keh had thought about it, but he couldn¡¯t convince himself to ept any other woman.
¡°Forget it, Dorothy, let my brothere with us!¡±
Dorothy nced at Karen, ¡°But¡¡±
¡°I¡¯ll talk to him in private.¡± Karen patted her shoulder, indicating that she shouldn¡¯t waste time on this
and should leave Eldorria City as soon as possible.
Right now, avoiding Everett was paramount.
¡°Alright.¡± Dorothy knew that this was not something that could be resolved in a short time, and that only
he coulde to terms with it.
As Dorothy began to pack, Karen yed with the two children.
It was only when it started to get dark that Keh drove over in a borrowed car.
¡°We can go now. The car belongs to a friend of mine, and no one should be able to trace it!¡±
¡°Okay.¡± Holding a sleeping Abigail and apanied by Langston, Dorothy hurriedly got into the car.
Once she confirmed the house was empty, Karen sat in the passenger seat.
From the moment he got into the car, Langston had been focusing on his phone.
No one could understand what he was looking at, but he seemed to be engrossed in a bunch of data.
¡°Langston, what are you looking at?¡± Dorothy couldn¡¯t help but ask.
¡°It¡¯s data from the Lopez Corporation! Mommy, look, this is the project department¡¯s recent expenditure,
and here¡¯s the ROI.¡±
Dorothy only then took a closer look at the numbers on the screen.
¡°Why are you looking at this, Langston?¡±
¡°I want to find a weakness in the Lopez Corporation! I can¡¯t believe they don¡¯t have a single
vulnerability.¡±
Langston had researched countlesspanies before this, always finding something unusual. He
didn¡¯t believe that the Lopez Corporation waspletely invincible.
¡°Langston, don¡¯t push against the Lopez Corporation.¡±
¡°But they bullied you! Mommy, I need to protect you!¡±
Just as Dorothy was about to respond, her phone rang.
She looked down.
That number looked familiar.
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Chapter 372
Yep, that was Everett¡¯s phone number!
No way in hell would Dorothy ever forget the number.
How did he get her number? And why was he calling her?
¡°Dorothy, why aren¡¯t you picking up?¡± Karen, who was sitting in the passenger seat, turned around to
see her. Noticing something off, she asked, ¡°You look pale. Who¡¯s calling?¡±
¡°It¡¯s Everett¡¡±
Keh, who was driving, mmed on the brakes.
¡°What?! Who?¡±
¡°Everett. As she spoke, the phone stopped ringing, the screen showing a missed call.
Keh nced at Dorothy from the rear¨Cview mirror, a tense atmosphere spreading in the car.
¡°Did he find out something?¡±
Karen reached out to take the phone. ¡°Give it to me, I¡¯ll answer it. Let¡¯s see what he wants. I can
pretend I don¡¯t know who he is. After all, I don¡¯t know his number and your phone is registered under
my name. It¡¯s normal for me to take the call.¡±
But Dorothy just stared at the screen, not responding.
Until Abigail and Langston, realizing that something was wrong with their mom, started tugging at her
clothes.
¡°Mommy, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Abigail blinked.
Langston was a bit more astute. After a moment¡¯s thought, he pulled out his own phone. ¡°Mommy, is
that guy bullying you again? I¡¯ll get back at him right now!¡±
¡°No.¡± Dorothy finally spoke. ¡°No, let me calm down for a bit.¡±
She needed to know why Everett was calling her, at least get a sense of how far his suspicions or
investigations had gone.
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*Keh, you take the kids and go ahead.¡±
¡°No way! I can¡¯t leave you alone!¡± The thought of the people who had once harmed Dorothy¡¯s mother
made Keh unwilling to leave Dorothy alone in Eldorria City.
If they could strike once, they could strike again!
¡°I¡¯ll be fine, and I¡¯ll join you guys soon!¡±
After saying this, Dorothy patted her son and daughter on their shoulders, then got out of the car.
As Keh was about to follow her, Karen held him back.
¡°Bro! It¡¯s perfectly normal for Everett to be suspicious when Langston suddenly appears in the public
eye. He might just be routinely checking to see which of the women he¡¯s been with gave birth to his
son! If Dorothy refuses to take the call and hides, his suspicions will only grow,¡±
Keh furrowed his brow, his handsome face stern. ¡°He has the nerve to question Dorothy! If it
weren¡¯t for him, Dorothy¡¯s mother wouldn¡¯t have
died!¡±
¡°What¡¯s the use of saying these things now?¡± Karen moved to the back seat, hugging the two children.
¡°All we need to do is protect these two cubs. That¡¯s the best way we can help Dorothy. Let her handle
the rest. If she needs us, she¡¯ll ask.¡±
¡°Karen, I¡¡±
¡°I know what you¡¯re thinking, but Dorothy made clear that she doesn¡¯t want your help. You need to
know your limits.¡±
Keh was silent for a long while before starting the car again.
¡°Yeah, I should know my limits.¡±
Summer evenings were supposed to be cool and pleasant, but the wind was unusually strong tonight.
Dorothy pulled her coat tighter around her, found a bench under a bus stop and sat down.
Looking at the missed call on her phone screen, she took several deep breaths. Her fingertips were
slightly trembling as she dialed back.
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The ringing of the phone at this moment sounded piercingly clear, each note like a hammer striking
Dorothy¡¯s heart.
In just a few seconds, she had thought about hanging up and blocking the call multiple times, not
wanting to deal with anything rted to Everett. Yet, for the sake of shielding her children, she couldn¡¯t
evade.
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If you¡¯re not upfront about some things, suspicions naturally arise.
When the dialing status on her screen turned into a string of timing digits, she finally heard that familiar
voice,ced with a hint of strangeness.
He didn¡¯t say hello, he just said, ¡°Dorothy.¡±
Dorothy felt her heartbeat quicken. The difort made her knit her brows. Yet, she had to keep her
voice steady and casual.
¡°Hi, did you just call me? Sorry, I missed it. Who is this?¡±
Everett didn¡¯t reply immediately, instead he chuckled first. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you don¡¯t recognize my
voice.¡±
His tone was always so certain, so precise.
It wasn¡¯t a question, nor was it said in jest, but a statement.
Dorothy didn¡¯t know how to respond for a moment.
Because in front of Everett, it felt like all her secrets and everything wereid bare.
Everett didn¡¯t wait for her for too long. Seeing that she remained silent, he directly said, ¡°I want to meet
you, Dorothy.¡±
¡°But I don¡¯t think I have anything to say to you, so I¡¯ll pass.¡±
¡°I went to the hospital and checked your medical records.¡±
Hearing this, Dorothy froze for a moment; her heartbeat seemed to stop!
She knew if Everett had gone to the hospital, it must be due to the seeds of trouble sown by Jeffrey
during their hospital encounter.
Her excuse at the time was indeed not clever; it can even be said to be quiteme! She was just too
anxious, and couldn¡¯te up with a better exnation.
If it hadn¡¯t been for Langston¡¯s sudden appearance, Dorothy felt she might have fooled Jeffrey. But now
that Everett had dug it up, it definitely meant Jeffrey had sensed something was off..
¡°And then?¡± Dorothy tried to keep her voice as calm as possible, without any fluctuation.
But in reality, she had to cover her chest to calm herself.
It felt like she had been punched there several times, and it was stifling.
¡°Then, your records were deleted.¡±
Dorothy breathed a sigh of relief. Looks like Heather did quite a clean job, even this was taken care of.
¡°Your parents want me topletely disappear from your life, so deleting my records is only normal.
What are you trying to say?¡±
¡°The kid.¡± Everett didn¡¯t beat around the bush. ¡°Did you have a boy, Dorothy?¡±
¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about.¡±
¡°A boy who looks very much like me came to the Lopez Corporation looking for me, iming that I¡¯m
his father.¡±
¡°Oh? Congrattions then, Mr. Lopez, you¡¯re a father.¡± Dorothy chuckled lightly, ¡°But why would you
tell me this? As your ex¨Cwife, I¡¯ve long since cut ties with you.¡±
¡°Dorothy, you know what I want to ask!¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± Dorothy shot back. ¡°Mr. Lopez, don¡¯t you think you¡¯re being quite unseemly, hounding
me like this? I made things clear during our divorce, and now you¡¯reing to me with a son out of
nowhere. Can I take it that you¡¯re just looking for an excuse to talk to me?¡±
There was a long silence on Everett¡¯s end.
When he spoke again, his tone was cold once more, ¡°As long as the child isn¡¯t yours, that¡¯s fine.
There¡¯s nothing else.¡±
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And then he abruptly ended the call, as if he was terrified of hearing any more harsh words from
Dorothy.
But wasn¡¯t the one who uttered harsh words also suffering?
Dorothy clenched her phone and closed her eyes, only to find that tears had unconsciously trickled
down from the corners of her eyes.
She didn¡¯t even know when she had started crying.
The wind at the street corner still blew fiercely. The teardrops either fell on the back of her hand or on
the hem of her clothes. Dorothy didn¡¯t dare to cry out loud.
Hurting Everett was thest thing she wanted to do.
But she had no other choice.
To protect her children from harm, to uncover the truth, she had to lie low and make sacrifices.
When Jeffrey received a call from Everett, he was still searching for the kid. He genuinely liked that
child!
¡°Hello?¡±
¡°Let¡¯s get a drink.¡±
Jeffrey was taken aback, ¡°Did I hear you right? You said, let¡¯s get a drink?!¡±
¡°Youing or not?¡±
¡°Sure!¡±
Without a second thought, he knew that his buddy must have been hurt by Dorothy again! In all the
years he¡¯d known him, only matters concerning Dorothy could cause him such emotional turmoil.
After heaving a sigh, he rushed to the bar after handling his affairs.
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Because Everett wasn¡¯t fond of crowded ces, he had reserved the entire bar for the night. The music
was still ying, the lights were still on. the drinks were still there, but aside from him sitting on the
couch, there was no one else.
Jeffrey strode over and rolled his eyes as he sat down.
¡°Buddy, you seem to have a misunderstanding about drowning your sorrows in alcohol. You¡¯ve cleared
out all the girls in the bar, then where¡¯s the fun in that?¡±
Everett looked at him and poured him a full ss of whiskey with his slender fingers.
¡°Drink.¡±
¡°I can drink, but let me call a few girls over. It¡¯s no fun just the two of us.¡± Jeffrey also hoped that
Everett could move on from the past.
Even if he didn¡¯t end up with Heather, there were other women, right?
The world wasn¡¯t just Dorothy and Heather!
He felt that Everett was just shutting himself out, unwilling to interact with others.
¡°No.¡± Everett refused with a frown, ¡°They¡¯re annoying.¡±
¡°So if we call Dorothy, it won¡¯t be annoying, right?¡± Jeffrey said, and immediately wished he could p
himself.
Sometimes his brain couldn¡¯t keep up with his mouth; he spoke before he thought!
Sure enough, Jeffrey saw the light in Everett¡¯s eyes quickly darken.
He scrambled to smooth things over, but in the end, all he could do was sigh, ¡°Everett, you really
should let go! It¡¯s over between you two.¡± Everett picked up the bottle of whiskey on the table, tilted his
head back and drained it in one gulp.
¡°I thought that child was hers.¡±
¡°I told you before that it¡¯s not hers! But you wouldn¡¯t believe me.¡± Jeffrey also downed his drink, ¡°You
said before, besides Dorothy, you didn¡¯t have any other women, right? So could it be possible, that
someone stole your¡¡±
Everett looked up, frowning, ¡°What?¡±
¡°Come on! You haven¡¯t been with a woman for so many years, and you¡¯ve never taken care of
yourself? I mean masturbation.¡±
Everett was left speechless.
¡®Of course you havel What if someone with intentions stole your sperm? I¡¯ve seen cases like this on the
news.¡± After saying this, he flipped out his phone and showed Everett.
Everett wasn¡¯t in the mood to look at that.
But it was true, he ¡®had taken care of himself.
A man always has those needs, but he could only do it while thinking about Dorothy.
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¡°After you were done, you tossed it into the trash, and someone could¡¯ve picked it up the next day. It¡¯s
a possibility!¡±
Everett didn¡¯t want to entertain that thought at all.
Seeing him just downing his drink, Jeffrey sighed, ¡°Other than that, there¡¯s no other exnation! It
takes two to tango, and they must¡¯ve gotten a hold of your¡ you know. You swear that Dorothy was
your only woman. The kid couldn¡¯t have just popped out of thin air, right?¡±
¡°Drink.¡± Everett was already annoyed and didn¡¯t want to keep hearing him ramble on.
Jeffrey rolled his eyes, ¡°Hold off on the drinking. Did your people find any lead on the kid?¡±
¡°Nothing. They¡¯re still searching.¡±
¡°No news on my end either. Should we broaden the search? The kid might not be in Eldorria City
anymore.¡±
¡°I¡¯ve already expanded the search.¡± He was even more eager to find the child.
Then proceed with a paternity test. Everything would be clear then, no more guessing around.
Jeffrey nced at the bottles of booze on the table, both amused and annoyed.
His severe OCD had him lining up the bottles neatly in a row. He had already chugged down seven or
eight of them.
¡°Sure you don¡¯t want me to call over somedies? Get your eyes on someone else!¡± He scrolled
through several photos of gorgeous women on his phone.
But Everett didn¡¯t even nce up.
Jeffrey couldn¡¯t help but roll his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re even harder to persuade than Lane! You¡¯re as stubborn
as a mule.¡±
When he mentioned Lane, Everett¡¯s hand noticeably stilled.
Jeffrey caught that immediately!
¡°Still bothered by someone pursuing Dorothy? Don¡¯t tell me you see Lane as a rival! He¡¯s just after your
ex¨Cwife, ex!¡±
¡°Shut up.¡±
Everett poured himself another drink, clearly not wanting to listen.
Jeffrey sighed, ¡°I¡¯d love to snap a photo of you and show people how heartbroken the CEO of the
Lopez Corporation could be over a woman.¡±
*Still no sign of him, and my guys even got yed by him!¡±
Hearing this, Heather wanted to strangle the man on the spot.
Ipetent and full of excuses.
¡°He¡¯s just a kid! And you guys can¡¯t find him?¡±
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
¡°This kid is a genius, managed to crack codes and hide his tracks so we couldn¡¯t detect him!¡± The man
was also speechless. If this situation blew up, he knew he¡¯d be dealing with Everett. ¡°You¡¯re talking as if
I won¡¯t be implicated!¡±
¡°I told you ages ago to off him, but you hesitated. Now look at the mess we¡¯re in! If you had just finished
him off, we¡¯d only have to worry about where to bury him!¡±
Heather was as restless as a cat on a hot tin roof.
Knowing that Everett returned to Eldorria City, she didn¡¯t dare to show her face or make her presence
known.
Currently, she had no idea how the situation would unfold, so she had to make sure that her deeds
wouldn¡¯t be exposed.
¡°That¡¯s Everett¡¯s son! You wanted me to kill him? Why didn¡¯t you do it yourself? You¡¯re just thinking of
using me as a scapegoat if things go south!¡± He wasn¡¯t a fool. What¡¯s the point of making money if he
didn¡¯t live to spend it?
Heather rubbed her temples, ¡°I don¡¯t have time to argue with you. Keep searching. I¡¯ll think of another
n!¡±
After hanging up, she hesitated for a long time before deciding to tell Amanda about the situation. The
only person who could help her right now was Amanda.
¡°How did the kid go missing?¡±
¡°Amanda, I never intended to hold him captive. After all, he¡¯s Everett¡¯s son, and I didn¡¯t have the heart
to keep a constant watch on him, so he escaped!¡±
¡°You¡¯re too soft! We, the Lopez family, don¡¯t recognize a child of unknown origin.¡±
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Heather figned worry, sighing heavily as she tried to consince Amanda, ¡°Amanda, no matter heart just
to take my side! I don¡¯t want to cause any suite between you and your son because of ima
he¡¯s Everett¡¯s child. You can break Everell¡¯s
¡°But look at him! Fast, he was involved with Dorphy, and now he¡¯s married to God knows who, without
even telling me! Now to top hat off, a chid has shown up daming to be his Amanda¡¯s fury grew with
each word, causing the attend ng doctor to quickly calm her down
¡°Amanda, your heath is the most important thing! i¡¯m not upset, as long as can be by Evet¡±s side in the
end. Even if¡even if I never have proper title, I would be content¡±
¡°No, Lowe you the ice of the Lopez family¡¯s youngdy I must give it to you As for the chid don¡¯t worry
about anything. If Everett ever mes you just push it al onto me and say I forced you to do it!¡®
This was exactly what Heather wanted to heal She was genu nely womed about Amanda¡¯s well being.
Currently, Heather had a ce in the Lopez family thanks to Everett¡¯s parems. If they were done, it
would be a different say
Backed by Amanda, Heather could proceed as nothing happened.
After all even if Everett found out, she could just say that his mother forced her to do it. Ha mother
admitted it, so they couldn¡¯t me her, right?
However, the had to put on a wored fort
¡°Amanda I¡¯m really afraid he will be angry with you. Maske I should sellhim the truth ¡±Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
¡°No! He¡¯s been angry with me since I stopped him from being with Dorothy What more could he do to
me? But if you tell the truth, wouldn¡¯t
Amanda sull be leved that her son was just too young and indecisive to realue
athers worth yet. But given time, he would uncerstand
¡± handia everything hack you up and keep those little vaens at bay! They dare to dream of bing
my daughter¨Cnw Dream on.¡±
¡°Thank you in advance, Amanda!¡±
That night Everoll get uncharacteristically ckout crunk.
If it werent for Kens timely amwat, he and Jeffrey would probably have had to sleep in the bar.
But that would be the worst thing. They had rented the ce for the night, after at
When Keyin am¨Ced he called Jeffrey¡¯s assistant to take him home Kevin then helped Mr. Lopez into the
car
Drunk Event was unusually quiet the
The Lack seat, staring out the window.open
ering and closing his eyes periodically.
Kevin watched him carefully through the rear view mir, ready to rush him to the hospital if necessary.
Since Everett was sient, Kenn, as his secretary, knew his boss was upset. No words offort would
help, so he decided to stay s lent and let Everett work through his feelings
Sometimes, too much advice can be overwhelming
He used to console himself, but the moment he heard about Dorothy, he couldn¡¯t help but chase her
They didn¡¯t stop until they reached Bay Residence.
Kevin got out of the car and opened the back door Everett managed to step out of the car and walk
with him to the front door
Standing of entrance, Kevin heard Mr. Lopez heave a smal sigh, hd voice barely audible
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¡°Dear Dorothy, I can¡¯t help but reminisce about every minute we spent in this house.¡±
Those words, if not for the courage of liquer, he might never utter
He had to admit, in this battle with Dorothy, he had lost, lost utterly and entirely with no hope of
standing again.
Kevin felt hisplex emotions in every word.
The kind of destion, the kind of helplessness really tugged at one¡¯s heartstrings!
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Mr. Leper, stop thinking about it¡±
¡°Okay, I won¡¯t think about it anymore.¡± Everett obediently nodded, a bitter smile curling up on his thin
lips. Twon¡¯t think about it anymore.¡±
Kevin let out a sigh. ¡°Let¡¯s go back to rest. You¡¯re drunk, and we have work tomorrow¡±
¡°Okay¡±
¡°What¡¯s your door code? Il unlock it for you, then you can change it tomorrow¡±
He could see from Mr Lopez¡¯s current state that he was in no condition to remember the code.
Everett, tall and wavening said. ¡°The password is the day we first shared a desk ¨C August 25th, 0825*
Kevin didn¡¯t know whether to say that Mr. Lopez was too infatuated or too obstinate
After unlocking the door sessfully, he turned to help Everett, only to find him already sitting on the
steps of the vi
His shadow, elongated by the moonlight, seemed even more deste and lonely
¡°Mr. Lopez¡¡±
¡°Kevin, I have a thought¡±
¡°Go ahead¡±
¡°If I threatened Dorothy with my life, would shee back to me?¡±
¡°Im not sure. I don¡¯t know how Ms Sanchez would react to your idea¡±
¡°What if I did everything in my power to keep her by my side?¡± After saying this, Exerettughed at
himself, ¡°I don¡¯t want to be a gentleman anymore, I just want her¡±
Being a gentleman was too tiring he didnt want to be moral gentleman anymore, and he didn¡¯t care if
Dorothy loved him or not.
He was really losing control, he just wanted to get Dorothy back
Meanwhile,te into the night
Dorothy remained seated on the bench at the bus stop, unmoving
As if saying those words had taken all her strength so she couldn¡¯t take another step
She knew Everett would be devastated.
She knew her words were like daggers to his heart
But they were divorced, she was carrying the vengeance for her mother, and he had just announced
his engagement. She couldnt give him any hope
Her phone rang again and again. Finally, when it was nearly out of battery, Dorothy answered.
The voice on the other end was frantic, Dorothy, why haven¡¯t you been answering your phone? I¡¯m
worried about your
¡°Keh, I¡¯m okay¡±
¡°Did Everett say something to you? Did he find out anything?¡±
¡°No, I said a lot of harsh words to him, then he hung up. He probably didn¡¯t suspect anything¡±
Keh sighed, ¡°You are regretting the harsh words, aren¡¯t you? Dorothy, I want you to be happy. I
believe your mom would want the same. So why dont you just
¡°Theres no such option, Keh. I can¡¯t ask him to send his parents to prison for the murder, for my
saku
¡°Alright, let¡¯s not think about it anymore. Abigal and Langston is waiting for you¡±
Dorothy wiped her tears, ¡°Okay Tinight not be able to go back tonight, I¡¯ll go back tomorrow!!
¡°Silly girl, you think I¡¯d really leave you alone in Eldoma City? Kehughed, ¡°Dorothy, look to your
night.¡±
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Dorothy instinctively nced in the direction he pointed
Sure enough, Keh stood not far away phone in hand, smiling at her. ¡°Over here¡±
Seeng Kehs figure, Dorothy¡¯s heart
it would be ale to say she was
ribable emotions.
but this kind of emotion felt more like familial affection, unrted to romance
Many times. Dorothy had thought if she had met Everett first, but had been paired up with Keh
through Karens matchmaking, she¡¯d most likely be
these assumptions were based
the condition that Everett didnt exist.
Dorothy stood up slowly walking towards him, ¡°Keh, why havent you left?
1 just couldn¡¯t bear the thought of you being alone in Eldoma City, so I had my friend take Karen and
the kids and leave first! You don¡¯t have to worry,
who is arving them is an old ssmate of mine they be safe and he wont betray us.¡±
Dorothy wasn¡¯t concerned about that, but
¡°You just stood here waiting?¡±
1 stayed primarily to be w you¡± Keh spoke without a hint ofint, his voice gentle and warm,
¡°Are you done now? Let¡¯s go.¡±
Dorothy nodded, following Kenne
The wind was getting stronger, and rain seemed imminent, specially in the summer, when rain came
without notice.
¡°Shall we find a ce to stay first and continue our journey tomorrow morning?¡± Dorothy suggested.
Keh paused, then turned around smiling, ¡°Sounds good! You don¡¯t seem to be in the best mood
today, it would be perfect to find a hotel take a nice bath get a good sleep, and then we can hit the road
when you wake up naturally! And don¡¯t worry about the kids, they love Karen and will be obedient.¡±
Dorothy merely nodded, managing a forced smile
From her sudden urge to leave to her change of heart to wait till tomorrow, Keh could probably
guess what was going on. But he also felt he had no right to say anything
And more importantly, truth be told, he genuinely hoped Dorothy would be happy. Nothing else
mattered.
Keh led Dorothy to a high¨Cend hotel, then booked two adjacent rooms
This hotel has veryfortable beds, I¡¯ve stayed here before on business trips. Rest well, and just give
me a shout when you¡¯re ready to leave tomorrow.¡±
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Dorothy nodded. ¡°Thank you¡±
¡°No need for thanks! Now off you go
Keh watched Dorothy enter her room, then entered his and stood by the door
Sure enough, after a few minutes, he heard the neighboring door open.
It must¡¯ve been Dorothy leaving again
Keh¡¯s thin lips twitched into a bitter smile.
Dorothy had gone to find Everest.
More urately, she went to visit Bay Residence.
That ce held all their cherished memories, and was where she first felt truly valued and treasured.
Growing up, her mother loved her, but her love was always extreme, more about control! She never
considered whether her daughter could handle it, only wanting to prevent her from going down the
same path she did.
Karen loved her, but that was a friendship. Karen had her own family to love her own life, her social
circle, and wouldn¡¯t prioritize her best friend above all else.
Only Everett, he truly took the time to get to know her and cared for her with extreme caution, afraid of
any slight oversight
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And Everett wasn¡¯t like the others, the kind of suitor that had to make a big, public spectacle of things,
the kind that only seeded in making her look like a fool
He was the type to put her feelings first, to consider how she felt, and then decide how to proceed.
His love was soli, subtle, but omnipresent.
Dorothy thought, perhaps many girls never experienced such pure love in their entire lives.
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
And yet, she, a woman who had spent her life in the mud, had once possessed it wholly
Once more, Dorothy faund herself standing underneath the towering structure of Bay Residence,
gazing up at the lit living room windows.
He was probably working, right?
At this time, as a CFO, he must have a slew of international meetings to attend.
Many people saw Everett as a golden boy born with a silver spoon, but only those who really knew him
understood that his hard work was beyond ordinary measures.
He had an insatiable desire to be hands¨Con with everything in thepany never shirking his
responsibilities just because of his tille.
This was why he was able to maintain a strong foothold in the business world with the Lopez
Corporation, not just because of good luck, but because he was truly working hard.
Dorothy stood there, lost in thought, until raindrops began to fall on her
It was raining
She knew the rain wasing, but she also knew that once she left Eldornia City, she would likely
never return, so she came to revisit this ce that held her most cherished memories.
As time ticked away the rain grew heaver
Suddenly the Iving room lights went off.
Dorothy assured he had gone to bed, so she dared to step out from the shelter of the trees and stand
in front of the door.
But the next moment, caught off guard, the door swung open!
Dorothy turned to run, but the other side spoke first.
¡°Ms. Sanchez?!¡±
She had been caught
Seeing her freeze, Kevin quickly closed the distance between them, It really is you!¡±
But his facial expression quickly turned serious and displeased, ¡°What are you doing here?¡±
¡°Just passing by Dorothy couldn¡¯t think of a better excuse on the spot.
Kevinughed, ¡°Passing by Bay Residence? That¡¯s a tricky path to take. Where are you going?¡±
Caught in her lie, Dorothy had no choice but to listen.
¡°Ms Sanchez, I really can¡¯t understand you! You were the one who was so ruthless. Our CEO has tried
multiple times to reconcile, lowering himself to the dust, and you wouldn¡¯t budge an inch. Now, what are
you doing here? Admiring your masterpiece?¡±
¡°Kevin Dorothy felt no unger at his scolding, because she knew how protective Kevin was of Everett,
and from his perspective, she had indeed been too harsh 1 have my reasons.¡±
¡°Turasons? What cant Mr. Lopez help you solve?! Kevin had considered that Dorothy might have had a
compelling reason to leave Mr Lopez, but what could that possibly be?
The Lopez Corporation was a powerhouse that held sway over many areas, and Mr. Lopez was always
resolute, never backing down. What problem couldn¡¯t they ovee together?
Dorothy looked down her lips twitching, ¡°Can he kill his mother for me?¡±
Kewn was dumblunded
¡°Kevin, you really care about him, don¡¯t tell him about our conversation today, or that I was here!
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Kevin just watched her as if trying to discem the truth in her words.
But the fact that she had shown up today meant she still cared about Everett.
Moreover, from their past interactions, Kevin beleved she wasn¡¯t heartless.
¡°So, you¡¯re suggesting that Mr. Lopez¡¯s mother has been..!
¡°Kevin, without evidence, I can¡¯t say anything, and you shouldn¡¯t ask further! After I leave Eldornia City
early tomorrow, I¡¯ll be leaving the country and nevering back. You don¡¯t have to worry about me
causing any more trouble. Whether you believe it or not, all I want is for him to be happy¡±
Considering how eamest Everett was about love, he deserved a full fledged rtionship and happiness
After saying that. Dorothy turned to leave
Watching her retreating figure, Kevin suddenly shouted ¡®Ms. Sanchez
Dorothy paused and tumed around, asking ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
Kevin jogged to catch up with her, ¡°Mr. Lopez got crunk today. I¡¯ve been taking care of him.¡±
¡°He was drinking?¡±
¡°Yes, I¡¯ve never seen Mr. Lopez so drunk that he couldnt even stand up straight.¡±
Upon hearing that he was drunk, Dorothy had only one thought in her mind.
¡°Kevin, I..¡±
¡°The door code is C225, off you go. I may not know what¡¯s going on between you two, but I still believe
you¡¯re not a bad person. Perhaps you¡¯re just in a dilemma,¡±
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Kevin could see the love in Dorothy¡¯s eyes, which was something she couldn¡¯t fake
If they couldn¡¯t be together, then these fleeting moments ofpanionship were valuable for them
Dorothy reddened her eyes instantly. She didn¡¯t want to cry in front of others, so the quickly wiped her
tears and said. ¡°Thank you! ¡ ust take a prek, I wert let him know¡±
¡°Ah, I¡¯m not worried about him finding out. I¡¯m worried that when he wakes up from this dream he be
even more upset¡± Kevin sched, then turned back to his car Ms Sanchez, Mr. Lopez truly loves you. As
a fellow man, I can¡¯t promise Id love someone as passionately as he does¡±
¡°I know¡±
She knew it al
That¡¯s why it was so painful
Watching Kevin¡¯s car leave. Dorothy slowly made her way to the door of Bay Residence.
With every press of the door code, her tears fell uncontrbly.
This must be herst time entering his world
Dorothy didn¡¯t dare make a sound, so she tiptoed in barefoot.
The house was the same as before, clean and neat with a simple style.
Carefuly making her way to Everett¡¯s bedroom, she opened the door and saw a pair of ck slippers
on the floor.
The man on the bed was asleep, but his eyebrows were knitted together and his lips were tightly
pursed. It seemed this dream was not a pleasant one.
Dorothy walked over, softly touched his forehead, stroked his hair
¡°I¡¯m sorry, I shouldn¡¯t have said those harsh words. I¡¯m sorry¡±
As if hearing someone speak, Everett stirred turning from lying t on his back to his ride.
His silk pajamas sipped from his shoulder, revealing a patch of skin.
Dorothy instinctively locked over. The area that used to be marked with numbers had now healed and
showed no sign of a tatton, but next to it there were a few barely noticeable bite marks.
They must have been there for some time, but sill visble. They were deep bites that had taken a while
to fade.
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At the sight of those bite m
marks, Dorothy felt a pang of jealousy and envy for the first time in her life.
As someone who had sex before, she knew exactly what they represented
And it must have been quite an intense fing.
Her heart seemed to be opped open, with the wind rushing in, leaving her momentarily dumbstruck.
N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
As reason came to her mind. she jerked her hand back out of the blue, quickly distancing herself from
Everett¡¯s bed.
How could she forget that he was a manied man! It was perfectly normal to sleep with his wile wasn¡¯t
it?
Even if he hadn¡¯t let go of her, could she cross that boundary?
What was she doing now? Intruding into another mamed husband¡¯s house, touching another woman¡¯s
husband!
Dorothy quickly timed to leave, but suddenly heard Everett stir behind her, whispering her name saltly
¡®Dorothy¡¡±
He was calling her,
But Dorothy couldn¡¯t stay any longer. She made a hasty exit from the Bay Residence, fleeing like a
fugitive.
On the way back to her hotel she couldn¡¯t stop herself from thinking about the bite marks on Everett¡¯s
shoulder.
She seemed to be choked almost feeling impossible to breathe.
Her heart was in such pain that she had to gasp fer air just to stay alive!
But he got rid of the tattoo and had a new lover by his side. Wasn¡¯t that what she wanted?
She told him to forget her and move on, didnt she?
She had nought to feel this pain now!
Dorothy didn¡¯t even know how she managed to return to the hotel, walking like a zombie.
Keh who had been up all night heard her footsteps and immediately opened the door, only to find
her in this disheveled state.
¡°Dorothy, what happened to you?¡±
Dorothy lifted her head whose tear¨Cstained eyes stunned Keh.
¡°Keh, he¡he¡¯s moved on.¡±
¡°What did you see?¡± Keh quickly went over to steady her shaking body
¡°He¡¯s moved on, and I should be happy for him, right?¡±
Keh pressed his lips together, ¡°What exactly did you see?¡±
¡°Im just asking you, am I right? Shouldn¡¯t be celebrating his happiness, instead of getting a
heartbreak?¡±
Keh wasn¡¯t a fool and he could guess what had happened, ¡°Did you see him with another
woman?¡±
Dorothy lowered her head, ¡°They must be very happy together.¡±
¡°Ah. Dorothy, he¡¯s a man and needs apany. Keh didn¡¯t know what to say next.
Because he too was experiencing the same pain, cay and night
At the sight of Dorothy in pain, crying, he felt no different.
¡°I¡¯m fine. I just need a good night¡¯s sleep.¡± Dorothy opened the door to her room.
Keh couldn¡¯t just let her go, fearing she might co something rash, so he grabbed her arm,
¡°Dorothy, do you want some drinks? There is a gmat restaurant in Eldoria City with amazing food! I¡¯ve
been so busy today without eating anything and I¡¯m starving now, will youe with me?¡±
Dorothy wasn¡¯t in the mood to eat, she lowered her eyes. ¡®Keh, I¡
¡°Please,e with me!¡± Keh gave her a faint smile, ¡°You know, there¡¯s nothing a good meal can¡¯t
solvel
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Seeing that Dorothy remained silent, Keh resorted to his final trick,
¡°Ah, I¡¯ve got this stomachache, you know! The doctor said I can¡¯t go hungry.¡±
With him saying that, Dorothy had to ept his invitation.
Even if she knew these were all excuses, Keh just wanted to get out of the house, rather than
stewing alone in his room.
¡°Thank you, Keh¡±
¡°I should be thanking you for gracing me with yourpany for dinner, let¡¯s go.¡±
At night, everything outside was quiet.
Suddenly, a light flickered on in a room that was previously dark!
Abigail, who was still sleeping, was startled, rubbing her bleary eyes. She saw her brother sitting at the
table doing something
She stretched, then shuffled over in her slippers, ¡°Hm, what are you doing?¡±
Langston nced at her, smacking his forehead. ¡°Forgot you were still in here! I¡¯m sending some data
to my mentor.¡±
He then showed Abigail what was in his hand.
But she didn¡¯t understand all she saw was a mess of data
N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
¡°Who¡¯s your mentor?¡±
¡°My mentor is really something!¡± Langston it up his eyes at the mention of his mentor, ¡°He¡¯s the best in
the hacking world!¡±
¡°Wow!¡± Abigail pped, full of admination in her face. ¡°Can I meet him?¡±
¡°No, he doesn¡¯t meet people.¡± Langston continued to tinker with his stuff.
Abigail was no longer sleepy and pulled up a chair to sit next to him.
It was rare to have her big brother around, so Abigail didn¡¯t want to sleep. She clutched at the hem of
his shirt, afraid he¡¯d leave.
¡°Why did you suddenlye, Bro?¡±
Langston paused and scoffed, ¡°Came to find our deadbeat dad¡±
¡®Deadbeat dad?¡±
¡°The guy who fathered us, but didn¡¯t care for us!¡±
Abigail tried to understand the rtionship because she didn¡¯t get his brother.
But it didn¡¯t prevent her from siding with her brother.
1 don¡¯t like anyone my brother doesn¡¯t like.¡±
¡°Hey, Abigail, have you seen him?¡± Langston suddenly turned to her.
Abigail shook her head. ¡°No.¡±
How could she have seen him? She didn¡¯t even know who he was talking about.
*Il find you a picture!¡±
Langston swiped across t
is the screen a few times and Everett¡¯s picture came up.
After showing it to Abigail for a few seconds, she suddenly screamed out, ¡°Ah! This is, this is the man
who cheated me out of five dors!¡±
¡°You¡¯ve seen him?¡±
Langston nodded vigorously, ¡°Yes! He took my five dors and promised to buy me candy. Then mom
called me back, and he never gave me my money!¡±
¡°He even cheated a kid out of five dors. What a deadbeat dad!¡±
Abigal suddenly understood. ¡°So that¡¯s what a deadbeat dad is! Bro, do you know where he is? Can
you get my five dors back?¡±
That was money she had taken a lot of effort to get!
¡°Don¡¯t worry, Ill stand up for you! I¡¯m currently searching hispany¡¯s data, looking for something to
deleat him¡±
Abigail didn¡¯t understand the data, but the understood what ¡®defeat¡°:
Sote at night, while Langston was looking for ws, Abigail was by his side cheering him on
Unti dawn was about to break, Langston still came up with nothing
He was not willing to give up, thinking about some other clues.
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Abigal had long since fallen asleep in her chair, even drooling! But even so, she didn¡¯t ask to leave
Langston.
Langston nced at his sister sighing helplessly.
He originally wanted to take her for revenge. Right now, it seemed too troublesome to bring her along!
Better to forget it.
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¡°Beep-¡±
His iPhone chimed and a message had juste through.
Byte 7: [Are you serious to take revenge on your father?]
Langston snorted, testing back quickly. [Yeah, you gonna back me up, right?]
Byte 7: [Boy, you really know how to stir the pot, dont you? Dropped the whole Lopez Corporation issue
right on myp! If it weren¡¯t for you, I¡¯d be charging at least 50 million for this job]
[Well, aren¡¯t your favorite apprentice?] Langston added a tongue¨Cout emoji for good measure
Byte 7 abruptly ended the conversation. But Langston knew this was his mentor¡¯s way of saying yes.
The man was as elusive as they came, he never hesitated to lend a hand when Langston needed cre
hut
With Keh around, Dorothy finally felt safe enough to let loose and get properly crunk. Worried
she¡¯d have no one to look after her, Keh had refrained from drinking. Only Dorothy kept non¨Cstop
drinking
He didn¡¯t held her back this time.
Everyone deserves to get a little tipsy once in a while, right? Why not let her down her screws just this
once?
¡°Why am I so upset, huh? What gives me the right to feel this way?!¡±
On their way back to the hotel, Dorothy clung to Kehs shirt, questioning him relentlessly.
¡°You¡¯re human, aren¡¯t you?¡± Keh replied. ¡°And you certainly have the right. After all, you¡¯re the
woman who bore Everett¡¯s children.¡±
He didn¡¯t voice thest part, though. Watching Dorothy confess herself, he found himself less worried
about her.
Once they reached the hotel, Keh tried to help her inside, but she gently pushed his hand away.
¡°I don¡¯t want to go back to that dark room. I want to sit out here for a while.¡±
¡°Alright, I stay with you.¡± Keh fetched two chairs from inside the hotel ¡°Sit down, youll catch a cold
on the ground.¡±
Dorothy nodded obediently, looking like a little girl
Keh didnt say much, just listened and quielly wiped her tears away when they fell
¡°We¡¯re over. We¡¯ve been over for a long time.¡±
¡°I made my choice when I filed for divorce! Isn¡¯t this what I wanted?¡±
¡°But it hurts.¡± Dorothy clutched at her chest, choking on her words. ¡°I can¡¯t truly wish him happiness
with another woman. thought I could!¡±
Keh sighed softly. ¡°Time heals all wounds. Give it time.¡±
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Really?¡± Dorothy looked at him, her eyes wide with hope. ¡°Can I really forget about Everett?¡±
¡°You can. You just have to keep moving forward¡±
¡°I can¡¯t,¡± Dorothy looked at him. T have too much weighing me down. I don¡¯t think I¡¯m drunk enough I
can still think clearly.¡±
She wanted to get ckout drunk, to not feel any pain to just fall asleep
Keh hesitated: ¡°Do you want me to get more alcohol?¡±
¡°Sure, let¡¯s drink some more Dorothy nodded.
Otherwise, she¡¯d be in for a sleepless night
Keh went off to a nearby convenience store while Dorothy stayed behind, watching the city lights
dim and the asional passerby.
Her phone suddenly rang. It was Lane.
Why would he be calling at this hour?
She hesitated but eventually picked up.
¡°Dorothy, are you in Elderia City?!¡±
¡°How¡¯d you know?
*Jeffrey sad he saw you while he was driving by. He saw you and some guy getting cozy liefore
entering a hotel!¡±
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Dorothy was startled and seemed to sober up a bit
She was too busy being upset that she forgot she was in Eldoria City, a ce where she was bound to
run into people she knew.
Tm here on some business and will be leaving tomorrow,¡±
Lane raised his voice, ¡°My concern isn¡¯t when you¡¯re leaving but who¡¯s the guy you checked into the
hotel with?¡±
His tone was reminiscent of a husband catching his wife in an act of infidelity
Furrowing her eyebrows, Dorothy didn¡¯t owe him an exnation and she didn¡¯t have the time for this
either. Hence, she said, ¡®Thad too much to drink, a friend¡¯s brother was just escorting me back to the
hotel.¡±
¡°Really?¡±
¡°Why would I lie to you, you¡¯re my boss, and I¡¯m on vacation.¡±
Dorothy¡¯s response muted Lane, I¡¯m just concerned about you! Don¡¯t trouble your friend¡¯s brother
anymore. I have a friend in Eldenria City: here to take care of you. It¡¯s more convenient, she¡¯s a
girl.¡±
¡°No need.¡±
Dorothy¡¯s refusal was too blunt, leaving Lane feeling slighted
But Dorothy wasn¡¯t in the mood to care about that at the moment.
¡°Dorothy, I¡¯m just trying to look out for you! Besides, you said you¡¯re not ready to think about
rtionships right now, and I haven¡¯t pressured you. But you turn around and check into a hotel with
another man, Don¡¯t even have the right to ask?¡±
He thought he was unique for Dorothy
After all, he made many efforts to pursue her
Wasn¡¯t she moved at all?
¡°I have exined what you asked. Any other thing is my personal business, Lane, don¡¯t cross the line.¡±
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
After that, Dorothy felt a pang in her heart.
She was telling others not to cross the line, but what about her?
She was no better, unable to control herself
¡°Fine, I won¡¯t cross the line. Pretend I never called¡± Lane hung up abruptly, probably upset.
But Dorothy didn¡¯t bother to worry about his feelings now.
She was stil dealing with her heartache.
Soon, Keh returned, not only with more liquor, but also with a hangover remedy and a light nket.
¡°It¡¯s chilly in the wee hours, cover up.¡±
¡°Thank you.¡±
¡°Dorothy, from now on, just consider me your brother like Karen does. No need to think about anything
else. We¡¯re family¡±
Dorothy looked up at him and gave a slight nod.
When she had been crying earlier, Keh had a sudden realization
Rather than having a romantic rtionship with all its ups and downs, it would be better to have a
familial rtionship.
He could be by her side for a long time. At least when she was feeling down, she could think of him.
Jeffrey called Everett as soon as he saw Dorothy. But there was no answer, so he told Lane.
It wasn¡¯t until he arrived at the Lopez Building the next morning that he received a callback from
Everett.
¡°What were you up to? I made so many calls, and you¡¯re only seeing them now?¡±
¡°I got drunk.¡±
Jeffreyughed. ¡°You¡¯re not so tough either! When I got home, I threw up a lot, sobered up, then went
out again when a girl invited me.¡±
Everett, who had just woken up, had a slightly horse voice.
¡°Haven¡¯t had a drink in a while, I have dropped my drinking capacity.¡±
¡°I can see that! Hey, guess who I saw when I went out in the middle of the night?¡±
¡°Just tell me.¡± Everett wasn¡¯t a fan of guessing games
¡°I saw Dorothy! She and Keh went into a hotel together I saw it with my eyes, they were very closel
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The moment Dorothy was mentioned, Everett seemed to put himself on mute.
Jeffrey rolled his eyes. ¡°You don¡¯t believe me, do you? I took photos just in case you wouldn¡¯t believe
me! I¡¯ll send them to you right now!¡±
¡°No need ¡°Everett finally said, ¡°They are together and it¡¯s normal for them to do so. Is there anything
else?¡±
Everett¡¯s sudden calmness and his cid way of speaking slightly surprised Jeffrey!
He mistook that Everett would rush to confront hert
N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
But that wasnt a scene he wanted to witness.
¡°No, nothing else¡±
¡°There¡¯s a morning meeting soon, and don¡¯t bete. With that. Everett hung up.
Jeffrey clicked his tongue, tossing his phone aside.
Driving to the office, he walked in to see Heather discussing something with their team.
Jeffrey intended to act as if he hadn¡¯t seen her but Heather had other ns
¡°Wait up¡°¡±
Failing his escape attempt, Jeffrey had no choice but to stop. ¡°What is it?¡±
¡°Of course there¡¯s something! I¡¯m asking about that child. Heather mentioned this first, surprising
Jeffrey a bit.
He crossed his arms, looking at her, ¡°I haven¡¯t found him yet. Do you have any news?¡±
Heather furrowed her brow sightly. ¡°Where would I get any news? I just show some of my concerns.
Everett¡¯s parents are very womed about this, so we can¡¯t just give up because of difficulties for the time
being¡±
¡°You told his parents, didn¡¯t you?¡± Jeffrey wasn¡¯t a fool. Only Heather would be the one to tell them.
¡°Yes.¡± Heather didn¡¯t deny it, ¡®Since the child belongs to Everett, he should be taken back by the Lopez
family sooner orter, so I had to prepar his parents mentaly! Look, Amanda isn¡¯t getting better, and
she can¡¯t handle any more stress!¡±
¡°They havent even had a DNA test yet. No one can say if he¡¯s Everetts, so why do you tell them in
haste?¡±.
Heather just smiled. She had to be proactive about it.
The less she cared and evaded, the less people would suspect her!
She hadn¡¯t thought things through when she framed Dorothy before, resulting in a strained rtionship
with Everett, She couldn¡¯t afford to make any mistakes this time.
¡°I¡¯ve seen the surveince, and there¡¯s no doubt that he¡¯s Everett¡¯s.¡±
¡°Wait.¡± Jeffrey suddenly interrupted, ¡°Howe you seem so willing to ept this child¡¯s existence
overight? Weren¡¯t you making a fuss before?¡±
Heather paused, then sighed deeply.
¡°I was unable to ept it at first, which is understandable. After thinking it over since it¡¯s already
happened and the child is here. I have no choice but to ept it! We cant just make the child
disappear.¡±
Jeffrey listened to her exnation, which made sense but sounded weird.
¡°Alright, you don¡¯t need to overthink it. If you find out anything about the child, just let me know! it¡¯s not
me asking, it¡¯s Everett¡¯s parents¡±
With that, Heather waved her hand and left
Jeffrey stood there and watched her leave, tugging at theer of his mouth.
Something¡¯s not right
He was about to head to his office when his phone suddenly rang
Looking down, he found an unfamiliar number,
A virtual number.
He answered it. A young and childish voice was heard on the other end
¡°Hello, this is Langston.¡±
¡°Langston?! Where are you now?¡±
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Upon receiving the call, Jeffrey was taken aback, almost thinking he was hallucinating
Because these past few days, he had been racking his brains day and night, trying to find out his
whereabouts!
¡°I got kidnapped, but I managed to escape! Can you send someone to pick me up?¡±
Upon hearing this, Jeffrey immediately frowned. ¡°Kidnapped?¡±
¡°Yes! I was sleeping that day, and when I woke up, I was taken to a pitch ck ce.¡±
Honestly, the moment he heard this, Heather¡¯s name popped up in Jeffrey¡¯s mand
But now, that was not the point
¡°Where are you? I¡¯ming to get your
¡°Okay
After hanging up, Jeffrey immediately sent someone to the location Langston had sent.
¡°Go pick up a boy from this address. I don¡¯t want any mistakes!¡±
He called over two male assistants to go, hoping there wouldn¡¯t be any issues
Just as the assistants were leaving Jeffrey rushed after them, ¡°Wait! Ill go myself.
It was his carelessnessst time that led to the child¡¯s kidnapping. Although he had no idea how the
boy had escaped, he couldn¡¯t bear the thought of it happening again.
Just to be safe, Jeffrey decided to bring the two assistants along. Once they were in the car, he called
Everett
Everett seemed reluctant to pick up, and it took a while before Jeffrey heard his voice
¡°If you¡¯re going to talk about something not rted to work, I don¡¯t have time to listen.¡±
¡°Although it¡¯s still not about work, your son just contacted me! I¡¯m on my way to pick him up!¡±
Everett was stunned upon hearing the word ¡®son
But he quickly regained hisposure and immediately said, ¡°Give me the location, I¡¯ming too.¡±
¡°Okay!¡±
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
After sending the location to Everett, Jeffrey hesitated for a moment before speaking up. ¡°The kid said
he was kidnapped, you might want to look. Into¡ Heather.¡±
After hanging up, Jeffrey¡¯s gaze fell on the window, and he let out a cold sigh
If Heather was really behind this, she must be insane. If he kept covering up for her, what¡¯s the
difference between that and being her aplice?
He could only hope she hadn¡¯t lied to him and it really had nothing to do with her.
Later, Keh bought some more liquor finally managing to satisfy Dorothy¡¯s taste.
Keh had to carry her back to the room, as she waspletely cked out and drunk
In the morning. Keh went out to buy a hangover soup. It wasn¡¯t until the soup had cooled down that
she woke up.
¡°Headache?¡±
Seeing Dorothy furrow her beautiful brows, Keh quickly brought over the freshly heated soup
¡°Thanks ¡°Dorothy epted it and rubbed her temples, ¡°I haven¡¯t been this drunk in a long time.¡±
Keh chuckled, ¡°Did it make you feel a bit better?¡±
Dorothy was stunned, managing a forced smile, ¡°Yeah, I¡¯vee to terms with it¡±
¡°That¡¯s good ¡°Although he knew she was lying
Dorothy took a sip of the hangover cure, and then suddenly remembered something, quickly putting
down the soup, ¡°Oh, Keh, did you get in touch with Byte 77 I want to inquire about how much it
would cost to restore the previous videos. I¡¯ve saved up some money now, but i dont know if it¡¯s
enough¡±
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¡°Tve been trying to get ahold of this guy for you, but he¡¯s like a ghost. No one knows where he¡¯s at or
even what he looks like! The only thing I can do is reach out to the folks he¡¯s dealt with in the past and
see if they can get a response out of him.¡±
Dorothy nodded, understanding that Keh would have exhausted all his resources. She didn¡¯t need
to push him.
¡°I guess I¡¯m just banking on this guy now.¡±
Keh hesitated before suggesting. ¡°After this incident, I realized that Langston has a knack for
computer stuff. Shell we let him have a go?¡±
Dorothy shook her head. ¡°No, whether Langston is capable or not is not the point. Even if he is, I don¡¯t
want him to see that.¡±
Langston was sensitive, not as naive and innocent as Abigail. If he was to recover the video, he would
inevitably be the first to see it, which would be detrimental to his growth.
That was about a murder!
Langston would harbor even deeper hatred for the Lopez family.
Keh understood Dorothy¡¯s maternal concerns and nodded in agreement. ¡°I guess I oversimplified
things.¡±
¡°Keh, I know you mean well and I appreciate it.¡±
¡°Enough with the thank¨Cyous,¡± Kehughed, ncing at his watch. ¡°How about we grab some grub
and then hit the road? The kids are waiting for you.¡±
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Alright
Dorothy quickly gathered her belongings and left the room with Keh.
They found a local diner and sat down. She wasn¡¯t hungry and just thought it would be unfair to let
Keh go without a meal after all his help.
As soon as the eggs and bacon arrived, Keh kept piling them onto her te,
¡°I can¡¯t eat that much.¡±
¡°You need to eat more: you¡¯ve lost weight¡± Keh¡¯s tone was like that of someone coaxing a child, but
it shifted in the next moment. ¡°Dorothy, there¡¯s something I¡¯ve been meaning to tell you.¡±
Dorothy put down her fork. ¡°Go ahead¡±
¡°Now that Langston has been discovered, Everett must know he has a son. He just doesnt know it¡¯s
yours. Langston also knows he has a father When he grows up, he mighte back for Everett.¡±
Some things were simply beyond their control
Their fated reunion as father and son was inevitable.
Just like how Langston found out about Everett, even though Keh never told him!
So he wanted Dorothy to be prepared, to decide whether to go with the flow or resist.
Dorothy lowered her eyes. ¡°Keh, I¡¯ve been thinking these past few days. Am I being too selfish? Im
depriving my children of their father¡¯s love
Because of Everett knew he had two children in this world, his love for them would be no less than
hers.
If it weren¡¯t for her fear of how Everett¡¯s parents would treat the children, she would never have kept
them a secret!
¡°Don¡¯t talk like that. The Lopez family isplicated, even Everett couldn¡¯t protect your family. You
can¡¯t expect two Intle kids to fend for themselves in that!¡±
¡°But Abigail and Langston still want a father.¡± Even if they didn¡¯t say it, Dorothy knew.
Because it was a child¡¯s naturel
¡°When they grow up, they¡¯ll understand your concems. And situations change all the time. Maybe by
then, Everett¡¯s parents won¡¯t be around anymore! Then Abigail and Langston can be reunited with
Everett.¡±
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Dorothy was amused by his sense of humor
¡°That¡¯s a bit morbid, don¡¯t you think?¡±
¡°It¡¯s not morbid. They got what they deserved. They will have theireuppance.¡±
A faint smile yed around Dorothy¡¯s face because of this sensitive topic, ¡°Besides. Everett has
already remarried. Suddenly with two kids out of nowhere, it¡¯s not fair to his current wife¡±
Ever since she saw the bite mark on Everett¡¯s shoulder, Dorothy had been gued with quilt.
She never imagined that she would covet another woman¡¯s husband! But the fact was, she did, and
even acted on it at Everett¡¯s home!
If she put herself in the shees of Everett¡¯s current wife, how would she feel when she found out?
She shouldn¡¯t have done what she did!
¡°Stop everthinking it. You¡¯re ready to leave anyway. Let the past be the past
¡°Yeah, you¡¯re night. Once I leave, time will heal everything¡±
She sincerely hoped that Everett could let go of his emotional burden with her departure.
Only then could he truly loved his wife just as he loved her.
As they were talking Dorothy¡¯s phone suddenly buzzed!
She nced down and saw a text message.
Mommy, it¡¯s Langston! There are some things I need to deal with. Don¡¯t worry about me. Ile find
you and sister once I¡¯m done!
Dorothy immediately dialed the number from which the text was sent, but it was a virtual number and
she couldn¡¯t get through.
¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Keh noticed her worried expression.
Langston must have left again! Quick, contact Karen and see if we can bring him back.¡±
¡°Okay!¡±
Langston¡¯s return this time had a purpose! He wasn¡¯t willing to leave without finding a loophole in the
Lopez Corporation
He couldn¡¯t believe that such arge and profitablepany had no issues. He was sure he just hadn¡¯t
found them yet.
her a string of
But this time, Langston specially informed his mam to dispel her womnes. In case his sister woke up
and couldn¡¯t find him, he left her a numbers that could reach him directly.
After he had everything sorted out, he called Jeffrey
He wasted at the designated location for a long time before Jeffrey¡¯s car arrived
Seeing Langston safe and sound, Jeffrey felt a sudden paternal surge of relief!
He quickly got out of the car and rushed over to hug Langston.
¡°I finally see you again! Do you know how many people I¡¯ve sent looking for you these past few days?¡±N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.
He had even dreamed of finding Langston,
¡°They took me to a warehouse in the suburbs. How could you find me?¡± Langston was remarkably
calm, even taking out his phone to show him
the location
¡°Here?¡±
¡°Yes¡±
Jeffrey immediately called his men. ¡°Check out this ce. Let me know as soon as you find anything¡±
¡°Yes, Mr. Turner¡±
Langston watched him instruct his men and smiled, ¡°Mr. Turner, what do you want to find out? You
could just ask me
¡°Of course, I want to know who took you! You have no idea how hard it was to find you¡±
After finding Langston, Jeffrey was almost in tears!
¡°The warehouse is owned by a guy named Kyle, but the password starts with an L, so i guess the
actual user of this warehouse in¡¯t Kyle. I intercepted a phone signal in the area and found a phone
number*
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Jeffrey was dumbfounded by his statement.
Was he¡ actuallymunicating with a little kid?
¡°You intercepted the number?¡±
¡°Yup! Waiting for you guys to rescue me was taking too long Langston¡¯s response was remarkably
nonchnt, devoid of any boastful sentiment.
I was as though he was discussing something as mundane as the weather.
This made Jeffrey a country bumpkin!
¡°Then you should give me the number*
Langston nced at him and suddenly shook his head, ¡°I cant just give it to you. You couldn¡¯t even find
me. I had toe out myself¡±
Jeffrey was left speechless.
¡°We can make a trade.¡± Langston squinted, grinning in a way that was a mimor image of Everett. The
only difference was that Everett hardly ever smiled. ¡°I want to use your workputer, is that okay?¡±
Jeffrey didn¡¯t understand what Langston intended to do, but considering his extraordinary abilities, he
decided to stay on guard.
¡°There are a lot of important things on myputer; it¡¯s not a toy.¡±
¡°I¡¯m not asking for it. We¡¯re trading! You want the number, and I want yourputer.¡±
Jeffrey was shocked by the proposition.
There seemed to be some logic in the boy¡¯s argument!
Then tell me, what are you nning to do with myputer?¡±
¡°What can I do? Of course, I want to contact my family.¡± Langston knew that Jeffrey was not easily
fooled, so he decided to y his trump card. He blinked innocently, posing a question in a naive voice,
¡°What did you think I was going to do? Did you think I would steal yourputer?¡±
¡°No, no, theputer isn¡¯t worth much. I could even give it to your
¡°Really? Well, thank you. Mi. Tumer!¡±
Jeffrey rolled his eyes, sensing that something was off about the conversation, but he couldn¡¯t quite put
his finger on it.
Just as they were talking Everett¡¯s car pulled up.
After receiving the call he had immediately set off towards them.
Langstons gaze shifted towards the vehicle, his eyes widening unconsciously as he watched the man
stepping out
No wonder Langston¡¯s mom had been hesitant to let him return home country. They really did look
alike!
Uponying eyes on Langston, Everett felt as though he was dreaming
Could there really be a child that looked just like him?
He stood there stunned for a while until Jeffrey broke the silence. He then walked over, contemting
what his first words to the boy should be. Unexpectedly, Langston beat him to it.
¡°You re Everett?¡±
Langston scrutinized him from head to toe, then furrowed his brows. ¡°My mentor told the truth that all
the good for nothing guys are handsome.¡±
Everett, who had no experience dealing with children, stood frozen, unsure of how to respond.
Jeffrey, on the other hand, burst intoughter.
¡°Everett, now you know the power of your son! I was literally left speechless!¡±
Everett stared at the little man before him, scrutinizing him intensely.
He attempted to discern something from Langston¡¯s face.
Perhaps, a trace of someone else.
But Langston resembled Everett so closely. Perhaps due to his youth, Everett couldn¡¯t see any traces
of Dorothy.
¡°Did your mom ever tell you that I¡¯m your father? Everett asked cautiously.
Langston snorted, ¡°No¡±
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¡°What¡¯s your mom¡¯s name?¡±
Again, the same question.
Langston scrunched up his face in annoyance, ¡°Does it matter? All you need to know is that I¡¯m your
son and you need to take me back to your ce
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He was bound to figure out what was wrong with his business in Everett¡¯s home!
Just as Everett was about to speak, Jeffrey, anxious to avoid a sh between father and son at their
first meeting, quickly intervened, ¡°Um¡. Everett, it¡¯s your first meeting. Of course, he¡¯s going to be a bit
wary! Take him home and ask him step by stepter! Lef¡¯s go eat now I¡¯m starving. and he must be
too!¡±
With that, Jeffrey gave Langston an intentional look.
Upon receiving the hint, Langston reluctantly nodded, ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m hungry
¡°Alright¡± Everett, faced with this sudden son, felt somewhat helpless.
Luckily, Jeffrey was there to ease the awkwardness.
When they arrived at the restaurant, Everett ordered a table full of dishes, not knowing what the kid
liked to eat
Watching Langston eat in silence, Jeffrey leaned over to Everett and whispered, ¡°I tell you your son is a
whiz kid
Everett cast him a nce, ¡°I¡¯ve noticed¡±
¡°The software copse at Lopez Corporation was probably his doing¡±
Only then did Jeffrey connect the dots. I wouldn¡¯t have guessed if you hadn¡¯t mentioned it! Well, you
have some good genes.
Everett shot him a look. ¡°If you want a kid, go have your own¡®
¡°Tsk! My son might not be so smart Jeffrey chuckled, ¡°Your son is too cute, like a little adult. You have
no experience with kids, why not give him to me?¡±
Jeffrey wanted to take back his previous statement about disliking kids!
He loved kids! Loved them to pieces!
¡°No.¡± Everett¡¯s refusal was simple and direct
¡°Why
not? You don¡¯t know how to take care of a kid and you¡¯re busy with work! But I have plenty of time to
spare.¡±
Everett softened his gaze as he looked at Langston carefully chewing his food. Their bond seemed to
be suddenly connected.
¡°I¡¯ll learn how to get along well with the kid¡±
¡°You don¡¯t even know who his mother is. Are you willing to devote time to him?¡±
¡°He¡¯s my son. It¡¯s my duty.¡± Everett was solemn and serious in histone
Failing his n, Jeffrey felt deted
¡°I wish I hadn¡¯t told you! I should we secretly taken him in!¡±
He nudged Langston, ¡°Kid, I agree to your deal. Give me that number.¡±
Langston made an OK sign, ¡°Give me yourptop, and Ill send it to you.¡±
Everett was confused, ¡°What deal?¡±
¡°Thats our secret!
Everett watched them chattering away with a strange sensation,
Upon reflection, was he a tad jealous?
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Langston, if you want aputer, I can get you the most advanced one in the world.¡± Everett¡¯s offer
was as casual as buying a toy for a kid.
Sure enough, Langston¡¯s eyes sparkled at the offer.
¡°Really?
¡°Of course¡±
Upon hearing this, Jeffrey was immediately indignant, ¡°Everett, that¡¯s not fair! You can¡¯t bribe a kid with
money!¡±
¡°My son just wants aputer¡±
¡°You havent done a DNA test yet! What if he¡¯s not? Jelhey¡¯s only hope was this.
Everett imply raised an eyebrow, ¡°You think there¡¯s any doubt?¡±
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How could Jeffrey not know? It¡¯s as clear as day ¨C a done deal.
If Langston wasn¡¯t Everett¡¯s child, it would be a cold day in hell!
But¡
¡°Have you considered how to look into the child¡¯s mother?
The Lopez family couldn¡¯t just take in a child with an unknown origin! Besides, the appearance of this
child would stir up many things; it wasn¡¯t just about the child.
Everett, of course wasn¡¯t going to let it slide. He intended to investigate but didn¡¯t want to rush into it.
¡°This kid seems to have some hostility towards me. I think instead of prying, it¡¯s better to let him tell me
straight¡±
Jeffrey pointed at Langston, ¡°Ha? He doesn¡¯t know anything. What could he tell you?¡±
¡°Do you actually believe that he doesn¡¯t know anything?¡±
Of course not.
Jeffrey even suspected that the child¡¯s IQ might be higher than his own! Not knowing anything was just
an excuse for not wanting to speak.
After taking Langston back, Jeffrey escorted them to their house in Bay Residence before reluctantly
parting ways.
Of course, Langston didn¡¯t forget about theputer and promptly provided Jefferey with the promised
number.
Once back at the Lopez Corporation, Jefferey intended to handlepany affairs first, but his mind
wasn¡¯t on his work. He pushed his keyboard aside and wrote down the number on a piece of paper!
This number was new to him..
Jeffrey had input it into his phone, but there was no match.
As soon as he received the number, he immediatelypared it to Heather¡¯s. Upon realizing it wasn¡¯t
her number, he breathed a sigh of
relief.
He hoped it wasn¡¯t Heather, he didn¡¯t want to admit that he had once been infatuated with such a
ruthless woman.
¡°Knock knock¡.¡±
Suddenly, someone knocked on the office door.
Jeffrey looked up to see one of the people he had sent out to find Langston.
¡°Mr. Turner, should we continue the search?¡±
¡°No need, the kid¡¯s been found.¡± Jeffrey paused, then handed the number to him, ¡°Look into this
number for me to find out who¡¯s using
¡°Understood, Mr. Tumer.¡±
With a new task, the man got up and was ready to left.
Jeffrey leaned back in his chair, looking at the number. Suddenly, he had an idea!
He called his assistant in, ¡°Lend me your personal phone.¡±
Jeffrey used that phone to dial the number, and to his surprise, the call went through!
After a few rings with no answer, it hung up automatically.
This was within Jeffrey¡¯s expectations, so he didn¡¯t think much of it. However, soon after, a text
messagee from the other side.
¡°Is this your new number?¡±
an
Jeffrey was surprised to see a reply! He quickly responded, ¡°Yes, I have something to tell you, answer
your phone.¡±
After sending the message, before he could dial again, the call came in.
As soon as Jeffrey answered, a familiar voice came through.
¡°Any updates?¡±
It was unmistakably Heather¡¯s voice.
It was her!
Jeffrey couldn¡¯t be mistaken!
¡°What kind of update are you expecting?¡±Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Heather was startled as soon as Jefferey¡¯s voice rang out.
¡°It¡¯s you! How did you get this number?!¡±
¡°Does it matter? Heather, you lied to me again!¡±
He had thought¡ he had thought that this time Heather was really being wronged! He thought Heather
wouldn¡¯t stoop so low as to harm a child!
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Heather, across the table, was more flustered than him, but she pulled herself together faster than
Jeffrey.
¡°So, you im to trust me, yet you¡¯re digging into me?¡± She was no fool and instantly grasped the
situation, ¡°If you truly trusted me, you would¡¯ve dialed this number with your own cell, not some random
one! Aren¡¯t you just afraid that if it¡¯s me, I¡¯d recognize your number?¡±
Jeffrey was at a loss for words.
Indeed, he hesitated at thest moment and opted to dial using his assistant¡¯s private number, just to
avoid that!
But was that the crux of the matter?
N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.
¡°Heather, have you lost your mind? Do you really intend to harm Everett¡¯s child? He¡¯s just a boy, how
could you do such a thing!¡±
¡°I haven¡¯t done anything to him; it¡¯s just that Everett¡¯s parents wanted to see the kid, so I had him taken
away!¡± Heather had already prepared her cover story in case things went south, readily throwing
Amanda under the bus.
But Jeffrey wasn¡¯t a foot he just didn¡¯t want to think too much about it!
¡°if his parents really wanted to see the kid, you wouldn¡¯t have taken him to some remote warehouse,
you would¡¯ve handed him directly to his parents!¡±
¡°I just¡¡±
¡°Stop making up excuses. I won¡¯t be fooled by you again! I¡¯m going to see Everett right now
He hung up, leaving Heather genuinely scared
Before Jeffrey could leave his office, Heather rushed over from the legal department.
She looked downright disheveled, a far cry from her usual grace and poise
¡°You can¡¯t go to Everett! He must not find out about this?
¡°And then what? Do you want me to help you keep hiding this? Heather, I just regret not telling Everett
sooner that you evenid a hand on Dorothy¡¯s mother!¡±
He really thought that Heather, after driving Dorothy away, would stop.
He really thought that there were other men between Dorothy and Everett, which led to their divorce
But the more he understood Heather, the more he realized that the truth was far from what he had
imagined; it was even more terrifying.
¡°I didn¡¯t! It was all Everett¡¯s parents! Jeffrey, how could I have done all that? I was just following his
parents¡® orders. You must believe me!¡± Heather was so scared that she tried to grab Jeffrey¡¯s hand.
She couldn¡¯t let everything copse! Before marrying Everett, before giving birth to his child, the truth
had to be kept a secret!
She had to secure her position as thedy of the Lopez Corporation; she needed to have an
unbreakable connection with Everett!
¡°Get lost, I don¡¯t want to talk to a liar
Jeffrey brushed off Heather and was about to leave.
But Heather blocked him with all her might, even using her body to stop Jeffrey¡¯s pushes.
¡°Jeffrey, listen to me! You can ask Everett¡¯s parents; I was just following their orders!¡±
¡°I won¡¯t listen, you can exin to Everett! I won¡¯t be an aplice anymore!¡±
With that cold statement
Jeffrey pushed Heather aside and entered the elevator
Seeing that Jefferey was probably heading to Bay Residence by car, as Everett wasn¡¯t at the office,
Heather realized this might be her only chance!
She clenched her fists, steeling her resolve.
Since things had gotten to this point
¡°Jeffrey, if you insist on this, don¡¯t me me for being ruthless
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In the Bay Residence, Everett had cleared his schedule, canceling several meetings to spend some
quality time with his newly discovered son.
It was quite a surprise to suddenly have a son, and in Langston¡¯s presence, Everett couldn¡¯t help but
feel a bit out of his element, tinged with a touch of awkwardness
¡°What would you like to eat?¡± he asked.
Langston looked at him and slumped onto the couch, ¡°Didn¡¯t we just have lunch?
*Then, something to drink, or snacks? I can send someone to buy whatever you like Everett was not
particrly adept at catering to children, but he was trying his best to figure out what kids usually enjoy.
However, his son was far from an average child. Langston¡¯s first request was, ¡°Where¡¯s theptop you
promised me? I want to y on theputer
Everett immediately ordered Kevin to bring theptop.
But before that, he had a question to ask, ¡°Was it you who messed with the Lopez Corporation¡¯s
software?¡±
Langston didn¡¯t bother to conceal anything and simply nodded. ¡°Because you had iting¡±
¡°Did your mother tell you that I¡¯m a jerk?¡± Everett was trying to glean some information about his son¡¯s
mother from their conversation.
But Langston was no fool, He looked up at Everett and smirked.
¡°Don¡¯t treat me like a kid! I know what you¡¯re thinking, but you don¡¯t know what I¡¯m thinking!¡±N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.
In the spacious living room, the two faces bearing a 99% resemnce locked eyes, their gazes
meeting
After a while, a hint of a smile finally appeared on Everett¡¯s handsome face
¡°Who says I don¡¯t know? You¡¯re here for revenge, aren¡¯t you? You moved in here to gather evidence
against
st me, right?¡± Everett wasn¡¯t
bom yesterday.
Although this kid was clever, he was still just that ¨C a kid.
Especially the fact that he insisted on using Jeffrey¡¯sptop and didn¡¯t resisting home with him, it
was clear what his intentions
were
What puzzled him was why the mother of his child harbored such resentment towards him,
His only love in life was Dorothy, and he was always a man of integrity. He was cautious even when
dealing with women at work, so how could there be someone who hated him so much?
¡°Correct!¡± Langston admitted, Tm here to find your weaknesses. If you¡¯re scared, just kick me out!¡±
Then he could go around telling everyone that his father Everett, refused to acknowledge his son and
kicked him out!
That would certainly be a scandal for the Lopez Corporation!
¡°This is your home; there¡¯s no kicking you out.¡± Not only did Everett not argue with him, but he also
thought that if Langston could find any loopholes, it might be beneficial for the Lopez Corporation.
¡°Fine, but don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you.¡± Langston had both his bases covered.
He had already made up his mind beforeing here; in short, he wouldn¡¯t return home until he
avenged his mother and sister
A smile tugged at the corner of Everett¡¯s lips, just as he was about to reach out and ruffle his son¡¯s hair
his phone suddenly rang.
He presumed it was Kevin calling to provide work update at the usual time.
To his surprise, the caller ID revealed Jefferey!
What could he want? Probably worried about how he was getting along with the kid.
Everett, in a rare good mood, answered Jeffrey¡¯s call.
However, Jefferey¡¯s tone was urgent.
¡°Everell, are y
you still at the Bay Residence? I need to talk to you about something!¡±
Tm here, are you on your way?¡±
¡°Yeah, wait for me! I need to talk to you about Heather¡
Before Jeffrey could finish, there was a sudden loud noise on the other end of the line!
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The piercing sound of car rms left Everett¡¯s ears throbbing.
¡°Jeffrey, Jeffrey!¡±
Everett called out, but received only silence in response.
Something was wrong.
Everett hastily dialed Kevin¡¯s number, instructing him to find out where an ident had urred on the
route to Bay Residence.
Langston, sitting next to him, was already a step ahead. He pointed to his phone screen, ¡°It¡¯s likely on
Labor Avenue; there¡¯s a massive traffic jam there.¡±
Everett nced at him, nodding without hesitation. ¡°Stay at home. I¡¯ll give you ess to the Lopez
Corporation systems. Don¡¯t leave until I¡¯m back.¡±
Langston nodded. This wasn¡¯t the time to cause trouble. ¡°Alright.¡±
By the time Everett arrived on the scene, Jeffrey had already been rushed to the hospital.
Everett headed straight for the hospital, where he found Heather standing outside the emergency
room. Her makeup was smeared from crying, and she seemed unable to stand without the support of
the wall.
¡°Everett¡you¡¯re finally here! How could something like this happen to Jeffrey?¡±
Everett¡¯s gaze firstnded on the ring red light of the emergency room before shifting to Heather.
¡°Who called to inform you?¡±
Jeffrey was on the phone with him when the ident urred. There¡¯s no way he could¡¯ve contacted
Heather!
Caught off guard by his question, Heather momentarily forgot to continue crying. But she was a
seasoned liat quick on her feet.
¡°The hospital called me. They must¡¯ve thought I was a rtive since my number was on top of his
contact list¡±
Everett narrowed his eyes. He didn¡¯t believe a word Heather said.
Seeing his silence, Heather felt a pang of guilt and quickly changed the subject. ¡°Everett, do you think
something bad will happen to Jeffrey? He was just working at the office, then suddenly, he¡¯s in an
ident! I was so shocked when I got the call!¡±
N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.
¡°Get in touch with his parents.¡± Everett cut her off, not interested in her theatrics
¡°Right¡I forgot in all the panic! I¡¯ll call them now!¡±
Heather turned away, heading towards a corner.
Everett watched her swiping his phone screen a few times.
Before long. Heather returned, a look of worry on her face. ¡°Jeffrey¡¯s parents aren¡¯t answering their
phones! What should we do?¡±
As she spoke, she looked up to see Jeffrey¡¯s father¡¯s number disyed on Everett¡¯s phone, clearly in a
call.
Everett calmly ryed the situation to Jeffrey¡¯s father, then turned to Heather
¡°You are involved in Jefferey¡¯s ident.¡±
¡°What¡how could that be? Jeffrey has been so kind to me, so I would never harm him! We¡¯re friends!
¡°Then why did you choose not to notify the Turners? You didn¡¯t even try to call his parents.¡±
If she had, his coll should¡¯ve gone to voicemail, not connected.
Heather hadn¡¯t expected Everett to trap her at every turn. ¡°¡ I just dialed the wrong number in my
panic!¡±
¡°Tye already, called the police. You can exin to them.¡±
He had no desire to engage with her any longer.
Heather stepped forward, trying to touch his arm, but Everett stepped away.
Her fists clenched, then suddenly rxed. Sheughed softly. ¡°Do you despise me this much? Well, let
me tell you something! Weren¡¯t you searching everywhere to find out who that little boy¡¯s parents are?
I¡¯ll reveal it to you¨Che¡¯s our child!¡±
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¡°What?!¡±
¡°While we were at the office earlier, Jeffrey found out about this, and he urgently wanted to inform you.
He must¡¯ve been so rushed that he didn¡¯t pay attention to the traffic, leading to the ident! L.. I was
afraid that the Tumers would me me, so I didn¡¯t dare to tell them.¡±
Typically, Everett wouldn¡¯t trust any of this, but then he recalled Jeffrey¡¯s final words during their phone
call.
It seemed like Jeffrey did want to tell him something about Heather.
But the im that the child was hers seemed absurd!
¡°Heather, the only reason I chose not to interfere with you is because of my mother he retorted, trying
to brush off any suggestion of affection on his part.
At this point, Heather had no choice but to grit her teeth and double down, Tim not lying: you can do a
DNA test if you want! This was your parents idea. They were worried you¡¯d never ept me, and that
the Lopez family wouldn¡¯t have an heir, so they took our DNA and used a surrogate.¡±
With Jeffrey unable to speak for himself and only a handful of people who were in contact with
Langston, she had free rein to craft her story.
Everett furrowed his eyebrows and stayed silent.
Seeing this, Heather decided to go all in, ¡°You don¡¯t think that baby is Dorothy¡¯s, do you? You¡¯re not still
hung up on her, are you? She¡¯s off making beautiful music with Keh. Why would she want to have
your child? I¡¯m the only one, sucker enough to give up everything for you, even when your heart isnt
with me, I still love you!¡±
¡°Enough¡± Everett cut her off, not willing to buy into her narrative, ¡°You better think about how you¡¯re
going to exin this to the Tumers.¡±
Seeing him tum away from her, Heather felt a mix of frustration and anxiety.
Her only option now was to ask Amanda for help. After all, this monstrous lie could only be sold to
Everett if his parents got involved.
She didn¡¯t n for the lie to escte to this extent, but having already said it, she had no choice but to
cover it up with
more lies.
I wasn¡¯t until the next morning that Jeffrey¡¯s surgery waspleted.
The Turners¡® parents were on vacation abroad and had not yet arrived, so Everett stayed by the door,
waiting.
Exiting the room, the doctor removed this mask and sighed before saying. ¡°The surgery was a sess,
and his life is no longer at risk. However, whether he wakes up is in his hands.¡±
¡°You mean, he may end up in a vegetative state?!¡±
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The doctor nodded, ¡°Yes, brace yourself.¡±
Everett took a deep breath, his brow furrowed.
He knew the injuries would be severe, but he hadn¡¯t expected it to be this bad!
Worried that Langston would be scared alone at home, Everett decided to go back to the Bay
Residence after confirming with the doctor that he couldn¡¯t visit Jeffrey in the ICU just yet.
Expecting Langston to be asleep, Everett opened the door only to discover Langston standing in the
hallway, gazing at him.
¡°Mr. Turner, is he okay?¡±
Everett was hit hard by the question. He gritted his teeth, trying to control his emotions, unwilling to
face his son¡¯s teary eyes. Jeffrey had byen his friend for many years, and although he could be a bit
offbeat at times, he had always been there for the Lopez Corporation and for him.
¡°He¡¯s fine just sleeping.¡±
¡°Really?¡± Langston sensed that something was all. He pondered for a moment before stepping forward
and grabbing Everett¡¯s hand, ¡°My mom used to say that when she was feeling down, holding my hand
would make everything better. So, hold my hand more, and Mr. Turner will get better.¡±
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Everett was taken aback by his son¡¯s sudden affection. It took a few seconds before he gathered
himself and held the boy¡¯s small hand tightly in his own.
¡°Mr. Tumer will be okay. Once he wakes up, I take you to the hospital to see him, he said.
Langston nodded, looking somewhat surprised at Everett¡¯s formality.
¡°Why¡ don¡¯t you insist that I call you dad?¡± Langston asked. He had imagined all sorts of scenarios
beforeing back to the country. He thought Everett might force him to call him ¡®dad¡®, or that Everett
might despise him, or even deny his paternity. He had seen it all in TV dramas.
But none of his predictions hade true.
Everett, this so¨Ccalled ¡®deadbeat dad, had not pressured him into doing anything he didn¡¯t want to do,
nor had he questioned his identity. Instead, he weed him home and provided excellent care.
¡°When you feelfortable calling me that, you will, Everett said. He disliked anything forced, as it
wouldn¡¯t be genuine.
Even though he had manipted Dorothy in the past, he had still left the final decision up to her. If she
hadn¡¯t sought him out, he wouldn¡¯t have used his money and power to coerce her.
¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid I¡¯m trying to swindle you? Or that I¡¯m not your kid at all? Langston asked, tilting his
head, pouring out all his doubts.
Everett squatted down, bringing his eyes level with Langston¡¯s. He reached out and pinched the boy¡¯s
cheek. ¡°If you managed to get into the Lopez Corporation¡¯s servers, then you should know that money
isn¡¯t a big deal to me
As for the second question, all he had to do was look at Langston¡¯s face and he had his answer.
Everett didn¡¯t have a twin brother or anything of the sort. The mere fact that Langston bore such a
striking resemnce to him provided the answer. Even in the unlikely scenario that Langston wasn¡¯t his
biological child, their resemnce seemed like a twist of fate in its own right.
However, he suddenly remembered something Heather had said to him. She had imed that
Langston was her child.
It sounded absurd, but given his mother¡¯s favoritism towards Heather, it wasn¡¯t entirely impossible..
¡°Langston, would you be willing to tell me something about your mom?¡± Everett asked cautiously. He
was afraid of provoking the boy¡¯s
resentment.
Sure enough, the moment he mentioned it, Langston¡¯s defenses went up.
¡°No! Mommy said I can¡¯t!¡±
Everett realized that a direct approach wasn¡¯t going to work.
He thought for a moment, then smiled. ¡°How about this, you can ask me one question, and I promise
not to lie. Anything you want to ask. Then you tell me what your mom¡¯sst name is.¡±
Langston shook his head. ¡°No!¡±
Everett shrugged. ¡°Alright then,¡±
He was about to get up when Langston suddenly grabbed him. ¡°I can¡¯t tell you my mom¡¯sst name,
but I can tell you the second letter
in it.¡±
¡°That works!¡± Everett agreed immediately and squatted back down. ¡°Ask your question.¡±
Langston thought hard, then in a serious tone asked, ¡°Why did you have me and then not take
responsibility?¡±
Everett paused, then answered solemnly, ¡°I swear, I didn¡¯t know you existed.¡±
Langston was clearly not expecting that answer.
¡°Now can you tell me, what¡¯s the second letter in your morn¡¯sst name?¡±
Langston pouted. ¡°It¡¯s ¡°a¡±
Everett froze. ¡°Your mom¡¯sst name wouldn¡¯t happen to be Sanchez, would it?¡±Original from N?velDrama.Org.
Chapter 397
Chapter 397
Chapter 397
Langston hadn¡¯t expected him to guess so quickly, and he inwardly cursed at the possible trouble he
had stirred up.
He quickly denied it, ¡°It¡¯s not Sanchez!¡±
¡°Are you sure?¡± Everett¡¯s eyes were locked on him.
Langston immediately put on an innocent face, ¡°Of course.¡±
He didn¡¯t realize what his words implied
Everett¡¯s handsome face visibly stiffened, even his thin lips trembled uncontrobly.
But to Langston, these were all signs of disbelief.
Langston quickly brainstormed to fabricate ast name, and right then, he heard Everett¡¯s voice.
¡°So, is it Garcia?¡±
Seeing that Everett gave him an out, Langston quickly waved his hand vaguely. ¡°Hey, you said you¡¯d
only quess a letter, how can you cheat like that! Is it right to trick kids?¡±
¡°Fine, I won¡¯t ask anymore.¡±
Everett felt that he needed to have a serious conversation with his parents about this matter
Regardless of whether this matter was true or not, he felt he couldn¡¯t allow his mother to have her way
any longer!
In the past, he only found it irksome and iprehensible, so he decided to keep his distance to avoid
upsetting her and to spare himself the constant disturbance.
But after Heather¡¯s antics, he knew he couldn¡¯t turn a blind eye
anymore.
She was so audacious simply because she reled on the support from his mother.
Heather, unfortunately, didn¡¯t know how to restrain herself, leading to the current situation! Now, Everett
even suspected that Jeffrey¡¯s issues were rted to her
Dorothy knew that Langston was in Eldora City, se, naturally, she couldn¡¯t leave
Although she couldn¡¯t directly go to Everett to get her child, she also worried that Langston might be
hurt by the Lopez family. Hence, she had to stay here, looking for opportunities to take Langston away.
Both Keh and Karen advised her to leave first
Especially Keh, ¡°With Everett¡¯s men all around, you are easily exposed! Dorothy, as long as I¡¯m in
Eldoria City, I find a way to get close to Everett and take Langston away!¡±
¡°No, Keh, I have to take my child with me.¡±
¡°But you can¡¯t do much here in Eldoria City!¡± Keh tried to reason with her, ¡°Plus, if Everett observes
that you never leave, he will naturally link you to the child! At that point, you won¡¯t stand a chance to
take Langston away¡±
¡°Now that Everett knows the child is his, the only thing he doesn¡¯t know is that I¡¯m the child¡¯s mother.
The Lopez family must know it too; I¡¯m worned that Heather will harm my child!¡±
In fact, Dorothy¡¯s first concern wasn¡¯t Everett¡¯s parents. After all, there was blood rtion, they wouldn¡¯t
be as ruthless as they were with Be! But Heather would show no mercy.
Wasn¡¯t all this chaos caused by her?
¡°Im trying to contact Langston, Dorothy. I think Langston knows what he¡¯s doing! He said he wants to
take revenge, and I reckon after causing amotion, he¡¯ll get in touch with me! By then, we can leave
the country as nned!¡± Keh thought it was too risky to stay in Eldoma Cily.
Now that Everett knew about the child, the first person he would suspect was Dorothy
If he found out about Dorothy¡¯s abnormalities, wouldn¡¯t that be an affirmation of everything?N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
Chapter 398
Chapter 398
Chapter 398
¡°Given the circumstances, I can¡¯t afford to consider much¡± Dorothy has braced herself for the worst. ¡°If
there¡¯s truly no other option, I¡¯ll have to take the final step! I go to Heather.¡±
Heather wasnt entirely fearless
Heather knows that if she reveals the suspicions about her mother¡¯s death to Everett now, he will
surely initiate an investigation into her Immediately!
Perhaps this could be used as a card to threaten Heather, to keep her from harming Langston
¡°Dorothy, you¡¯re usually so smart, why are you so flustered now? Doing this will only force Heather to
take extreme measures, and it won¡¯t change anything!¡±
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
¡°I can¡¯t just sit here and wait for Langston toe back!¡±
Dorothy looked at Keh, her face was etched with exhaustion. She was on the verge of going mad!
All her ns had been thrown into disarray, leaving her helpless
¡°I¡¯ve told you have faith in me. I handle this for you! I promise Langston won¡¯t be harmed. Resume your
normal work and daily routine to avoid arousing any suspicion from Everett Once locate Langston, Il
bring him to you right away, and then we¡¯ll leave.¡±
¡°Bun..
¡°Dorothy! You must have realized by now that if Langston doesn¡¯t fulfill his objective, he¡¯ll try every
possible way to leave you and find Everett again! It¡¯s better to let him aplish what he wants. I
believe he wille locking for me¡±
Dorothy had a million worries, which stuck in her throat and unable to voice them.¡±
But she also knew that there was little she could do now.
¡°Go now, leave the rest to me.¡± Keh walked over, patting her on the shoulder. ¡°Abigail is waiting for
you.¡±
Dorothy remained silent, neither agreeing nor refusing
She was confused and needed time to think.
In the hospital Jeffrey was still in the ICU, and visits were not allowed.
Everyone who came could only wait at the door, including Jeffrey¡¯s parents.
Everett had sent someone to the airport to pick them up and brought them directly to the hospital.
¡°What the hell happened, Everett? What did the doctor say about my son¡¯s condition?¡± Jeffrey¡¯s mother,
Paloma, was crying so hard her eyes were swollen, her hand trembling as she clung to Everett¡¯s
Jeffrey was the only child of the Turner family!
Tve already arranged for renowned doctors from abroad toe for a consultation. We¡¯ll do everything
we can to cure him,¡± Everett said, opting for actions over words, uncertain of how to providefort
Jeffrey¡¯s father, Huxley Turner, seemed a bit moreposed, his face grim as he stood quietly at the
ICU door
Soon after, Heather arrived.
Seeing Paloma there, she cried even louder than her.
¡°Huxley, Paloma, I¡¯m sorry!¡±
Heather stepped forward in her high heels, and before she could say anything else, she promptly knelt
down before them.
This move shocked the elder Turners
¡°What are you doing?¡± Paloma tried to help her up, but Heather stubbornly remained on her knees
¡°I cant deny my involvement with Jefferey¡¯s ident! Because because of my disagreement with
Everett, he came to mediate We had a quarrel and Jeffrey left to find Everett He was probably too
emotional and didn¡¯t pay attention to the traffic, so¡¡±
Although Paloma was somewhat confused, she got the gist of it
She nced at Everett, and her brows furrowed ¡°You two argued? My dear Jeffrey was too much of a
good Samantan, thinking of you as true frends!¡±
Chapter 399
Chapter 399
Chapter 399
In between the lines, there was a hint of resentment.
After all, in Paloma¡¯s eyes, the young couple had a quarrel, and in the end, her own son ended up in
the ICU due to a car ident! That would be uneasy for anyone.
¡°Everett, is that so?¡± Huxley didn¡¯t allow Heather¡¯s words to mislead him, nor did the help her up.
Instead, he addressed Everett directly. Huxley disliked Heather, thinking she was too cunning! He
would rather believe Everett¡¯s words
¡°Heather, are you suggesting that Jeffrey¡¯s ident happened because he didn¡¯t notice the oing
traffic?¡± Everett didn¡¯t answer Huxley directly; instead, he questioned Heather. ¡°But after reviewing the
surveince footage, it¡¯s clear that a car recklessly crashed into him, leading to the ident. You are
twisting the facts here.¡±
¡°L¡ I didn¡¯t! I wasn¡¯t aware of the details, and I didn¡¯t see the surveince footage, so I just assumed it
was because he just didn¡¯t pay attention to other cars!¡±
Everett tightened his lips, his eyes fixed on her with a stern gaze.
¡°You¡¯re just trying to clear your name, to make his parents think you didn¡¯t know.¡±
Her le punctured Heather was a bit flustered, but still pretended to be calm.
¡°Everett, what are you implying? Are you suggesting that I caused Jeffrey¡¯s ident?¡±
¡°There will be an investigation, no need for your theatrics here.¡±
Huxley and Paloma heard every word of their conversation. While Huxley remainedposed, Paloma
was visibly shocked.
¡°You two¡aren¡¯t you married? Why are you talking to each other like this?¡±
¡°I have nothing to do with Heather Everett bluntly rified, showing no intention of saving dignity for
Heather, ¡°As for Jeffrey¡¯s case, I will investigate thoroughly. I¡¯ll keepmunicating with the doctors,
and once he wakes up, the truth will be revealed.¡±
Paloma nodded, then looked at Heather who was still kneeling, her gaze filled with doubt.
¡°Girl, you can get up! If you¡¯re not involved in this, you don¡¯t need to do this. We, the Turners, won¡¯t
me an innocent person for no reason.¡± Of course, this was on the condition that she wasn¡¯t involved.
What Heather had originally nned waspletely different from what was happening, leaving her
awkwardly stuck.
Neither standing up nor continuing to kneel seemed right
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Luckily, it was soon time to visit the ICU. The Turner parents were preupied with seeing their son,
and they didn¡¯t pay any further attention to
her.
After they left. Everett walked over to Heather and whispered, ¡°You¡¯ve overyed your part.¡±
¡°I was genuinely apologizing! Never mind, it doesn¡¯t matter if you don¡¯t believe me.¡±
* only believe in facts.¡± Everett strode away, but after a few steps, he suddenly stopped, turned around
and looked at her, ¡°And one more thing! Heather, you¡¯d better pray that your im about Langston
being your child isn¡¯t true.¡±
At his words, Heather immediately looked up at him.
When she met Everett¡¯s icy gaze, she instinctively shrank back.
¡°¡.. I¡¯ve always followed the instructions of your parents. You can¡¯t me me!¡±
¡°If it¡¯s true, I won¡¯t let anyone involved off the hook, including my parents.¡±
¡°They are your parents; what can you possibly do?¡±
Everett tightened his lips, ¡°Regardless, things won¡¯t go the way you think! As I¡¯ve stated, I could never
marry someone who has hurt Dorothy.¡±
Chapter 400
Chapter 400
Chapter 400
Heather had never heard Everett say such words before. She believed that, given they were the
parents who had raised him, Everett would surely disy boundless tolerance.
But at this moment, his voice w
She was scared.
was too cold, as if he was prepared to turn his back on his own blood
She also realzed that her les were piling up, bing more and more outrageous. It seemed that even
Everett¡¯s parents couldn¡¯t protect her anymore.
Everett left the hospital and got into the car
Kevin nced at Everett through the rear view mirror and said in a low voice, ¡°Mr. Lopez, there has
been some progress regarding Langston¡¯s disappearance from the hospitalst time. Our people have
found this address.¡±
He sent a location to Everett.
¡°Check everyone rted to this ce, by any means necessary.¡±
Kevin nodded, his tone slightly hesitant, as if he had debated whether to speak up repeatedly before
finally saying, ¡°Mr. Lopez, there¡¯s something I¡¯m not sure if I should say.¡±
Everett, on the other hand, was opening hisptop. He hummed lightly, indicating that Kevin could go
on
¡°You¡ could actually consider having a DNA test cone forngston and Heather. That way, you could
find out the truth?¡±
When Heather had said this. Kevin had been at the hospital too.
Although what Heather said sounded absurd, it was not impossible! After all, Mr. Lopez¡¯s parents had
indeed always indulged Heather in whatever she wanted to do
But it was easy to verify the truth of this statement. All they needed was a paternity best
N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.
But Kevn could see that Everett seemed uninterested in getting one done.
Everett paused in the act of opening a file, then looked up at Kevin. ¡°If you were Langston, who just
returned and doesn¡¯t have a good impression of me, how would you feel if I just went ahead and
ordered a paternity test, regardless of whether you wanted it or not?¡±
Kevin clearly hadn¡¯t considered it from Langston¡¯s perspective.
¡°I never thought about getting a paternity test with Langston Because he is my son, regardless of who
his biological mother is. I don¡¯t want him to have any psychological trauma. The point is, I don¡¯t believe
Heather¡¯s words¡±
Kevin instantly understood. He could imagine Everett¡¯s protective instinct as a father. Moreover, there
was really no need to confrm something he didn¡¯t believe in his heart.
The car started, and Kevin was about to step on the gas
Everett suddenly spoke. ¡°By the way, go ahead and acqure East Star Enterprises¡±
¡°Huh?¡± The instruction was so abrupt that Kevin was taken aback. ¡°East Star Enterprises?¡±
Kevin wanted to ask, was in the same East Star Enterprises where Ms. Sancher worked?
¡°Yes, after the acquisition, none of their employees are allowed to leave.¡±
¡°Mr Lopez, are you nning to¡¡±
¡°Lane, the person in charge of East Star Enterprises, is pursuing Dorothy.¡± Everett¡¯s voice was very
calm, as if he was just talking about the weather. ¡°I don¡¯t like it.¡±
Kevin binked almost thinking he had heard wrong
Was Mr. Loper going to acquire arge investmentpany just because he didn¡¯t like something?!
¡°Is there a problein?¡± Everett looked at him.
Kevin immediately shook his head. ¡°No, no!¡±
After thinking for a moment, he ventured to ask, ¡°So alter the acquisition, some of the employees of
East Star Enterprises, ahem¡I mean, those who are good at their jobs and are capable, do you want
to incorporate them into the Lopez Corporation?¡±
Everett¡¯s eyebrows rased slightly, and his then kps moved slightly. ¡°Dure¡±
Kevin unmediately made an OK sign with his hand, then startedughing ¡°Mr Lopez, have you finally
come around?¡±
¡°I¡¯m discussing work¡±
¡°Yes yes, i understand!¡±
Chapter 401
Chapter 401
Chapter 401
Dorothy had finally decided to stay in Eldoria City. She had Karen bring Abigail along.
Although it was a risky move, as a mother, she couldn¡¯t continue to leave Langston alone abroad any
longer.
Keh, her trusted advisor, had his reservations, but in the end, he respected her decision and
offered his full support.
As dusk settled over the city, Dorothy stood by the wincow of her hotel room, lost in thought as she
watched the streetlights flicker to life outside. She took a deep breath and dialed Lane¡¯s number on her
cell phone.
¡°Hey Lare, I¡¯m gonna need you to pass off my project to someone else. I¡¯m quitting.¡±
¡°Quitting?¡± Lane¡¯s voice spiked with surprise. ¡°Do you even know what you¡¯re saying Dorothy?¡±
She had always been reliable, and the idea of her throwing in the towel waspletely off the radar for
Lane.
¡°I do, and I¡¯m sorry for letting you down, but I can¡¯t cortinue with my position right now Dorathy had no
idea when she would be able to retum, and with the fast paced nature of their work, even a few hours
could mean a world of difference.
By bringing it up with Lane now, she hoped he¡¯d find someone to fill her shoes without thepany
suffering any losses.
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
¡°I already agreed to give you a break. You can take as much time off as you want. Why do you want to
resign? You promised to stay until the end of the project!¡±
¡°Lane, as the head of thepany, you should understand that my resignation from the project is the
best course of action.¡±
His plea was personal
*I don¡¯t see it that way! And I¡¯m not epting your resignation. The contract is clear, after your
promotion to supervisor, you need to give a so¨Cmonth notice. Dorothy, I don¡¯t think you¡¯re someone
who would breach a contract.¡±
¡°But I can¡¯t contr bute anything to thepany right now!!
¡°You can work remotely. With Austin¡¯s help and me in the country, it¡¯ll be manageable, Lane countered
firmly, leaving no room for negotiation.
Dorothy massaged her temples, feeling a headacheing on. She knew Lane¡¯s game, he didnt want
her leaving hispany and was willing to overlook profit losses to keep her
¡®Lane, think it over. Illg ve up all my bonuses for the year¡±
¡°That won¡¯t charge my mind, and I¡¯m having your contract notarized for salekeeping¡±
Dorothy was speechless
¡°Get back to work soon. I¡¯ll be waiting for you.¡±
Lane hung up, leaving Dorothy overwhelmed with frustration and a sense of powerlessness. Suddenly,
there was a knock at the door.
She rushed to open it and found Keh, with excitement written all over his face. ¡°I got in touch with
Byte 71 He said he can meet with you in three days to discuss the specifics!¡±
Meanwhile, Lane had already instructed his secretary to retrieve Dorothy¡¯s contract. He was well aware
that letting Dorothy go, or her resignation, would be the best thing for thepany at the moment. But
if he did that, Dorothy would no longer be part of East Star Enterprises.
That meant losing any pretext to see her again.
His secretary was efficient, having the contract notarced and a copy made in no time. Lane was about
tomend him when his phone rang
¡°Hello, this is the secretary to the president of the Lopez Corporation. Mr. Lopez is interested in
acquiring East Star Enterprises, Please, name your price.¡±
Chapter 402
Chapter 402
Chapter 402
Everett Lopez¡¯s sudden move caught Lane off guard.
¡°Who did you say you are again? The Lopez Corporation?¡±
¡°That¡¯s right.¡±
Lane let out a low chuckle, ¡°I have no ns to sell East Star Enterprises. You can tell Mr. Lopez to
forget about it! Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know what he¡¯s up to.¡±
This wasn¡¯t about acquiring East Star Enterprises at all, it w
I was a ploy to get to Dorothy!
¡°Mr. Lopez will give you one day to consider,¡± said the voice on the other end.
¡°I¡¯ve already told you, there¡¯s nothing to consider! Can¡¯t you understand? I¡¯m not seling!
Kevin chuckled on the other end. ¡°You can consider whether to sell the enterprise willingly or under
duress,¡±
Regardless, selling was inevitable
¡°Are you trying to force a buyout?!¡± Lane stood up in frustration. ¡°Let me make it clear, it¡¯s not
happening! I am currently thergest shareholder of East Star Enterprises. As long as I don¡¯t approve,
you won¡¯t be able to acquired!¡±
Kevin¡¯s voice remained calm, and Lane could hear the rusting of papers through the phone.Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Here¡¯s the thing, Mr. Lane You currently hold 34% of East Star Enterprises shares, indeed making you
thergest shareholder However, the Lopez Corporation has already acquired 27% of thepany¡¯s
shares, and with just one more share transfer contract I¡¯m about to sign, you will no longer hold that
title Mr. Lopez, considering your past support for Ms Sanchez, would still like to offer you the chance to
make your own choice.¡±
Lane was silent, immediately turning on hisputer to check thepany¡¯s shareholder information.
Kevin, ever so polite, waited on the line for him to verify the information.
When Lane saw the shareholder change notifications, he thought he was dreaming!
How could it have happened so fast? It was almost impossible!
¡°You call this giving me a choice
¡°Absolutely! You can choose to sell your 34% stake to us, or not. But¡ once the Lopez Corporation
bes the majority shareholder your shares could drastically lose their value, as we won¡¯t be
operating with East Star Enterprises as our focus.¡±
When that happened, East Star Enterprises cash flow would plummet until it ceased to sign any new
projects, rendering its
ng its shares worthless
The price Lane could get for his 34% today might not even fetch one percent in the future.
Lane frowned, unable to believe Everett would go to such lengths for Dorothy!
Such ruthless takeover of apany with ongoing projects could tarnish the Lopez Corporation¡¯s
reputation and would surely drain their finances!
It was hard to believe that this was the same Everett known for his calcted and cool approach to
business
¡°Everett better not forget, Dorothy is his ex¨Cwife! He will not win her back by doing this!¡°¡±
¡°That¡¯s Mr. Lopez¡¯s concern. You need not worry. Mr. Lane.¡±
¡°Fine! You want to y this game? Don¡¯t assume that I, Lane, haven¡¯t built up my own resources over
the years! A bidding war for shares is? can y the game if I want. Well see whether our shareholders
prefer to sell to you or to mel¡±
Lane understood the stakes, but his pride had overshadowed his reason,
¡°Alright then.¡±
Kevin had nothing more eto add and was about to hang up.
But Lane suddenlyughed, ¡°And one more thing¡ If Everett wants Dorothy so badly, I can just fire her
from East Star Enterprises right now!¡±
Chapter 403
Chapter 403
Chapter 403
¡°You might want to give it a shot! I shall not bother you any longer goodbye.¡±
Kevin hung up the call, and Lane was so furious that he smashed his phone to bits!
The broken pieces scattered all over the floor, creating a total mess.
He stood up and immediately called his secretary over ¡°Get on it, now! Fire Dorothy from East Star
Enterprises!¡±
N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.
¡°What?¡± The secretary was dumbfounded.
He had just made sure to file Ms. Sanchez¡¯s contract, and now he¡¯s supposed to fire her?
¡°Do it now!¡±
¡°But¡ to retrieve the stored contract, it takes three business days¡±
Lane clenched his fists in frustration, ¡°Then fire her without following protocol 111 cover the severance
pay myself!¡±
The secretary nodded hurriedly and scurried off.
But in no time, he came stumbling back, his face ashen, ¡°Mr. Lane, the HR department says you¡¯re no
longer the majority shareholder of East Star Enterprises. The decision to fire Ms. Sanchez has been
overruled by the current majority shareholder¡¡±
¡°Everett!¡± Lane mmed his fist on the desk, ¡°Well yed!¡±
The secretary had never seen Lane like this. He typically wore a cheerful demeanor rarely adopting a
stern expression. Clearly, the secretary was a bit intimidated
¡°So what do we do now?¡±
¡°Contact the other shareholders of East Star Enterprises right away. Tell them, no matter what price
they¡¯ve been offered, buy their shares for double! Have them wait for me.¡±
¡°Understood, I¡¯m on it¡±
After the secretary left, Lane logged into the financial system and moved all the liquid assets he could
muster.
Indeed, Everett was loaded, and Lane¡¯s assets couldn¡¯t match his. But when it came to liquid funds,
that was a different story!
Lane hadn¡¯t been too wrapped up in investments over the years. His earnings from East Star
Enterprises and his other assets were mostly in savings, readily avable cash flow.
Now it was a race to see who could secure over 50% of the shares first. Whoever did would own East
Star Enterprises.
At the Bay Residence, with nightfall wrapping the
ng the outside in darkness, Everett had all the lights on inside.
There was a new little one in the house, and he couldn¡¯t just think about his own preference for
quietness. The child needed to be in a bright ce.
After back¨Cto-back video conferences, Everett postponed the next one and stood up to knock on the
bedroom door, ¡°Langston, what do you want
for dinner? It¡¯s time to eat¡±
Langston¡¯s voice came quickly from inside, ¡°I¡¯m not hungry!¡±
¡°Eat a little then, I have an international video conference soon and might not be able to attend to you.¡±
After saying that, he heard the sound of slippers scraping the floor inside the room,
Soon after, the bedroom door opened a crack, revealing Langston¡¯s little head, want KFC then.¡±
¡°It¡¯s not nutritious. Tell me what you want to eat, and I¡¯ll make it.¡±
¡°You can cook?!¡± Langston looked skeptical.
¡°Of course.¡±
¡°Then I want pork ribs, and mandarin (sh Langston didn¡¯t care whether he actually liked those dishes or
not. He just wanted to make things difficult for Everell.
Unexpectedly. Everett nced at his watch and quickly agreed, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go grocery shopping now.
Wait for me¡±
¡°You¡¯re actually going to make #17
Everett nodded, serious as ever. He turned to leave but paused, ncing back at Langston with a hint
of a smile curling his lips.
¡°Oh, and next time you hack into the Lopez Corporation¡¯s servers, don¡¯t bother wiping your tracks.
Others might not notice, but for me, even if you do wipe them, I can restore them with just one click.¡±
Chapter 404
Chapter 404
Chapter 404
¡°No way! You¡¯re lying¡± Langston yelled.
Everett shrugged, pulling out his smartphone with a smirk, 1:03 AM 10:27 AM, and looks like you were
snooping around the server again just a minute ago.¡±
Langston¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°But I reset everything!¡±
Watching his son¡¯s frustrated little face, Everett couldn¡¯t help but walk back and pinch his cheek
affectionately.
¡°Who taught you these tech moves¡±
¡°My mentor. He¡¯s the real deat
As his son excitedly praised someone else, Everett felt a twinge of jealousy and raised an eyebrow,
tossing out a challenge. ¡°After I wmp up some stuff, Ill teach you myself
Grabbing his car keys, he headed out to the grocery store. He made sure to pick up some extra
veggies to give his son a nutritious meal.
Just as he was about to leave, Everett spotted a bunch of toys on sale at the entrance. Drawn by the
colorful array, he started to wander over.
¡°Hey, could you help me get these toys to the car?¡±
¡°Sure thing sir!¡±
With his shopping done and realizing the meeting time was approaching, Everett realized he wouldn¡¯t
have time to cook After a brief pause, he dialed Kevin
¡°Postpone the meeting by three hours.¡±
¡°Mr. Lopez, you¡¯ll be skipping out on rest tonight then?¡±
¡°My kid wants to taste my cooking¡±
With that one line. Kevin understood. ¡°111 let everyone know right away.¡±
¡°And Kevin, have you settled the East Star Enterprises issue?¡±
¡°All settled, Mr. Lopez Lane tried to use his clout to fire Ms. Sanchez intercepted and cut off his power.¡±
Kevin bbered on, eager to boast, mentioning Dorothy Sanchez, causing Everett to frown.
¡°Did I ask about Dorothy? I asked about East Star Enterprises!¡±
¡°Ah, right! I got it, Mr. Lopez, everything¡¯s in order! Both Ms. Sanchez and East Star Enterprises, all
settled¡±
Everett was speechless
Hanging up the phone, Everett, who had been expressionless, suddenly cracked a thin, unexpected
smile.
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
He had been too cautious before, too concerned with propriety. Now, he just wanted to bring the person
he cared for closer.
That¡¯s human nature, isn¡¯t it?
Even if he couldn¡¯t stand beside her as a husband, he could as a boss.
If Lane had the audacity to pursue her knowing she was married, then why couldn¡¯t he, Everett, try his
hand at the same game?
If Dorothy could tolerate Lane, what was stopping him?
Everett returned to Bay Residence, groceries in hand. As he entered, he found Langston tinkering with
hisptop on the living room couch.
Hearing his dad, Langston gultily set theptop aside, pretending to watch TV instood
Everett, both exasperated and fond, quirked a smije, ¡°You can y all you want. I¡¯ve locked the
conference channel. You can¡¯t get into that¡±
Langston pouted, ¡°I crack it someday!¡±
¡°You can try.¡±
With a chuckle, Everett carried the ingredients into the kitchen, rolled up his shirt sleeves, and began to
cook methodically, chopping and frying Langston shuffled in after him, watching in awe as dish after
dish came together and was ced on the table
Looking at the spread skeptically, he doubted it could taste as good as it looked, until he tasted a piece
of the fish
¡°Wow! This is delicious! If my sister were here, she¡¯d love it tool
Everett paused, his eyebrows arching slightly. ¡°Your sister?¡±
Chapter 405
Chapter 405
Chapter 405
Langston nearly dropped his fork in shock. ¡°1¡ It¡¯s my neighbor¡¯s sister!¡±
Everett ced the dishes on the table and sat down in front of him.
¡°Langston, it¡¯s not good for kids to lie all the time.¡±
¡°I¡¯m not lying.¡±
¡°You have a sister. Your mom had two kids.¡± Everett¡¯s words weren¡¯t a question. They were a statement
¨C a statement of certainty.
N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
But that wasn¡¯t the point. The real issue was the panic visible in Langston¡¯s eyes after Everett spoke.
That meant Everett had hit the nail on the head. Even if it took a little cunning to draw it out
¡°I¡¯m not hungry anymore!¡± Langston felt like everything wasid bare before Everett, and it was better
to just avoid the topic altogether. He tried to put down his fork and leave.
But Everett grabbed Langston¡¯s wrist before he could pull away.
¡°You need to finish your dinner. Before that, you¡¯re not going anywhere.¡±
¡°You¡¯re trying to bully me! I¡¯ll start crying, just you watch!¡±
Everett shrugged. ¡°Go ahead and cry. No one else lives near the Bay Residence anyway.¡±
¡°I know that!¡± Langston was well aware because on his first day here, he¡¯d scanned for electronic
devices nearby and found very few, a sure sign that it was sparsely popted.
Everett piled some meat and veggies onto Langston¡¯s te and ordered, ¡°Eat up.¡±
Langston was actually hungry, especially after getting a taste of the food, which had whetted his
appetite.
But he was still wary. ¡°Then you can¡¯t ask me any more questions! I won¡¯t tell you anything!¡±
Everett smiled, then asked out of the blue, ¡°Did your mom remarry and have another daughter after
you?¡±
¡°My mom didn¡¯t remarry! Uh¡ Langston realized his slip¨Cup toote. ¡°I¡¯m done eating. I¡¯m leaving!¡±
¡°Eat. I promise I won¡¯t ask any more questions today
¡°But you just said you¡¡±
¡°I didn¡¯t make any promises before. It was you who spoke. Now I¡¯m promising not to ask for the rest of
today.¡±
Everett knew he couldn¡¯t rush these things. There would be plenty of timeter.
Today was a big win. He now knew he probably had not only a son but also a daughter!
Langston had blurted out that Dorothy hadn¡¯t remarried, it likely wasn¡¯t a lie. So, the sister Langston
talked about could be his full sibling!
Twins, perhaps?
Surely it couldn¡¯t be that he¡¯d identally done it with other women twice without knowing!
¡°What?! I¡¯m supposed to report to the Lopez Corporation?¡± Dorothy was bbergasted when she got
the call from HR.
Why would she, minding her own business, receive a call from the Lopez Corporation¡¯s HR
department? Could it be that Everett was onto her?
¡°Yes, yourpany, East Star Enterprises, is now part of the Lopez Corpamtion, and your employment
contract has been transferred to the Lopez Corporation.¡±
¡°That¡¯s impossible!¡± How could Lane sell thepany to Everett? ¡°I need to verify this.¡±
¡°Alright, you go and check.¡±
After hanging up, Dorothy dialed Lane¡¯s cell phone Immediately.
It rang a few times before he picked up, his voice mspy with panic but trying to sound calm.
¡°Dorothy, what do you need?¡±
¡°What¡¯s going on with thepany? I just got a call from someone at the Lopez Corporation, telling me
toe to work, saying East Star Enterprises now belongs to them!¡±
¡°Dorothy, listen to me, you don¡¯t have to worry about that right now! I¡¯m working on getting East Star
Enterprises back.¡±
Hearing this, Dorothy felt her heart sink
¡°So the Lopez Corporation acquiring East Star Enterprises is a fact!¡±
¡°Yeah¡ But don¡¯t worry, I regain control of East Star as soon as I can! If money doesn¡¯t do it, I¡¯ll use
public opinion to fight Everett to the end!¡±
Chapter 406
Chapter 406
Chapter 406
¡°Wait, you¡¯re taking on the Lopez Corporation?¡± Dorothy¡¯s delicate brows furrowed. ¡°Lane, you don¡¯t
stand a chance.¡±
¡°Am I supposed to just let them walk all over me?¡± Lane was fuming.
Because of his pursuit of Dorothy, Jeffrey must have spilled the beans to Everett. There had been no
sign of trouble, making Lane believe that Everett had epted it.
But this counterattack, the abrupt acquisition of East Star Enterprises, was too sudden! It was like
being thrown a bone, only to be shooed away like a beggar!
Lane had never faced such an insult in his life!
¡°Lane, you can¡¯t beat the Lopez Corporation,¡± Dorothy said, not out of favoritism for Everett, but
because it was the cold, hard truth.
East Star Enterprises might have been substantial, but everything is rtive.
If Everett set his sights on taking down East Star Enterprises, it wouldn¡¯t matter if the whole domestic
industry dered. a boycott against the Lopez Corporation unless he had a change of heart. After all,
the Lopez Corporation would merely lose the local market by doing that.
Besides, in the world of business, how manypanies would cut ties with a giant like the Lopez
Corporation just to take a stand for someone else?
¡°Dorothy, he¡¯s doing this because of you!¡±
N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
¡°I know.¡± By now, if Dorothy couldn¡¯t see Everett¡¯s intentions, she¡¯d be a fool
What worried her was the possibility that Everett knew about Langston and was acting out of that
knowledge.
Years of knowing Everett had given her insight into his temperament and character he was always the
gentleman, logical, considering all angles before making a decision.
This aggressive move to crush East Star Enterprises overnight didn¡¯t seem like his style.
So, Dorothy suspected that Everett had gotten wind of something and was trying to force her into his
orbit.
Could it be he was looking for an opportunity topare her DNA with Langston¡¯s?
¡°Dorothy, are you even listening?¡± Lane had been talking non¨Cstop, and Dorothy hadn¡¯t heard a word.
Snapping back to reality she quickly said, ¡°Lane, something¡¯se up. Let¡¯s talk tomorrow.¡±
After hanging up, Dorothy immediately dialed the HR department of the Lopez Corporation.
¡°Hello, this is Dorothy. I received a call earlier about reporting to the Lopez Corporation. I¡¯m sorry, but I
can¡¯t make it.¡± ¡°Ms. Sanchez, you¡¯re under contract with East Star Enterprises.¡±
She was painfully aware of that. ¡°Then I resign.¡±
¡°Alright.¡± The person on the other end didn¡¯t give Dorothy a hard time. ¡°Here¡¯s the situation. I checked
your contract, and it clearly states that if you¡¯re promoted to director, you need to apply for resignation
half a year in advance to HR, or it¡¯s considered a breach of contract. You agreed and signed this! If you
submit your resignation now, you can process your departure in six months.¡±
Dorothy felt a headacheing on. She had to wait half a year to resign!
She hadn¡¯t anticipated this at all! Things had changed so quickly, who could have expected East Star
Enterprises to be swallowed up by the Lopez Corporation overnight?
¡°What if I have to breach the contract? It¡¯s really inconvenient for me to take a position at the Lopez
Corporation.¡± ¡°Then, Ms. Sanchez, you need to think carefully. Looking at the penalties for breach of
contract, you¡¯re not only liable for the breach fee, but also for any losses incurred on your projects.
You¡¯ll be responsible for those too.¡±
Dorothy was silent.
¡°Your current project includes the development of Everglow City Resort. If you back out now, you¡¯ll be
on the hook for any and all financial risks. Are you sure you want to breach the contract?¡±
Chapter 407
Chapter 407
Chapter 407
Dorothy hesitated.
It wasn¡¯t that she suddenly fancied a career switch to Lopez Corporation; it was the steep penalty for
breaching her contract that she couldn¡¯t afford.
Had it been just the stipted penalty in the contract, she could have clenched her teeth and paid it,
but to shoulder the entire responsibility for the Everglow City Resort project? That was out of her
league.
After all, if Everett was willing to shell out big bucks for the acquisition of East Star Enterprises, would
he really care about the resort¡¯s development costs? As the CEO, he could make the resort lose as
much as he wanted, couldn¡¯t he?
A project worth hundreds of millions ¨C once the responsibility was transferred, she might as well sell
herself and still fall short of the payment!
¡°Ms. Sanchez, please reconsider. Should you change your mind, you¡¯re wee to join us at the
Lopez Corporation.¡±
The person from HR hung up, leaving Dorothy slumped back onto her bed, the picture of defeat.
It was clear that Everett had cut off all her escape routes, leaving no room for maneuver.
But what on earth made him decide to do this?
In the hospital, Jeffrey still hadn¡¯t woken up.
After a day of observation in the hospital, his life was out of in danger, and now they were just waiting
for the specialist Everett had invited to examine Jeffrey and hopefully find a way to wake him up.
Lane had called Jeffrey several times to ask about the Lopez Corporation¡¯s acquisition, only to discover
that Jeffrey had been involved in a car ident and was hospitalized.
He dropped everything and rushed to the hospital where Jeffrey was being treated, but now, no one
could see Jeffrey. They could only wait outside the ICU.
Huxley recognized Lane and approached him as he arrived. 7 appreciate youing.¡±
¡°With the kind of friendship I have with Jeffrey, how could I note when he¡¯s in such a serious
condition? What exactly happened?¡±
¡°The police are still investigating, but all we know is that a car rear¨Cended Jeffrey¡¯s at high speed,
causing a serious
collision.¡±
¡°And the driver at fault?¡±
¡°Still in resuscitation and haven¡¯t pulled through yet.¡±
Lane sighed, feeling like all the troublesome issues had converged at once.
As they were talking, Huxley suddenly looked up and gestured towards someone.
Lane followed his gaze.
It was Everett
This was their second encounter since that episode outside the restaurant, but given Jeffrey¡¯s situation
and Huxley¡¯s presence, Lane couldn¡¯tsh out. He gritted his teeth as he watched Everett and Huxley
discuss bringing in the doctor.
While Lane was visibly resentful, Everett remainedposed in his Impable suit, his demeanor still
cool and aristocratic, as if forcing the takeover of East Star Enterprises and pushing Lane out wasn¡¯t
his doing at all.
¡°Well, Huxley, I should head back to the office. Ile back when Dr. Smith arrives in Elorria City¡±
¡°Sure! I¡¯ll walk you out,¡± Huxley was just about to take a step when Lane quickly Interjected, ¡°Let me
escort Mr. Lopez. Huxley, you stay here and rest.¡±
Huxley hesitated, instinctively ncing at Everett.
It was only after Everett nodded that he agreed, ¡°Alright, I appreciate it, Lane.¡±
¡°No problem.¡±
With that, Lane quickly followed Everett, and they left the hospital, one following the other.
N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.
Once outside and certain no one was following, Lane sped up to block Everett¡¯s path.
¡°Everett, what are you ying at?¡±
¡°Hm?¡±
¡°You are using these tactics to chase after Dorothy, and you¡¯re not exactly being subtle!¡±
Everett chuckled, his fingers nonchntly undoing the buttons on his shirt cuffs, ¡°I acquired East Star
Enterprises because I wanted to. What does it have to do with Dorothy?¡±
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Chapter 408
Chapter 408
¡°Who do you think you¡¯re kidding?¡±
Before Dorothy came into the picture, Everett wouldn¡¯t have even noticed East Star Enterprises. Now,
out of the blue, he¡¯s gunning for a takeover. It¡¯s as clear as day he¡¯s got his sights set on something, or
someone, rather.
¡°What proof do you have?¡±
Everett¡¯s words left Lane dumbfounded.
Everett towered over Lane, a slight smirk ying on his lips as he looked down at him.
¡°Instead of wasting your time arguing with me, why don¡¯t you hustle and snap up some more shares?
Keep that majority stakeholder status of yours intact.¡±
¡°You bet I will!¡±
Everett chuckled, ¡°Mr. Lane, I heard through the grapevine that you are willing to pay double my offer to
buy those shares.¡±
The mere mention of it straightened Lane¡¯s spine, a scornful smile spreading across his face. ¡°That¡¯s
right, I said it. And
his fa I¡¯m purchasing it directly using cash flow.¡±
Everett nodded, his tall, lean silhouette casting a shadow over Lane,cking every inch the CEO
receiving a report from a subordinate, and Lane the eager to please employee..
¡°Sounds mighty attractive! Best of luck to you.¡±
With that. Everett turned to stride towards his car
Lane, seething with the realization that he hadn¡¯t even made Everett sweat, stepped in front of the
vehicle to block his
way.
¡°Everett, I never pegged you for a coward! You¡¯ve got the nerve to make moves but not the guts to
admit you¡¯re still hung up on Dorothy!¡±
¡°Did I ever deny it?¡±
Lane was taken aback.
¡°Anyone who¡¯s close to me knows I¡¯ve only got eyes for Dorothy. If you¡¯re out of the loop, that¡¯s on
you,¡±
¡°Don¡¯t think for a second that snatching up East Star Enterprises will help you win Dorothy back. She
divorced you, so what more is there to say?¡±
Everett shrugged, gesturing first at Lane and then at his car, ¡°Lane, don¡¯t be a roadblock.¡±
¡°You¡¡±
Before Lane could stop him, Everett was in his car and off with a roar of the engine, disappearing from
Lane¡¯s view within moments.
¡°Damn it!¡± Lane cursed under his breath as his phone rang.
He nced at the caller ID. It was his secretary.
¡°Mr. Lane, the funds you provided for the acquisition have run dry!¡±
¡°How many shares have been acquired now?¡± He only needed just over 17% to maintain his majority
stake in East Star Enterprises.
But the secretary hesitated, clearly ufortable with the news.
¡°We¡¯ve¡ we¡¯ve only secured 2%¡¡±
¡°What? My nearly eighty million in funds got just 2%, and that¡¯s it?¡±
¡°Yes, sir¡ You wanted to offer double what the Lopez Corporation was paying. We¡¯ll need at least
another billion to continue.¡±
Lane hadn¡¯t expected Everett to have such deep pockets!
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
And now, having put up hisst dime, Lane felt the sting as Everett seemed unfazed.
¡°Stop the acquisition.¡± Lane closed his eyes, wrestling with his pride, before finally admitting defeat.
The secretary, aware of the situation, cautiously suggested, ¡°Should we sell the shares we¡¯ve already
acquired? The Lopez Corporation expressed interest in buying them.¡±
¡°No, I won¡¯t sell it!¡± Lane clenched his teeth, his words seething with defiance, ¡°If Everett thinks he can
worm his way back into Dorothy¡¯s life through thepany, I won¡¯t let him win! Even if he bes the
biggest shareholder of East Star Enterprises, I won¡¯t leave, and I won¡¯t give up on Dorothy! I¡¯m going to
be a thom in his side, and I¡¯ll make damn sure he watches her grow closer to me!¡±
Chapter 409
Chapter 409
Chapter 409
If Lane couldn¡¯t outspend Everett, he decided to see who could get closer to Dorothy!
She had leverage in Lane¡¯s hands, after all. Creating scenes to ruffle Everett¡¯s feathers was well within
his wheelhouse.
It was ironic, really, how the CEO of Lopez Corporation, Everett, held such a high and mighty position,
yet Dorothy remained his Achilles¡® heel.
Heather was well aware of Everett¡¯s efforts to find a doctor for Jeffrey.
Yet, at this point, the most panicked person wasn¡¯t Huxley, but Heather!
If Jeffrey woke up, all secrets woulde tumbling out! It wouldn¡¯t matter even if Everett learned of
other things like the kidnapping of Langston. Because his parents could cover for her, but¡ but if
Everett found out the truth behind Dorothy¡¯s divorce¡
N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.
She couldn¡¯t bear to think of the consequences.
After so many years, Dorothy still had a ce in Everett¡¯s heart, a testament to his profound love. If he
discovered that Heather had caused the death of Dorothy¡¯s mother¡
He would surely seek retribution.
Heather had no choice but to pin her hopes on Amanda, her only lifeline.
¡°Amanda, I¡¯m afraid Everett will dig up the past about Be!¡±
¡°What¡¯s there to fear? So what if he finds out? Is he going to personally throw me into prison?¡± Amanda
seemed unfazed by the severity of the situation, ¡°Don¡¯t panic! I promised to help you, and I approved
the whole n. I¡¯ll protect you.¡±
¡°But¡ you don¡¯t understand how much Everett oves Dorothy.¡±
Heather didn¡¯t doubt for a second that Everett was capable of avenging Dorothy, even if it meant
sending his own mother to jail.
It was a gamble she was forced to take.
Sending Amanda to jail would be like casting her into hell! Her illness was so severe that countless
doctors dared not promise stability, let alone facing incarceration after being betrayed by her own son.
¡°How much can he possibly love her? It¡¯s probably just a fleeting infatuation.¡±
With no other choice, Heather ryed the conversation she had with Everett to Amanda.
¡°Did he really say that?¡±
¡°Yes, or else why would I be so scared? Amanda, as long as Dorothy is around, Everett won¡¯t give up.
Even the slightest hint of her presence risks him digging up the past. It feels like I¡¯m on the edge of a
cliff, about to fall into an abyss!¡±
¡°All your fears are based on the assumption that Dorothy will reappear in Everett¡¯s life. So, why not
ensure she never does?¡± Amanda¡¯s tone had softened, betraying her concern, ¡°Heather, rest easy.
Your mother and you risked your lives to save me, a debt I¡¯ll never forget! Everett is my own son, so he
owes me this favor.¡±
In the past, such words would have reassured Heather.
But now she was truly restless.
¡°How do you n to make Dorothy disappear?¡±
¡°Send her to join her mother, Amanda hissed. ¡°I was too kind¨Chearted back then. I should have killed
them together, and we wouldnt have all these troubles now!¡±
Heather¡¯s voice was hoarse with emotion, ¡°Amanda, I¡¯ve caused you so much trouble, yet you don¡¯t
me me.¡±
¡°Because I can never forget how you looked, battered and bruised, trying to save me. Without you, I¡¯d
be dead. So, in my eyes, you¡¯re my only daughter¨Cinw.¡±
Chapter 410
Chapter 410
Chapter 410
¡°Amanda, when I saved you back then, I didn¡¯t think too much about it. I just wanted to protect Everett¡¯s
mother because I knew he would be heartbroken if something happened to you.¡±
¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯ve always believed you¡¯re the one who truly understands the big picture and loves my son
the most! I don¡¯t acknowledge all those other girls, like Dorothy! When I was kidnapped, if those thugs
had really taken those
¡°Please, Amanda, stop!¡± Heather interrupted quickly. ¡°There¡¯s no need to dredge up the past! I have
never regretted saving you, even if it meant that Everett and I wouldn¡¯t end up together.¡±
The more Heather spoke, the more guilt seeped into Amanda¡¯s heart.
Those thugs were after one thing, that was to humiliate Amanda, to take those lewd photos to threaten
the Lopez Corporation! If they had seeded, Amanda couldn¡¯t bear to think how she and her
husband would have faced each other, let alone how the Lopez family would have been manipted
by others!
It was Heather who had barged in recklessly offering herself in exchange for Amanda, iming to be
Everett¡¯s fianc¨¦e.
The kidnappers thought that pictures of Everett¡¯s fianc¨¦e might be even more damaging, so they
agreed to the trade.
To this day, Amanda vividly remembered how Heather looked when she was rescued battered and
bruised, her clothes torn to shreds, blood staining her legs¡Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
She couldn¡¯t imagine the inhumane torture Heather had endured during those hours. Without her,
Amanda would have had to bear that agony herself.
So even though those scandalous photos were intercepted before they could do any damage, and the
whole incident waspletely hushed up by the Lopez family, Amanda still insisted on Heather as her
daughter¨Cinw, because it was a debt the Lopez family owed her!
¡°He¡¯ll marry you, I¡¯m sure of it. Trust me, Heather. I¡¯ll clear every obstacle from your path, including
Dorothy.¡±
¡°Okay.¡±
In the boardroom of the Lopez Corporation.
Leaders from every department, along with the high¨Cprofile shareholders, were gathered for a crucial
meeting.
The domestic market had peaked, and the choicey between expanding overseas or scooping up
even the smaller investment opportunities within the country.
Everett was in favor of expansion abroad, believing in leaving some breathing room for domestic
investment firms rather than dominating to the point of suffocating thepetition.
But some shareholders felt that it was foolish to pass up guaranteed profits.
¡°Mr. Lopez,¡± one of them spoke up. ¡°You talked about setting up new branches domestically, but I¡¯ve
heard you¡¯ve just acquired a local investment firm, East Star Enterprises. What¡¯s the rationale behind
that?¡±
Everett had anticipated the question and came prepared with an answer.
*I acquired East Star because it has a talent I¡¯ve been unable to recruit through headhunters. The only
way to bring them on board was to merge thepany with the Lopez Corporation.¡±
¡°Talent?¡± The shareholders exchanged nces.
The notion of buying a wholepany for one person seemed rather extravagant.
¡°The acquisition was funded through my personal ounts, so I didn¡¯t feel the need to consult you all
in advance. This doesn¡¯t conflict with our strategy for international expansion.¡±
When Everett said it was his own money, no one dared to argue.
¡°Mr. Lupez, may I inquire about who this talent is? What expertise does that person have?¡± one
shareholder asked, curiosity piqued. Anyone who could capture the attention of the Lopez
Corporation¡¯s CEO must be extraordinary.
¡°It¡¯s an assistant. You don¡¯t need to concern yourselves with the details. I brought her in simply
because I¡¯m ustomed to working with her.¡°
Chapter 411
Chapter 411
Chapter 411
It was an irond excuse that sealed everyone¡¯s lips in an instant.
When the CEO handpicks an assistant, who dares to utter a word?
After the meeting. Everett stood up to leave, with Kevin trailing just behind him as they entered the
CEO¡¯s private elevator.
Once the doors slid shut, Kevin finally broke the silence. ¡°Human Resources has notified Ms. Sanchez
about the position.¡±
¡°Right,¡± Everett responded, his face the picture of serenity. ¡°She¡¯ll probably ask to resign.¡±
He had Dorothy figured out long ago.
¡°Indeed, but she¡¯s got a contract. Ms. Sanchez won¡¯t resign so easily.¡±
The elevator dinged, and the doors opened.
Everett strode out, then paused and nced back at Kevin. ¡°Tell me, do you think what I¡¯m doing is a
bit underhanded?¡±
Despite the years at the helm, Everett had never abused his power or coerced anyone. Even when he
wanted Dorothy to join the Lopez Corporation¡¯s headquarters, he had Kevin mentor her rather than
parachuting her into the position.
This was, perhaps, the first time Everett had been so oblivious to someone else¡¯s wishes
Kevin didn¡¯t see the issue. He chuckled, ¡°Mr. Lopez, why do you think we earn this money and hold this
power?¡±
Everett raised an eyebrow, prompting him to go on.
¡°Isn¡¯t it so we can do what we want and keep who we want?¡±
¡°Makes sense when you put it like that¡±
Everett chuckled, feeling the strain of his ungentlemanly actions fades. It was an unfamiliar way of
operating for him, but Kevin had no trouble adapting; he believed this was how a CEO should act.
Keh was unusually firm and adamant about Dorothy working at the Lopez Corporation.
¡°Dorothy, you can¡¯t go!¡±
¡°I don¡¯t want to, but I have a contract! It¡¯s written clearly. How can I afford to pay the penalty?¡± Dorothy
wanted nothing more than to steer clear of theplexities of the Lopez Corporation, especially with
the whole Langston situation. Thest thing she wanted was to get closer to Everett.
¡°I¡¯ll pay for it. However much it is? I¡¯ll cover it!¡±
Dorothy sighed, looking at him helplessly. ¡°Knowing the way Everett is forcing my hand, I¡¯d owe
billions.¡±
¡°That¡¯s extortion! I¡¯ll get awyer to fight this.¡±
¡°Forget it. We can¡¯t twist the arm of a giant.¡± Dorothy hade to terms with the reality.
She¡¯d thought about struggling, about recklessness.
But the truth was, as long as Everett was set on having her, there was no escape.
Keh paced in front of her, clenching his fists.
¡°Keh, don¡¯t worry. If he wants me there, I¡¯ll go. It just means I¡¯ll be more cautious and steer clear of
him. There won¡¯t be anything between Everett and me again.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t you get it?¡± Keh furrowed his brows, his eyes full of concern. I¡¯m not afraid you¡¯ll get back
with Everett! I¡¯m
afraid that if you reappear, Eyerett¡¯s parents and that woman named Heather will see you as a thom in
their side again!¡± Their tactics were never bound by morality, like how they had directly killed Be.Original from N?velDrama.Org.
Chapter 412
Chapter 412
Chapter 412
Keh couldn¡¯t even bear to think about it¨CIf one day he received news of Dorothy¡¯s death¡.
He was certain it would drive him mad.
¡°I know you mean well, but I have no choice but¡¡± Dorothy hadn¡¯t finished her sentence when Keh
suddenly stood up and headed for the door.
She paused, then hurried after him, grabbing his arm. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going?¡±
¡°I¡¯m going to find Everett! I need to know what the hell he¡¯s up to! Your mother¡¯s already dead because
of him. Does he also have to take you down before he¡¯s satisfied?¡±
¡°Don¡¯t.¡± Dorothy blocked his path. ¡°Keh, I promise you, I¡¯ll take extra care. We can¡¯t draw attention
to ourselves until the security systems in Byte 7 are back online.¡±
She was determined to make everyone who had hurt her mother pay, but now wasn¡¯t the time to tip
them off.
¡°You¡¯re walking straight into the lion¡¯s den! Dorothy, I¡¯m terrified of losing you.¡±
He couldn¡¯t imagine a life without her or the torturous schemes their enemies would concoct once they
set their sights on Dorothy.
¡°Tve got it under control. Don¡¯t worry.¡± Dorothy was ready to move forward.
She should¡¯ve known it wouldn¡¯t be so simple to end things.
It wasn¡¯t as easy as she¡¯d hoped, there were bound to beplications.
Keh held back, knowing he had no standing to keep persuading her, In the end, he could only
make a small request. ¡°You can work at the Lopez Corporation, but you have to let me drive you to and
from work every day!¡±
¡°You¡¯d stay in Eldoria City for me?¡± Dorothy was taken aback, frowning. ¡°But you have a job!¡±
¡°Nothing else matters. I need to ensure your safety,¡± Keh said, patting her shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t worry
about me: I can find a good job in Eldorria City. I¡¯ll look for a ce close to the Lopez Corporation. It¡¯ll
be convenient for yourmute, and If you need me, I can be there in no time.¡±
Dorothy wasn¡¯t concerned about these.
She couldn¡¯t bear the weight of such a debt.
¡°Keh, you¡¯ve already sacrificed too much for me. I don¡¯t want you to do this!¡±
¡°You are a sister to me. It¡¯s only right for a brother to protect his sister. Besides, Langston has always
been under my care, and now that he¡¯s with Everett, I¡¯m worried. I¡¯m begging you, let me stay in
Eldorria City!¡± Keh¡¯s plea left Dorothy no room to refuse.
The dangers were tant; it was clear he wouldn¡¯t leave.
Keh had made up his mind. If Dorothy agreed, he¡¯d stay without question. If she didn¡¯t, he¡¯d stay
secretly.
Dorothy had guessed as much.
¡°You wouldn¡¯t leave no matter what, would you?¡±
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
¡°No, I can¡¯t leave.¡±
¡°Fine.¡± Dorothyid out her terms. ¡°You can stay in Eldoria City, and you can drive me to work, but you
have to go on the blind dates your family has set up.¡±
Keh froze, his brows furrowing. ¡°Did my parents tulk to you?¡±
Dorothy shook her head, her voice soft. ¡°No, but Keh, you should have a family of your own. You
can¡¯t spend all your time on me; It¡¯s a huge burden!¡±
Keh just looked into Dorothy¡¯s eyes, his lips barely moving. ¡°Do you really want me to go on these
blind dates?¡±
Chapter 413
Chapter 413
Chapter 413
Dorothy held his gaze with a steadfast and earnest look in her eyes.
¡°Yes,¡±
Keh suddenly burst intoughter, taking a few steps back as he pulled at the corners of his mouth
in a bittersweet grin. ¡°Alright, alright¡ as you wish, I¡¯ll go on blind dates.¡±
After wrapping up a day¡¯s work, Everett declined overtime at the office, opting to drive back to Bay
Residence instead.
He even made a detour to the supermarket to pick up some fresh vegetables and fruits before heading
home.
Parking the car, Everett bent down to get out and looked up at the brightly lit living room window,
unconsciously smiling. Now he had a little rascal waiting for him at home every day, and he had to
admit, it felt pretty good.
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
He was now pushing off as much work as he could, and he didn¡¯t stay at the office to do whatever he
couldn¡¯t postpone. Instead, he brought it home to work on.
All so he could spend more time with the little rascal!
Unlocking the door, Everett was greeted by the sight of a small figure engrossed in hisptop on the
sofa.
Langston no longer hid away, he now boldly used Everett¡¯sputer, trying to figure it out!
Unfortunately, he hadn¡¯t managed to crack it yet.
¡°What would you like for dinner? I¡¯ll cook it for you.¡±
Hearing Everett¡¯s voice, Langston set down theptop, shuffling to the door in his slippers, hisrge
eyes blinking rapidly. ¡°I¡¯m not picky! Did you go to the hospital today? Is Mr. Turner feeling better?¡±
At the mention of Jeffrey, Everett let out a heavy sigh, setting down the groceries and bending down to
scoop his son
into his arms.
¡°Mr. Turner¡¯s still sleeping, but once the doctor I found for him gets here, he¡¯ll be fine!¡±
¡°Is he very sick?¡±
¡°You could say that.¡± Everett didn¡¯t want to hide the truth from Langston.
He believed that building a strong rtionship with his son started with honesty; he never lied to the
boy. Even when it came to setting Langston up, he always stuck to little tricks.
Langston tilted his head, making a face. ¡°Can I visit him in the hospital? Mr. Turner¡¯s always been nice
to me, and I miss
him.¡±
¡°Sure, I¡¯ll take you tomorrow!¡± Everett felt reassured that his son wanted to visit Jeffrey in the hospital.
It showed that his boy had a heart full of loyalty andpassion! He¡¯d been right to let Jeffrey dote on
Langston.
After settling Langston in, Everett headed to the kitchen to cook.
No one would have guessed that the man who ruled the Lopez Corporation by day would also be in the
kitchen at night, tying on an apron and wielding a spat.
Soon, a hearty meal wasid out on the dining table.
Langston climbed onto his chair, clutching hisptop, a frown etching his small face.
Everett ced a te in front of him, his lips curving into a smile. ¡°Any progress on hacking into my
computer?¡±
The topic instantly soured Langston¡¯s mood even more.
¡°You made the program soplicated on purpose! Just to make fun of me, didn¡¯t you?¡±
Everett shrugged, taking a seat across from him. ¡°I told you before, you were the one who boasted you
could crack it.¡±
¡°I will! I have to find your weakness!¡±
¡°My weakness, huh¡¡± Everett pondered for a moment, an image of a serene and delicate face
suddenly shing in his mind, lingering there, ¡°I do have one.¡±
Langston immediately leaned in closer at his admission.
¡°What¡¯s your weakness? Give me a hint!¡±
¡°My weakness is a person.¡±
This answer was too cryptic for Langston, who frowned, thinking hard.
¡°A person? Are you afraid of being lonely? Afraid of being alone at home?¡±
¡°It¡¯s not that kind of alone!¡± Everett said, exasperated. ¡°It¡¯s a person named Dorothy.¡±
¡°Cough, cough, cough.¡± Langston choked, caught off guard by the unexpected revtion.
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Langston choked on his burger, coughing violently!
Everett quickly got up and patted his back, ¡°Easy there, cowboy. Ain¡¯t no one gonna rustle that burger
from ya.¡±
¡°I¡¯m fine!¡± Langston waved him off, avoiding Everett¡¯s gaze.
At first, Everett was genuinely concerned about the choking hazard, but Langston¡¯s shifty behavior
tipped him off that something was amiss.
He was trying to y it cool, but the more he did, the more it screamed that there was something fishy.
But this time. Everett didn¡¯t go for the direct approach. Instead, he yed it off like he hadn¡¯t noticed a
thing and finished the meal as if everything was normal.
He knew Langston was onto his old tricks, but there were plenty more tricks up his sleeve.
Let Dorothy start working at the Lopez Corporation first. The rest¡ well, they would cross that bridge
when theye
to it
At the hospital, Jeffrey showed no signs of improvement.
The deep gash across his face was beyond healing, leaving a scar that would never fade. The multiple
fractures throughout his body posed no threat to his life, but any thoughts of manualbor or heavy
lifting in his future were dashed.
The only silver lining was that his condition hadn¡¯t worsened.
Paloma¡¯s eyes were swollen from crying, and she had fainted more than once. Eventually, Huxley had
to strong¨Carm her back to the hotel to rest, leaving him to stand vigil alone.
When Heather arrived, she found Huxley staring at the ICU sign, lost in thought.
She bnced a bunch of stuff in her arms andposed herself before approaching
¡°Huxley.¡±
He stood up when he saw her, though not with the warmth he reserved for Everett. His demeanor was
cooler, almost frosty.
¡°Yeah, you¡¯re here.¡±
¡°I came to see how Jeffrey¡¯s doing. Is he better?¡±
Huxley nodded grimly, ¡°Just waiting on the doc and see if surgery is needed.¡±
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Ah, Huxley, you¡¯re not in the best shape yourself. How about Ie by after my shift to keep watch?
I¡¯m free anyway. and you and Paloma should get some rest at the hotel.¡±
¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m worried someone might try to harm my boy.¡± Huxley¡¯s words were blunt as a hammer.
He figured if Heather was innocent, she wouldn¡¯t take offense. But if she were up to something, she
needed to hear this
straight.
Sure enough, he caught a fleeting look of difort crossing Heather¡¯s face.
¡°Huxley, didn¡¯t the cops say it was an ident? No one¡¯s out to get Jeffrey!¡±
¡°That¡¯s debatable. My son¡¯s a straight shooter, not a sly fox. He might¡¯ve rubbed someone the wrong
way. Didn¡¯t you say it yourself? Jeffrey had a habit of sticking his nose in your business with Everett.
I¡¯ve told him off for it, but he never listens. Said he considered both of you friends and couldn¡¯t ignore
trouble.¡±
¡°Jeffrey¡¯s a good guy. I know his nature!¡±
Huxley gave her a pointed look, a smile ying on his lips, ¡°Right. Speaking of which, I wanted to ask
you about something. I heard my son had a spat with you at the Lopez Corporation right before he
drove off. What was that all about?
¡°Just¡ work stuff.¡±
¡°Really? ¡®Cause what I heard didn¡¯t sound like a work chat.¡± Huxley coughed lightly, waving it off,
¡°Anyway, if you don¡¯t want to talk to me about it I¡¯ll let Everett take a gander when he gets here, just
found it out myself and didn¡¯t get the chance to tell him. Thought I¡¯d ask you since you¡¯re here first.¡±
The implication was clear as day; he didn¡¯t buy Heather¡¯s story one bit.
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Huxley had left a door open for Heather, a chance for redemption if she chose honesty over deceit. But
if she continued to cover her tracks, Huxley was certain that the car ident that hadnded his son in
the hospital was tied to her in some hidden way
¡°Huxley, don¡¯t you trust me? Heather¡¯s voice quivered slightly, a mix of indignation and fear
¡°Should I trust you?¡± Huxley met her gaze with an unfaltering stare, not bothering to sugarcoat his
suspicion. ¡°Heather, have you been lying so much that you can¡¯t even keep your stories straight? When
my son was first admitted here, you were on your knees admitting that you had argued with him over
Everett¡¯s affair, which led to him storming out of the office. And now, all of a sudden, you¡¯re iming it
was work¨Crted?¡±
Decades in the cutthroat world of business had honed Huxley¡¯s skills in reading people, and he wasn¡¯t
about to be hoodwinked by a slip of a girl.
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He hadn¡¯t pressed her further at the time, opting instead to let the matter resta strategic retreat that
allowed him to spring a surprise interrogationter
If her story remained consistent, he might believe her for once. If not, she was the prime suspect in his
book. And. Huxley had no ties to the Garcias, if someone was gunning for his son, he wouldn¡¯t stand
idly by.
¡°It started with work, but then it escted because of Everett Heather murmured, feeling mentally
stretched thintely. causing these silly mistakes.
When Jeffrey had been rushed to the hospital, her only thought was to distance herself from suspicion,
but it seemed her eager defense had only drawn more attention to herself.
¡°There¡¯s no need to backtrack now. The truth wille to light soon enough, Heather. If you¡¯re
innocent, you have nothing to feat Huxley said as he took a step back, gesturing dismissively. You¡¯ve
seen how much is going on with my familytely; I¡¯m not in a position to y host. You may as well go
about your business. When my son wakes up, if he does, I¡¯ll have him get in touch with you.¡±
Dismissed so coldly, Heather had no choice but to leave.
Reluctantly, she gathered her belongings. ¡°Huxle
I¡¯lle by when I have a chance.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t bother. Until my son wakes up, you won¡¯t be able to see him anyway.¡±
¡°Huxley¡
¡°I won¡¯t see you out,¡± Huxley cut her off, pushing the gifts she brought back into her arms. ¡°Keep these.
I¡¯m alone in this hospital and have lost my appetite for anything.¡±
With her pride wounded by such a blunt rejection, Heather had more pressing concerns than her
bruised ego, if Jeffrey truly woke up, her world coulde crashing down.
Once in her car, she hastily called the person she had hired for the car ident job.
¡°You promised there would be no loose ends. Now you¡¯re telling me there¡¯s a chance he could wake
up?¡±
¡°I didn¡¯t expect it, okay?¡± the voice on the other end wasced with frustration. ¡°What if I take care of it
at the hospital, one more time?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t care how you do it. The money I paid was for a permanent solution. Figure it out.¡±
With the call ended, Heather¡¯s heart raced with anxiety. She felt a sense of foreboding that she couldn¡¯t
shake off.
¡°Jeffrey, don¡¯t me me for this. I warned you not to get involved. It was your choice not to listen.¡±
He knew she intended to marry Everett, yet he persisted in actions that worked agamst her. If that was
his choice, then Jeffrey was a fool.
The tragic end of Dorothy¡¯s mother hadn¡¯t sounded the rm for Jeffrey to stay out of Heather¡¯s way.
What more could she say? It was pure folly.
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Chapter 416
Dorothy never in a million years thought she would set foot in the grand halls of the Lopez Corporation
again. Although she was a project director at East Star Enterprises, and her ID badge proudly
disyed her affiliation, her new office was now situated within the imposing skyscraper.
Luckily for her, Austin had also been called back to the Lopez Corporation, so at least she had a
familiar face in the new office.
While Dorothy was anything but thrilled about the move, Austin was on cloud nine. As soon as he
spotted Dorothy in the waiting room of the Lopez Corporation, his face lit up like a Christmas tree, and
he immediatelyunched into conversation,
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Last month, my horoscope said I¡¯d hit the jackpot, and look at us now! Working at the Lopez
Corporation is like striking gold. I never dared to dream it!¡± Austin was buzzing with excitement, looking
around as if he was ready to snap a selfie with the legend himself at any moment.
To the uninitiated, Austin might have seemed like he was there to rub elbows with celebrities, not to
clock in for a nine¨Cto¨Cfive.
Of course, Dorothy understood the hype. Back in her days at the branch office of the Lopez
Corporation, everyone was eager for a glimpse of the man, the myth, the legend¨CEverett.
She too had once been curious, but not anymore. She didn¡¯t want to and couldn¡¯t afford to think about
it.
Austin, oblivious to the history between Dorothy and Everett, kept chattering away. ¡°The Lopez
Corporation¡¯s investment in Everglow City must be part of some big takeover n, right? It¡¯s all so
sudden! They must have something up their sleeve.¡±
Dorothy, not wanting to seem standoffish, humored him with a nod, pretending to ponder his theory.
¡°Yeah, you might be onto something.¡±
¡°Maybe they¡¯re after the talent at East Star Enterprises since none of us got the axe. We all just got
absorbed into Lopez Corp!TM
¡°Possibly¡±
¡°Anyway, no use guessing about that now! We¡¯re part of the Lopez Corporation, and I¡¯m gonna roll up
my sleeves and work my tail off. Who knows, maybe I¡¯ll even get a chance to report directly to Mr.
Lopez himself.¡± After his spiel, noticing Dorothy¡¯s zed expression, Austin pulled out his phone, typed
something, swiped a few times, and suddenly flipped the screen toward her. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve never
seen a picture of Everett, the big boss of the Lopez Corporation. You¡¯re too calm about this!
Look! This is Everett. Handsome, right? Even as a guy, I can tell he¡¯s a knockout! His features are even
more refined
than Lane, that heartthrob!¡±
Before Dorothy could react, the image of Everett appeared in her sight, catching herpletely off
guard. She instinctively recoiled, ¡°Uh, I¡¯ve¡ I¡¯ve seen his picture before.¡±
¡°You¡¯re not swooning over him?¡±
Dorothy managed an awkward smile, ¡°I¡¯m¡ I¡¯m married.¡±
Austin nearly rolled his eyes. ¡°Dorothy, you¡¯ve got that love¨Cstruck look, always talking about being
married. But honestly, even if you were single, it¡¯s not like you and Everett would ever mix.¡±
No sooner had he spoken than a tall, Imposing figure strode into the waiting room.
The man was dressed in a sleek ck suit, exuding an air of nobility and gentlemanly charm.
Austin reached to nudge Dorothy, about to tell her that Everett, the man himself, had actually arrived,
when Everett¡¯s voice preempted him.
Everett said, ¡°Dorothy, to my office, please.¡±
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Dropping a bombshell like that, Everett turned on his heel and left.
The rest of the work assignments were to be handled by the head of the HR department.
Dorothy hadn¡¯t expected Everett to call her out by name in public. Back when they were still married,
he had never made such a disy at the office. At most, he would wait for her after hours to head
home together.
Today, he had marched into the waiting room and said her name aloud.
Wasn¡¯t that the same as announcing to everyone at East Star Enterprises that they shared an
extraordinary connection? Had he lost his mind?
¡°Mr. Lopez¡ he just said your name, didn¡¯t he?¡±
Dorothy was stunned, and Austin was even more bewildered, almost thought it was an illusion.
¡°It seemed like it¡¡±
¡°Do you know him?¡± Austin¡¯s eyes widened in surprise.
¡°We went to the same middle school! Don¡¯t read too much into it, okay? I¡¯ll exin when I get back.¡±
With that, Dorothy hurriedly got up and left the waiting room because it was tooplicated to exin
her rtionship with Everett right now, especially not knowing what his intentions were with such a
disy.
It had been so long since she left the Lopez Corporation that Dorothy was surprised she still
remembered the way to the CEO¡¯s office.
Her steps were hesitant; she didn¡¯t want to face Everett alone and was seriously considering turning
around and running away.
She had reached the executive floor and was still debating the feasibility of escaping when she didn¡¯t
want to step out of the elevator.
¡°Ms. Sanchez, there you are!¡±
Before she could make up her mind, Kevin had already spotted her.
So much for the n.
Dorothy could only manage a strained smile, then hurried out of the elevator, pulling Kevin aside and
whispering, ¡°Did you tell him about meing over the night he got drunk?¡±
N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
¡°No way, I promised you I wouldn¡¯t tell and I meant it.¡±
¡°Then what¡¯s up with Everett?¡±
His aggressive takeover of East Star Enterprises, announcing her name in front of a crowd¡ None of it
was like Everett! Kevin shrugged helplessly and said, ¡°I have no idea! When Mr. Lopez exined to the
shareholders about the acquisition, he just said he did it because he wanted to, and that was that.¡±
Dorothy was confused.
It couldn¡¯t be that in these four years, Everett hadn¡¯t be moreposed and restrained, but
instead had grown childish and capricious, right?
Honestly, with this series of actions, Dorothy was starting to wonder if Everett was possessed by
Jeffrey!
¡°Ms. Sanchez, you¡¯re overthinking it. Mr. Lopez has his reasons for what he does.¡±
¡°But my situation is different! You know my history with him, and now that Everett has a girlfriend, it¡¯s
going to be awkward for me at the Lopez Corporation!¡± She couldn¡¯t belleve Everett hadn¡¯t thought of
that!
With a forced smile, Kevin asked, ¡°What if¡ what if Mr. Lopez doesn¡¯t have a new girlfriend at all?¡±
¡°That can¡¯t be, he does.¡± Dorothy had seen the bite marks on Everett¡¯s body herself.
And not just one, but several!
Those were clearly evidence of their intimate moments.
¡°Did Mr. Lopez tell you that himself?¡±
¡°No,¡± but she had seen it with her own eyes.
¡°Then rumors are even less reliable!¡±
Dorothy frowned, unable to bring up the bite marks.
¡°Anyway, he definitely has someone. They¡¯re living together! Kevin, can you think of a way to transfer
me out of the Lopez Corporation?¡±
Before Kevin could reply, Everett¡¯s voice suddenly boomed from above her.
¡°He can¡¯t do that¡±
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¡°Mr. Lopez, you¡¯re here! I¡¯ll leave you to it then.¡±
¡°Sure.¡±
Kevin caught sight of Everett, shed him a grin, and gave Dorothy a little wave goodbye as he headed
out.
Dorothy wished Kevin had taken her with him.
The executive floor was usually reserved for Everett and Kevin, and anyone else needed Everett¡¯s
permission toe up, which meant Dorothy was on her own.
Instinctively, she took a step back to maintain a safe distance from Everett.
She didn¡¯t want anyone to get the wrong idea about her rtionship with the CEO. Not just for the sake
of her own reputation, but also to spare the feelings of Everett¡¯s current girlfriend.
Woman to woman, Dorothy figured if Everett¡¯s ex knew they were alone together, it would hurt her. Not
that Dorothy knew who the ¡°her¡± was.
¡°What are you dodging for?¡±
¡°Nothing¡±
Everett knew she was being stubborn, so he just raised an eyebrow and said, ¡°Let¡¯s talk inside.¡±
He strode toward his office, but when he didn¡¯t hear footsteps following, he paused.
¡°Can¡¯t we just talk here? There¡¯s nobody else around.¡±
¡°Dorothy.¡± Everett turned around, standing under a spotlight that bathed him in a gentle glow, making
his eyes like starlight.
For a moment, Dorothy looked lost in thought.
¡°Remember your ce, Dorothy, or should I say. Ms, Sanchez?¡±
shimmer
As the project director, she shouldn¡¯t be talking back to the CEO. He was reminding her that this was
work and they were at thepany.
Two heavy weights seemed to press down on her, leaving Dorothy with no choice but toply.
She knew Everett was doing this on purpose.
Reluctantly, she followed Everett into his office. The door clicked shut behind them, and the room was
as neat and orderly as it had been years before.
N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
He preferred simplicity and cleanliness.
The documents on the desk were perfectly aligned, and even the pens were neatly ced.
Dorothy¡¯s gaze inadvertently moved forward and caught sight of a framed photo!
It appeared to be a woman as Dorothy caught a glimpse of a skirt.
But before she could get a clearer view of the face, Everett stepped forward and flipped the frame face
down on the
desk.
¡°Ms. Sanchez, drop the Everglow City project. There¡¯s a mall development in Eldoria City you¡¯ll take
over.¡±
Everett handed her a stack of documents from the pile on his desk.
¡°But my contract with East Star Enterprises was primarily for the Everglow City project.¡± Dorothy
naturally didn¡¯t want to switch projects.
Continuing with Everglow City meant she could use the project as an excuse to get away from town.
But taking on Eldornia City meant she¡¯d have to stay put.
¡°The agreement, Article Three, Section Two, states that the party shallply with thepany¡¯s
personnel arrangements.¡±
¡°There should be a valid reason for a transfer! I¡¯ve been doing well with the Everglow City project¡±
¡°Doing well? How long have you been on leave?¡± Everett raised an eyebrow at her.
Well, well, Everett was waiting for Dorothy there, huh?
Dorothy wanted to kick herself.
Arguing with Everett was like digging her own grave. As the CEO, he could find a dozen ¡°valid reasons¡±
to transfer her without breaking a sweat.
¡°Everett! You¡¯re doing this on purpose!¡±
Everett looked up behind the desk, his lips curving into a slight smile. ¡°Ms. Sanchez, you should call me
Mr. Lopez.¡±
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Chapter 419
Dorothy was fuming, her usual filter gone in the heat of the moment as she snapped back, ¡°It was you
who insisted I shouldn¡¯t call you Mr. Lopez!¡±
Thatment hit Everett just as she intended.
¡°What was our rtionship back then, and what is it now?¡±
¡°You¡¡±
Everett sat there with a businesslike demeanor, as if the one causing a scene was Dorothy herself!
¡°Ms. Sanchez, we are discussing professional matters. If you have any personal issues you¡¯d like to
address with me, we can talk after hours.¡±
¡°I have nothing personal to discuss with you!¡± Dorothy red at Everett, her words bitten off sharply,
¡°Since the decision has already been made, why not just have HR inform me of my transfer? Dragging
me to the CEO¡¯s office like this is bound to cause misunderstanding, Mr. Lopez.¡±
She emphasized thest words with particr force.
Everett didn¡¯t seem bothered. He just pursed his lips in a slight smile. ¡°What kind of
misunderstanding?¡±
Seeing him y dumb, Dorothy decided toy it all out. ¡°That you may have a secret crush on me!¡±
¡°Oh.¡± To her surprise, Everett suddenly stood from his chair, his long strides bringing him right up to
her.
His towering height alone was enough to impose a heavy sense of pressure!
¡°Why are you getting so close to me?¡±
¡°I believe the matter you mentioned deserves some rification.¡± Everett¡¯s eyes locked onto her face,
his voice deep and haunting, every word a deliberate hammer to her heart. ¡°This is no
misunderstanding.¡±
Dorothy waited for Everett to continue.
¡°I do have a crush on you. Haven¡¯t you known that all along?¡±
Dorothy ran from the CEO¡¯s office in utter disarray.
Even in the elevator, she had to press a hand to her chest to remind herself she was still alive!
What had Everett just said?
She must be hallucinating. Yes, that had to be it!
¡°Hey! Ms. Sanchez!¡±
Just as the elevator reached the lobby, she ran into Austin, who was on his way out.
Dorothy felt as if her soul had left her body but stopped when he caught her arm.
¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡±
¡°Nothing, nothing at all.¡±
Austin looked her up and down, raising an eyebrow. ¡°What did Mr. Lopez say to you in private? Did he
offer you a sweet deal? Ms. Sanchez, I¡¯ve been good to you at East Star Enterprises. Don¡¯t forget
about me if you¡¯ve got promoted!¡±
Dorothy¡¯s face stiffened, at a loss for any response other than nodding.
¡°You could have told me you knew Mr. Lopez! I thought you¡¯d never met him.¡±
¡°We are not close¡ What¡¯s the point in mentioning it? It¡¯s just embarrassing myself, Dorothy tried her
best to downy any connection between them,
Thankfully, it seemed Austin wasn¡¯t reading too much into it
Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Why so modest? Mr. Lopez came out to the waiting room for you. That means he values you! Ms.
Sanchez, don¡¯t say I
didn¡¯t warn you. With a connection like that, you should think about how to leverage it! The Lopez
Corporation is a goldmine, and just a flick of Everett¡¯s pinky could set you up with a life of luxury, so
don¡¯t be so naive!¡±
Austin thought Dorothy had been too stubborn when Lane showed interest, always harping on about
being married, and now that Everett turned out to be an old friend of hers. With a possible link, she
shouldn¡¯t waste such an opportunity!
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Chapter 420
If it were anyone else, they¡¯d have tond a fortune from Everett big enough to make a Rockefeller
blush!
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
Austin wasn¡¯t just being a Good Samaritan when he nudged Dorothy to make use of her situation. A lot
of it was him seeing a golden opportunity to get a foot in the door with Everett through her!
Schmoozing a bit here and there, and who knows? He could be up in the high society ranks in no time.
Back at East Star Enterprises, Austin had made a pretty penny, but that money was pocket change
compared to the wealth of the Lopez Corporation!
In case Everett saw his ability to work and appreciated him a little bit, how much would he earn in the
future? Well, he didn¡¯t even dare to think about it!
¡°Hey, thanks for the heads¨Cup, but I just want to make an honest buck without sucking up to the big
boss, she said.
Truth be told, she wanted out of the Lopez Corporation if she could.
¡°Could you maybe, you know, get me some face time with Mr. Lopez?¡± Austin finallyid his cards on
the table. Your help me now, and I swear I won¡¯t forget the favor if I strike it rich!¡±
Dorothy could only smile and nod. ¡°Sure, if the opportunity arises.¡±
Seeing her response, Austin didn¡¯t push further, just patted her on the shoulder to let her know she
should seriously think it over.
Having survived the most awkward part of her day, Dorothy looked forward to diving into the project
files that afternoon. Maybe she could get on¨Csite the next day, avoiding bumping into Everett in the
office.
But no sooner had she settled into her new office than Kevin knocked on the door.
¡°Ms. Sanchez, Mr. Lopez wants you to join him for the afternoon.¡±
Dorothy frowned, puzzled. ¡°Why me?¡±
Kevin looked just as surprised. ¡°Didn¡¯t Mr. Lopez tell you about handing over the project to you? This
afternoon is with the head of the partneringpany!
¡°He did, but why would he also go?¡± Dorothy nced at the project, knowing it wasn¡¯t something that
would typically involve Everett, the CEO.
Kevin pondered seriously beforeing to a conclusion, ¡°Maybe Mr. Lopez just wants to?¡±
After all, as CEO, he did as he pleased. Nabody dared to question his decisions!
¡°Buying out East Star Enterprises was his wish, and now dragging me to talk projects is also his wish?
Kevin, that¡¯s a bit far¨Cfetched! Who would believe that?¡±
But Kevin just shrugged helplessly.
¡°I¡¯m just the messenger, Ms. Sanchez! Maybe¡ you could ask Mr. Lopez yourself ¡®m his office. I bet
he¡¯d be happy to
answer.¡±
Dorothy was at her wit¡¯s end, standing up to face Kevin with a look of distress, ¡°Kevin, he and I are
divorced. Any further entanglement is no good for anyone! I know you carry weight in Everett¡¯s eyes, so
please talk to him for me!¡±
To her, Everett seemed intent on petty¡¯revenge, like a child throwing a tantrum. And it was a child¡¯s
game she didn¡¯t want
to y.
¡°If I could¡¯ve talked sense into him, things wouldn¡¯t be as they are four yearster, Kevin spoke with a
seriousness that carried weight.
He had once thought Dorothy was the viin in the story and had sincerely advised Everett to let go.
But it was to no avail.
How many times had Everett vowed to move on?
Yet here he was, still at square one.
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Chapter 421
Dorothy was on pins and needles, feeling every breath she took in the Lopez Corporation wasced
with danger.
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
¡°He¡¯s announced marriage, for crying out loud! How can Everett justify this to his wife?¡±
¡°Why don¡¯t you take that up with Mr. Lopez yourself?¡±
What could Kevin possibly say? Mr. Lopez wasn¡¯t one to take kindly to loose talk
¡°Forget it, I won¡¯t press you¡± Dorothy¡¯s shoulders slumped in resignation. ¡°Thanks anyway, Kevin.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t mention it.¡± Kevin offered a reassuring smile before ncing at his watch. ¡°Mr. Lopez should be
out of his meeting in about an hour. Just wait for him in his designated parking spot.¡±
¡°Just text me the location, I¡¯ll find my own way there!¡± The further she could stay from Everett, the
better.
¡°Oh,e on, Ms. Sanchez, what¡¯s the point of all this squirming? Maybe Mr. Lopez just wants to
discuss work with you. By resisting, you¡¯re just making it awkward for everyone. Unless¡ you¡¯ve got
other things on your mind.¡±
Dorothy didn¡¯t answer.
Kevin was almost out the door when he paused, as if struck by an afterthought. ¡°Actually, there¡¯s
something else I might say.¡±
¡°Go ahead, Kevin.¡±
¡°Remember what you told me back at the Bay Residence? Maybe you should try telling Mr. Lopez.
Who knows¡ maybe you¡¯re the one he¡¯s chosen.¡±
Dorothy was taken aback, her gaze falling silently to the floor.
Kevin sighed before finally leaving her office.
Once the door clicked shut, Dorothy whispered to the empty room, ¡°And what if I¡¯m not the one he
chooses?¡±
She couldn¡¯t bet on Everett standing by her side against his own mother, especially not to the point of
sending his mom
to jail!
After all, if she had to choose between Everett and her mother Be, she knew she wouldn¡¯t be able to
do it either.
An hourter, Dorothy found herself in the CEO¡¯s private parking spot.
Maybe, just like Kevin said, she needed to be more open. Just consider Everett as a new boss and
nothing more.
And tonight, she¡¯d draft her resignation letter, hand it in tomorrow, and after a six¨Cmonth notice period,
she could leave the Lopez Corporation behind. She was no match for him; she had to y by the rules.
Lost in her thoughts, she suddenly heard footsteps behind her.
Her body stiffened involuntarily as if she¡¯d been stered in ce.
In sharp contrast to her tension, Everett maintained his impable CEO demeanor, approaching with
long, confident strides. ¡°Get in the car,¡± hemanded.
¡°Okay,¡± sheplied without argument.
The silence in the car was so profound that Dorothy found herself counting Everett¡¯s breaths.
Then, abruptly, he broke the quiet.
¡°Have you reviewed the project materials?¡±
¡°Yes, but I didn¡¯t have much time to go through them thoroughly¡±
¡°Just get the gist of it for now. Take them home tonight and look them over in detail.¡±
She nodded and looked out the window, only to realize they were on the road to Bay Residence.
15:21
¡°Aren¡¯t we supposed to meet with the head of the partnerpany?¡±
Why were they heading to his house?
Everett caught her eye in the rear view mirror, his voice calm. ¡°I need to stop by Bay Residence to sort
out my son¡¯s lunch, and then we¡¯ll head to the meeting.¡±
His son?
He must mean Langston!
hast as she n
Dorothy¡¯s heart skipped a beat as she realized she was facing Everett¡¯s first test.
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Dorothy knew that Everett¡¯s insistence on having her return to the Lopez Corporation was a setup¨Ca
chess move in his grand strategy. And sure enough, barely a day back and he was already itching to
introduce her to Langston, and then he would find out what was going on!
As Dorothy pieced this together, she reminded herself to tread carefully around this man. Traps could
lurk in the most innocuous of ces.
She hoped that when she did see Langston, nothing would give them away.
Deep down, though, she yearned to see her son, to know how he was doing.
¡°You don¡¯t seem surprised about my having a son, Everett suddenly said, breaking into her thoughts
Dorothy snapped back to the present, shrugged nonchntly, and said, ¡°Should I be? We¡¯ve been
divorced for over four years. You¡¯re a grown man, so remarrying and having kids is hardly unusual.¡±
¡°announced my marriage this year.¡±
¡°Oh, well then, congrattions!¡±
She had zero interest in prolonging this conversation.
And she certainly didn¡¯t want to dive into a chat about Everett¡¯s new bride, which would only remind her
of the bite marks she had seen on his shoulder!
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¡°I thought you¡¯d be curious about my marriage.¡±
With a practiced professional smile, Dorothy deflected, ¡°Mr. Lopez, we¡¯re here on business. This isn¡¯t
the time to discuss your wife, I still have a mountain of paperwork to get through. Let¡¯s meet the project
manager sooner, so I can get back to the office and finish my other work.
Everett didn¡¯t push her. With a slight nod, he continued driving towards Bay Residence.
Soon, they arrived outside his home.
Dorothy was all too familiar with the ce, having just been there a few days ago.
Everett got out first, then came around to open the car door for her.
Hesitating, Dorothy said, ¡°Do I really need toe in? If you¡¯ve arranged for your son to be taken care
of, can¡¯t we just head out?¡±
¡°Considering his nutritional needs, I prefer to cook myself. You haven¡¯t had lunch, right? Join us.¡±
Quickly, she waved him off, ¡°No, that¡¯s fine! You¡¯re married, I¡¯m married¨Cit¡¯s not appropriate for us to
have lunch together.¡±
¡°It¡¯s precisely because we¡¯re both married that there¡¯s nothing to be concerned about.¡±
Dorothy was speechless.
Everett had a way of making the odd sound reasonable, leaving her at a loss for aeback.
As she was debating whether to get out of the car or not, her phone inside her bag rang.
It was Keh calling!
The name ¡®Keh¡® wasrge enough for Everett to see.
Dorothy quickly got out of the car and walked to the side to answer the call.
¡°Hello¡ Yes, I¡¯m at work¡ No, I ljaven¡¯t forgotten, you¡¯ll pick me up after and we¡¯ll go together! Yes,
see you tonight!¡±
After hanging up, she looked up to find Everett¡¯s eyes fixed on her clearly displeased.
Hadn¡¯t he left?
Was he just standing there, eavesdropping on her call?
1/2
1571
Dorothy pursed her lips, preparing to confront him about his invasion of privacy, but Everett beat her to
it.
¡°Keh is picking you up after work tonight, right?¡±
¡°Yes,¡±
¡°What are you two up to this evening?¡±
He was like an interrogator grilling a suspect, his gaze sharp and ominous.
But she hadn¡¯t done anything wrong! Why was she being questioned like this?
¡°Mr. Lopez, do I need to report my after¨Chours activities to you? I already said it¡¯s after work, so it has
nothing to do with my job!¡±
¡°Dorothy!¡±
¡°So, Mr. Lopez, you can spend your evenings nibbling and biting whoever you please, and I¡¯m
supposed to devote myself solely to work?¡±
At the mention of biting, Everett¡¯s eyes abruptly stilled, then narrowed. ¡°You saw my shoulder?¡±
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¡°I¡ I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about!¡± Dorothy stammered, her gaze dorting away from
Everett¡¯s Intense scrutiny.
Everett leaned in, his handsome face inches away from hers. ¡°Then what exactly do you mean by
¡®nibbling and biting¡®?¡±
Trying to feignposure, Dorothy averted her eyes. ¡°Mr. Lopez, surely your marriage isn¡¯t a celibate
one. We¡¯re both adults here, so there¡¯s no need to y coy.¡±
¡°Heh.¡± Everett¡¯s gaze lingered, and suddenly, he let out a chuckle. ¡°You¡¯re blushing¡±
Dorothy was at a loss for words
Looking at the man before her, she felt as if she didn¡¯t recognize him anymore!
Since when had Everett be such a rogue?
¡°Come on, we¡¯ve already got out of the car. Let¡¯s go inside and grab a bite to eat.
Without waiting for her response, Everett walked off, leaving Dorothy no choice but to follow.
All she could hope for was that Langston wouldn¡¯t make it too obvious when he saw her.
As the front door swung open, the first thing Dorothy saw was Langston sprawled on the couch, fiddling
with hisptop. well aware that his ¡°lunch¡± had arrived. Shuffling in his slippers toward the entrance, he
was about to greet Everett when he caught sight of the two familiar figures.
Dorothy, spotting Langston, quickly shot him a warning nce.
Fortunately, Everett didn¡¯t linger in the hallway but strode straight to the kitchen, leaving Dorothy and
Langston a
moment alone.
But even then, Dorothy couldn¡¯t let her guard down.
¡°Hey there, kiddo.¡± She crouched down and shook Langston¡¯s hand as if they were meeting for the first
time.
Langston couldn¡¯t help but cringe at her act. It wasically awkward.
He nced towards the kitchen and sighed, ¡°Mom, you don¡¯t have to worry. We don¡¯t have any
cameras in here.¡±
Smart as he was, Langston knew exactly what Dorothy was concerned about.
¡°You sure? Dorothy raised an eyebrow, her eyes scanning the surroundings.
She feared that Everett might have installed cameras just to test her.
¡°Trust me, if there were cameras, I¡¯d know. Langston cocked his head, ¡°Are you here to take me away?
¡°No, Everett brought me here on purpose to test my rtionship with you.¡±
¡°Oh¡¡± Langston¡¯s eyes twinkled with a scheme. ¡°Then I¡¯ll just say I hate you and don¡¯t want you near
me. He won¡¯t bring you here again.¡±
Dorothy thought it over and nodded, ¡°Good idea!¡±
But after a second thought, something didn¡¯t sit right with her. ¡°Wait, you seem¡ really close to him!¡±
Since she had walked into the Bay Residence, Dorothy hadn¡¯t sensed any hint of the supposed
vengeance between Langston and Everett.
They seemed to get along quite well!
Everett had evene home at noon to cook for Langston. And Langston didn¡¯t seem surprised at all,
suggesting it wasn¡¯t a one¨Coff but a regr urrence.
Langston paused, then whispered sheepishly. ¡°His cooking is so good! He also teaches me about
computerworks! I¡¯ve decided to postpone my revenge.¡±
1001
Dorothy frowned in exasperation, ¡°Langston, do you have any idea how worried we¡¯ve been about
you?¡±
¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. Look, I¡¯m doing great here!¡±
Before Dorothy could say another word, Everett came out from the kitchen.
Caught off guard. Langston was the first to speak up. ¡°I don¡¯t like her! Can you just make her leave?¡±
Everett nced over, wiping his hands on a dish towel, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Langston, Auntie Dorothy
is just here for a
meal.¡±
¡°Well I don¡¯t want her here! If she stays, I¡¯m not eating!¡±
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Langston had a ir for the dramatic, and his disgruntled demeanor was so convincing it seemed he
might throw a tantrum at any second.
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Dorothy couldn¡¯tg behind when she saw Langston muster up his confidence like that, so she quickly
said, ¡°Mr. Lopez, I just wait outside for you, then! We wouldn¡¯t want to disappoint the little guy.¡±
She had expected Everett to show some sort of reaction, but he simply nodded. ¡°Sure.¡±
Dorothy stepped out of the Bay Residence, her mind racing with doubts about Everett¡¯s strange
demeanor, but she couldn¡¯t quite put her finger on what was off!
Wasn¡¯t the whole point of bringing her here to meet Langston to test her? Yet, he didn¡¯t seem to do
anything suspicious. In fact, he went straight to the kitchen to cook as soon as they got home!
What hidden trap had she failed to detect?
With a heart full of unease, Dorothy waited in the car for a while until she saw Everette out from
the house with a paper bag in hand.
Once in the car, he handed the bag to her.
¡°Got you some takeout.¡±
¡°It¡¯s okay I can skip a meal. I¡¯ll eat after work!¡±
Everett nced at her, his lips barely moving. ¡°You need to work overtime tonight. Triple pay.¡±
The mention of overtime had her protesting in an instant, ¡°I can¡¯t tonight; I¡¯ve got ns!¡±
Keh had finally secured her a meeting with Byte 7, and she couldn¡¯t miss it.
But Everett wasn¡¯t asking, he was informing
¡°Dorothy, it¡¯s a new project you¡¯ve just taken on, overtime is to be expected Be professional.¡±
¡°Can¡¯t it wait until tomorrow? Any time,te, whatever, just not today, I have ns with Keh¡¡±
¡°No.¡± His response was sharp, leaving no room for discussion.
Dorothy¡¯s brow furrowed, sensing that he was deliberately making things difficult for her.
Ever since the acquisition of East Star Enterprises, it seemed like he was set on getting back at her!
¡°Mr. Lopez, even if you want me to work overtime, you should at least consider your employee¡¯s
opinion. And with such short notice, I have the right to refuse.¡±
¡°You can certainly refuse. I have plenty of other ways to make him disappear from Eldoria City¡±
Everett delivered this threat with a gentlemanly poise that almost disguised its menacing undertone.
Dorothy, however, knew exactly what he meant and who he was referring to.
¡°Don¡¯t you dare touch Keh!¡±
Everett¡¯s gaze darkened in the rear¨Cview mirror
¡°On what grounds do you make that demand?¡±
Dorothy¡¯s mind raced for the right words, but she eventually realized she had to tear down the wall of
pretense between them.
¡°We¡¯ve both moved on with our lives/ What¡¯s the point of doing this?¡±
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Everett remained silent, just staring at her through the mirror,
After a long pause. Everett let out a barely audible sigh.
¡°Dorothy, I never married anyone else. All these years, I¡¯ve been waiting right here.¡±
He had tried many times to move on, to forget Dorothy, to let go of the past, but every time he tried, he
realized he couldn¡¯t do it.
15:21
He¡¯d rather be trapped in a hopeless wait than convince himself to move on.
Dorothy was astonished.
Maybe, had she heard these words earlier, she would have believed them without hesitation.
But after witnessing the ambiguous traces on him, she was skeptical.
He must have a
another woman!
The kind he shared a bed with, intimately!
So after a few seconds of shock, she let out augh, ¡°Mr. Lopez, it seems you have learned the art of
sweet¨Ctalking women with lies after all these years.¡±
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Everett furrowed his brows, tuming around to lock eyes with her, their gazes ensnaring each other in a
silent battle.
¡°I haven¡¯t lied to you¡±
His gaze was fiery,den with a sincerity that seemed to threaten to pull Dorothy into its depths entirely!
Now she regretted bringing up such matters with Everett. It was she who found herself unable to end
the conversation. Clearing her throat with feignedposure, Dorothy averted her eyes. ¡°Mr. Lopez,
let¡¯s stick to business, shall we?¡±
¡°Sure, business,¡± Everett responded. ¡°You¡¯re workingte today.¡±
¡°Everett¡¡±
Annoyance clenched at Dorothy¡¯s teeth, ¡°What exactly are you ying at? When we divorced, you said
that you hated me. What now? Has the mighty Mr. Lopez decided to go back on his word? After being
dumped by me once, are you really going to shamelessly chase after me again?¡±
Perhaps her words were too harsh, as Everett¡¯s handsome face paled slightly, a flicker of rationality
returning to his eyes.
He had been thrown off bnce by a call from Keh.
Hearing Dorothy speak so affectionately about Kehing to pick her up after work had sent a
surge of jealousy through his entire being, overwhelming all his thoughts!
Taking a deep breath, Everett turned back to his seat, his posture rigid.
In an instant, he seemed to revert to the Everett Dorothy knew ¨C aloof, reticent, and untouchable.
He didn¡¯t respond to Dorothy¡¯s questions, instead silently driving towards the meeting ce they had
arranged with their business partners.
Throughout the meeting, he acted very professionally. From negotiation to finalizing the deal, and even
when dropping Dorothy off at her office, he spared her not a single extra nce.
It was as though they had reverted to square one.
He was the CEO, and she was just a lowly assistant.
After spilling her heart out, Dorothy was naturally in turmoil.
She knew Everett wasn¡¯t a womanizer, that¡ perhaps it was just a physical craving. But even though
Everett hadn¡¯t remarried, nor loved another, did that mean the barriers between them had dissipated?
No.
Everett hadn¡¯t moved on because he didn¡¯t know that for all these years, her energy had been focused
on getting his mother in jail!
No, maybe not just his mother, but his father and everyone who had aided Heather!
She wouldn¡¯t let any of them off the hook.
Everett had promised Langston a visit to the hospital to see Jeffrey.
So once he wrapped up hispany affairs, he headed back to Bay Residence to pick him up.
Once in the car, Langston was engrossed in his phone, a jumble of code refreshing on the screen
every few seconds.
Everett knew this was undoubtedly a new virus concocted by his tech¨Csavvy so
son.
As they neared the hospital, Langston finally set aside his phone, leaning forward in the passenger
seat.
¡°Something¡¯s off! You¡¯re off!¡±
15.22
Everett spared him a nce, ¡°Hmm?¡±
¡°Why¡¯d you suddenly bring thatdy over today? You never bring anyone home.¡±
Langston had sensed something amiss too.
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If it was a test of some sort, why was Everett acting so nonchnt?
There was no follow¨Cup whatsoever!
¡°Langston, it¡¯s not the first time you¡¯ve met her, is it? Confronted so directly, Everett no longer yed
coy, ¡°You think your acting¡¯s good, don¡¯t you?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about!¡±
¡°Let¡¯s make it in then. I suspect Dorothy is your mother.¡±
Langston felt his heart stop! He instinctively denied it.
¡°That¡¯s not true!¡±
¡°Langston, she left me. I had no idea you existed.¡±
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Everett¡¯s voice camed a hint of defeat, a stark contrast to his usual assertive demeanor. Seeing him
this way. Langston couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of difort. After a moment¡¯s thought, he reached
out his small hand and gently wrapped his fingers around his.
Everett suddenly looked up, locking eyes with him
What did this gesture mean? It was an acknowledgment of the words he had just said.
As Everett began to speak, his throat tightened, his voice quivering with emotion. ¡°She¡ she¡¯s really
your mom, isn¡¯t she?¡±
Langston instinctively wanted to feign ignorance, but after spending these past days together, he knew
all too well that his so called acting skills were no match for Everett¡¯s sharp perception. The look of loss
in Everett¡¯s eyes, the sorrow in his words¨Cthey didn¡¯t seem feigned.
So after a few seconds of contemtion, Langston gave up the charade ¡°Just¡ promise me you won¡¯t
tell her I said anything.¡± Everett froze, even though he had suspected Dorothy all along, the
confirmation of the truth left him speechless with shock.
Dorothy had a child with him. No, not just one!
¡°You have a sister too, night? Is she my child as well?¡±
Langston nodded vigorously. ¡°Of course! Mom doesn¡¯t have a boyfriend! It¡¯s just that my sister doesn¡¯t
look as much like you¡±
¡°And Keh?¡±
¡°Keh is just a friend of Mom¡¯s. They hardly ever meet, blurted Langston, unaware of the gravity of
his wonds. Having said it all, he quickly added, ¡°You have to promise me, you absolutely cannot let my
mom know that I told you! She would be finous!¡±
Langston remembered his mother¡¯s repeated warnings to keep this secret
Seeing Everett still in a state of shock, Langston gave him a nudge. ¡°Don¡¯t rat me out You figured this
out on your own, not from me! Everett covered his heart with his hand, slowly nodding.
¡°Okay, I won¡¯t tell.¡±
¡°Jeez, when did I get on your side? Langston muttered, puzzled, but he seized the opportunity to make
a request. ¡°I helped you out today, so you gotta teach me virtual programming tonight! I want to know
how you set up the firewall for the Lopez Corporation!¡±
¡°Alright¡ alright¡ I teach you Everett agreed, nodding slightly, trying to maintainposure in front of
his son.
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But the hand that remained over his heart betrayed his current state of excitement, disbelief, and
overwhelming shock.
It had been so long since he had felt this way, his mind aplete nk.
Everett even had to pull over to the side of the road, his trembling hands unable to control the steering
wheel any longer.
It was true. His suspicions were confirmed
Dorothy, so adamant about the divorce, had given birth to two children after they parted ways!
She certainly didn¡¯t love Keh. She had lied to him!
But why?
Why did she make that choice?
Back then, he had truly believed Dorothy wanted to be with Keh. He agreed to the divorce simply
to make her happy.
But now, it seemed the story of their past was far moreplicated than a simple love triangle.
It took him a while topose himself before he called Kevin, ¡°Look into the real reason behind
Dorothy¡¯s mother¡¯s death, and focus on Heather¡±
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Ever since he found out about Dorothy¡¯s mother¡¯s death, he hadn¡¯t dug any deeper, believing that
Dorothy and Keh were the golden couple, living their picture perfect life. He felt like an outsider, an
intruder, and he was sure that butting in would only make Dorothy despise him!
At the time, he truly wanted to move to start afresh, and to say a final goodbye to what was
With that in mind. Everett didn¡¯t order any further investigation.
But boy, had he been wrong, spectacrly wrong!
He had taken 99 steps towards Dorothy, only to halt at the veryst one!
Meanwhile, Darothy, oblivious to all this, was busypiling her reports, her mind set on meeting with
Keh after work to track down the clusive cyber wizard known as Byte
uldn¡¯t mis
After all, snagging a meeting with this shadowy hacker was a chance she wouldn¡¯t miss.
Even if Everett docked her a month¡¯s pay, it wouldn¡¯t matter, she had to go today.
Four long years!
She had scrimped and saved, begged and pleaded to get in touch with Byte 7, and now, four years
later, she was on the brink of unraveling the truth behind her mother¡¯s death. She knew she had just
one shot at this and there was no mom for error. She couldn¡¯t afford to give Heather or Everett¡¯s
parents a moment¡¯s respite.
If they caught a whiff of her n, destroying the evidence or silencing her for good would be all too
easy
She had gone through hell and high water to retheve that formatted surveince hard drive!
It was the only lead that might reveal the identity of the killer.
On this matter, she couldn¡¯t even trust Everett.
The minutes ticked by until it was finally time to clock out
Fearing Everett might try to stop her, Dorothy didn¡¯t waste a second. She grabbed her purse and left
the office.
Keh was already waiting downstairs. He rolled down his window and waved frantically at her as
she approached.
Clutching the purse that held the hard drive, she quickened her pace.
But suddenly, a strong force gripped her shoulder from behind, rooting her to the spot!
Keh, who had been in the car, saw who it was and his face went pale.
was Everett.
That familiar presence ¨C Dorothy didn¡¯t even need to turn around to know who stood behind her.
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Panic surged through her with the fear of losing the hard drive.
¡°You¡¯re working overtime today. You can¡¯t leave. Everett¡¯s voice boomed from above.
Dorothy tilted her head back to meet his deep eyes.
¡°I already told you, I can¡¯t workte tonight.¡±
¡°Then you¡¯re not leaving with him either Everett¡¯s tone was unusuallymanding, brooking no
dissent.
Dorothy struggled, but she couldn¡¯t break free from his grip..
¡°I have the right to choose who I spend my time with after hours!¡±
Across the street, Keh had gotten out of the car and started heading their way.
Just as Dorothy was about tosh out, Everett¡¯s hands suddenly cradled her face, and his lips crashed
down on hers!
The kiss was intense from the start, devoid of any tenderness, his hot tongue wildly iming her, as if
trying to steal away all her breath
It was less of a kiss and more of a punishment.
It was unclear whether it was meant to punish her or himself.
Dorothy was stunned for only a second before she began to push him away with all her might, but to no
avail. Everett¡¯s towering and mu?cr frame was unmoved by her feeble offoris.
¡°Mmmh¡ Mmm! Everett, stop¡!¡±
When her attempts to fight proved futile, she bit down hard on his lip in desperation.
Soon, the taste of blood filled her mouth.
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Despite her reservations, Dorothy couldn¡¯t bring herself to bite again after tasting blood. She was left
struggling, not having the heart to bite again.
It wasn¡¯t until Keh strode over from across the way and punched Everett¡¯s shoulder that the two
were finally separated!
Everett staggered back a few steps, while Keh, his face flushed with rage, was ready to punch him
again,pletely devoid of
reason!
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Seeing this, Dorothy quickly intervened.
¡°Keh, stop! Dont hit him!¡±
Keh managed to halt his fist in time, looking up at Dorothy.
Her lips were flushed red after the kiss, with faint traces of blood still visible, evidence of Everett¡¯s
intense passion!
It was clear that this had been a show for Keh.
¡°Dorothy, he¡¯s bullying you!¡±
¡°No, that¡¯s not it! Keh, please go back to the car, I¡¯lle to you in a bit!¡±
Dorothy certainly didn¡¯t want the two men toe to blows! After all, Keh was no match for
Everett. Whether it strength or social standing.
¡°Dorothy!¡±
Keh, frustrated, nced towards Everett who was not too far away.
I was physical
Everett, his long fingers wiping the blood from his lips, locked eyes with him, his gaze def ant and
thumphant, like a victor assured of his win!
¡°Keh, let me handle this, okay? We¡¯ve got our appointment with Byte 7 today. We can¡¯t miss out on
important stuff! We¡¯ll talk about thister!¡±
Dorothy dreaded the thought of their meeting being dyed because of this confrontation, and she
feared that Everett might harm Keh
After all, this was in front of the Lopez Building in Eldoria City, Everett¡¯s domain.
Keh was grinding his teeth in anger, but ultimately, he could do nothing but tum around and storm
back to his car.
However, he didn¡¯t leave; the car remained parked there.
Once she confirmed Keh was gone, Dorothy turned back to Everett, frowning in disapproval.
¡°What are you trying to do? This is harassment!¡±
¡°Why don¡¯t you call the cops then, have me arrested.¡± Everett¡¯s lips, broken by Dorothy¡¯s bite,
continued to bleed, and with a cocky tilt of his mouth matched with a neatly tailored suit, he looked
every part of the unhinged CEO.
Dorothy was speechless; even now, he was still smiling!
¡°You really think I won¡¯t?¡±
¡°Yeah, you won¡¯t.¡± Everett¡¯s tone was certain, his eyes never leaving her face.
Faced with Everett¡¯s shamelessness, Dorothy felt both unfamiliar and helpless. In the end, she could
only resort to herst¨Cditch threats, which had worked earlier in the day to free herself. ¡°Mr. Lopez,
don¡¯t tell me you think this will make me worry about you. I urged Keh to leave because I was
afraid you¡¯d hurt him, not because¡..¡±
¡°If you didn¡¯t care, why didn¡¯t you let Keh continue?¡± Everett cut her off and started closing the
distance with long strides,ering her. ¡°Dorothy, you couldn¡¯t even bring yourself to bite me a second
time!¡±
Her deepest feelings were exposed, and her face stiffened
¡°Dorothy.¡± Everett closed the gap quickly, backing Dorothy into a lighter, forcing her to look at him.
¡°Tell me what really happened back then. I want to know the truth.¡±
Dorothy didn¡¯t want to look at him, because in front of Everell, it seemed all her emotions were
impossible to hide!
But Everett lifted his hand, holding her chin firmly, refusing to let her look away.
¡°Dorothy, tell me, whatever it is, we¡¯ll face it together.¡±
He had said those words before.
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Dorothy remembered thest time she heard Everett speak with such tenderness; it was because Be
insisted on taking her boyfriend to the hospital.
Back then, his tone was just like it is now¨Cgentle, affectionate, as if he wished he could drown her in his
love.
Unfortunately, she hadn¡¯t believed in his derations of love back then.
As for the second time, she couldn¡¯t even trust that he would betray his own kin.
¡°Everett, you wouldn¡¯t want to know the truth.¡±
¡°No, I do.¡± Everett cradled her face as if holding a precious gem, his gaze resolute, ¡°Dorothy, tell me.¡±
He was tired of being pushed away whenever trouble brewed, of having to investigate on his own. He
wanted to be Dorothy¡¯s rock, to have her confide in him, share her grievances, bitterness, and rage,
and then face it all together.
As Dorothy¡¯s mind raced through countless possibilities, she suddenly snapped back to reality and
shoved Everett hard.
¡°The truth is I despise you, and I despise your entire family, I want you to stay away from me! I¡¯ve fallen
for Keh and..¡±
Her words were cut off as Everett¡¯s kiss swallowed the rest of her sentence.
But this kiss wasn¡¯t as fierce as thest
Once Everett breached her defenses, his tongue began to gently draw out the sweetness of her,
carefully tracing every contour of her mouth.
Today¡¯s Everett was extraordinarily off¨Ckilter, Dorothy didn¡¯t know what he had gone through.
After a few fut le attempts to break free, she pped Everett across the face.
A red mark instantly appeared on his handsome cheek.
¡°Have
you
lost your mind?
¡°Yes, Ive gone mad¡± Even he didn¡¯t understand what he was doing.
He hadn¡¯t just lost it today: he¡¯d been mad since the day they divorced. Otherwise, how could he be
compelled to obsessively track down news about her, repeatedly urging himself to let go of the past, to
release Dorothy from his thoughts? Yet, at the slightest rustle, his heart would resurrect, impossible to
extinguish.
Dorothy¡¯s name was etched into his DNA, unalterable.
How could Everett not feel shame? He had always been the golden boy, the focal point of adoration
wherever he went!
Confronted with her indifference and the harsh words that fell from her lips time and time again, he felt
hurt and difort. Yet, he found himself drawn to her like a moth to a me
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
Heaven knows how ted he was when he confirmed that Langston was the child Dorothy had borne
for him.
He wanted to confront her immediately, demand to know why she¡¯d been so cruel as to keep it from
him, why she lied!
But he said nothing, choosing instead to continue the charade with Dorothy.
Now that he had maneuvered her back into his life, he couldn¡¯t let her slip away again.
¡°Let me go, I have to leave!¡± Dorothy didn¡¯t want to tangle with him anymore; she had more pressing
matters today.
But after just a few steps, Everett¡¯s icy voice reached her from behind.
¡°I¡¯ve already invited the person you were nning to meet with Keh for a chat.¡±
Dorothy froze, then slowly turned around, ¡°You¡¯ve been investigating Keh?¡±
¡°Indeed.¡± Everett admitted without hesitation
If he could ruthlessly deal with a Lane, what made Keh any different?
¡°Everett, I need to see Byte 71 It¡¯s vitally important!¡± Dorothy wouldn¡¯t let go of even a sliver of hope.
¡°If I¡¯m in a good mood, maybe ill consider letting you meet him.¡±
Dorothy clenched her teeth, ¡°And what will put you in a good mood?¡±
¡°Come back to Bay Residence with me.¡±
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The phrase was so eas ly misconstrued, it was almostical.
Dorothy¡¯s eyes suddenly filled with caution, and Everett¡¯s voice softened, shedding his wild persona
and reverting back to his usual Suave self.
¡°Just for dinner.¡±
¡°And you¡¯ll take me to see Byte 7 after?¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
Dorothy didn¡¯t have much of a choice at this point.
She crossed the street and approached Keh¡¯s car, tapping lightly on the window.
Before she could speak, Keh blurted out in panic, ¡°Dorothy, I can¡¯t get a hold of Byle 7 anymore!¡±
¡°Everett look him.¡±
¡°Then Ill go find Everett!¡±
Dorothy quickly intervened, ¡°He¡¯s on edge right now; don¡¯t provoke him! Going head to head with
Everett is not a smart move. You should head back for now, and I handle him,¡±
¡°Are you asking me to leave you alone with Everett? Just a moment ago, he was..
¡°Keh, I¡¯m so close to the truth! I can¡¯t afford any mishaps
¡°But if Everett discovers the true reason behind your search for Byte 7, he might intercept any
evidence! Are you counting on him choosing you over his parents?¡±
Of course not.
Even Dorothy understood Everett would protect his parents first and foremost. His mother was
seriously ill; sending her to prison would be like a death sentence.
¡°That¡¯s why I need to cate Everett, to find a chance to contact Byte 7 alone, out of his watchful eye! I
fear we might never get this opportunity again.¡±
Her rationale was always persuasive, leaving Keh at a loss for words.
¡°Dorothy, I¡¯m worried he might force you!¡±
¡°He said it¡¯s just to have dinner with him.¡±
¡°Do you believe him?¡±
Dorothy nodded, ¡°I do. He¡¯s never lied to me.¡±
As Keh¡¯s car drove away and out of sight, Dorothy turned back around,
Everett was still there, waiting, but now with a lit cigarette in his hand.
The p mark on his face had faded somewhat, and the blood on his lips had clotted. His usually
immacte hair was slightly disheveled, a departure from his cool, aloof Mr. Lopez persona.
Everett had taken off his suit jacket, casually draping it over his arm. Even in this somewhat ragged
state, he carried the air of a privileged aristocrat.
His gaze had never left Dorothy, tracking her as
king her as she walked to Keh¡¯s car and back again. His lips curved slightly, reopening the fresh
wound, and blood seeped out once more.
¡°Ler¡¯s go.¡± Dorothy kept her head down, trying not to let him read her thoughts, but after a few steps,
she couldn¡¯t resist pulling out a tissue from her bag and offering it to him. ¡°Wipe it off.¡±
Everett chuckled, casually wiping his lip with his finger, ¡°No need. I was hoping you¡¯d bite harder.¡±
He wished the wound wouldst a bit longer, savoring the memory of today¡¯s kiss.
¡°Are you sick or something?¡±
His eyes lowered, ¡°Perhaps I do need to see a doctor¡±
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
He was afflicted with a severe case of lovesickness.
Dorothy was at a loss for words, ¡°Everett, don¡¯t think ying the martyr will stop me from holding you
ountable! If you try anything¡¡¡ with me again, I bite you just as hard¡±
Everett paused with the cigarette dangling from his hand and looked up. His captivating gaze appeared
almost as if it intended to swallow her whole.
¡°Really?¡±
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¡°Everett, cut the crap!¡±
The man on the receiving end of the scolding just shrugged nonchntly, pinching out thest embers
of his cigarette.
¡°I¡¯m just weighing my options here, seeing if a peck on the cheek is worth getting bitten.¡±
N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.
Dorothy pretended she hadn¡¯t heard his sphemous remark and kept her gaze fixed firmly on the
pavement ahead.
But Everett had a dead¨Cserious look on his face, as if he were negotiating the finer points of a business
deal. Is there a limit to the number of kisses per day?¡±
Dorothy struggled for a response.
She was convinced that Everett was possessed or something
The news of Dorothy returning to work at Lopez Corporation spread quickly, reaching Heather¡¯s ears as
she clocked out from the legal department
Heather was rooted to the spot, her mind racing. As soon as she heard the news, she knew that
Everett never had a new bride; there was only ever Dorothy, his lingering old me!
She hadn¡¯t even sorted things out with Jeffrey, and now there was a newplication.
In the midst of her irritation, her phone suddenly rang.
A strange number shed on the screen.
Heather was tempted to ignore it, but worried it might be critical information from the other side,
unsuitable for the regr contact number
Moreover as it was her personal phone and outside of working hours, she didn¡¯t think it would be
uneptable to answer the call.
Hesitating for a moment, she finally pressed the answer button.
A male voice came from the other end, ¡°Is this Heather Garcia?¡±
¡°Yes, it¡¯s me. Who is this?
¡°My name is Lane, from East Star Enterprises.¡±
Heather¡¯s brow furrowed in annoyance. She didn¡¯t know the man, but she was familiar with East Star
Enterprises¨Cthat was thepany Dorothy worked at! Everett suddenly wanting to buy it out was
undoubtedly for that wornan,
¡°How did you get my number? And what do you want?¡±
She had to be cautious; her position was precaricus, and for all she knew this caller could be
investigating her.
¡°Of course, I¡¯ve got a proposition! Do you have time for a face¨Cto¨Cface meeting?¡±
¡°Sorry, I¡¯m not avable for a meeting in person. Let¡¯s talk over the phone.¡±
¡°I got your number from Jeffrey¡¯s phone! There¡¯s no need to question my motives; it¡¯s just to discuss
some coborative matters with you!¡± Lane chuckled lightly on the other end. ¡°Maybe I didn¡¯t exin
myself properly¡ Well, I¡¯m interested in Dorothy. I want to win her
over.¡±
Heather was taken aback, her grip tightening on the phone, ¡°And what does that have to do with me?¡±
¡°If Everett reconciles with Dorothy, I¡¯d be left out in the cold, wouldn¡¯t I? And I¡¯m sure you wouldn¡¯t want
to see that happen either.
Of course, she wouldn¡¯t want tol
But she couldn¡¯t reveal it to anyone else.
I¡¯m a friend of Everett¡¯s. If he¡¯s happy with Dorothy, why wouldn¡¯t I want to see that?¡±
¡°Ms. Garcia, let¡¯s just be frank! In a way, we¡¯re on the same side. I want Dorothy, and you want Everell.
We could work together,¡± Lane paused, then continued, ¡°You don¡¯t have to pretend with me. I¡¯m sure
you understand the nature of Everett and Dorothy¡¯s rtionship better than anyone. Without you, it
would be quite difficult for me to split them up, and without me, you¡¯d also have a hard time.¡±
Heatherughed, maintaining her facade, ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about.¡±
¡°Dorothy had a daughter for him after their divorce! Just imagine what would happen if Everett found
out¡±
¡°What?! Dorothy had a child with Everett!
¡°I can show you pictures of the child, but I think we need to meet face¨Cto¨Cface. What do you say?¡±
¡°Send me the location.¡±
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Dorothy followed behind Everett, entering his car with the assumption that he was going to the
restaurant for takeout. To her surprise, he headed straight to the local grocery store.
As the car came to a halt, he hopped out, swiftly opening the rear door.
¡°Come on.¡±
¡°I¡¯d rather not. Either you go shop, or you tell me what to get, and §±l go myself Dorothy protested,
reluctant to be seen with him in public outside of work.
1
Being recognized or caught by the paparazzi would be a nightmare. She was no celebrity, but Everett
certainly was!
¡°I can¡¯t carry it all by myself, and don¡¯t worry, there won¡¯t be any sneaky cameras here¡± Everett said as
if he could read her mind!
With that, Dorothy reluctantly got out of the car.
Once inside the supermarket. Everett grabbed a shopping cart and led the way
Dorothy watched his figure from behind, her heart filled with a bittersweet feeling.
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
If it weren¡¯t for all that had happened, they could have been the perfect loving couple, with Everett
being an exemry husband.
By day, he was a titan of the business world at the helm of Lopez Corporation, every decision weighed
with precision, ir fluencing not just thepany but the future of the entire industry.
But after hours, here he was, sleeves rolled up, pushing a shopping cart along the supermarket aisles,
bending down to carefully select fruits and vegetables, disarmingly gentle.
If only if could change reality.
¡°Hey there, could you please prep this fish for me?¡± Everett paused, indicating the freshly weighed fish
to the seafood counter attendant
After giving the instructions, he nced sideways at Dorothy, who was still lost in thought, and his lips
curved into a slight smile.
¡°Langston adores this, never leaves any behind.¡±
Dorothy didn¡¯t know what to say.
¡°If you have any favorites, feel free to let me know.¡± Everett said, his gaze fixed on her face, causing
Dorothy¡¯s cheeks to burn.
She just wanted to escape the range of his gaze. The farther away from him, the better!
¡°No, I¡¯m not picky about food.¡±
As long as she could see Byte 7 after dinner!
While they were talking, her phone rang. It was Keh, obviously worried about her.
Of course, Everett noticed the caller ID, and his eyes immediately veiled with a cold intensity, despite
being well aware that there was nothing between Dorothy and Keh.
¡°Hello. Yeah, I¡¯m fine! You should head to bed early, I¡¯ll talk to you tomorrow. Okay- yeah, bye.¡±
Dorothy kept pace with Everett as she spoke on the phone, and after hanging up, she realized her
hand had somehow found its way into Everett¡¯s!
Their linked hands had attracted curious nces from the people around them.
Instinctively. Dorothy tried to pull away.
But Everett Lightened his grip, his handsome face turning to her with a senious tone. ¡°I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll
lose your way.¡±
¡°Let go of me
¡°Dorothy, if you happen to get lost here, I won¡¯t have time to search the entire store for you, so be
good.¡±
She wasn¡¯t buying his pretense of a reason, struggling subtly against his hold.
But the more Dorothy struggled, the tighter Everett¡¯s grip became
¡°You said we were just having dinner¡±
His eyes bore into hers, ¡°What have I done? I just don¡¯t want to waste time looking for you if we get
separated.¡±
Dorothy was astounded by his ability to lie so convincingly!
¡°You¡±
¡°Your hand is cold. You haven¡¯t been taking good care of yourself over these years,¡± he observed.
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N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.
Everett couldn¡¯t bring himself to think too deeply about the years Dorothy had spent raising their two
kids alone. It must have been a Herculean task.
¡°I¡¯m fine. My hands are cold because you¡¯ve infuriated me.¡±
If he could spew nonsense, so could shel
Everett just chuckled. As long as he could hold her hand again, she could say whatever she wanted
After finally finishing their grocery shopping and stepping out of the supermarket, Dorothy swiftly
withdrew her hand and hopped into the backseat of the car.
She was determined to avoid any excuse for Everett to have her sit shotgun!
Once everything was stowed away. Everett got into the car withoutment on her choice of seats
and drove off toward Bay Residence
Langston had been waiting for ages, almost ready to sit at the dining table with knife and fork in hand!
Atst, the sound of the door code being entered echoed, and he dashed to the entrance, ¡°You¡¯re
finally back huh?¡±
Langston paused as he saw not only Everett but Dorothy too.
The three of them stood in the foyer, silent, each lost in their own thoughts.
Everett was the first to break the silence with a smile, tousting his son¡¯s hair. ¡°I¡¯m off to cook. Langston,
be a good host to our guest, will you?¡±
Langston gave an awkward thumbs¨Cup.
Only after Everett disappeared into the kitchen did Dorothy pull her son aside and whispered urgently.
¡°Did you tell him something?¡±
¡°No, nothing!¡±
¡°Then why did he invite me here after our fake fightst time? Dorothy was no fool; she sensed
something was up.
Langston licked his lips, and suddenly, a spark of insight dawned upon him.
¡°That¡¯s right! After you leftst time, he gave me a lecture! He said you were his favorite person, urging
me to get along with you!¡±
Dorothy was dumbfounded..
¡°Mom, just sit for a bit! Ill go help in the kitchen!¡±
With that, Langston darted off.
He dared not stay any longer, a few more questions and he¡¯d surely spill the beans.
Sneaking into the kitchen, Langston made sure to close the door behind him, his toneced with
comint. ¡°Why¡¯d you bring my mom here again? Now she¡¯s suspecting that I told you something?
¡°Don¡¯t worry. Just deny everything, and she can¡¯t pin anything on you¡±
Langston pouted, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say kids shouldn¡¯t lie all the time?¡±
Everett dried his hands and lifted his son into a hug.
¡°If I don¡¯t bring her back, she¡¯ll end up with your Uncle Keh!
How could he allow that?
It was no secret that Keh had his sights set on Dorothy
Langston pondered for a moment before it clicked, ¡°Oh I get it! Keh is your rival, right? You¡¯re
afraid hell steal Mom away, and then you¡¯ll have no wife!¡±
¡°My boy¡¯s the smartest Everett¡¯s lips curled up, liking the sound of the word wife. ¡°Langston, do you
know where your sister is now?¡±
¡°No clue. Ive been abroad all this time. Aunt Karen¡¯s been looking after her. Mom said we look too
much alike, and she was afraid someone would take me, so she didn¡¯t let me stay in the country¡±
¡°Do you miss your sister?¡±
¡°Of course!¡± Langston¡¯s enthusiasm bubbled over at the mention of his sister, ¡°She¡¯s a bit like Mom,
kinda ditzy, but super cute! And she loves sweets!
Everett¡¯s mind shed to the little girl he had encountered in Everglow City. The resemnce was
sudden and startling
Layes sweets?
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She was a real sweet tooth, her plump cheeks reminiscent of freshly baked dinner rolls, framing a pair
of big, sparkling eyes.
¡°Staying with your Aunt Karen, huh¡¡± Everett¡¯s voice sank, speaking more to himself than anyone
else, ¡°You¡¯ll see her soon.¡±
The first time Heatherid eyes on Lane, she was struck with a moment of stunned silence, quickly
followed by a surge of jealousy.
Why did all the men around Dorothy have to be so outstanding?
On her way over, she had done her homework on Lane. Although his background and assets couldn¡¯t
touch Everett¡¯s, he was still considered a rising star, with a chiseled face of mixed heritage, a tall and
slender frame, and a resume that was nothing short of impressive
And there she was, having hit the books hard for over a decade, striving for perfection in everything,
confident that in both appearance and capability she was no less than Dorothy. So why wasn¡¯t there a
man out there scheming to court her?
¡°Ms. Garcia, pleasure to meet you.¡±
Lane had secured a private booth, and even booked the surrounding areas just to ensure their
conversation remained confidential.
As Heather took her seat, she offered a polite smile, ¡°Hello.¡±
¡°I¡¯ve heard about Mr. Lopez¡¯s chief legal eagle, tirelessly dedicating herself to the Lopez Corporation. I
never imagined fd have the honor of meeting you today.¡±
¡°There¡¯s no need for all that ttery. We both know why we¡¯re here. Just get to the point,¡± Heather said,
her mind cluttered with a myriad of issues, leaving no room for small talk,
Lane smiled, pulled out his phone, and showed her a photo.
¡°This is Dorothy¡¯s daughter. She visited the office once, and one of my employees snapped this picture
without her knowing.¡±
Heather took the phone and examined the photo closely. Indeed, the girl had Dorothy¡¯s features, and
there was a hint of Everett in her eyes as well.
¡°I want this picture.¡±
¡°That¡¯s not possible,¡± Lane replied. He came to propose a partnership, not to make charitable
donations. ¡°The condition of our coboration is that you do not harm Dorothy or her daughter.¡±
His intention might have been to snatch Dorothy from Everett, but certainly not at the cast of hurting
her.
Heather bristled at his protective stance towards Dorothy
¡°So how do we coborate? To split them up, there has to be a party that gets hurt! If you¡¯re nning to
harm Everett, I won¡¯t stand for
¡°Ms. Garcia, our aim is to separate them, not to push either to their demise! It seems you¡¯re the one
considering extremes, Lane observed Heather¡¯s malice towards Dorothy. ¡°Once they part ways, you¡¯ll
have Everett, and whisk Dorothy and her daughter away. From then on, shell be mine, and Ill certainly
have to protect her just as you¡¯re defending Everett now¡±
Heather scoffed, ¡°Do you know who Dorothy really is? She never should havee into this world! Her
mother was a homewrecker, and she¡¯s following in her footsteps, trying to seduce Everett!¡±
Lane straightened up, his thick brows furrowing slightly.
¡°I have the ability to judge Dorothy¡¯s character for myself. I don¡¯t need your concem in that regard. I
came here today to discuss a potential partnership and showed a photo of her daughter as a gesture of
goodwill. However, if your intention is solely to speak ill of Dorothy, then this meeting serves no
purpose,¡± he said, beginning to rise from his seal.
Heather clenched her fists, gritting her teeth. ¡°Do you genuinely like her that much? Even after she
caused you to lose East Star Enterprises and offended the Lopez Corporation, you¡¯re not angry?¡±
¡°I was raised abroad, where the importance of a good life partner surpasses all wealth and fame. To
me, Dorothy is the ideal choice.¡±Original from N?velDrama.Org.
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Lane wasn¡¯t one to dwell on Dorothy¡¯s past.
As long as her future was with him, that¡¯s all that mattered!
As for Heather¡¯s remark about Dorothy¡¯s mother being the other woman, whether it was true or false
held no significance for Lane. He wouldn¡¯t even bother to investigate.
He had known Dorothy for more than a hot minute, dating back to her first day at East Star Enterprises.
Witnessing her ascent through the ranks, he observed her tenacious defense of projects time and time
again. It was her resilience and perseverance that Lane truly valued.
¡°Do you truly not mind that she¡¯s had another man¡¯s kids?¡± Heather asked.
¡°Of course, it bothers me, but I don¡¯t care. It¡¯s all in the past, and she hadn¡¯t met me back then, right?
What¡¯s important is that she belongs to me now.¡±
N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.
The more Lane spoke like this, the more Heather seethed with anger,
In Heather¡¯s eyes, Dorothy didn¡¯t deserve Lane! That woman should have met her demise alongside
her mother! If it weren¡¯t for them, how could her own mother have been the talk of the town, shamed for
years?
But then it struck her
If Lane could assist in breaking them up now, it might not be a bad idea! After all Everett¡¯s mother had
already nned to make Dorothy disappear for good. Whether Dorothy could be protected was Lane¡¯s
problem! And if Dorthy were to die, it wouldn¡¯t be considered a breach of their agreement, right?
¡°I can see that you are truly in love with Dorothy, just as I am with Everett! Shall we talk business then?
Her sudden change of attitude raised Lane¡¯s eyebrows..
¡°You have to promise me you won¡¯t hurt Dorothy
¡°Don¡¯t worry. If I wanted to hurt her how would she still be living sofortably after all these years? If
she hadn¡¯t reappeared in Everett¡¯s life, I wouldn¡¯t have anything to do with her Heather exined with a
sigh. ¡°It¡¯s a twisted fate. If I had stayed by Everett¡¯s side, he never would¡¯ve used Dorothy as my stand¨C
in, and none of what followed would have happened.¡±
Lane nced at Heather¡¯s face.
True, she bore some resemnce to Dorothy. But Dorothy was serene and gentle, while Heather
seemed to carry an underlying sharpness, a hidden malice that she couldn¡¯t conceal no matter how
hard she tried
¡°I¡¯m not interested in your history with Everett, but if you hurt Dorothy, I won¡¯t let you off the hook
either.¡±
Heather shrugged nonchntly and smiled, ¡®Deal! I promise you¡±
Everett had cooked up a storm, a table full of dishes that were a feast for the senses.
Langston had been staying with him for a while and had probably put on a good few pounds!
¡°Take it easy, you¡¯ll have trouble digesting if you eat too quickly at night Everett would always say,
meticulously picking out the bones from the fish before serving it to Langston.
Dorothy felt at ease with her son being with Everett. If it weren¡¯t for the threats from the Lopez family,
she knew just how caring Everett
could be
Holding her bowl, Dorothy watched as Langston gobbled up the meat Everett had served him, smiling
up at him repeatedly. The sight. twisted her heart with an increasing ache
*Excuse me, I need to use the restroom¡±
She couldn¡¯t bear it any longer, her eyes were already showing hints of redness. She stood up and left,
hoping topose herself without letting Everett notice anything amiss.
No sooner had Dorothy left than Everett instinctively thought to follow and check on her, but Langston
tugged at his shirt first.
¡°Are you nning to have Mommy stay over tonight?¡±
Everett paused in surprise. ¡°You have a n?¡±
¡°Sure do! But you have to let me into the Lopez Corporation¡¯s CEO¡¯s back end just oncel¡±
Everett nodded without hesitation, ¡°It¡¯s a deal¡±
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Langston eyed him suspiciously. ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid that I might ess the back¨Cend, erase your data,
and throw the Lopez Corporation into chaos?¡±
Getting into the CEO¡¯s back¨Cend was like getting the keys to the kingdom. All the important files and
top¨Csecret data wereid out clear as day.
Everett¡¯s crisp and maic voice chuckled, ¡°Go ahead, delete away. It¡¯s all going to be yours anyway¡±
¡°What?¡± Langston¡¯s mind raced to a TV drama he had seen recently, and he smirked, ¡°Just wait until
you¡¯ve got a new wife and kids. You won¡¯t be saying that then!¡±
Everett smiled indulgently, tousling his son¡¯s hair.
¡°ill only ever have your mom as my wife. Or else, I¡¯ll end up a lonely old man.¡±
Looking at his bright and adorable son, Everett felt he shouldn¡¯t be too greedy. The idea of having a
pair of children with Dorothy was something he hadn¡¯t allowed himself to dream of in the four years
since his divorce.
The more he had, the more he feared it was all just a pipe dream.
Dorothy emerged from the restroom to find the father and son, sharing one beaming smile,ughing
heartily
When was thest time she had seen Langston genuinely smile?
Ever since he had started to look more and more like Everett, and she had sent him abroad, their
meetings had been few and far between. Now, with his dad, his happiness was tangible, even his
This was the innocence a child deserved to have.
N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.
If it weren¡¯t for Everett¡¯s presence, she would have loved to capture her son¡¯s smiling face on her
phone.
¡°Feeling alright?¡± Everett noticed her first and rose to join her,
Tm fine.¡± Dorothy sat back down, ncing at him, Tm almost done here. Can I see him now?¡±
¡°Sure, 111 drive you over tomorrow morning.¡± His word was his bond.
Dorothy didn¡¯t object. It waste, and an evening visit wouldn¡¯t be appropriate.
¡°Then I¡¯ll be on my way.¡±
As she stood to leave, Langston clutched his stomach and groaned, ¡°Ouch. My stomach suddenly
hurts so much!¡±
Dorothy had never seen her son like this and, in her panic, almost forgot to hide her concem from
Everett. She quickly turned back to Langston¡¯s side.
¡°Where does it hurt? Let me see!¡±
Langston looked up with a pitiful expression, ¡°I think it¡¯s because I sneakily drank a cold soda today.
Ms. Sanchez, can you rub my tummy?¡±
Dorothy instinctively reached out, then caught herself with Everett still nearby.
Was she too anxious for just an ¡°Ms. Sanchez¡°?
¡°Uh, why don¡¯t you ask your dad to do it?¡±
Everett, taken aback, caught Langston¡¯s cue and spoke with feigned difficulty. ¡°But I¡¯ve got a video call
starting soon, Dorothy. Could you look after my boy for a bit?¡±
Dorothy, already reluctant to leave her son, eagerly agreed upon finding an easy out, though she
feigned reluctance for appearance¡¯s sake.
Is that okay? The boy doesn¡¯t really like me much¡±
¡°Just for a little while, I take over after my call.¡±
¡°Alright then, I¡¯ll do you this favor! But make it quick¡±
Dorothy stood up, lifted her son into her arms, and walked toward his bedroom.
Langston wrapped his arms around his mom¡¯s neck, sneakily grinning and winking at Everett as they
left.
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Everett watched as they entered the bedroom, feeling a wave of tranquility wash over his heart.
His Bay Residence was once more graced with itsdy of the house.
After tidying up the dining room table. Everett retreated to his own bedroom and noticed several missed
calls from Kevin.
A nce towards Langston¡¯s room prompted him to walk over to the floor to ceiling window. He
cracked it open for a breath of fresh air before retuming Kevin¡¯s call.
¡°Mr. Lopez, regarding the death of Ms. Sanchez¡¯s mother, we¡¯ve been hitting dead er ds,¡± Kevin
sounded defeated. ¡°All potential evidence has been destroyed¨Cmedical records, hospital footage, and
even the bodyguards stationed at her mother¡¯s door have passed away under suspicious illnesses.¡±
Everett¡¯s fingers clenched, the knuckles stark white against his skin..
¡°It seems they were anticipating my investigation,¡±
¡°There is¡ another way we could find out the cause of Ms. Sanchez¡¯s mother¡¯s deally Kenn said
hesitantly.
But before he could borate, Everett dismissed the idea outright
¡°If Dorothy found out I exhumed her mother¡¯s remains, she¡¯d never forgive me
Silence fell on the other end.
¡°To erase traces this thoroughly, Heather couldn¡¯t have acted alone.¡±
Everett was convinced his mother had a hand in this
Again, it was her doing!
What Everett feared most wasn¡¯t uncovering Heather¡¯s involvement, it was the possibility that his
mother was deeply implicated in the affair
¡°Also, Mr. Lopez, the owner of that warehouse we were investigating has mystenously vanished. The
strand of hair we found there matches the DNA¨CLangston was definitely held captive by those people.¡±
¡°Keep searching. I want them found, dead or alive.¡±
¡°Understood, Mr. Lopez.¡±
After ending the call, Everett looked out the window, his eyes revealing a deep¨Cseated resentment.
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
He dialed his mother, who was abroad. As soon as she picked up, he didn¡¯t wait for her to speak before
his voice cut through the line,
cold as ice.
¡°There should be limits to your betrayal.¡±
¡°Who do you think you¡¯re talking to? Amanda¡¯s fury red instantly. ¡°Everett, you¡¯ve grown bold,
threatening your own mother for a woman?¡±
Rubbing his temples, his tone was stem, ¡°Tell me the truth. How involved were you in the death of
Dorothy¡¯s mother?¡±
¡°Dorothy¡¯s mother? Should I know who she is? You¡¯re out of your mind, ming everything on your
mother!¡±
¡°I know Heather is implicated, but you..you¡¯d better have only spoken on Heather¡¯s behalf, not acted on
it.¡±
The thought of his mother actually being involved was unbearable.
That would take things in apletely different direction.
¡°Stop rning everything on Heather! She¡¯s been working her heart out for Lopez Corporation. Our
clean reputation to this day is thanks to her efforts!¡± Amanda trembled at the memory of that harrowing
event. ¡°Without Heather¡¯s Intervention, I would have been the one tortured, and Lopez Corporation
would have be the world¡¯sughingstock. We owe hell¡±
¡°Mom, what exactly happened when you were kidnapped?¡±
were met with sudden health
Everett had wanted to ask for details since the incident, but Armanda had kept silent, and any inquiries
were
scares.
There was a long pause on the other end before Armanda finally sighed.
¡°My son, to save me, Heather was dragged into a dark room by a gang of men¡ and they¡ Uuy
brutalized her¡±
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Everett was shocked and at a loss for words.
Tve kept it a secret because it¡¯s a stain on the Lopez family¡¯s honor and on Heather¡¯s purity as a young
woman. I haven¡¯t even told your father the details. Do you understand why?¡±
Everett truly hadn¡¯t considered the depths of the situation.
At the time, he had just taken on a portion of the workload at Lopez Corporation, so busy he barely had
time to sit down for a ss of water, let alone delve into family scandals. His parents had intentionally
shielded him from IL He knew only of a kidnapping incident that had left his mother with severe
depression and frequent heart problems.
¡°Mom, there are many ways topensate her without forcing her to marry into the Lopez family.¡±
¡°But only someone truly loyal to the Lopez family deserves to be my daughter inw!¡± Amanda¡¯s voice
was thick with emotion. ¡°You¡¯ve been in the business world for years, and you should know that if the
photos or videos of my assault were to get out, the Lopez family would be aughingstock
forever! Your father would never truly ept me; no man could endure knowing his wife suffered like
that! Then¡ Heather¡¯s misfortune would be the Lopez family¡¯s curse. Even if you¡¯re in a high
position now, you can¡¯t be sure no one¡¯s snickering behind your back with your mother¡¯s private
photos!¡±
Everett understood all too well.
In the cutthroat business world, any family weakness would be exploited and magnified.
¡°For years, you¡¯ve protected her that should be enough! I can arrange a good family for her, and ensure
the past stays buried.¡±
¡°So, you¡¯re saying you won¡¯t marry her?¡±
¡°That¡¯s right, I never intended to.¡±
¡°Well then! I never thought I¡¯d have such an ungrateful and heartless son! Since you¡¯ve pushed it this
far today, let me make it clear ¨C I¡¯ve chosen to stand by Heather. If you have the guts,e after me,
your mother who brought you into this world!¡±
Amanda ended the call abruptly, leaving a dial tone that filled Everett with silence.
The past was far moreplicated than he had realized.
Everett stood by the window for a long time before turning back and lighting a cigarette.
It was only when the ash fell, and the sting of the burn hit his palm that he snapped back to reality
He had debts to pay, family obligations as the sole heir to the Lopez name
But this had nothing to do with Dorothy! Heather would have to face the consequences for what she
had done to Dorothy!
Langston¡¯s room wasn¡¯t decked out like a typical child¡¯s yroom; instead, it was filled withputers
and gadgets. It¡¯s not that Everett hadn¡¯t considered it, but simply because Langston didn¡¯t prefer it.
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.
Dorothy sat by Langston¡¯s bed, gently rubbing his stomach.
Langston, refusing to sleep, just watched his mom.
¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are you still in pain? Maybe we should head to the hospital,¡± Dorothy suggested, her
entire focus on her son¡¯s well¨Cbeing. without pausing to question the logic.
¡°I feel better now, but I wants Mommy to stay!¡± Langston was steadfast, holding onto Dorothy¡¯s hand,
unwilling to let go as per the pact he had with Everett
Faced with her son being clinging suddenly, Dorothy couldn¡¯t bear to pull away.
All these years, she¡¯d been preupied with work and the pursuit of justice, leaving pitifully le time for
her son.
¡°Okay, mommy won¡¯t leave, Dorothy soothed, stroking Langston¡¯s hair and gazing tenderly at his little
face, the spitting Image of Everett¡¯s
¡°Langston¡ do you like him?¡±
Langston blinked, instantly understood who ¡°he¡± was.
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Dorothy knew the answer was already within her heart, but she longed to hear what her son thought.
Langston furrowed his brow in contemtion, and after a moment, he pouted and exhaled deeply. ¡°If
he never bullied you, then I like him! He¡¯s nice to me! But¡ but if he bullied you, I can¡¯t forgive him!¡±
She smiled gently. ¡°He never bullied me, darling
¡°Then why did you guys split up?¡± Before meeting Everett, Langston had conjured an image of him as a
yboy scion, a man who had won his mother¡¯s deep affection, fathered children with her only to
carelessly indulge in his pleasures, leaving his mother heartbroken.
However, since moving in with Everett, Langston found him to be nothing like the rogue he had
imagined. Everett woulde home from work on time to cook dinner, postpone meetings to help him
troubleshootputer issues, and countless nights, he would tuck Langston in, a gesture Langston
was well aware of.
The more Everett showed his caring side, the more Langston couldn¡¯t understand why he and his sister
were taken away by their mom.
He thought, if his sister were here too, Everett would surely shower her with love as well.
¡°Langston, Mommy and he are apart for various grown up reasons. You might not understand now, but
remember your dad is a very good man. He¡¯s warm, thoughtful, and adores his children.¡±
¡°Can you just tell me? Mom, maybe I can help you!¡±
shes of a conversation with Keh crossed Dorothy¡¯s mind. Keh had mentioned how skilled
Langston was suggesting that perhaps he could attempt to retrieve some vital evidence.
But after a moment¡¯s hesitation, she chose to remain silent.
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withputers.
Langston was already different from other kids his age, he was thoughtful and perceptive. Exposure to
surveince footage depicting violence against his grandmother had the potential to leavesting scars
on him.
Dorothy didn¡¯t want to seek vengeance for her mother at the expense of her son¡¯s mental well¨Cbeing
¡°Sweetheart, go to sleep. Mommy can handle it,¡± she soothed as she patted him gently, watching him
drift off to sleep, his hand still clinging to her sleeve.
When Everett entered the room, he found Dorothy asleep beside Langston¡¯s bed.
The workload at the office had been heavy that day, and the recent emotional strain had taken its toll
on her.
Quietly, Everett moved closer and scooped Dorothy up,ying her alongside Langston so she could
rest morefortably.
Everett then sat by Dorothy¡¯s side, holding her hand, greedily soaking in her warmth as if only by
touching her could he feel truly grounded. He let out a long sigh, theers of his lips curling slightly
upward
Adjusting his position slightly. Everett unintentionally nudged Dorothy¡¯s bag with his slipper. It tipped
over, causing a cascade of folders and brown paper bags to spill out. These contained new project
documents sent by thepany, materials Dorothy nned to review at home.
Everett began to collect the items when he noticed a photograph face down on the floor. He paused,
picked it up, and stared at the image of Dorothy embracing two children, a boy and a girl, one on each
side.
His gaze locked onto the little girl with two braids, and he froze, his breath catching.
That girl¡
Wasn¡¯t she the sweet child from Everglow City who had once pleaded with him to buy her candy?
Was she his daughter?!
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Everett hastily grabbed the photo and stood up, reaching for his phone to call his trusted associate,
Kevin.
¡°Hey, I need you to check the surveince footage for room 908 at the Dreamscape Hotel in Everglow
City. There¡¯s a little girl who looks a hell of a lot like Dorothy. Find out where she is.¡±
¡°Right away. Mr. Lopez!¡±
¡°Hold on¡¡± Everett¡¯s voice softened, almost a whisper, ¡°Once you get the footage, send it straight to
my email. I want to see it myself.¡±
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
He couldn¡¯t bear the wait ¨C not for Kevin¡¯s investigation, nor for the child to be brought back to Eldonia
City. He needed to see his daughter now!
¡°Got it, boss.¡±
After hanging up, Everett traced the photograph with the pads of his fingers, over and over again.
In the photo, Dorothy¡¯s smile was radiant, her eyes brimming with tender warmth
The two kids were giggling with joy, each clinging to their mommy¡¯s arms, their affection and reliance
unmistakable.
Everett¡¯s eyes dimmed as he stared at the empty space in the photo
If only he hadn¡¯t been shackled by the gentlemanly upbringing of his youth, if only he¡¯d thrown caution
and decorum to the wind sooner, maybe he¡¯d be in that picture too
But it wasn¡¯t toote. Not yet
1 won¡¯t let go of you again.¡±
Dorothy never imagined that her deepest sleep in days would be at Bay Residence, in Everett¡¯s home.
The next morning, as she turned over in bed, she felt a small hand still clutching her sleeve. Langston
hadn¡¯t let go all night long.
Dorothy checked Langston¡¯s forehead for fever, he seemed fine, no furrowed brow, no sign of pain.
Tiptoeing out of bed and exiting the room, she was greeted by the aroma wafting from the kitchen.
For a moment. Dorothy thought she had traveled back four y years in time.
¡°Morning, sleepyhead. Breakfast¡¯s ready Everett said as he emerged from the kitchen, drying his hands
on a dish towel. His tone was casual, as if they¡¯d always lived this way.
¡°Everett, I need to see Byte 7.¡±
¡°Have a seat first,¡± Everett suggested, pulling out a chair before looking up at her. ¡°Can you tell me why
you¡¯re looking for him?¡±
Dorothy bristled defensively.
¡°No! That¡¯s my private business¡±
¡°I¡¯m not trying to force you to tell me, just thought maybe I could help if you wanted to share.¡±
Help her?
Dorothy¡¯s lips twisted into a wry smile.
That was only because Everett didn¡¯t know what was at stake.
¡°It¡¯s fine. Fil deal with Byte 7 on my own! Everett, I expect you to keep your word.¡±
¡°Of course. Finish up your breakfast, and 111 take you to him.¡±
Though anxious, Dorothy knew she couldn¡¯t just drag Everett out now. So, she look a tentative sip from
her ss of milk.
¡°What about Langston? Should I wake him up for breakfast?¡±
¡°He likes to sleep in. I¡¯ve kept his portion warm in the kitchen. He¡¯ll eat when he wakes up naturally,¡±
Everett exined, having already anticipated Langston¡¯s needs.
Dorothy felt a twinge of guilt watching Everett¡¯s meticulous core.
She hadn¡¯t made Langston breakfast in years! Here with Everell, her son was treated like a young lord,
with everything provided for him on a silver tter.
She said nothing more and focused on her food.
Then, breaking the silence, Everett mused, ¡°You know, I vialled Everglow Cily a while back, stayed at
the Dreamscape Hotel. I met sweet little girl there, quite the sugar fiend.¡±
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Dorothy faltered her grip, nearly sending her coffee mug crashing to the floor.
Why was he bringing this up now?
Was it his other test?
¡°That little girl looked so much like you, especially those piercing eyes.¡± Everett reminisced, recalling
how he¡¯d noticed her instantly.
What an inexplicable destiny of kinship!
He¡¯d never been fond of children, not averse to them, but not keen e
either. Yet, for som
some reason, he was drawn to that little girl.
At this, Dorothy lost her appetite and set down her mug. ¡°Just spit it out, what do you mean?¡±
¡°Nothing serious, Everett replied, looking up with an innocent expression that suddenly highlighted the
emotional overreaction of Dorothy.
¡°Please don¡¯t misunderstand. I went to Everglow City for work, not to track you down. The resort project
there is quite impressive. Since you left Lopez Enterprises, your career has taken off. Im happy for
you.¡±
Dorothy, thinking he had no ulterior motive, was about to rx when Everett dropped a bombshell.
¡°By the way, I ended up buying some candy for that little girl, and her mom even had the front desk
pass me her business card! I have to look for itter, it should be in my briefcase.¡±
Dorothy choked on her breath, nearly leaping from her chair!
The man who bought Abigail candy was Everett?!
It was him?!
She couldn¡¯t have dreamed of such a coincidence. Their paths had crossed without her knowing!
¡°Are you okay there? Everett handed her a napkin, feigning ignorance of the panic flickering in her eyes
¡°I¡¯m fine! Mr. Lopez, please hurry up with your meal. As he mentioned looking for the business card,
she squirmed with difort. Tim really eager to meet with Byte 71¡±
Everett raised an eyebrow. ¡°So eager you can¡¯t even spare a moment for me to find a card?¡±
¡°Yes!¡±
How could she let Everett find that card?
The moment he called the number or rather, he wouldn¡¯t even need to call before finding her name on
that card!
¡°Wright, I¡¯ll just change my clothes, and then we can leave¡±
He didn¡¯t tease her any further, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and retreated to the bedroom.
Truth be told, there was no business card.
He hadn¡¯t taken it that day because he had made up his mind to forget Dorothy and leave Everglow
City. When the receptionist of the front desk handed him the card, his heart was heavy, and his mind
was troubled.
if only he could turn back time, he would hold that little girl tighter and tell her how much he loved her
mother.
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Or perhaps go back to when Dorothy confessed her love for Keh, he would never believe it.
However, there was no its.
Dorothy followed Everett into the cat, and he drove her to a secluded suburb in Eldoria City.
If it had been anyone else taking her there, Dorothy would have been frightened.
Finally, the car stopped in front of an old, standalone vi.
Dorothy got out and looked up, shielding her eyes from the ring sun to get a clear view of the three¨C
story building
¡°Byte 7 is here?¡±
¡°Yes.¡± Everett confirmed with a nod
Dorothy reached into her bag, gripping the hard drive that held the surveince footage, then turned to
Evervil. ¡°You can go now I need to meet with turn alone¡±
Everett swept over her bag, pressing his lips into a thin line. He said in a porous and stern voice, ¡°No
matter how much my parents favor Heather, I won¡¯t cover for her¡±
He thought she had evidence to incriminate Heather
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Dorothy had no doubt in her mind about Everett¡¯s sincerity. Unfortunately, the real culor is behind all
this mess were his parents, not Heather.
¡°I said I wanted to see him alone¡±
She had decided not to lean on Everett for support.
¡°Alright¡ I¡¯ll wait outside for you¡±
Everett stepped back, watched her enter the building, then turned to lean against his car. He pulled out
a cigarette from its pack, ced it between his lips, and lit it.
His phone buzzed with a stream of work emails.
Most of them were urgent, but Everett couldn¡¯t possibly learn now!
[Meeting postponed. You need to get the documents stamped. Tell them you have my approval]
[Understood, Mr. Lopez.]
Kevin was meticulous and rarely made mistakes. Everett trusted him.
Everett got a cushion from his car and found a step to sit on. Lowering his gaze, he began to reply to
the messages that needed his immediate attention.
Before long, Kevin was on the phone again.
¡°Mr. Lopez, are you noting back to the office today?¡±
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With a cigarette between his fingers, Everett took a drag. ¡°Not sure. Proceed as if I¡¯m not.¡±
There was a pause on the other end before Kevin acknowledged.
¡°If there¡¯s something on your mind, just spit it out Everett knew Kevin had something more
Kevin chuckled nervously before venturing. ¡°You already know about the kids and they have been
confirmed. So why not juste clean with Ms. Sanchez? You¡¯ve taken over Fast Star Enterprises,
and Ms. Sanchez has obediently returned to her job.¡±
At the mention of Dorothy, Everett arched his eyebrows arch, with his tune tinged with rare frustration,
¡°If Iy all my cards on the table now, she¡¯d bolt faster than a rabbit to never let me find her again.¡±
¡°Then why not keep tabs on her? She can¡¯t slip away right under your watch
¡°Shell be living in constant fear. With the weight on her heart, if I push too hard, shell only look to flee
from me further
Dealing with someone like Dorothy, whocked a sense of security required a gradual infiltration.
Just as the saying goes, the watched pat never boils.
Dorothy was not as meek as she looked like. Inside, she was fiercely stubborn. To enter her heart, he
needed to gain her trust and consent. Otherwise, she was the type to rather see everything destroyed
than yield.
Right now, the person most anxious to reel in Dorothy and keep her by his side forever was Everett.
Hadn¡¯t he already considered the suggestions of Kenn?
Taking over East Star Enterprises had already escted Dorothy¡¯s anxiety. Any rash move now would
stimte Dorothy to feel
As for the probing attempt he¡¯d made earlier, Dorothy would likely spend days tossing and turning over
it.
Sometimes Everett felt that Dorothy¡¯s sense of secunty was even less than that of a chid!
He himself had to weigh every option before making a decision.
Everett wished he could be impulsive, y the domineering CEO, and simply lock her by his side. But
that approach would drive Dorothy Insane.
¡°Mr. Lopez, you really have it tough Kevin couldn¡¯t help but express his sympathy and admiration for his
patience.
If it were Kevin, he would have immediately gone to fetch the kids and then forcefully taken her to
register their marriage.
¡°You know who1? Sometimes I think I should just be content with what I have.¡±
Back when he had a secret crush on Dorothy with his canlession unanswered, he had hoped that one
day she would be his girlfriend, even if just for a day.
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Everett had finally made Dorothy his wife, with her name inked next to spouse on his official
documents, he found himself too giddy with joy to sleep for several nights
Dorothy was always surprised at how Everett, who appeared so stoic, seemed to have an insatiable
desire for her, as if he couldn¡¯t get enough. But for Everett, it wasn¡¯t just a newfound appetite for
pleasure. It was only in their intimate moments, in the tender whispers and the closeness of their
bodies, that he felt a deep sense of reality.
She was truly his.
His was her first love, his first sex experience, and his first wife.
Now, it seemed like the heavens had even blessed them with two children! Everett was over the moon,
yet that joy brought with it a fear
of loss
Having gained so much all at once, he tread carefully with every step, considering all aspects to avoid
future regrets.
As Dorothy stepped into the vi, she was immediately hit by a musty smell, a clear sign that no one
had lived there for a while. Dusty thick on the chandeliers in the foyer.
She frowned delicately and scanned her surroundings, searching for the elusive cyber hacker she had
managed to make an Appointment with.
¡°Hello!¡±
Out of nowhere, a youthful voice called from behind her.
Dorothy turned toward the sound and saw a young man in a ck hoodie lounging steady gaze
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
ng
on a
on a sofa by the vi¡¯s window, watching her with a
¡°Are you Byte 7?¡® she asked.
¡°And you¡¯re the one sent by the big shot at Lopez Corporation?¡± he countered without answering her
question.
Dorothy nodded, ¡°Yes, that¡¯s me.¡±
The sunlight streaming through the window made it difficult for her to see his face clearly, but she tried
to make out his features as best she could against the blinding light
¡°Spit it out. What do you want?¡± The impatience in the young man¡¯s voice was palpable, his fingers still
tapping away at a keyboard. Hesitating for a moment, Dorothy asked with uncertainty. ¡°The job I need
you to do¡ Can you keep the details to yourself? Don¡¯t tell anyone, including Everett.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t do arson or murder, and I¡¯m not in the business of gossip for the smaller stuff, he replied briskly.
¡°Till take that as a yes, Dorothy said, taking out a damaged surveince hard drive from her bag. ¡°I
need to recover the data on this¡±
Finally, Byte 7 looked up at her, put his keyboard aside, and stood up.
He had seemed average height sitting down, but standing, he towered over her.
When he stepped out of the direct sunlight, his features became clear to Dorothy. He was a young man
with shining vigor.
He was tall, easily over six feet, but skinny. His clothes hung loose on his frame, and he had a slouch
that gave him a slightly rebellious
air.
He was not at all what Dorothy had expected from a top¨Ctier hacker.
Byte 7 ignored her gaze, inspected her hard drive, and frowned, ¡°This thing¡¯s ancient.¡±
¡°Yeah, it¡¯s almost five years old,¡± she confirmed
He took a piece of gum from his pocket, popped it in his mouth, and casually asked, ¡°So, what¡¯s your
offer?¡±
Dorothy¡¯s face lit up, ¡°You can do it?¡±
¡°Whether I take the job depends on what you¡¯m offering.¡± He locked eyes with her for a few seconds
and then suddenly smiled slyly ¡°You¡¯re quite pretty. Are you single?¡±
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¡°Uh?¡± Dorothy thought she must have misheard
¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± Byte 7 lifted his hand to pull the hoodie over his head, concealing his pale, gaunt, yet
striking face, and then he returned to his provicus spot, cradling hisptop. ¡°But frst, you need to tell me
what you¡¯re hoping to recover from this gadget.¡±
Dorothy blurted out, ¡®It contains the truth about my mother¡¯s death¡±
¡°Then you should be taking that thing to the cops, rat me! And just so you know, my services don¡¯t
come cheap.¡±
¡°I know you¡¯re expensive, and I have money! How could she dare hand over the hard drive to the
police?
The Lopez family was untouchable back home, and she stood no chance against them
it weren¡¯t for the involvement of Everett¡¯s parents, maybe she could have asked him for help, but¡ this
drive contained evidence that could incriminate the Lopez family!
¡°People often try to haggle with me, but you¡¯re the first to outright im you¡¯re flush with cash. Byte 7
seemed amused as he leaned back and locked up at her. ¡°You¡¯re Everett¡¯s girl, aren¡¯t you?¡±
Dorothy was speechless.
¡°Boring¡± Byte 7 snorted. ¡°Thirty million, half upfront. After I¡¯m done, I¡¯lle looking for the rest¡±
Thirty million¡
Even though Dorally knew hiring Byte 7 would cost a pretty penny she was still taken aback by the
figure.
At the sight of her hesitation, Byte 7 chuckled ¡°Didn¡¯t you just say you had money?¡±
¡°But¡ not that much.¡±
¡°What now? Go ask Everett for it! I saw his car parked outside. Byte 7 really was the epitome of a
rebellious youth, a smirk perpetually
ying on his lips.
What a cocky youthe
Dorothy wasn¡¯t used to dealing with the young crowd and felt awkward standing there.
She didn¡¯t want to be the butt of his teasing, but her only hope of recovering the data on the hard drive
was in his hands!
Tim just Everetts subordinate, nothing more. I can give you the fifty percent, and figure out the rest.¡±
Fifteen million, she had that much.
She had saved quite a bit over the years.
It was Byte 7 who asked for an astronomical sum
¡°And what if you can¡¯te up with the restter?¡±
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pay you in ir stallments.
Byte 7 sculled his lean brows arching. ¡°No way I don¡¯t have time to chase down debts.¡±
Dorothy pursed her lips and had an instinct that this young man already had his answer in mind, so she
decided not to bargain and just asked, ¡°What do you propose?¡±
¡°Id like to see what it¡¯s like to date an olderdy¡±
Dorothy didn¡¯t know how to respond to this request.
¡°If you can¡¯t scrape together the remaining bnce, how about being my girlfriend for a month? Byte 7
paused, then quickly amended. ¡°No, a week is enough. Women are such a hassle, I reckon I¡¯d lose
interest after a week anyway¡±
Dorothy watched him rumble and felt a bit lost, but she was the one seeking his hep after all.
¡°I¡¯m married, with kids. I don¡¯t think I meet your teria.¡±
Byte 7 spread his hands, his prominent wrist bones catching the light. ¡°I¡¯m not looking to marry you.
What does it matter to me whether you¡¯re married or have kids??
¡°But-¡±
¡°Stop nagging me. If you¡¯re not up for it, forget it andt mo be,¡± Bylo 7 sald, pushing the hard drive
aide and returning to his devices
Dorothy hesitated, then clenched her jaw to answer ¡°Fino, Lagrepl
Alter a quick calction in her mind, she thought she could sell her property and stocks if push came to
shove, she could ask Keh for a loan. There was no way she couldn¡¯te up with the bnce, but
if she missed this chance, she might never see Bye 7 again.
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Chapter 445
Handing over the hard drive to Byte 7, Dorothy stepped out of the vi and was surprised to see
Everett still there!
He had been sitting at the front door, waiting for her all this time.
At the sound of her footsteps, Everett stood up
With his obsession for cleanliness, he had collected his few smoked cigarette butts and ashes,
nning to dispose of them in a trash
can.
¡°Did he help you?¡±
¡°Yeah.¡± Dorothy nodded, but it was clear she wasn¡¯t in the mood to share details will Everett
Everett didn¡¯t press further simply getting into his car.
Dorothy noticed that Everett never insisted the sit in the passenger seat, which is why she could
tolerate his car ndes
If he had demanded from the start that she sit beside him, there wouldn¡¯t have been a second time.
She would rather walk!
On the ride back, Dorothy bowed her head as she calcted the funds and assets she had lei
She didn¡¯t fancy bing that oddball¡¯s girlfriend!
The car smoothly entered the underground parking of the Lopez Corporation. Just as Dorathy was
about to get out, her phone rang.
ncing at it she saw it was Keh.
Assuming he was calling about the meeting with Byte 7, she didn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, she
quickened her pace, putting some distance between herself and Everett before ca ing back.
¡°Hey, Keh¡±
On the other end, the typically calm and gentle voice was reced by one filled with urgency.
¡°Dorothy, I can¡¯t reach Karen! She said she was taking Abigail out yesterday evening, and I didn¡¯t think
much of it when she didn¡¯t answer my calls this morning. But now there¡¯s been no ward from her all
day!¡±
Dorothy froze, her heartbeat seemingly yanked up a notch.
¡°Howe? I¡¯m heading back now!¡±
¡°Okay, I¡¯m driving to Karen¡¯s ce as we speak. Let¡¯s keep in touch¡±
After hanging up, Durothy turned and dashed toward the parking garage exit.
Everett had just parked when he saw her panicked expression and sensed an emergency
¡°Dorothy!¡± With his long strides, he caught up to her in no time, ¡°What happened?¡±
¡°Karen¡¯s gone missing. I need to find her!¡±
Tming with you.¡±
Dorothy immediately refused, ¡°No need, you¡¯ve got your things to handle¡±
If Everett got involved, he¡¯d learn about the child with Karen! It wasn¡¯t clear yet if Karon had been
abducted or had simply forgotten to check her phone, so it was too risky to let Everett help.
Watching her race away. Everett also had a call from Kevin the next second.
¡°Mr. Lopez, Ms. Sanchez¡¯s friend Karen has been kidnapped! And Abigail too, they¡¯ve both been
taken.¡±
¡°Track their location immediately! Send me theirst known whereabouts!¡±
Racing out of the garage, Dorothy hastily hailed a cab and got in.
Recent events had left her in a perpetual state of crisis!
As she neared Karen¡¯s ce, her phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number
if you want your daughter alive,e to me obediently and alone! Tell anyone, you ll be picking up her
corpse.]
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.
Before Dorothy could react to the mespage, the cob dover suddenly turned his face toward her with a
sinister smirk, Ms. Sanchez, Id advise against any futile resistance¡°,
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At that moment, Dorothy realized gravely that she wasn¡¯t just an incidental target. The kidnappers
weren¡¯t after Karen or Abigail but after herself.
Her cell phone kept ringing insistently, with Everett¡¯s name shing on the screen.
But she wasn¡¯t one to silence her phone, and the driver had heard it too.
He nced at the caller ID and sneered, ¡°Hand over the phone. Now Don¡¯t try anything smart, or you¡¯ll
see if your backup arrives faster than my guys killing your daughter!¡±
¡°Here.¡± Dorothy ended Everett¡¯s call, powered off the device, and handed it to the driver,
At the sight of herpliance, the driver shot her a satisfied look. ¡°Pretty girl! No wonder you¡¯ve got
people wanting to pin you down!¡±
These words flickered a lightbulb in Dorothy¡¯s head.
Only Heather and Everett¡¯s parents would ever think of her as such a thom in their side!
It looked like they were impatient to make their move, and the matter with her child hadn¡¯t stayed secret
after all. This was why Dorothy had been avoiding Everett andying low from the Lopez family.
Now, she was squarely in their sights.
Dorothy clenched her fists, fighting to keep herposure. Panic wouldn¡¯t help. She needed to think
about how to get herself out of
this.
What does Heather want with us?¡± she asked, naming the puppet master behind this mess.
The driver, taken aback, nced at her in the marview mirror.
¡°We¡¯re not working for her!¡±
¡°Then it¡¯s the Lopez family,¡± Dorothy shot back, ¡°You¡¯ve kidnapped Everett¡¯s daughter. If he finds out,
have you thought about the consequences? What he would do to you?¡±
The driverughed at her words.
¡°Are you trying to scare me? Save your breath. I¡¯m just a middleman, Once I drop you off, my job¡¯s
done. Whatever they want to do with you is none of my business. You better pray for yourself.¡±
As the car continued to a remote location, Dorothy considered jumping out and risking injury, but her
children w
N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.
were still in their hands.
These were the same people who had caused her mother¡¯s death. There was no telling what they
might do to Karen and Abigail
She had to go to them.
The car stopped in a secluded ce near a stream, Dorothy could hear the water flowing as she
stepped out.
The driver was so sure she wouldn¡¯t run that he didn¡¯t bother to restrain her. After a leisurely exit, he
pulled out a ck hood and swiftly covered her head.
¡°Behave well, and you¡¯ll be seeing your daughter soon.¡±
She was led forward for what felt like an eternity, following the sound of the man¡¯s footsteps and the
babbling stream.
Eventually, they reached their destination.
A door creaked open, its rusty hinges screeching.
¡°This is Dorothy¡±
¡°Good. You can leave.¡±
After this brief exchange, Dorothy felt herself being handed off to another person who led her further
inside.
¡°Where¡¯s my child? I want to see her!¡±
Blind and increasingly anxious, Dorothy only worried about her daughter¡¯s solely.
But before she could get an answer, the sound of high heels approached. Suddenly, a sharp pain
exploded in her knee as a cane struck hard, buckling her legs and sending her crashing to the ground.
¡°Dorothy, you¡¯re finally in my grasp!¡±
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It was unmistakably Heather¡¯s voice.
Of course, it was her.
Dorothy wasn¡¯t surprised in the least.
Pain shot through her knees, paling herplexion in an instant as sweat rapidly beaded on her
forehead. Gritting her teeth so hard that her nails dug into her skin, she managed to say, ¡°Do whatever
you want to me, but let Karen and my daughter go! They¡¯re innocent!¡± ¡°Innocent?¡± Heather¡¯sugh was
devoid of warmth, ¡°Oh, dear sister you don¡¯t think anyone¡¯s walking out of here today, do you?¡±
¡°But she¡¯s Everett¡¯s child!¡±
¡°That¡¯s exactly why she needs to die!¡± Heather raised her voice, almost to a scream, ¡°What did you
promise me all those years ago? You said you¡¯d never go back to him, that you¡¯d vanish! And yet, here
you are, back in his life and with a child! Oh, Dorothy, you thought you could hide the secrets, but you
never expected me to find out, did you?¡±
How Heather had discovered Abigails whereabouts was beyond Dorothy. The only people who knew of
Abigail¡¯s identity, aside from herself, were Keh and Karen. Nobody else!
Suddenly, she froze.
¡°Did Lane tell you?¡±
¡°That¡¯s right¡± Heather admitted openly, stepping closer to Dorothy and ripping the blindfold from her
face. As they locked eyes, Heather¡¯s face was smug with triumph. ¡°Surprised? And to think, it was
Lane who came to me first!¡±
Dorothy was stunned.
Lane had always been relentless in his pursuit of her, but she never believed he would do anything to
harm a child.
¡°He¡¯s such an idiot. He came to me for a deal, and before I even agreed, he spilled everything, telling
me you had Everett¡¯s daughter!¡± Heather¡¯s mockingughter filled the room. ¡°And then the fool had the
nerve to tell me not to hurt you or the child! Can you believe
that?¡±
¡°Heather, that¡¯s because not many people are as vile as you. Lane couldn¡¯t have imagined he was
dealing with someone like your
d
Heather struck Dorothy with a brutal smack, leaving a fiery red welt on her face and sending her
tumbling backward.
¡°Don¡¯t you dare preach to me from your moral high ground! Are you any better? You slept your way into
Everett¡¯s bed for money. You¡¯re nothing more than a whore, just like your mother. Cheap and
worthless¡±
With blood filled with Dorothy¡¯s mouth, she spat it out defiantly meeting Heather with fierce
determination.
¡°You hate me and my mother. Now that you¡¯ve had her killed, I¡¯m in your clutches. Release Karen and
Abigail. Do what you want with
mer
¡°Oh?¡± Heather arched her eyebrows, curling her lips into a smirk. ¡°Do you think I¡¯d let you off that
easily?¡±
¡°Let them go, and I¡¯ll do whatever you want!¡±
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
Heather yed absently with her nails, then her face lit up with a twisted excitement.
¡°Fine! I have two people in my grasp, so you¡¯ll agree to two conditions. For each one you fulfill release
one of them. How about that?¡±
¡°What conditions?¡±
¡°I want you to sleep with several men at once and make it look like you¡¯re enjoying every second of it.
Use all your seductive tricks to lure them in. Onge they¡¯ve each had their turn with you, I let Karen go.¡°
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Heather couldn¡¯t help but revel in the thought of Dorothy toyed with by a bunch of guys. She loathed
the fact that she couldn¡¯t capture the moment on video to show to Everett
She wanted to check how he reacted when his cherished belle could be imed by others just as
eagerly.
¡°We share the same blood after all. Does it make you happy to degrade me like this?¡± Dorothy tried to
stall for time, though deep down she knew it was a long shot that anyone woulde to her rescue.
She hadn¡¯t dared to hope for Everett to be her savior because he was utterly clueless about her ordeal.
Before they parted ways, she had been so dismissive, insisting he should just focus on his work.
Most likely, Everett was still buried in meetings at the office. Her only prayer now was that Keh
would find her soon.
¡°Now you remember our family ties? Dorothy, have I ever begged you? I asked you to let Everett go
and take your pick of any other man! But what did you do? You not only married him but also bore his
child!¡± At the thought of it, Heather surged her resentment, wishing she could tear Dorothy apart right
there.
The sacrifices she had made for the Lopez family far outweighed Dorothy¡¯s, yet it was Dorothy who
ultimately won Everett.
How could Heather ept that?
¡°All I wanted was to pay for my mom¡¯s treatment,¡± Dorothy said truthfully.
If it hadn¡¯t been for that one misdirected text message, she never would have aspired to reach for
Everett. Even when she was just an employee at the Prosperity Consortium and saw Everett from a
distance atpany events, she never tried towork with him.
As for Dorothy, they came from different worlds. He was the golden boy, while she felt like nothing more
than dirt underfoot, always rushing between work and the hospital, barely finding time to breathe. How
could she dare to imagine someone like Everett, the CEO would ever look her way?
For Dorothy, all of this felt like a dream. And if she had known from the beginning who Heather was and
that Heather had always adored Everett, Dorothy might have never continued any contact with him.
She was the kind of person who preferred to avoid confrontation, keeping her world free from unsettling
disturbances.
¡°Oh, please. Do you think I¡¯d believe that? You¡¯re as hypocritical as your mother, always waving the
banner of righteousness to mask your true intentions! Your mother paraded around refusing to divorce,
branding my mom the marriage breaker forever. But did Maxton Sanchez ever return to you two after
falling for my mom? Who¡¯s the hypocrite now?¡±
Dorothy knew this had always been Heather¡¯s narrative that Dorothy and her mother were the viins.
¡°I did try to convince my mom to let it go, not because I agreed with your twisted theory, but because it
pained me to see her deceived, trapping herself in a miserable life.¡±
N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.
Before encountering Maxton, Be was so joyful.
Adorned in beautiful dresses, she was always photographed with a beaming smile. But after meeting
that phnderer, all she had left was anger and bitterness, locked in an endless struggle with herself.
¡°And you just followed in her footsteps? After she brought you into this world, you sneak off to secretly
bear Everett¡¯s child! You¡¯re indeed mother and daughter, both contemptible Heather boiled her rage as
she gestured to one of the men. ¡°You, take off your pants! Now!¡±
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Dorothy instinctively shrank back as the man approached her with a sleazy grin stered across his
face.
His hands were nonchntly undoing his belt, whistling at Dorothy in a tone that was both disgusting
and greasy. ¡°Ain¡¯t she a peach! Ms. Garcia, are you nning to let me take care of her right here?¡±
¡°Cut the crap! You¡¯re here to get on with it, not to dawdle!¡±
¡°Aw, I¡¯m just a bit shy, you know?¡± he chuckled with a leer. ¡°I¡¯ve been with plenty of dames, but never in
front of an audience! Time for a thrill, hely*
He stripped down to his underwear in no time and reached out for Dorothy.
¡°Back off, don¡¯t touch me!¡± Dorothy, fighting the searing pain in her legs, desperately scrambled
backwards.
Heather, seeing the manis procrastination and apparently itching for a bit of drama, marched forward in
her stilettos and yanked Dorothy¡¯s hair, dragging her back.
¡°What¡¯s the matter? Can¡¯t get it up for one lousy girl?!¡± She looked up and signaled to the other two
men by the door. ¡°You two, get over here. I¡¯m generous today Here¡¯s a girl for you to have some fun
with! Help yourself!
Heather was so focused on speaking that Dorothy took the opportunity to viciously bite into her leg.
At this point, Dorothy didn¡¯t care where she was biting and just mped down hard, not refusing
Heather to let go. If she was over today, she did not let Heather slip,
¡°Ahh¡± Heather screamed. ¡°You bitch, biting me?!¡±
She reflexively let go, then started pounding punches onto Dorothy¡¯s head and face.
The other men tried to intervene, but Dorothy wouldn¡¯t release her grip.
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
Dorothy knew that if she was separated from Heather she would be a ything for these bruses.
¡°Get this crazy woman off me!¡± Heather yelled, her voice distorted with pain, feeling like the flesh would
be tam from her leg at any
moment.
¡°But¡ but if we pull her aff, won¡¯t it hurt you more?¡± the men hesitated.
They could only kick at Dorothy, tuo wary to make a move.
Heather, through gritted teeth, barked, ¡°Grab my gun! And bring that little girl we caught today! You
wanna y tough Dorothy? I¡¯ll send you and your daughter to hell together!¡±
Dorothy, now dizzy from the beating and bleeding from her forehead, reluctantly released her grip when
she heard Heather threaten to kill her daughter.
She could drag Heather down with her but what about her daughter?
The others wouldn¡¯t spare Dorothy and Kamer.
Finally free, Heather pped Dorothy across the face.
¡°I¡¯m giving you two options for the sake of Maxion! If you wanna y tricks, let them have a go at Karen
too! Isn¡¯t she your dear friend? Ill make her regret ever knowing you!¡±
In the next moment, cries from Abigail and Karen echoed from nearby
¡°Mommy!¡±
¡°Dorothy¡®
Struggling to her feet, Dorothy looked toward the voices. Her vision blurred with blood; she couldn¡¯t see
clearly, but she knew it was them.
¡°Heather, let them go¡ I¡¯ll take your deal¡ I agree!¡±
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From the get¨Cgo. Heather had no intention of letting Dorothy off the hook, and certainly not Dorothy¡¯s
daughter
That little brat hanging around Everett was not dead due to her oversight for not having dealt with him
earlier Now that she had Everett¡¯s
her clutches, she wasn¡¯t about to let her gol
The child of Everett would only be herself to beart
¡°What are you do¡¯ts waiting for? Stro her down!¡± Heather barked at the men surrounding her.
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.
Jolted from their stupe, they descended upon Dorothy like a pack of wolves.
¡°Mommy! Let go of my mommy!¡± Abigail, bound and helpless, burst into terrified cries at the sight.
Karen, meanwhile, unleashed a torrent of curses, ¡°Heather you bastard You¡¯re nothing but a maggot
from the gutter! Even if you let them defile Dorothy today, shell still be a thousand times cleaner than
you, and Everett won¡¯t give you a second nce!¡±
¡°Shut your damn mouth Heather stormed over and pped Karen hard across the face before yanking
her hair viciously ¡°Don¡¯t get ahead of yourself, youll get your tum soon enough! Just wait and see how
they treat your dear friend, and then you¡¯ll take turns to taste the gang rape!!
¡°Yuck!¡± Karen wasn¡¯t one to be easily cowed. She spat right in Heather¡¯s face. ¡°Even if you killed me,
Everett would never love you! Keep fantasizing about him! You¡¯re so pathetic, offering yourself up and
he still doesn¡¯t want you. Hrious! Ah!¡±
Rage red in Heather¡¯s bloodshot eyes, her grip tightening as if she wanted to bear Karen¡¯s scalp off
¡°Say that again!¡±
¡°You¡¯re unwanted: A bitch! A bastard and your mom¡¯s a homewrecker¡® Despite the pain contorting her
features, Karen¡¯s sharp tongue didn¡¯t let up.
Making Karen beg for mercy w was impossible!
While Karen stood her ground, Dorothy was already bring manhandled by several men, her clothes
tearing and exposing her skin. One of the men, impatient, dropped his pants first, Tim going first! I love
this feeling¡±
The men broke into lewdughter
Dorothy remained curled up, enduring their hits and kicks without yielding, but her consciousness was
fading. She knew she couldn¡¯t pass out
She couldn¡¯t afford to!
down from her neck, staining her delicate, pale back with a stark red trail.
Blood began to trickle de
¡°This dame¡¯s got some fight in her!¡± One of the men, having worked up a sweat, took off his shirt and
pulled out a knife from his pocket. Another frowned, ¡°What are you going to do, skin her? I don¡¯t want a
woman covered in blood! Let me have my fun first, then you can punish her as much as you want!¡±
Heather, her hand aching from hitting Karen, turned back to see the bumbling fools still hadn¡¯t
seeded, which infuriated her. She pped one of the men across the face!
But before she could speak, someone rushed in, panting heavily.
¡°Trouble, Ms. Garcial We¡¯re surrounded the gatekeeper gasped before he could finish.
Suddenly, a towering figure burst in behind him, sending the man sprawling with a single kick!
Heather instinctively looked up. As she recognized the neer, her legs gave out
¡°Everett Everell¡¡±
¡°Heather,ll kill you!¡±
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Seeing Everett charge toward her like a but seeing red ather had her los prosty pay
Luckily, her reflexes were quick. She sched
oger from the negre
and pressed it to Dorothy¡¯s Throt
¡°Everett, take one more step and take Dorothy don
Everett¡¯s eyes zed with a bloodthirsty fury. At the sight of Dorothy, barely clinging t| primal desire to
y Heather alive.
¡°Let her go!¡±
¡°Not a chance!¡± Heather tightened her grip on Dorothy¡¯s neck, and the
closer, and Dorothy meets her maker¡±
Everett halted his advance abruptly, and his p
posse swiftly encircled Heather
s ignited with a
Kevin rushed in, took stock of the situation, and immediately tended to Karen and Abigail before
hospital
He knew Heather wasn¡¯t escaping today.
hem whisked away to the
¡°Everett, even now, you¡¯re still blinded by that tramp! Can¡¯t you see what I¡¯ve done for your Heathers
baugh w moved, the dagger sliced Dorothy¡¯s skin, drawing fresh blood that stained the bl and
Heather¡¯s hand
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The pain seemed to jolt Dorothy back to consciousness
In a daze, she saw Everett standing before her.
Dorothy thought she was dreaming
Everett said in a cold and clipped voice, sending shivers down everyone¡¯s spine. Let her go, and might
spare yo dies. I¡¯ll show you a hell that makes death seem like mercy!¡±
Tve already tasted that hell! I¡¯ve loved you so deeply. For the Lopez family, I took your mother¡¯s ce
and endured unspeakable vitions! Do you know what it¡¯s like to be stripped and dragged on the floor
by those men? Do you know the agony of being burned with cigarettes, of having bottles forced into
me? You don¡¯t! But without me, your mother would have known that fate¡±
¡°Stop! This has nothing to do with Dorothy! Let her go. If you want revenge, take it out on me!¡± Everett
refused to engage with her trade. his gaze fixed solely on Dorothy
Shey there, motionless, covered in blood, with her clothes tom and barely providing cover. If not for
the faint rise and fall of her chest, it would be hard to tell if Dorothy was alive.
This was the Dorothy that Everett couldn¡¯t bear to even scold.
¡°I want to hurt you too! But I can¡¯t! Everett, I can¡¯t bear it Heather screamed, tears streaming down her
face. Its all because of het, Dorothy! You won¡¯t even look at me. Everett, if she¡¯s gone, we can be
together¡±
¡°Don¡¯t touch her Heather, whatever issues we have, we¡¯ll settle them between us. Just let Dorothy gol
Everett was stem in his voice, hoping to calm crazy Heather.
He feared that in a moment of madness, she would plunge the dagger into Dorothy¡¯s throat
¡°Settle this?¡± Heather looked up at him, her eyes filled with anger but even more with disappointment
and obsession. ¡°Fine, then I want you to propose to me right here, right now on your knees!¡±
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Even now, after everything, she still wanted to marry Everett.
From the moment she firstid eyes on him, through all the trials and tribtions, Heather yearned to
be Everett¡¯s wife, if only for a day¡.
Everett furrowed his brow, his eyes cold and calcting as if he were trying to figure out how to disarm
her.
Seeing no immediate movement from him, Heather pressed the de she held ever so slightly deeper
into Dorothy¡¯s neck. ¡°Unwilling?¡±
¡°Ahh¡¡± A sharp pain forced a cry from Dorothy, but she still managed to extend a trembling hand
towards Everett, shaking her head. ¡°Don¡¯t¡ Everett, please don¡¯t¡
¡°Don¡¯t touch her, I¡¯ll do as you say!¡± The sight of Dorothy¡¯s blood sent Everett into action, casting aside
all other concerns.
He dropped to one knee, his gaze lifting to meet Heather¡¯s. ¡°Are you satisfied now?¡±
¡°I told you to propose, not to beg! You haven¡¯t even spoken yet, Heather twisted her face into a
perverse semnce of joy ¡°Say it, ask me to marry you!¡±
Everett clenched his teeth, with a frosty re in his eyes, ¡°I ask you to marry me.¡±
But Heatherughed even more wildly ¡°Lauder, I didn¡¯t hear you and neither did Dorothy!¡±
¡°I ask you!¡± Everett raised his voice.
¡°I still didn¡¯t hear you. Come closer, Heather toyed with him.
Everett started to rise, but she cut him off, ¡°Don¡¯t you stand. Crawl to me on your knees and then say
you want to marry me!¡±
Everyone present was in sheer silence.
Dorothy strained to open her eyes, only to catch a blurred vision of the man who once stood so high
above them, untouchable in his dignity, now kneeling on the dirty ground before Heather.
Their eyes met, and he seemed to plead with her to hold on, just a little longer.
Gritting his teeth, Everett inched closer to Heather.
His bodyguards shuffled nervously behind him, worried she might harm Mr. Lopez.
¡°Get out, all of you, get out!¡± Heather suddenly screamed at them. ¡°Everett, make them leaver¡±
¡°Everyone out,¡± Everett barked, desperate to prevent Heather from driving the knife deeper into
Dorothy¡¯s flesh. He would have agreed to anything at that point, even a life for a life
Once the warehouse was left to just the three of them, Heather turned to Everett with a twisted smile.
¡°Do you know how much I love you? When I was saving your mother, it hurts like a torture. But all I
could think of was that if I survived, your mother would agree to let me marry you! Suddenly, the pain
didn¡¯t feel so bad anymore!¡±
Everett was speechless.
¡°I could have lived like royalty, you know. With that debt of gratitude, the Lopez family could have given
me a life of splendor. I knew all that! But what could I do? I just wanted to be your bride. Even if you
weren¡¯t Everett, even if you weren¡¯t the heir to the Lopez Corporation, I still would choose a life of
hardship with you!¡±
Perhaps those were the truest words Heather ever spoke.
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
She had deceived many, but in this, she was sincere.
Yet as she poured out her love, his affectionate gaze remained fixed on Dorothy!
¡°Everett,e closer, and I¡¯ll let Dorothy go.¡±
¡°Okay¡±
Everett moved without hesitation, but Dorothy, sensing the movement of Heather¡¯s knife, screamed
with all her might, ¡°No, don¡¯t!¡± In the next instant, Heather¡¯s de plunged straight towards Evorolt.
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Heather showed no mercy, intending to kill Everett.
With brutal force, she plunged the knife deep, gripping it with both hands to drive it further. Blood
instantly soaked through his suit and stained his crisp white shirt.
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
Everett had chosen that outfit with care that morning, knowing he would wake up to the sight of
Dorothy.
¡°If you want to kill me for Dorothy, fine. I¡¯m not afraid to die. Everett, you¡¯reing with me. We¡¯ll die
together, never to be parted!¡±
¡°No, Everett!¡± Dorothy reached out, but her vision blurred uncontrobly.
As consciousness faded, she faintly heard Heather¡¯s wild cackle and Everett s deep, hoarse voice,
saying. ¡°Forget about me, her first.¡±
Dorothy seemed to be plummeting into an abyss
Her body was suspended, endlessly falling
She saw her mother drifting further away until she vanished. She also saw Keh, Karen, Langston,
and Abigail all waving goodbye before they too disappeared into nothingness
Dorothy struggled to reach out to them but couldn¡¯t even control her body.
Suddenly the world began to spin, and a violent nausea swept over her. She hurriedly opened her eyes
and turned her head, retching up a mess of slime and vomit.
¡°She¡¯s awake, she¡¯s awake! Get the doctor, quick!¡±
Keh¡¯s excited voice was in her ears, followed by a flurry of footsteps approaching.
save
Dorothy was nk in mind, save for the relentless vomiting Eventually, nothing came up but dry
heaves, as if she wished to expel her very insides.
¡°What¡¯s happening to her, Doctor?¡±
¡°It¡¯s normal a reaction to the anesthesia. She¡¯ll be fine shortly¡±
Keh watched the doctor administer medication and check her vitals, then tried to take her hand.
But just as he was about to touch her, Dorothy pulled away.
Her face was ghostly pale, her lips cracked and bleeding.
¡°Where¡¯s Everett? Where¡¯s Everett?¡±
¡°You¡¯re worried about him? Dorothy, you were so close to death! If it weren¡¯t for Everett, none of this
would¡¯ve happened?¡± Keh was livid, not just because Karen was involved, but because he was
pained for Dorothy.
All these years, she had carefully avoided Everett, and yet he¡¯d contrived to bring her to Eldoria City,
making her Heather¡¯s target. Keh didn¡¯t dare think what would have happened if Everett hadn¡¯t
kept an eye on Heather and if he hadn¡¯t found Dorothy in time.
In Heather¡¯s clutches, Dorothy would have surely died.
But at that moment, Dorothy didn¡¯t want to hear me. She needed to know Everett¡¯s condition!
She had watched, helplessly, as that long. sharp dagger was thrust into Everett.
¡°Please, Keh¡ take me to him. I need to see him.¡±
¡°You can¡¯t see him anymore! Everett¡¯s gone!¡±
Dorothy was dumbfounded, with her body turning rigid. Her eyes were unfocused as if she¡¯d gone
blind. ¡°You¡¯re lying, you¡¯re lying to me!¡±
¡°Im not lying. After everything happened, the Lopez family came and took both Everett and Heather
away. I couldn¡¯t find out anything about him!¡±
Dorothy blinked, her throat raw as if razors were slicing through it
¡°So, he¡¯s not dead¡ right? He¡¯s not dead, just taken away?¡±
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Chapter 454
Keh really wanted to tell Dorothy the harsh truth that Everett was gone, so Dorothy could finally let
go and stop waiting for at miracle.
He knew the pain would be temporary and she would eventuallye to terms with reality.
But as he looked into her anxious eyes with worries, his resolve faltered,
¡°He¡¯s not dead,¡± Keh lied, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°The Lopez family got him to City
Hospital in time. That¡¯s all I know
¡°But the knife¡ I saw it, Keh! I saw Heather plunge it right into his heart!¡± Dorothy¡¯s fear was
palpable. What if Everett had survived the ride but not the aftermath? What about the life¨Csaving
efforts?
¡°Dorothy! When are you going to start worrying about yourself?¡±
Keh¡¯s words were cut off as Dorothy struggled to rise. The sudden movement pulled at her
wounds, quickly staining the bandages with fresh blood. Yet she seemed numb to the pain, cursing her
weakened body for not easy motion
¡°I need to get to City Hospital, Keh. Please take me there!¡±
¡°I won¡¯t let you!¡± It was the first time Keh had ever raised his voice to her.
The frustration had been building inside him for so long that he seemed to implode if he didn¡¯t let it out.
When he shouted, Dorothy paused, but then persisted in searching for her shoes, determined to leave.
Helplessly she attempted to stand, only to copse forward
Her freshly stitched wounds tore open, with the IV needle in her arm dislodging. Pain shot through her
from all directions, a sheen of sweat instantly coating her forehead.
¡°Dorothy!¡± Keh rushed to her side.
But she pushed him away, adamant. I need to go to City Hospital
¡°Your legs are broken! You can¡¯t even walk! Come on, let¡¯s have the doctor check you first, and then I¡¯ll
take you there,¡± Keh pleaded, knowing he couldn¡¯t fight her on this.
But Dorothy had only one thought in her mind. She needed to see Everett alive, with her own eyes.
¡°Please, stop making a scene, will you?¡± Keh cracked his voice, with his eyes brimming with tears.
¡°Dorothy, Everett has the entire Lopez family behind him. They won¡¯t let him die, but you¡ you have
nobody!¡±
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
Dorothy looked up sharply. Her small face marred with bruises and cuts was heart¨Cwrenching to see.
Yet her resolve did not waver as she insisted through clenched teeth. I need to see Everett¡ Take me
to him.¡±
¡°Dorothy, they won¡¯t let you see him, even if you go. The Lopez family will turn you away.¡±
¡°Just take me there. I¡¯m begging you, Keh!¡± in a moment of desperation Dorothy began to bang her
head against the floor, heedless of her wounds, not caring that blood was soaking through the
bandages.
She had to get to City Hospital immediately. She feared that even a second¡¯s dy might cost her the
chance to see Everett.
Keh scrambled to her, wrapping his arms around her to stop her from hurting herself any further.
¡°Dorothy, listen to me. Once you heal, I promise I¡¯ll take you. Look at yourself, you¡¯re covered in blood.
You might not even make it to the hospital before you copse!¡±
Her injuries were extensive, with fractures in her legs, deepcerations on her arms and back, and a
severe concussion. She couldn¡¯t stand on her own, and leaving the hospital was incredibly risky.
¡°I have to go¡ take me¡ Dorothy¡¯s tears mingled with the blood on her bandages, falling in a steady
stream down her cheeks. Keh clenched his fists tightly, then let them go limp. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll take you,
Just stop crying.¡±
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Chapter 455
Keh was worried sick about Dorothy on the road, so he shelled out extra cash for a couple of
doctors to apany them.
Since Dorothy was practically immobile, Keh had no choice but to carry her down the stairs and
into the car.
As they neared City Hospital, it was clear something big was going down. The scene was different
today and something had happened.
The Lopez family had even blocked off the surrounding streets, so no car coulde or go freely.
¡°If you¡¯d woken up a bit earlier, it might¡¯ve been easier to get in, but now¡. The Lopez family must
have returned from abroad.¡±
Without any way forward, Keh turned to Dorothy, who sat in the backseat.
He hoped she would reconsider.
¡°You¡¯ll figure something out, Keh.¡±
Keh sighed heavily, parked the car nearby, and made a call to a friend.
In no time, he was back.
¡°Change your clothes. My buddy¡¯s a doctor at City Hospital, and he¡¯sing to sneak you in.¡±
¡°Okay!¡± Dorothy didn¡¯t hesitate, waiting obediently, eyes fixed on the road ahead.
She had to get to City Hospital because that¡¯s where Everett was!
Of course, Dorothy knew the Lopez family would give her a hard time, but being closer to him, even
just a little, was worth it.
Minutester, Keh¡¯s friend arrived in a hurry.
After a nce at Dorothy, he said to Keh, 1 can only take her in pretending she¡¯s a patient from
City Hospital.¡±
¡°Can¡¯t you get me in too? She can¡¯t handle the Lopez family alone Keh couldn¡¯t bear the thought of
Dorothy facing them by herself.
But his friend was helpless, ¡°No can do, man. If I get caught, I¡¯m toast!¡±
¡°I¡¯ll go alone!¡± Dorothy immediately clutched Ken¡¯s sleeve. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, I got this.¡±
Keh, seeing the hope in her eyes, could only nod in agreement.
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Dorothy was wheeled into City Hospital by Keh¡¯s friend. Once inside, she looked up. ¡°You can
leave. Don¡¯t get into trouble. because of me. I can find my way.¡±
¡°You sure?¡± Keh¡¯s friend eyed the bloodstains on Dorothy, feeling she wasn¡¯t there to visit, but
rather needed treatment herself
¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±
Dorothy didn¡¯t want to be a burden.
¡°Alright then, if you need me, I¡¯ll be on the third floor at the Internal Medicine Clinic
After he left, Dorothy immediately headed for the ICU at City Hospital.
She knew the ce well, because her mother had been arranged by Everett to stay in the VIP ward
here and had surgery here
100. 100.
Over four years had passed and she never imagined she¡¯d return under these circumstances.
Dorothy wheeled into the elevator, heading for the emergency room floor. As it halted, she heard what
sounded like Amanda¡¯s
sobs.
¡°He¡¯s so young¡ my son is so young! He can¡¯t die¡ I won¡¯t let him!¡±
Dorothy felt as if she¡¯d been frozen, her heartbeat seemingly stopped, unable to move an inch!
What did Amanda mean?
Everell?
Was he dead?
It was Jonathan Lopez¡¯s voice that snapped Dorothy back to reality.
Before she could utter a word, her wheelchair was flipped over, and she was dumped onto the floor!
¡°You bring bad luck wherever you go! Give me back my son!¡± Amanda, wild¨Ceyed, lurged at Dorothy,
not caring that she too was covered in wounds.
Luckily, Jonathan, fearing his wife couldn¡¯t take the strain, pulled her back, ¡°Stop it! Even if you kill her
now, our son won¡¯te back!¡±
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Chapter 456
¡°If it weren¡¯t for her, Everett would never be in this mess! He would have already married Heather and
wouldn¡¯t be lying in a hospital bed! Dorothy, you give me back my son, you hear me?¡±
Amanda was sobbing so hard she could barely catch her breath, her body skimped to the floor in
defeat.
She had always been strong, always been proud. But facing her son¡¯s uncertain fate in her twilight
years was more than she could bear.
It was simply too cruel!
Jonathan wrapped his arms around his wife, trying to offer somefort, then frowned at Dorothy who
was struggling to get up from the ground
¡°Get out, you¡¯re not wee here! Ive spared you for the sake of the children you bore for the Lopez
family, and that¡¯s mercy enough! If you don¡¯t leave now, I swear¡¡±
¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere. Darothy hade prepared for anything. ¡°If Everett dies, I won¡¯t live without
him,¡±
The conviction in her eyes was unmistakable.
N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.
Jonathan found himself believing her without a trace of doubt.
She was capable of it.
But that didn¡¯t mean the Lopez family would ever ept her as a daughter¨Cinw!
He knew all too well that his wife would never ept Dorothy, not to mention the matter with Dorothy¡¯s
mother,
Once the truth came out, there could be no happy ending!
¡°Then go del Hurry up and dief Amanda was beyond reason, attempting to break free from her
husband¡¯s hold to attack Dorothy again!
But Dorothy, though in a pitiful state on the floor, kept her gaze fixed on the red light above the
emergency room door.
The light was still on.
That meant Everett was still alive, still fighting.
cu won¡¯t leave on your own, I¡¯ll have to have you removed. You can see how your presence affects
Everett¡¯s mother!¡±
¡°Dorothy, if you
¡°No, I won¡¯t leave. I have to stay with Everett Dorothy shook her head as if obsessed, ¡°When he wakes
up, he¡¯ll want to see me first. I know it! I can¡¯t leave
Jonathan frowned and signaled to the bodyguards standing nearby.
Two men immediately hoisted Dorothy up from either side.
¡°I¡¯ve tried to reason with you, but if you won¡¯t listen, don¡¯t me me for throwing you out!¡±
Dorothy struggled fiercely. ¡°I need to be here! Don¡¯t touch me!¡±
But she was already badly injured, every touch causing her immense pain. How could she fight against
two men?
Soon, her voice faded away from the emergency room floor.
Jonathan nced at the elevator then his gaze fell on the spot where Dorothy had been lying
The blood there had dried, dark and red like ink.
It seemed she was injured quite seriously.
Amanda in his arme was crying her heart out, her eyes swollen like walnuts.
¡°Jonathan, it¡¯s all that Dorothy¡¯s fault! Heather was so gentle, and she loved our son so much that she
would never have done something like this! You must send someone to take care of that menace, or
our family will never have peace!¡±
Jonathan furrowed his brow deeply, and he let out a heavy sigh, ¡°We do owe Honther for the past, but
you¡¯ve already made a scene for so long. It is enough!
¡°Our son is in the emergency room, his life hanging by a thread, and you¡¯re at defending Dorothy?¡±
¡°But it wasn¡¯t Dorothy who stabbed our son!
Amanda was stunned into silence by the rebuke, her sobs momentarily forgotten.
Finally, Jonathan stood up, nced at Dorothy who had been thrown out of the hospital but refused to
leave, and said firmly, ¡°Calm yourself. The doctors from abroad are in ce and ready. We¡¯re preparing
to leave. Saving Everett is what¡¯s most important now.¡±
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Chapter 457
Dorothy found herself abandoned outside the hospital, her gaze locked on the relentlessly closing
doors. A lock clicked into ce, sealing off her hopes as shey powerless on the cold ground.
Her heart swelled with frustration, cursed her helplessness, and loathed her inability to do anything in
that critical moment.
In her rtionship with Everett, Dorothy had always been the passive one, while Everett, the gant
hero, had always been the one to shield her from the storms of life.
As dusk turned to night, the sky darkened ominously.
The evening breeze grew stronger, carrying the earthy scent of an impending downpour.
Soon, the rumble of thunder rolled through the air!
Dorothy¡¯s eyes remained fixed on those closed doors. They seemed to draw a clear line between two
worlds.
No one coulde out and she couldn¡¯t go in.
Giant raindrops began to fall, driven by a biting wind, washing away the dried blood on Dorothy¡¯s skin
and soaking her thin clothes. Yet Dorothy stayed put, even mustering the strength to prop herself up,
inching closer to the barrier that separated her from Everett
This was as close as she could get to him.
Time lost meaning, and the rain¡¯s duration blurred into oblivion. Suddenly, the rain above her ceased.
Slowly, Dorothy looked up to find Keh standing beside her, shielding her with a vast ck umbre,
¡°Dorothy, let¡¯s head back,¡± he urged.
¡°No¡ she croaked with her hoarse voice.
Keh crouched, gently wiping the rain from her cheeks with the corner of his jacket. ¡°Don¡¯t you see?
Every time you and Everette close, disaster follows! Without him, your life might be dull, but at
least it¡¯s stable. Without you, he¡¯d still be the
untouchable and proud Mr. Everett Lopez!¡±
His words seared into Dorothy¡¯s heart.
A sudden pain clutched her chest, as if a heavy stone was crushing her, making it hard to breathe,
tears streaming uncontrobly. ¡°I never meant to hurt him¡¡± She would rather be the one dying!
¡°Yes, I know, and even Everett¡¯s parents are aware! But you¡¯ve seen it yourself, even after what
Heather did, the Lopez family didn¡¯t choose to ept you.¡±
What would be of Heather was not interesting to Keh. His sole concern was to persuade
Dorothy to stop torturing
herself and return.
¡°Keh, just let me wait for him here. As soon as I know he¡¯s alive, I¡¯ll leave.¡±
Dorothy was running on fumes, both mentally and physically, clinging desperately to the hope of seeing
Everett again. Keh positioned the umbre over her. As he reached to lift her he recoiled at the
scorching heat of her fevered skin. ¡°You¡¯re burning up! Dorothy, you need toe back with me now!¡±
She had just undergone surgery and was covered in wounds, and now drenched in the rain for so long.
It was a miracle she hadn¡¯t gone into shock.
¡°No, I won¡¯t leave.¡± Dorothy was weak and shaky in her voice, but the word ¡°no¡± came out with
undeniable rity. ¡°He hasn¡¯t woken up yet¡ I have to stay with him.¡±
Keh was at his wit¡¯s end. ¡°Dorothy! Do you want to kill yourself with this stubbornness? If not for
anyone else, think about your children! Abigail and Langston are waiting for you. They¡¯re your kids with
Everett!¡±
Chapter 458
On the mention of Abigail and Langston, Dorothy finally settled her gaze with a different light sparked in
her eyes.
¡°Abigail¡ she¡¯s okay, right?¡±
¡°She¡¯s fine! Heather didn¡¯ty a finger on her. With Karen watching over her, she didn¡¯t even lose a
hair!¡±
¡°And what about Karen?¡±
Keh thinned his lips and didn¡¯t answer immediately.
Dorothy clenched her heart and grabbed his sleeve, urgent with worry, ¡°Is Karen badly hurt? Did
Heather do something to her?¡±
At the thought of what Heather had done to hersell, Dorothy was filled with instant terror!
She feared that Karen had suffered those torments.
¡°She¡¯s alright, better than alright! Her parents picked her up to take care of her Keh quickly
reassured her. ¡°You¡¯re the one who got the worst of it, Dorothy Come back with me. Who knows how
long you¡¯ll have to wait here?¡±
Keh had rushed to the scene earlier. By the time he arrived, Everett was already deeply
unconscious, being whisked away in an ambnce along with Heather.
He had headed inside the warehouse. Upon entering, the smell of blood hit him. Following the scent,
he stumbled upon a huge pool of blood on the ground.
It was a sight that shook him to his core!
Keh thought Everett hadn¡¯t made it.
Later on, it was only after he held back Kevin, who was dealing with the aftermath, that he learned
which hospital Everett had been taken to.
Keh knew Dorothy would ask about him as soon as she woke up
But as for Everett¡¯s condition, he knew it wasn¡¯t good. Even if she stayed by the dacr all night, there
might not be any news.
¡°Please, let me stay here to be with him,¡± Dorothy whispered weakly. ¡°He¡¯s done so much for me. Let
me do this.¡±
Keh fell his gaze, realizing just how thin she had be sinceing to Elcornia City, frail and
gaunt.
Her corbone was deeply recessed, and her vertebrae protruded starkly as she bowed her head.
¡°I never could say no to you.¡±
Keh let out a heavy sigh and called a friend from the City Hospital to bring over a coat and some
fever reducers.
Even if she wasn¡¯t going back for treatment, she needed to bring her fever dawn.
At this rate, she was going to faint right there.
Unable to sway her, Keh stayed by Dorothy, waiting through the night as it turned to day through
the cessation of the torrential rain. Until he had smoked his way through an entire pack of cigarettes,
they still got no news,
Finally, at seven in the morning, a person in a whiteb coat emerged, opening the door,
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The sight of Dorothy and Keh seemed to startle him.
¡°What are you two doing here?¡±
Dorothy tried to speak, but her voice was as if lost, her lips moving without sound.
Thankfully, Keh was there. He stood up and approached, ¡°Hello, I wanted to ask about the patient
brought in yesterday, Everett. How is he doing?¡±
The doctor blinked, recollecting. ¡°Ah! The young heir of the wealthy Lopoz family?
¡°That¡¯s the one!¡±
¡°He¡¯s transferred overseas during the night¡± The doctor nced at Dorothy¡¯s pale face and continued,
¡°His injuries were too severe and that stab wound was fatal! Pierced right through the chest, there was
nothing more we could do.¡±
Keh turned to support Dorothy, who was attempting to crawl to the doctor¡¯s feat, her voice raspy
and barely nudible.
¡°Whic¡ country did he go to?
¡°I have no idea!¡± the doctor replied.
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Chapter 458
On the mention of Abigail and Langston, Dorothy finally settled her gaze with a different light sparked in
her eyes.
¡°Abigail¡ she¡¯s okay, night?¡±
¡°She¡¯s fine! Heather didn¡¯ty a finger on her. With Karen watching over her, she didn¡¯t even lose a
hair!¡±
¡°And what about Karm?¡±
Keh thinned his lips and didn¡¯t answer immediately
Dorothy clenched her heart and grabbed his sleeve, urgent with worry. ¡°Is Karen badly hurt? Did
Heather do something to her?¡±
At the thought of what Heather had done to herself, Dorothy was filled with instant terror!
She feared that Karen had suffered those torments.
¡°She¡¯s alright, better than alright! Her parents picked her up to take care of her, Keh quickly
reassured her, ¡°You¡¯re the one who got the worst of it. Dorothy. Come back with me. Who knows how
long you¡¯ll have to wait here?¡±
Keh had rushed to the scene earlier. By the time he arrived, Everett was already deeply
unconscious, being whisked away in an ambnce along with Heather.
He had headed inside the warehouse. Upon entering, the smell of blood hit him. Following the scent,
blood on the ground.
It was a sight that shook him to his care!
Keh thought Everett hadn¡¯t made it. stumbled upon a huge pool of
Later on, it was only after he held back Kevin, who was dealing with the aftermath, that he learned
which hospital Everett had been taken to.
Keh knew Dorothy would ask about him as soon as she woke up.
But as for Everett¡¯s condition, he knew it wasn¡¯t good. Even if she stayed by the door all night, there
might not be any news.
¡°Please, let me stay here to be with him,¡± Dorothy whispered weakly, ¡°He¡¯s done so much for me. Let
me do this.¡±
Keh fell his gaze, realizing just how thin she had be sinceing to Eldoria City frail and
gaunt.
Her corbone was deeply recessed, and her vertebrae protruded starkly as she bowed her head.
¡°I never could say no to you.¡±
Keh let out a heavy sigh and called a friend from the City Hospital to bring over a coat and some
fever reducers
Even if she wasn¡¯t going back for treatment, she needed to bring her fever down.
At this rate, she was going to faint right there.
Unable to sway her, Keh stayed by Dorothy, waiting through the night as it turned to day through
the cessation of the tomential Until he had smoked his way through an entire pack of cigarettes, they
still got no news.
Finally, at seven in the morning, a person in a whiteb coat emerged, opening the door
The sight of Dorothy and Keh seemed to startle him.
¡°What are you two doing here?¡±
N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.
Dorothy tried to speak, but her voice was as if lost, her lips moving without sound.
Thankfully, Keh was there. He stood up and approached, ¡°Hello, I wanted to ask about the patient
brought in yesterday, Everett. How is he doing?¡±
The doctor blinked, recollecting, ¡°All The young heir of the wealthy Lopez family?
¡°That¡¯s the one!¡±
¡°He¡¯s transfered overseas during the night!¡± The doctor nced at Dorolly¡¯s pale face and continued.
¡°His injuries were too severe and that stab wound was fatal! Pierced right through the chest, there was
nothing more we could do.¡±
Keh turned to support Dorothy, who was attempting to crawl to the doctor¡¯s feet, her voice raspy
and barely audible.
¡°Which country did he go to?¡±
¡°Thave no ideal the doctor replied.
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Chapter 459
The doctor had just left the room when Keh scooped Berochy up from the floor.
¡°You know, with Nim cut of the picture now you can finallye back with me, right?
Dorothy¡¯s game was hollow. It took her a long moment to respond. Kevin! Yes, Kevin must know where
he¡¯s gone. Keh, please, take me to Lopez Corporation¡®
¡°You¡¯re going to show up like this? You should at skin with stains of blood here and there
It was an understatement to say she was a mess swing by the hospital to clean up and change Her
clothes were soaked through clinging to her
I can¡¯t wait, I just can¡¯t I need to be with Everett Keh please, just take me there, right now! The
words were forced. Her voice was so house and i was almost inaud ble, with her lips barely moving
N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.
¡°No way, you¡¯reing with me first Keh couldn¡¯t let her go on like this. They had been up at night,
and even the healthiest body could take this. Dorothy clutched at his shirt desperately. Please..¡±
I¡¯m the one begging you okay? Well hit the hospital, charge your clothes, and then well ga
¡°Now..
Before Derathy could finish her plea,darkness enveloped her vision, and she lost consciousness in a
sed
She had pushed herself to her limit
Dorthy Dorothy
Keh Furriedly carried her toward City Hospital. There was no time to go back to their original
hospital. They needed the closest one.
Dorothy was burning up. At this rate, she¡¯d be gone before Everett
In Memo City. Swevia Country
As soon as the ne touched down, a medical team that had been waning rushed forward
Everett was quickly transferred to the private hospital of Lopez Corporation for emergency surgery.
As her son was wheeled into the OR for the third time Amanda fainted again
The attending physician suggested she rest, but who could sleep at a time like this?
Time licked mincikssly on Junathan stood resolutely our side the DR neither eating nor drinking
Jonathan, Ms. Garcia has been detained¡±
His bodyguard approached bending at the waist in a shon of respect as he reported.
Are we sure she¡¯s but it?
¡°Yes, sir. Mut ple doctors have confirmed it
Jonathan had wanted to eliminate future threats. Heather had brought nothing but trouble to the Lopez
family. He had thought Heather would be content about the payment for her saving his wife. But now
everything had escted
Heather wanted to die with her son
Jonathan could not tolerate h.
¡°Take care of the said, his voice devoid of hestation, his face a mask of resolve.
To grant Heather a swift end was already more mercy than she deserved.
¡®Yes. Jonathan¡®
As the bodyguard turned to fear, Amanda, who had juste to and was being wheeled over, grabbed
ham, looking to her husband, Nol Heather saved my Le
¡°Haven¡¯t we repay her enough? Jonathan erupted, his voice rarely this harsh with his wife. The turned
a blind eye in the past, think ng if you two finished your schemes and my ton ended up marrying hey, it
would be a happy ending. You¡¯d get a daughter¨Cinw you genuinely liked. But look at what Heather¡¯s
doing now!
He never imagined his wife would go so far as to endanger lives for Fir
Heather had not only tried to kill Dorothy but also dared to If a hand against the Lopez family¡¯s Ineage.
Regardless of how Dorothy¡¯s children might turn out, they were of the Lopez family!
Jonathan
¡°What¡¯s more important to you, your son or Heather? You better get your priorities straight.
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Chapter 460
¡°Can¡¯t you see how this breaks my heart? She¡¯s out of her mind, let¡¯s just leave her with her life! I
promise you, I won¡¯t help her anymore. If she stirs up any more trouble, it¡¯s on her head Jonathan
simply couldn¡¯t understand his wife
He even let live Heather was the flesh and blood of Amanda!
¡°She tried to kill our son And you¡¯re still making excuses fer her?¡±
N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.
Tut the real culprit behind all this is Dorothy! I get where Heather¡¯sing from. She felt hopeless and
thought she couldn¡¯t have a future with Everett so the
¡°Enough!¡± Jonathan snapped, cutting her off sharply yet when he saw his wife¡¯s pleading eyes, he
couldn¡¯t bring himself to say more. ¡°Just pray Everett¡¯s okay. Otherwise, I¡¯ll never forgive Heather¡±
Amanda nodded solemnly. ¡°Ai my age. if I lose my son might as well follow him to the grave.¡±
¡°You¡¯re just enal:ley Heather!
Jonathan took a deep breath his gaze shifting just in time to see a doctor emerging from the operating
room
He rushed over, ¡®How is my son doing?¡±
¡°He¡¯s not in great shape. He had moments of consciousness during the surgery and kept muttering
something about Dorothy Does that mean anything to you?¡±
Jonathan and Amanda exchanged a knowing look.
¡°No! My son doesn¡¯t know anyone named Dorothy.¡± Amanda insisted, still trying to distance her son
from any connection with Darath,
The cloctor unaware of the imricacies, simply nodded, 1 must have misheard. I thought if the person
was close to the patient, bringing her in might help. especially to boost his wil to live. His injuries are
severe but he kept calling our Dorothy though his voice was too faim for me to catch clearly¡±
¡°Can I go in then? To beg him to live for me!¡± Amanda clutched the doctor¡¯s hand desperately. Tim his
mother, who could be more important to him?¡±
The doctor pausec, gently patting her hand, ¡®Not new, dont worry ill call for you if we need you¡±
After he turned to leave, Jonathan quickly caught up and grabbed the doctor¡¯s attention if my son calls
out that name again, sell him Dorothy¡¯s okay and she¡¯s doing well¡±
Dorothy had beer incoracious for nearly 30 hours.
Infections had set in at almost every wound, causing a relentless high fever
How could you care for someone so poorly? Does she at need her legs anymore? the doctor berated
Keh, She just had surgery for a fracture and you let her leave the hospital, get caught in the tan, all
right no less. Do you want her to die?¡±
Keh stood silently with guilt and exhaustion. His dars Sticles under his eyes could not be more
evident.
Ever since Dorothy had been saved from the death, he hadn¡¯t dared to close his eyes. Karen was
home taking care of the kids, and Keh ardin¡¯t trust Anyone else
I¡¯m sorry, doctor. You have to save her please!!
¡°Do you realize if the infection worsens, it could cause mutiple gan failure, and there would be nothing I
could do? Even the god makes no difference then.¡±
¡°How is she now?¡±
The doctor gave him a sharp look mistaking him for the patient¡¯s husband.
¡°She¡¯s clinging to life We¡¯ve managed to pull her back from the brink but if this continues, those legs
are done for. She won¡¯t be able to stand again for the rest of her life!¡®
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Chapter 461
¡°Yeah, yeah, I promise I wont let her move an inch Keh assured with vigorous nods. ¡°So, when will
she woke up?¡±
It¡¯s hard to say. She wasn¡¯t in the best shape to begin with and with all this drama. Just keep a close
eye on her.¡±
With those parting words. the doctor left
Keh returned to the hospital room to find Dorothy her face void of any color, which made him feel a
mixture of anger and sorrow. But then, reflecting on himself, wasn¡¯t he also cast from the same meld1
His friends had told him time and again to move on and stop wasting his time, and even Dorothy had
urged him to find a girlfriend
But it¡¯s not so easy to just take his affection for Dorothy back once it¡¯s given away.
As the evening acroached, Karen finally managed to slp away from home, leaving the kids with her
parents
¡°Dorothy hasnt woken up yet?¡±
She approached the bedside. sighing as she looked at the fire lying there Bro, why does she have to
have such a
¡°The doctor said she¡¯s out of danger, just unconscious. Let her sleep it off. When shees to, stall
probably wi
Keh dabbed at her hands with a towel, gently avoiding her wounds with tender care
Karen heaved a long sigh. ¡°It¡¯s pretty clear that Dorothy and Everets are done for good this time. So
what about you?¡±
I¡¯m not pushing for anything. As long as she¡¯s okay that¡¯s al that matters.¡±
to go running back to Everett.
Keh looked up and smiled at Karen. ¡°When I saw Darolty all battered and bruised, chasing after
Everett regardless of her life, I wanted to make them a match! How many times in life do we get the
chance tow like that?!
But their ss difference is lus overwhelming! After all thats happened. Tve been thinking. We see
Carochy exhausted, worn thin because of Everett, but Everett had done a lot too, maybe as much as
Dorothy is not talk about them anymore. It¡¯s in fate¡¯s hands now¡± Keh didn¡¯t want to dwell on it. He
ced Dorothy¡¯s hand back under the covers a raised an eyebrow at Karen What about you? Hew are
you holding up
Karen¡¯s face sported a few scratches, but nothing serious. A bit of antiseptic and a bandage were
enough to heal her cut
I¡¯m fine! The whole thing wasn¡¯t even about me. It¡¯s just my parents making a mountain out of a
malehdi, insisting I stay home with them¡± Karen pulled up a chair and crossed her legs. The only thing
liegret is not giving Heather a piece of my mind when I had the chance. I mean, I¡¯m usualy sharp¨C
tongued but when I really needed it, I was at a loss for words
Keh chucked at herment. If it wasnt for your mouth you probably wouldn¡¯t have these
scratches on your face!
¡°If it wasn¡¯t for my mouth, I¡¯d probably suffocate Karer rolled her eyes. The wanted to give Heather a
verbalshing for ages. Look, Dorothy¡¯s maxing! Dorothy¡¯s moving¡±
Karens pentence was cut short as they noticed the person on the bed stirring.
Keh quickly moved closer. Dorothy?¡±
Her eyes slowly fluttered open to see Keh and Karen ansiously peering down at her.
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Dorothy instinct wely tried to sit up but quickly copsed back onto the bed.
¡°Ugh. ¡°Pain contorted every feature of her face.
¡°Don¡¯t move!¡± Keh pressed and rmed her. ¡°Your leg is seriously injured. Do you really went to
end up crippled?¡±
Karen echoed andiously, ¡°Yeah Dorothy, please dont movel¡®
But Dorothy seemed deaf to their pleas, her fest words were, ¡°Take me to Everett.¡±
Even if it meant ruining her legs for good, she was determined to stand by Everett.
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¡°You can¡¯t just leave the hospital, Dorothy! Otherwise, I lie you to the bed myself, and you¡¯re not going
anywhere?
Keh had indulged her once already, letting her get drenched in the ran all night. Now that she knew
Everett had gone abroad for treatment, she should be calming down!
Dorothy looked at him, his determination clear, then turned her gaze to Karen.
¡°Abigal has been scared out of her wits because of what happened to Heather. She cries her eyes out
as soon as it gets dark Even Langston and I try to soothe her, it doesn¡¯t work! Dorothy don¡¯t you care
about them?¡±
Her children..
A flicks of emotion finally crossed Dorothy¡¯s eyes.
Just when Karen and Keh thought she hade to her senses, Dorothy said, ¡°Could you hand me
my phone, please?
Keh exchanged a look with Karen before turning around to fetch Dorothy¡¯s phone
Taking the phone with her bandaged hand, Dorothy powered it on. It was inundated with unread
messages and missed calls, most from Lane.
But she wasn¡¯t in the mood to confront Lane. Instead, she scaled to Kevin¡¯s number and dialed.
The phone rang over and over until it was almost cut off automatically when finally, someone on the
other end picked up
¡°Ms. Sancher.¡±
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.
¡°Kevin, I..¡±
know what youre going to ask! But I can¡¯t
I tell you anything due to the chairman¡¯s orders!¡± Kevin felt that the couple belonged together, but he
couldn¡¯t bear the consequences
Dorothy¡¯s mouth fel open, her fingers digging into the phone, Is he awake?¡±
She didn¡¯t care to ask if Everett was dead, so she went straight to whether he had regained
consciousness.
There was a long sigh on the other end, ¡°I didn¡¯t go with him. They left me behind to deal with the
company matters. I don¡¯t know anything specific!¡±
Kevin was just as arous about Mr. Loper¡¯s condition, but with his status, he couldn¡¯t just call the
charman to ask! he wakes up he¡¯ll look for me. Hell worry about me. I need to be by his sider
¡°Ms Sanchez, if I get any news, I¡¯ll let you know night away! I¡¯ve got to go now, I¡¯m sorry!
He hung up abruptly When Dorothy Ened to call back, the phone was turned off.
At this point, even Kewn dared not do anything more.
Seeing her still alteroting to make calls, Keh reached out to stop Dorothy. Don¡¯t make things
difficult for Kevin
Dorothy was in silence
Karen stood up suddenly. ¡°Dorothy how about I bring Langston to the hospital to keep youpany?
Abigal is a bit frightened, so we¡¯ll leave her be, but Langston cane
She thought that if the children were with her in the hospital, it might help distract Dorothy
Without waiting for approval, Karen dashed out to fetch the childrm.
Keh took Dorothy¡¯s phone away, his expression stern, ¡°No one¡¯s helping you this imel Stop trying
to find Evell¡±
Dorothy ignored him, trying to get up with all her might
She fell back over and over again until her wounds were nearly split open again
Keh, out of desperation, found some rope to tie her to the bed!
Keh Let me go!¡±
¡°Even if you end up bating me for this, you can¡¯t lene¡±
As they spoke, K¨¹ren arrived with Langston at the hospital room
At the sight of her son, Dorothy finally calmed down
Langston ran over and took his mommy¡¯s hand, Mommy, does it hurt?¡±
Tears weled up in Dorally¡¯s eyes, dropping one by one.
The next second, Langston leaned close to his mommy¡¯s ear and whispered, ¡°Mommy, his phone¡¯s
GPS is currently in Mmo City Swevia Country¡±
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Dorothy gazed at her son, Langston, in shock as he shed a row of tiny and even teeth, winking at
her.
¡°You¡¯ve got to bring him back, Mom. I¡¯m wasting away here without his cooking!¡±
I will¡ I promise I¡¯ll find him.¡±
Keh and Karen couldn¡¯t make out what the mother and son were discussing, but the smile finally
breaking across Dorothy¡¯s face was enough to let them breathe a sigh of relief.
The relentless toil of recent days had aged Keh by more than a decade.
¡°Keh, leave this to me. You need to get some rest!¡±
Karen, too, felt for her cousin. The weariness in his eyes was unmistakable, his clothes unchanged for
days. He¡¯d been Dorothy¡¯s steadfast guardian, and nobody could keep up that pace forever.
¡°But she¡¡±
¡°Don¡¯t worry! Before you wake, I¡¯ll be right here.¡± Karen patted his shoulder. You resting row means you
can take better care of Dorothyter.¡±
Keh nced at Dorothy lying in the bed and radded reluctantly. Before leaving, he couldn¡¯t help but
fuss. ¡°She¡¯s emotionally fragile right now, so dont upset her! Call me immediately if anything happens,
and keep an eye on her bandages for any bleeding.¡±
¡°Jeez, I canke care of her! Plus, we¡¯w got the doctors here¡±
When had he turned into such a worrywart?
Helpless, Keh managed a half¨Csmile, then approached Dorothy¡¯s bedside and spoke gently, Till
just crash at a nearby hotel ande back once I¡¯ve rested. Have a good chat with Karen and
Langston.¡±
Dorothy nodded and murmured her thanks, which Keh wished he didn¡¯t have to hear. It only
reminded him that he was still an outsider.
Outside the operating room, the anxious wait continued
It felt as if a single door separated two different worlds!
Jonathan was finally feeling the strain. He summoned a doctor to administer nutrient solutions to keep
him going.
His wife had been sent to rest, mainly to spare him the irritation of her worry.
Who would have thought that Jonathan, who¡¯d sai ed smoothly through life, would face such a trial in
his golden years?
The doctors had emerged several times with grim updates: Everett¡¯s condition was critical without signs
of improvement. If things continued this way, they feared the worst.
Panic was creeping up on Jonathan, though he maintained a facade of calm
After much contemtion, he decided to prepare for every oue and made a call, ¡®Bring the two
kids Dorothy had for the Lopez family to Swevia Country.¡±
In the event of a tragedy, the Lopez family would still have an heir.
But Dorothy couldn¡¯t be the one to raise them. Her status was not suited for the future head of the
Lopez family.
If their origins leaked, it would tamish the family¡¯s reputation.
¡°Understood, Jonathan.¡±
¡°Also, prepare a¡¯ check for fifty million for Dorothy. Than, by whatever means necessary, get her to sign
the agreement to relinquish her parental rights.¡±
After hanging up, Jonathan exhaled deeply, his hand drooping. For the first time in his life, he felt truly
powerless.
Wealth was of no use here as he faced the prospect of losing his son.
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
Suddenly, the doors to the operating room swung open!
This time, the doctor burst out with excitement stered across his face.
¡°It worked! His heart stopped beating several times. In my desperation, I told him Dorothy was still
waiting for him. Incredibly, It actually worked!¡±
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¡°How about now?¡±
¡°The indicators are showing a miraculous improvement. His will to live has surged like crazy! If he pulls
through today, I¡¯d say he¡¯s got a fighting chance at life!¡±
For the first time since the ident, there was a glimmer of hope.
Jonathan blurted out, ¡°Save my son, and I¡¯ll donate a fortune to your hospital immediately!¡±
¡°Well do everything we can,¡± the doctor reassured before tuming back to his duties.
Jonathan clutched his chest, finally breathing a sigh of relief after what felt like an eternity.
He rushed to share the news with his wife.
Amanda came running from the lounge, ¡°Is it true? Are you sure this isn¡¯t just a false rally?
¡°What are you talking about? Our boy has the luck of the angels!¡± Jonathan paused for a few seconds
before adding. ¡°The doctor said he started getting better after calling out for Dorothy. Maybe we
should.¡±
Amanda cut him off, ¡°Maybe we should what? Embrace Dorothy into the Lopez family?¡±
¡°Look, Heather is out of the picture now. I¡¯ve been thinking, Dorothy might not have the right
background, but we can lift her up! We could set her up with her business and craft a suitable
backstory. Whomever the Lopez family chooses to uplift can rise high and fast.?
This way they could avoid gossip and fulfill their son¡¯s wishes. Jonathan realized just how important
Dorothy was to his son.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.
If they continued to ck her, who knew what might happen?
But Amanda tly rejected the idea. ¡°No way, honey! Even if we set our differences aside and ept
Dorothy, there¡¯s the matter of her mother.¡±
She didn¡¯t finish her sentence, instead carefully watching her husband¡¯s reaction.
¡°Haven¡¯t you destroyed all the evidence? Dorothy knows nothing. Why not just pin everything on
Heather?¡±
Jonathan was initially in the dark about these matters. Amanda usually acted first and reportedter.
When things got out of hand, she¡¯d call him to clean up the mess.
¡°Why must it be Dorothy who marries into our family? Every time I see her, it reminds me of the past,
and we will never live in harmony.¡±
¡°You! I can¡¯t believe you¡¯d go to such lengths for Heather!¡±
Had he kept a closer eye on things, they might not be in this mess
Amanda pursed her lips, feeling wronged, ¡°Even setting aside what Heather did for me, look at how
loyally she¡¯s served the Lopez Corporation. She¡¯s been by my side, keeping mepany, making me
laugh while you and the bay were off working. Before Dorothy showed up, she never asked me for
anything! Just to help her deal with a romantic rival, how could I refuse?¡±
Jonathan wanted to continue the lecture, but he realized he hadn¡¯t been around much for her.
Her favoritism towards Heather, treating her like her own daughter, was somewhat understandable.
¡°I just fear that this will drive a wedge between us and our son!¡±
¡°That won¡¯t happen. Everett is our flesh and blood after all. He isn¡¯t heartless.¡±
Jonathan didn¡¯t respond, but he had a nagging feeling that this wasn¡¯t going to be easily resolved.
¡°I¡¯ve arranged for Everett¡¯s kids to be brought here. I¡¯m telling you now, no mistreating them. Even if
Dorothy is their mother, they are still Lopez family!¡±
¡°Huh?¡± Amanda creased her face in a frown before she murmured a reluctant agreement, ¡°I won¡¯t. As
long as they behave and don¡¯t keep screaming for Dorothy.¡°
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¡°I might not be fond of that Dorothy, but I be damned if I let you tum the Lopez family upside down!¡±
Jonathan¡¯s nerves were rattled by the recent debacle involving Heather. In the past, he had been
reluctant to interfere, partly out of consideration for his wife¡¯s health and sheerziness when it came to
domestic squabbles.
Had he known that Amanda had spoiled Heather to such an extent, allowing her to be so
unhinged that she even harmed their son, he would have stepped in to set things right.
Amanda, knowing she was at fault, offered a meek exnation, ¡°Look at our friends around here. Their
daughters¨Cinw and sons¨Cinwe from matching social backgrounds. I just wanted to find
someone for Everett who¡¯s well¨Ceducated,petent, and could help him in his career. Isn¡¯t that in his
best interest?¡±
¡°Heather might be capable, but she¡¯s cold¨Chearted and ruthless. She¡¯d stop at nothing! That¡¯s just
uneptable.¡±
¡°But honey, think back to before Dorothy came into the picture. Everett and Heather were so good
together! At work, Heather supported him tirelessly, and you can¡¯t deny that. And personally, they were
such good friends, often seen dining out with Jeffrey. There were no issues whatsoever! Dorothy is
where it all went wrong.¡±
¡°No matter what, once Everett¡¯s back on his feet, I don¡¯t want to hear another peep about Heather from
you!¡±
Amanda nodded quickly. ¡°You got it, I won¡¯t bring her up again! I won¡¯t let her anywhere near our son. I
owe her for past kindness, but that¡¯s it. Even if you could tolerate her, I can¡¯t. I¡¯m scared she¡¯ll hurt
Everett again.¡±
¡°All I pray for now is that you really did destroy all the evidence from that nasty business with Dorothy¡¯s
mother. Not a trace left! I can¡¯t bear to think what would happen if it came to light Jonathan didn¡¯t even
want to entertain the thought of Everett¡¯s reaction.
In a room at Eldoria City Hospital.
Karen was stunned, staring at the empty hospital bed.
Just minutes ago, Langston had thrown a tantrum for some pastry, and Dorothy said she wanted to
rest. So, Karen had taken Langston downstairs to the bakery, trying not to disturb her rest.
But now she was gone!
Thankfully, Karen wasn¡¯tpletely clueless. She immediately turned to the little boy beside her,
¡°Langston, you knew your mom was nning to bolt, didn¡¯t you?¡±
Langston pouted, trying to feign ignorance, ¡°How would I know?¡±
¡°You¡¯re lying! You begged to go for pastries, and then you said you didn¡¯t like any at the shop, so we
went to another. You can¡¯t tell me you weren¡¯t stalling for time?¡±
¡°Heh!¡± Langston caved, throwing his hands up in a mock surrender, ¡°Mom¡¯s the adult. If she wants to
go somewhere, what can a little
kid like me do?¡±
¡°You¡¡± Karen was so exasperated she was lost for words, ¡°She¡¯s injured! I¡¯m not trying to stop her for
the sake of it, but her body can¡¯t
take this kind of strain!¡±
Everyone was acting
of concern for her well¨Cbeing, not to harm her.
¡°I know¡± Langston nodded, looking into Karen¡¯s eyes. ¡°But Mommy¡¯s unhappy here. I saw her cry.¡±
Karen was speechless.
¡°I think if Mommy is sad, her wounds won¡¯t heal! If she¡¯s willing to leave despite the pain, it means she
really wants to find that person, right?¡±
Langston¡¯s words struck a chord with Karen.
But still¡
N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.
She nced at the empty bed and groaned, clutching her forehead, ¡°How am I supposed to exin to
Keh where she¡¯s gone when he shows up?¡±
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¡°Alright tell him Mammy turned into a butterfly and flew away!
Karen rolled her eyes. Tim gunnay low for a bit then. When Keh gets here, you tell him I¡¯ve
turned into a butterfly alongside your mom and fluttered off too!
¡°Why can¡¯t you take me with you?¡±
Langston clutched at the hem of Karen¡¯s sweater: ¡°Aunt Karen, don¡¯t leave me behind!¡±
Tve got my own storm to weather, bud.¡±
Karen lingered in the hospital room, mustering up the courage to call Keh.
As soon as he answered, he blurted out, ¡°is something up with Dorothy?¡±
¡°Uh she¡¯s fine, really happy!¡±
¡°Great, fil freshen up and head over to the hospital to switch with you Got any cravings? I can bring
something by Kehs relief was palpable, his voice noticeably lighter.
Karen was at a loss for words. And her hesitation didn¡¯t go unnoticed.
¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
¡°Bra¡ Dorothy, she¡¯s not at the hospital anymore.¡± Karen braced herself after the confession. ¡®She¡¯s
gone to find Everett ¡°What did you say?!¡±
¡°It was Langston! He must¡¯ve told her where Everett was Karen threw the kid under the bus without a
second thought!
After all, he was the one who stirred up trouble!
Langston¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Aunt Karen! Are you seriously doing this?¡±
¡°Yep, stop talking!¡±
Keh had no patience for their antics. After hanging up, he rushed to the hospital.
Upon amival, he found the two of them looking sheepishly at one another.
Taking a deep breath to avoid scaring Langston, Keh strode over and crouched beside him.
¡°Langston, can you tell Uncle Keh where your mon headed off to?¡®
Langston shook his head, unwilling to spill the beans.
¡°I¡¯m trying to protect her not hurt your mom. She¡¯s all alone, injured, and abroad. Are you okay with
that?¡±
Langston, still so young, hadn¡¯t really thought that far ahead, but Keh¡¯s words struck a chord.
¡°Look, tell me where she went, and I won¡¯t stop her from going. I just want to make sure she¡¯s taken
care of. She can¡¯t even stand on her Own. What if she¡¯s bullied abroad with no one to help?¡±
Langston blinked and whispered, ¡°Would you really let Mommy go?¡±
¡°I will! I mean¡ I¡¯ve never been able to keep her anyway.¡± It wasn¡¯t the first time, after all. He was used
to it
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Okay, then.¡±
Langston sent Everettsst known location from his mom¡¯s phone to Keh, then added cautiously,
¡°Keh, I think I chucked your passport when I was swiping my mom¡¯s. You might need to get a new
one¡
Karen had been trying not tough, and finally managed to say, ¡°Langston, you sure are your mother¡¯s
son!¡±
With Langston¡¯s help. Dorothy made a beeline for Everett¡¯s location.
Unable to stand, she traveled in a wheelchair.
She knew that even upon arriving, encountering Everett wouldn¡¯t be easy. But Dorothy was driven by a
single belief- She had to go! No matter how daunting the journey, she needed to be by Everell¡¯s side.
The ne touched down as scheduled, and Dorothy sent Langston a message to let him know she
was safe before exiting t She was about to hail a cab when her phone rang. Locking down, she saw it
was a call from Lane.
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Dorothy didn¡¯t hesitate for a second before hanging up and blocking the number.
She saw no reason to keep in touch with someone who had betrayed her
Whether he wanted to exin or shirk responsibility she had no interest in hearing it
She hailed a cab and rushed to the address on her phene, only to discover that it was the private
hospital owned by the wealthy Lopez family. The prospect of even getting through the front gate to see
Everett was hard, let alone actually seeing him
As Dorothy saw a car rolling out of the driveway, she quickly maneuvered her wheelcha to block its
path, forcing the driver to m on the brakes just shy of hitting her.
¡°Who are you?¡± asked the man stepping out of the vehicle, a doctor by the looks of his white coat. He
was visibly shocked to see Dorothy blocking his way.
¡°I need to see Everett Can you get me in?¡± she asked desperately.
¡°You want to see Mr. Lopez?¡± He raised an eyebrow, sizing up Dorothy skeptically before ily denying
her request. ¡°I can¡¯t help you. This is a private hospital. Only Mr. Lopez himself can authorize your entry
As he moved to leave. Dorothy stubbornly positiered her wheelchair in front of the car, signaling she
wouldn¡¯t budge.
The doctor sighed, getting out of the car again. Look, I¡¯m bound by regtions. Theres nothing I can
do¡±
¡°Then can you at least tell me how Everett is doing?s he¡ awake?¡±N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.
¡°I can¡¯t disclose the! he eximed, clearly anxious about revealing any information to a stranger who
could potentially cause trouble for the Lopez family.
Dorothy quickly exined ¡°Tim Everetts¡ ewle. He was injured trying to sove me! You don¡¯t have to let
me in: I just want to know how he¡¯is¡®
Ex¨Cwife? The doctor had never heard about their young master being married before. ¡®Miss, are you
making things up? Mr. Lopez¡¯s only got a girlfriend named Heather, Never heard of any ex¨Cwife.¡±
Dorothy knew that the Lopez family and the circle wouldn¡¯t be aware of her, Amanda would never have
mentioned her to anyone. For a prestigious family like the Loperes, marrying amoner would be
gossip fudde
She had always been aware of the vast gulf between herself and Everett, it was never just a simple
matter of a CFO and his assistant. ¡°Just go, please. Dont make this harder for me¡± the doctor pleaded
¡°Can you at least tell me if he¡¯s alive? Dorothy persisted, desperate for any information.
She had chased him all the way here without thinking of the oues, Even if the Lopez family
decided to chase her off, she wouldn¡¯t leave = not without trying.
¡°Of course Mr. Lopez is alive!¡± he blurted out before covering his mouth in shock. ¡°I didn¡¯t say
anything!¡±
Knowing that Everett was still alive provided Dorothy with a small sense of relief.
She didn¡¯t mean to cause trouble for the doctor ¡°Don¡¯t worry I won¡¯t tell anyone. It¡¯s not like we know
each other.¡±
Dorothy moved her wheelchair aside, watching as his car drove all, a faint smile finally gracing her
face.
He was alive. That was all that mattered.
Suddenly, Dorothy heard someone calling with unmistakable hosty.
¡°Dorothy? What are you doing here?¡±
¡°I came to sey Everelt¡±
her name. She spun around to find Amanda standing at the hospital entrance, ring at her
¡°And what do you think you an, trying to see my son?¡® Amanda¡¯s voice was shall, dripping with . ¡°I
haven¡¯t even settled the score with you, and here you are, showing up on your own ord! Well,
Dorothy, you¡¯ve really asked for it now
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She gave the hospital¡¯s security guard a knowing luck, and like clockwork, two burly m began to
advance towards Dorothy.
Hiding a death in this foreignnd was all too easy.
Back home, Amanda might have had some reservations, but here, this was her turf.
¡°What are you nning to do?¡± Dorothy instinctively backed away.
¡°It¡¯s all because of you! You¡¯ve turned the Loanz household upside down, my son is seriously injured,
and my ns arepletely derailed! Tell me, don¡¯t you deserve to pay for this?¡±
In her entire life, Amanda had never been chastised by her husband, but now, because of Dorothy¡¯s
appearance, their marriage was on the rocks!
How could she swallow this indignity?
Dorothy could see Amanda¡¯s intentions clear as day but right now, she was like amb to the ughter.
As the bodyguards closed in on her, she looked around frantically, finding nowhere to run.
Fortunately, just when things seemed direst, Jonathan heard themotion and stepped out, ¡°Stop!¡±
His face mirrored the shock Amanda had shown just moments ago when he saw Dorothy
¡°Who told you about this? He had thought he¡¯d sealed off the newspletely!
¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. I just just wanted to know how he was, just wanted to see him,¡± Corally stood alone
against them, defenseless yet with an unwavering gaze.
She was determined to stand by Everett
¡°She can¡¯t go in! She only got close to our son for money in the first ce. You can¡¯t forget that! How
do we know she doesnt have ulterior motives now? Anyone can pretend to be in love. In fact, I bet she
hopes for Everett to die so she and her kid can inherit his fortune!¡±
¡°Enough¡± Jonathan was annoyed. He nced at his wife, ¡°Go inside. I need to talk to her
¡°There¡¯s nothing to talk about. Why not just¡¡±
¡°You¡¯re starting to sound just like Heather! All you think about is making people disappear, about
harming others. Have you forgotten what the doctor said? Everett finds out you had something to do
with Dorothy¡¯s death, prepare to be alone
Amanda red at Dorothy venomously and then stormed back inside.
The crisis was temporarily averted. Dorothy¡¯s gaze lingered on the hospital, even though she knew she
was unlikely likely to see anythi see anything
Jonathan dismissed everyone else, leaving just him and Dorothy face to face
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.
Both were silent for a moment, but it was Jonathan who spoke first, ¡°You and Everett can be together.¡±
"I know¡± She had been aware of this truth four years ago. Otherwise, she wouldnt have chosen to
divorce Everell then.
¡°Then why did you still¡?¡±
*Coming back to Eldoria City wasn¡¯t my choice. Later, Heather kidnapped my child, and I had to go!¡±
Jonathan nodded, he was well aware of that. But the critical point of the conversation wasn¡¯t this. ¡°I can
tell you¡¯re not the kind of person who covels wealth, but I hope you understand that a family like the
Lopez¡¯s can¡¯t ept you as a daughter inw¡± I¡¯m aware of that too¡±
¡°Good. Since you understand, Ill be straightforward. The children you bore for Everett, the Lopez family
needs to take them back. I cannot allow the bloodline of the Lopez family to be lost.¡±
¡°No way! They re my children!¡± Domthy rejected the idea without hesitation.
Jonathan had anticipated her resistance and allowed a smile. ¡°Don¡¯t rush to a decision. Let me finish. If
you agree, III let you stay with Everett until he wakes up.¡±
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Dorothy bit her lip. struggling to hold back the rising tide of emotions.
Jonathan sighed heavily his gaze fixed on her ¡°Think about it Dorothy. If the kids stay with you what
kind of life can you offer them? They¡¯d have to struggle for everything, and you cant provide them much
of a leg up in business. And don¡¯t go dreaming that Everett will be there to hea them out. His mother
and I would never allow it.¡±
1 never intended to rely on Everett for the kids, she retorted, her voice barely above a whisper. From
the beginning, her n had been to keep the existence of the children a secret.
But things had spiraled out of control.
¡°Dorothy, don¡¯t be selfish and ruin your children¡¯s future! With the Lopez family, they¡¯d he living the high
life, guaranteed a future filled with every possible opportunity. I promise you, even il Everett remames
and has other kids, still ensure your children get their fair share of the inheritance andpany shares.
We can put that in writing¡±
The thought of the Lopez heirs not being with them, was more than Jonathan could stomach
And unlike his w to, Amanda, who despised Doretty to her core, ming her for all the family¡¯s current
troubles, Jonathan¡¯s motivations were simpler. He just couldn¡¯t see Dorothy as fitting the Lopez
pedigree.
Besides, v with his wifes past misdeeds, imagine if Doretty actually joins the family and one day people
uncover the truth about her mother¡¯s death¡
The Lopez family would be theughingstock of the social circuit, their dirtyundry aired for all to
see.
What Jonathan craved was stability, not another family scandal shaking the very fourdations of their
legacy
¡°I can deny the children are Lopez forever, if thats what you¡¯re warned about, Dorothy offered,
desperation edging her voice.
¡°But even if no one else knows, how will you keep it from Everett? He¡¯ll seek out his crileren. Dorothy, I
don¡¯t want to think you¡¯re as mercenary as my wife ns, chasing Everett for his money. But if you
insist on keeping the kids..
¡°Can I make a cal? Dorothy interrupted, suddenly locking as though she¡¯de to some sort of
resolution.
¡°Of course,¡± Lonathan was clueless about her intent, but they were in Swevia Country, he was
confident she couldn¡¯t cause any serious
Trouble here
Turning away Dorothy dialed the number Byte 7 had given her earlier. It rang for a long whe before
someone finally picked up his voice graggy from sleep and tinged with imitation.
¡°What do you want?¡±
¡°Sorry to bother you but I need to know when can you fix
that thing?
Byte 7 paused, yawring mid sentence. ¡°In a hurry? Pay extra,
and Till bump you up the queue,¡±Original from N?velDrama.Org.
Dorothy pressed her lips together in frustration, knowing full well she didn¡¯t have the funds to expedite
the process.
Sensing her predent, Byle 7 chuckled. ¡°No money, no rush. Give me a month, and call back then.
Goodbye.¡±
Without waiting for a response, he hung up to relum to his slumber.
Clutching her phone, Dorothy turned back to Jonathan with a determined look. ¡°I leave the kids with the
Lopez family, but I need one month by Everett¡¯s side, whether he wakes up or not.¡±
Jonathan rased an eyebrow. ¡± he wakes, he¡¯ll want you to stay
¡°No, he won¡¯t¡± Once the hard drive was restored, everything would change¡
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¡°Why should I trust you?¡±
¡°We could put it in writing, but let¡¯s face it, the Lopez family could make me disappear without trace if
they wanted to. Do you really think they¡¯d be afraid of me breaking my word?¡±
At that moment, Jonathan couldn¡¯t help but admire the spunk of this young woman.
Despite her injuries, she had wheeled herself all the way to Swevia Country in search of Everett. Their
love was undeniable, so much so that even Jonathan, despite his reluctance, felt moved.
¡°Alright, no need for paperwork. I believe you¡± He nced at Dorothy, ¡°Your leg¡ I can have a doctor
look at it, if you want¡±
¡°I want to see Everett first. Her leg was the least of her womes. She hadn¡¯te all this way just to
seek medical treatment.
Jonathan held her gaze for a moment before slowly nodding ¡°Okay,e with me.¡±
The room was vast, and the smell of disinfectant hung thick in the ar
Monitors beeped intermittently around the room
At the center, Everetty on the bed, as still as if he were asleep
Dorothy moved her wheelchair up to his bedside, her heart aching at the sight of the tubes running in
and out of his body. She wished she could take his ce and bear the pain for him.
She had never seen Everett like this before. His features were still sharp and well¨Cdefined, but his lips
were pale, and his usual haughty, proud demeanor was nowhere to be seen it hard to associate this
fragile figure with the decisive and dynamic CEO of the Lopez Corporation
Trembling, Dorothy reached out to touch his face
The doctor intervened promptly. ¡°You can¡¯t do that. He has open wounds, they could get infected. You
can only look.¡±
¡°Okay okay! I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t know¡± Dorothy quickly withdre hand, temfied of causing Everett any
further harm.
A nurse entered the room, recording data on a clipboard before gently changing Everett¡¯s blood soaked
bandages for fresh ones.
This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.
Dorothy thought to herself that if Everett were awake, he would never allow another woman to touch
him. His obsession with cleanliness was well known
Suddenly, the nurse lifted the gauze from his chest, revealing a series of numbers: 0825!
Hadn¡¯t he had all his tattoos removed? She distinctly remembered him getting rid of them.
As the nurse continued to work, revealing not just the numbers but also a tiny ¡°S¡°, Dorothy¡¯s tears
began to flow.
How could he be so foolish?
She had told him during their divorce that she had fallen for someone else. How could he still be
waiting for her?
The nurse, mistaking Dorothy¡¯s tears as an expression of worry for Everett, came closer and spoke in a
comforting tone, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. he¡¯s out of danger now. He just hasn¡¯t woken up yet¡±
Dorothy looked up, realizing the nurse was with delicate features that made her look soft and gentle.
Her voice was equally soft and soothing
It was she who had been attending to Everett
¡°When will he wake up?¡°.
¡°We¡¯re not sure, but it should be soon.¡± The nurse¡¯s gaze also fell on Dorothy, pausing momentarily
before she asked curiously. ¡°Are you Dorothy, by any chance?
Dorothy was taken aback, ¡°Yes, how did you know?¡±
¡°When he was sem conscious, he kept calling out your name! I figured that must be someone very
important to him.¡±
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The nurse said with a smile, but when Dorothy heard her words, they twisted a knot in her stomach
Everett had been injured trying to save her, yet it was her he kept asking for in his heart.
¡°Don¡¯t cry, honey,¡± the nurse blurted out, clearly flustered as she hurried to hand Dorothy a tissue.
Dorothy managed a weak smile. Thank you¡±
¡°You¡¯re wee! I¡¯m just d you could make it. Honestly, I think the first person Mr. Lopez would
want to see when he wakes up you?¡± The nurse¡¯s face brightened with a relieved smile. ¡°During the
surgery, there was a moment I thought we¡¯d lost him, but it was your name that brought him back. It
was like a miracle!¡±
Dorothy paused, a bit embarrassed, and asked, ¡°You performed the surgery?¡±
¡°Yep!
Dorothy had mistaken her for a nurse. But the young doctor didn¡¯t seem to mind. Sheughed it off,
¡°You think I¡¯m too young to be in OR, huh?
¡°Well, you do look very young. Now that Dorothy knew she was the surgeon, she eagerly asked about
Everett¡¯s condition.
After leaming that Everett was out of danger, Dorothy¡¯s worry finally eased,
Outside the ICU, Amanda stormed in upon hearing that her husband had allowed Dorothy to visit their
son without her consent
¡°How could you let her in to see our boy without asking me?¡±
¡°You and Heather went behind my back, too Jonathan retorted, his patience with his wife wearing thin.
¡°I have my reasons for doing this¡±
¡°You¡¯re not seriously considering letting Dorothy into the Lopez family, are you?¡±
Jonathan frowned. ¡°If Everett wakes up, the first person he¡¯ll want to see is Dorothy Having her nearby
will help him recover faster
For Jonathan, his son¡¯s health was priority and now with the custody of his grandchildren secured, why
not chase a little happiness for
his son?
our home and never leave?
¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid that Dorothy will just nt herself in o
Im not worried. She¡¯s not that kind of person.¡±
Amanda huffed, clearly dissatisfied with her husband¡¯s must in Dorothy.
¡°How well do you think you know her? What if she-
N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.
¡°if she was after money, she could¡¯ve refused to divorce Everett years ago, and we wouldn¡¯t have been
able to do a thing. Plus, I looked into it when she got pregnant and had the kids. She never ined to use
them to get money from Everett. She kept them hidden.¡±
Jonathan was shrewd in business, and his conclusions were always based on thorough investigations.
¡®Maybe she¡¯s ying the long game, Amanda persisted, her dislike for Dorothy unwavering.
But Jonathan cut through her objections, ¡°It seems to me you¡¯re the one who¡¯s scared to face Dorothy
¡®Scared? Of what? She¡¯s not worth my time!¡±
Jonathan sighed. ¡°Sometimes feel like I don¡¯t even know you anymore. How could you change so
much over Heather?¡±
Back in Eldonia City
it would take at least live working days for Kennellis passport to rece, even with a rush order. There
was no other choice, Karen suggested she would go first.
They couldn¡¯t just leave Corothy alone abroad.
¡°Winght, you go ahead, and once I get my passport, Ill bring the kids over,¡± Keh said, concerned
about Karen managing both Dorothy and the children on her own.
Keh booked Karen¡¯s Night, splurging on a first ss ticket to ensure herfort
As Karen settled into her seat on the ne, her neighbor was a man
¨C
bandage wupped around his head, currently dozing off.
His sharp features and handsome face caught Karen¡¯s attention, and she couldn¡¯t help but steal a few
more nces his way
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This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.
Karen had been hoping to catch a glimpse of the handsome guy¡¯s real face once he woke up from his
slumber. But throughout the entire ten¨Chour flight, he remained sound asleep.
Eventually, Kan even started to wonder if he had passed out.
¡°Well, he did have a bandage wrapped around his head
As the ne touched down at Memo Airport, the man finally stirred to consciousness. He rubbed his
bleary eyes and began to make a phone call.
Eavesdropping on other people¡¯s conversations wasn¡¯t Karen¡¯s thing, so she bent her head down and
started to gather her belongings, readying herself to disembark.
But then, as if by chance, she thought she heard the name ¡°Dorothy¡±
¡°Dorothy¡¯s there too? Alright¡ I got it, I head straight over¡ Everett¡¯s still out cold, huh? Sigh,
Jonathan, we¡¯ll talk when I get there.¡±
Karen couldn¡¯t help but stare at him, herbaffled look catching his attention.
They locked eyes for a moment before Karen broke the silence, ¡°You know¡ Dorothy?¡±
He scrutinized her from head to toe, squinting slightly. ¡°You¡¯re Dorothy¡¯s friend? Named..¡± ¡°Karen!¡±
¡°I knew I wasn¡¯t wrong,¡± he said before turning to leave.
Karen reached out and grabbed his arm, ¡°You haven¡¯t told me who you are yet!¡±
He frowned and nced at Karen¡¯s hand on his sleeve, ¡°Why are you making a scene?¡±
Karen let go, still fixated on him, ¡°Can you tell me now?
¡°Even if I told you, you wouldn¡¯t know who I am! Jeffrey, ting any bells?¡±
¡°Ah?¡± Karen suddenly connected the dots, ¡°You¡¯re Heather¡¯s sucker, the guy that¡¯s madly in love with
her? You even approached Dorothy about breaking up with Everen?
Jeffrey bristled at that ¡°Who are you calling a sucker?
¡°That would be you! If not, why bother sticking your nose into it when Dorothy and Everett are already
married? You can¡¯t deny you¡¯re Heather¡¯s sucker!¡±
Karen had never met Jeffrey in person, but she had heard plenty about his antics!
Especially the time when Everett was in a car ident and Jeffrey had made things difficult for Dorothy
at the hospital, Karen hadn¡¯t forgotten that.
What did he say again? Oh, night! He said Dorothy was not worth Heather lifting a finger for!
Karen vividly remembered Dorothying to her with a hoarse voice and a bright red p mark on her
cheek, asking if she could crash for a few days.
Dorothy had tried to im she had bumped into something, but who gets a bruise like that on their
face? It wasn¡¯t until after much probing that Dorothy finally spilled the beans.
Now that Karen hade face¨Cto¨Cface with the culpnt, she was determined to got justice for her best
friend!
Jeffrey, caught in an awkward moment and knowing he was in the wrong, muttered something about
Karen being crazy before quickly grabbing his luggage and leaning
He had juste to after being in the hospital himself, eager to wam Everett about Heather, only to
learn that Everett had been stabbed and barely escaped death!
Despite his pan injunes, Jeffrey had humedly packed and rushed to Swevia Country
And as fate would have it, he bumped into Kaman!
Thinking back on his past actions, Jeffrey felt guilty, so making a quick getaway seemed like the smart
choice.
Following the location shared with her, Karon antired at the private hospital where Everett was
admitted. And just like that, she found herself being stopped at the entrance.
¡°Let me in, I¡¯m Everett¡¯s friend!¡±
Karen struggled to define her rtionship with Everett and ended up settling on friend:
¡°I¡¯m sorry you can¡¯t go in.¡±
¡°Hey, walt-¡°Karen was left standing outside, wondering how she¡¯d get in when she turned around to see
a car approaching/Talk about a run in with bad luck.
It was none other than Jeffrey sitting in that ear.
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He definitely sure Karen, but he tumed his face with lightning speed!
¡°Could you
strp on it please? Thank you!¡±
As the taxi pulled up to the entrance of the private hespital Karen was already poised to cash inside,
not even waiting for the car door to swing
She was blocking the way, Jeffrey¡¯s car couldn¡¯t get through either!
at the door was clearly at
¡°You really can¡¯te in here. This is private properly, and trespassing is against thew!¡± The security
guard at the o his wit¡¯s end.
¡°I can¡¯t go in, but why can he? Karen pointed at Jeffrey in the cas ¡°He¡¯s one of Heather¡¯s friends, and
Evesen getting hurt was Heather¡¯s fault. Maybe Jeffrey was in on it with her!¡±
The quard was flustered not quite catching the dr It of her usations.
But Jeffrey inside the car could hear her loud and clear
He humed y got out, striding over with long steps and mped his hand over Karen¡¯s mouth.
¡°Would you mind not spouting nonsense?¡±
This was the Lopez family¡¯s turf. If Everett¡¯s parents heard this, they might just get the wrong idea!
Mmmph! Mmm!¡± Karen¡¯s muttled protests rang cui as she red daggers, thrashing her arms and legs
in defian
Jeffrey didn¡¯t need to let go to know she was spitting fire with her words.
¡°Let me make this clear, cut the chatter or I¡¯ll have you thrown out
¡°Mmph! Mmm!¡® Karen was livid. In a sh of inspiration, she bit down hard on the flesh of Jeffrey¡¯s
palm.
¡°Ouch!¡± Jeffrey ye ped instinctively stepping back, ¡°Are you a freakin¡® dog opsomething¡±
¡°You started it, I was about to pass cut Karen¡¯s face was flushed from the struggle, but her feisty didn¡¯t
die down. ¡°You and your pals picking on Dorothy, now you¡¯re after me? You think Dorothy¡¯s easy to
push around, but I¡¯m not letting anyone walk all over me!¡±
¡°Who¡¯s picking on you? Jeffery was at his wit¡¯s end if only he hadn¡¯t told her who he was! ¡°You¡¯re the
one blocking my way, not the other way around!¡±
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
Karen nced at him, then ba
gales, raising an eyebrow
¡°You want me to shut up? Fine, but then you¡¯ve got to jake me with you!¡±
Jeffrey¡¯s mouth twitched in annoyance Who knew what kind of scene she¡¯d cause inside?
¡®No way.¡±
¡°Finel¡± Karen nodded, turned back to the gates, and cleared her throat, ¡°Jeffrey! He¡¯s in cahoots with
Heather, pushing Everett to dump Dorothy and¨Cmmph!¡±
Before she could finish, the hand that had just been bitter was covering her mouth again!
¡°I can¡¯t even deal with you! I take you in, okay? But you have to promise me, once were inside, no
wandering off, no nonsense! You just want to be with Dorothy, right? Then stick by her side and
behave! You don¡¯t know the whole story so don¡¯t go spouting off about
Karen, satisfied with the deal, quickly nodded her agreement.
Jeffrey finally breathed a sigh of relief. As he let go, Karen muttered under her breath, ¡®Not much of a
man, huh¡±
¡°What did you say?¡±
¡°I was talking about you. Too chicken to admit your feelings for Heather wen¡¯t you?¡±
¡°That was in the pati! A long time ago!¡± Now, just the thought of Heather made Joffrey wish had never
met
Heather used to be gentle, caring, a real catch, so it was only natural for Jeffrey to have had a thing for
her
¡°You¡¯re over her now?¡±
¡°Wul¡¯s it to you¡± Jeffrey grabbed her by the arm and turned to the hospital¡¯s guard, ¡°This is a friend of
mine. We¡¯re going in together, just open the door!
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The bodyguard nced at Jeffrey, then at Karen, hesitating before daring to open the dan
Fearing they might change their minds again, Karen balled inside, only to be overwhelmed by the sheer
size of the ce
Elevators and staircases nked her on either side, leaving her clueless about which way to go.
Jeffrey, watching her buzzing around like a headless chicken couldn¡¯t help but curve his lips into a
smirk,
¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡±
¡°I smile because I want to, Jeffrey spread his hands, arching an eyebrow yfully, inadvertently pulling
at his wound, which immediately stiffened his grin into a grimace.
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.
Karen pointed at the bandage on his head, ¡°Laughing ton hand can bite you back! Did Heather give
you that wound?¡±
If you¡¯re looking for them, go left! Jeffrey surely coudn¡¯t wait to get rid of this troublesome woman She
might not be the sharpest at banter but she sure knew how to hit where it hurt
With a triumphant grin, Karen tumed left, muttening under her breath, ¡°How many sick people can the
Lopez family pass by have to
need such a massive private hospital?¡±
Must be nice to have money to burn!
Dorothy stepped out of the ICU just in time to see Kasen ascend the stairs, her eyes lighting up with joy
then quickly cast down in guilt ¡°I¡¯m sorry for leibng you and Keh down
Karen waved it off nonchntly, Forget that! You look a lot more lively than when you wereid up at
hospital in Elcorria City Have you
checked on Eve¡¯ll?
Dorothy nodded, ¡°Yeah, but he hasn¡¯t woken up yet!
¡°So¡¡±
¡°But he¡¯s cut of danger now¡±
Karen nodded in reliel, ¡°That¡¯s good. But how did you get in here? I got stopped by the doorman on my
way in.
¡°It was Fyrett¡¯s father who let me in Dorothy concealed the bargain she had struck she spilled the
beans, Karen, with her fiery temper, would undoubtedly argue with the Lopez family!
Karen and Keh adored those kids, and they would be just as disappointed in Dorothy for agiening
to such a deal¡.
Yet facing the power of the Lopez family Dorothy had no choice if she wanted to see Everett.
¡°They just let you in! Please, they¡¯re not that kind!¡± Karen squatted in front of Dorothy¡¯s wheelchair to
meet her eye. ¡®How are you feeling¡°¡±
Tm fine! Now that I¡¯ve seen Everett, I can rest easy.¡±
Karen exhaled a sigh of relief, then, as if struck by a thought, whispered, ¡°Tran into Jeffrey on my way
here! Did he trek all the way here to plead Heather¡¯s case?¡®
Jeffrey?
Dorothy pondered for a moment before shaking her head, ¡®I don¡¯t know He¡¯s a friend of Heather¡¯s, but
he¡¯s also a friend of Everett¡¯s. After finding out what happened, I doubt he¡¯d take Heather¡¯s side
anymore¡±
She was unaware of Jeffrey¡¯s car ident. Thest time she saw him was because of a dispute with
Lane, and even then, his tone with her was less than friendly ¨C actually, it was always frosty
¡°Well, you can never be sure! The man¡¯spletely love stricken, a totalpdog. Remember how he
used to pine after Heather even trying to y matchmaker with her and Everett! That goes to show
there¡¯s no telling what he might do.¡±
¡°Karen! Next time you decide to bad¨Cmouth someone, could you at least check your surroundings?¡±
Suddenly, Karen and Dorothy¡¯s gazes snapped toward the source of the voice.
There was Jeffrey, with a bandage atop his head and a limp in his step, making his way towards them.
4
He too was recovering from a serious condition, rawing only just been awakened by a doctor
summoned by Everett Had it not been for
the gravity of the situation, Jeffrey would have been bedridden in the hospital for a while longer.
Karen pursed her lips, about to retort, when the doctor rushed out of the ICU.
¡°Iverell¡¯s awake! Hes awake?
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As soon as Dorothy pushed open the door to the ICU. Everett¡¯s frail voice resched her eath.
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
¡°I need to see. Dorothy¡¡±
¡°I¡¯m here Everett I¡¯m here, she quickly propelled her wheelchair forward, racing to tra bedside.
Eventi struggled to tum his face toward her, and it was only upon seeing Dorothy that he seemed to
truly rx, the sension in his brow dissolving into relief.
He tried to reach out to touch Dorothy but the tubes tethered to his hand prevented him Dorothy
pushed herself up from the wheelchair with effort managing to grasp his hand with a smile. ¡°Don¡¯t you
worry! We¡¯ve got all the time in the world, and I be right here with you!¡± Everett¡¯s gaze lingered on the
bruse maning her check. ¡°My parents¡¡±
¡°Your parents agreed to let me care for you. How else do you think I got in her
Though Everett was confused, the presence of Dorothy by his side was all he needed at the
Soon after, Everett¡¯s parents arrived.
Amanda clutched her son¡¯s hand, weeping openly. ¡°Everett, its all my fault. I never imagined Heather
would do something so rash! If anything had happened to you, I won¡¯t be able to live on!¡±
¡°The patient needs quiet Please keep it down¡± the doctor reminded her gently
Jonathan, womed his wife might faint again, arranged for someone to take her back home.
¡°When can he be fee of all these monitors? he asked the doctor.
In a few days, but he can be moved out of ICU and into a reqr room, the fema e doctor replied, her
eyes ficking to Dorothy with a suppressed since. With his guardian angel by his side, Mc Lopez should
recover quite quickly
Jonathan¡¯s brows furrowed, not wanting to admit it but unable to deny Dorothy¡¯s importance to his son.
¡°That¡¯s great news. Everett, Im going to check on your mother.¡±
Karen, watching the tender dependency between Dorally and Everett, felt her eyes well up with
emotion. If only she could experience such a passionate love, it would be worth any prize!
¡°What are you crying for Jeffrey nced at her, deliberately keeping his distance as il Karen canned
some contagion
He was truly wary of this worhan.
¡°Is it any of your business Karen shot back, about to remind Dorothy not to stay in her current half¨C
sitting position in the wheelchair as it wasn¡¯t good for her recent leg surgery
Jeffrey, seeing this, quickly stepped in and pulled her back, ¡°Where do you think youre going?¡±
¡°Dorothy¡¯s just had surgery on her leg, she can¡¯t stay like that!¡±
¡°Can¡¯t you see they¡¯re in their own world right now? Don¡¯t interrupt. Come with me.¡±
¡°Hey!¡± Koren was dragged out of the ICU by Jeffrey, not stopping until they reached the hospital¡¯s
ground floor
¡°Do you have to be so handsy when you talk?¡± Karen red at him fiercely. ¡°Just lucking at you minds
me of Heather¡¯s face. You are both bad people!¡±
Jeffrey was of a loss for words, itching with frustration. ¡°Can you not mention Heather when I¡¯m
around?¡±
The Tumer family was still uncovering the truth behind his car ident, but Jeffrey already had a
hunch. That¡¯s why he didn¡¯t object to Karen¡¯s careless question earlier
¡°Oh, touched a nerve, have I just wanted you not to disturb them. Everett¡¯s all woven up; they need
some privacy. You always ding in useless chatter!¡± Jeffrey¡¯s headache intensified
In stark contrast to Karen¡¯s vtile demeanor, Dustry indeed seemed like the picture of normalcy
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¡°Well you¡¯re still the sucker for Heather! Karen spat the words out her voice linged wil mix of anger and
jest. Despite her heated exchange with him, she made no move to go back and disturb the two of them.
She had been Ice hasty earliest focused solely on Derely¡¯s well¨Cbeing, forgetting everything else in her
concem
Jeffrey, tired of the bickering, spun on his heel to learn.
Suddenly, a distinct rumbling noise echoed at the cuiel hospital entrance
The space was so vast, it amplified every sound.
Jeffrey paused mid¨Cstep and tumed to nce at her o
one eyebrow arching inquisitively. ¡°What was that noise
Karen clutched her stomach, her face a mask of embarassment while her voice fr gred ignorance. ¡°You
heard nothing, there was no noise at all!!
¡°Oh, well I¡¯m off to eat then! Jeffrey dered, a smr ying on his lips. Jonathan said he¡¯s prepared a
feast, with all the wings¨CBBQ rbs, stuffed mushrooms¡ He said I need a good mea to recover
Karen¡¯s stomach chumed. She hadn¡¯t eaten see the disembarked the ne, rushing here without a
moment¡¯s dy, and then she¡¯d spent ages arguing with Jeffrey. She was starved
And there was Jeffrey cruelly taunting her with his tempting talk of food!
¡°Did you hear that Jonathan brought over a chef from back home, just for Everett? From that fancy
National Tripod Hotel in Eldoma City?¡±
At that moment. Karen felt like she could shoot daggers from her eyes, slicing off Jeffrey¡¯s taunting
tunque.
¡°Will you just get lost? she snapped
Feigning innocence Jeffrey shrugged. ¡°Aren¡¯t youing? I thought you might be hungry too. Besides,
sitting around here waiting who knows how long it be.¡±
¡°Im Not Going¡±
¡°Are you sure you¡¯re noting?¡±
Her answer was another betraying grumble from her stomach.
¡°Let¡¯s go, I won¡¯t stoop to arguing with ady. Wouldn¡¯t want you to stane¨Cthard be un me for not
looking after Everett¡¯s quest¡®
With that, Jeffrey walked off, and before long, he could hear footsteps following behind him.
His lips curled into a victorious smile. It felt like he¡¯d finally won this round
Everett had been moved to a private room. Most of the monitors had been removed, though a few
remained
¡°Be careful with the wound, don¡¯t let it get wet, and call me when it¡¯s time to change the dressing the
doctor instructed Dorothy, writing down her cell phone number for her.
¡°Thank you I¡¯m so I don¡¯t know how to address you?¡±
Just call me Quincy¡± she replied with a smile. ¡°Go take care of Mr. Lopez Call me if you need anything.¡±
¡®Will do.¡±
Dorothy matched Quincy leave before turning to push pen the door to the hospital room.
Though she¡¯d be aware of the Lopez family¡¯s wealth and expected the private hospital to be luxurious,
the opulence of the room still made her pause in surprise.
If it weren¡¯t for the medical equipment, she might have thought she¡¯d walked into a high and hotel sulte,
sovish and spacious was the decor
¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
Everett, lying in the hospital bed, saw her frozen at the door and worried something was amiss
¡°it¡¯s nothing¡± Dorothy humed to his side, offering a massuring smile. ¡°Does your wound still hurt?¡±
She¡¯d seen the deep cut while changing his dressing¨Calong, sutured incision that was truly rming.
¡°dorant hurt¡°Everett¡¯s handsome face was soll pale from weakness, but his eyes softened with
tenderness when they met Dorothy¡¯s. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me!
¡°You should have been more careful Dorothy recalled the moment she noticed Heather¡¯s knife move.
¡°I told you Id protect you¡±
That had been Everett¡¯s sole thought at that critical moment. He needed Dorothy to be safe.
Dorothy lowered her gaze, silent for a long moment before whispering, ¡°Did you know about the kids
from the beginning?¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.
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Dorothy mulled it over carefully, her acting chops with Langston were bad, and yet, Event had yed
along with barely a reaction. That in itself was a dead giveaway to his sharp mind!
The only usible exnation was that he knew. He just pretended not to.
Everett looked up. Dorothy¡¯s silhouette reflecting in his eyes. After a long pause, he spoke in a raspy
voice, ¡°if you don¡¯t want me to know, then I don¡¯t know.¡±
He had always been like that Because Everett knew all too well that any abrupt move on his part would
send Dorothy running away like a startled deer
Even Kevin had been asking whether it was so hard to find out if the kid was really hers. A simple
patemity test would do the trick! To everyone else, it seemed like Everett could just bulldoze his way
through any issue with his clout. Why the need for schemes, for ying dumb, for such delicate
handling?
But they didn¡¯t understand! Everett wanted Dorothy to stay or leave ording to her own thoughts. Her
happiness and her contentment were what mattered mest
Everett¡¯s words struck Dorothy hard, like a hammer to the heart.
The mighty CEO of Lopez Corporation, lowering himself to such a humble state for her sake, she didn¡¯t
know how to respond!
After all, no one ever had much faith in their rtionship.
¡°Um¡ how about I help you clean up? You must be ufortable, lying there without being able to
take a bath,¡± Dorothy deflected. opting to retreat into her shell like a turtle.
Everett was used to her ways by now, so he nodded, ¡°Sure.¡±
Dorothy promptly went to fetch a towel, but as she entered the bathroom, she suddenly remembered,
¡°Oh, Karen¡¯s in Swevia Country too She was worried about me and followed along. I need to sort out
her amodation and meals.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t worry about it I¡¯ll have Jeffrey handle it. You¡¯re not familiar with the ce here,¡± Everett replied,
his voice still weak from his recent brush with death, the volume much lower
¡°Jeffrey? Is he up to it?¡± Dorothy didn¡¯t have a good impression on Jeffrey
He was a notorious yboy from a wealthy family and had always had a poor opinion of her. She
hoped he wouldn¡¯t take his spite out
¡°Don¡¯t worry
Everett had Dorothy grab his phone to dial Jeffrey¡¯s number
Soon the call connected. ¡°Everett! You¡¯re able to make calls now?
¡°Yeah¡ I¡¯m fine, where are you?¡±
¡°Taking some ungratefuldy out to have a meal! Once we¡¯re done, I¡¯lle over.¡±
Dorothy and Everett exchanged nces, ¡°is it Karen?¡±
¡°Who else! She¡¯s been ragging on me the whole trip, and I¡¯ve got to y butler. Talk about karma¡±
Hearing Jeffrey¡¯s endlessints, Dorothy finally breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed that despite his griping, he was still taking care of Karen!
After the call, Dorothy set down the phone, picked up the towel, and began to gently wipe Everett¡¯s
skin, careful not to cause him any pain
The doctors said it wasn¡¯t necessary, but Dorothy knew his obsession with cleanliness. Even missing a
single day¡¯s bath would leave him grumpy and
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
As she meticulously worked, hershes casting a shadow below her concentrated gaze, Everett¡¯s lips
curved into an involuntary smile It was us if after all these years, they had never been apart.
It felt like they had been together this whole time.
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Everett wished he could freeze this moment in time, keeping her forever by his side.
As Dorothy wiped down the surfaces, a sudden thought about Jeffrey¡¯s head bandage distracted her.
¡°Did Jeffrey get hurt?¡±
¡°Yeah, I think he found out about Heather and was on his way to tell me when someone rear ended his
car.¡±
Dorothy nced at him, hesitating before asking, ¡°It was Heather?¡±
He nodded solemnly.
¡°She.. she¡¯s really lost it Dorothy sighed softly. ¡°She¡¯d do anything for you. And Jeffrey, he was so good
to her.¡±
Hearing the tone in her voice, Everett raised an eyebrow with a hint of teasing ¡°Are you¡ jealous?¡±
¡°Me? Jealous? No way!¡± Dorothy protested, but her cheeks betrayed her with a blush
She always had rd time hiding her feelings, wishing she could just vanish on the spot whenever
someone pointed them out
¡°Okay, you¡¯re not,¡± Everett said, his smile deepening he couldn¡¯t bear to take his eyes off her for even a
second.
Aware of his gaze, Dorothy grew even more self¨Cconscious, her hands moving more frantically over his
body until she identally brushed against something¨Csomething decidedly firm
She jerked her hand back as if electrocuted, stepping back several paces. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to!¡±
Quickly, she turned and pretended to go rinse the towel. Once she left, Everett took several deep
breaths, trying to will his body to calm down
It was just a bath, but his body had reacted so easily.
Everett felt embarrassed. He wasn¡¯t usually so easily turned on¡
It had been quite a while since hed had sex of any kind, and the warm softness of her touch had made
him lose control
In the bathroom, Dorothy not only nnsed the towel but sshed her face with cold water trying to cool
her burning cheeks.
The thought of identally touching Everett¡¯s private parts made her wish for a hole to crawl into. What
if he thought she was desperate, that she touched him on purposed
¡°Oh no!¡± she groaned, covering her face, wishing she could stay in the bathroom forever.
But then, there was a knock at the door. It was Jeffrey and Karen.
Relief washed over Dorothy as she opened the door but the next second Karen, with a worried tone,
pointed at Dorothy¡¯s flushed face. ¡°Dorothy, why is your face so red? Are you running a fever again?
¡°No, it¡¯s not I¡¯m not. Dorothy stammered, avoiding eye contact.
Jeffrey was smart enough to realize what might have happened, even without the details. He gently
pulled Karen away, signaling her with a look to drop the subject
What else could be happening with a man and a woman alone in a room?
¡°Why are you pulling me? Karen rolled her eyes and went to stand behind Dorothy. ¡°Dorothy, I avenged
you today! I taught Jeffrey a lesson¡®
Jeffrey snorted, then limped over to Everett¡¯s bedside, I can¡¯t believe Heather would do this to you.
She¡¯s changed so much from the person we knew.¡±
Everett didn¡¯t even want to mention Heather¡¯s name, his brows knitting together. ¡°My parents say she¡¯s
gone mad.¡±
¡°True! She¡¯s been screaming all day where they¡¯re holding her Jonathan said she won¡¯t eat anything
they give her insists on eating dirt from the ground.¡±This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.
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Heather had a knack for drama, and it might just be her way of dodging the bullet.
Everett wasn¡¯t buying it, though
To be fair, as a tycoon who could move mountains in the business world, sharp wits wem a necessity.
He was on his toes around *anyone and everyone, except Dorothy
¡°Man, I was such a fool back in the day Jeffrey greaned, wishing he could time travel and p some
sense into his younger sell. ¡°Heather had me believing you were only into Dorothy because you had a
spat with her, and because she looked like Heather! I believed her
And honestly, they indeed resemble each other!
The logic seemed sound.
Dorothy¡¯s body stiffened at the mention. The thought of her blood ties with Heather made her feel
nauseous
¡°I need some air, she muttered, not wanting her difort to be noticed, especially by Everett,
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.
Karen, finding the atmosphere stifling chimed in ¡¯11 join you!¡±
Everett watched Dorothy¡¯s hurried departure with a slight frown. She doesn¡¯t look too hot. Have a doc
check her cut, will you?¡±
¡°Don¡¯t worry with Karen by her side, Dorothy¡¯s in good hands. Jonathan¡¯s arranging for a dae to look at
her leg tomorrow. Looks like after all this mess, your folks are warming up to her.¡±
Jeffrey was stunned to see Dorothy in the private hospital
Knowing Fweretts parents, he¡¯d figured they d turn up their noses at Dorothy¡¯s background. Yet here
she was, caring for Everest, with them giving her space and everything
Talk about a tum for the books!
¡°I think she¡¯s hiding something from me, Everett mused, not nearly as optimistic.
He knew his parents all too well. Something was off, but he also knew that prying inte Dorothy¡¯s secrets
was a dead end
Maybe it was her upbringing her family history, but this didn¡¯te easy to Dorothy. Even without
meaning to doubt, her heart was guarded, her inst never fully given, always with a hint of reservation
Outside the hospital Karen wheeled Dorothy down to the ground floor.
Evening had settled in, the twilight gently enveloping the surroundings. All was quiet, save for the
neatly arranged forest that stretched out before them
They neither spoke until Karen couldn¡¯t hold back any longer. ¡°Dorothy, give Keh a call, will you?
He¡¯s really worried.¡± Dorothy paused, her voice a soft whisper ¡°Could you tell him for me? I¡¯m not sure
how to face him right now¡±
Keh¡¯s love was both overwhelming and tender, a push and pull that left Dorothy at a loss.
She¡¯d tumed him down time and again, yet he took it all in stride¨Cno anger, no storming off. Instead, he
protected her like an older brother except that he wouldn¡¯t go find himself another girl
Karen sighed. ¡°Keh¡¯s head over heels, you know. I¡¯ve tried talking sense into him behind the
scenes, and his folks are pressuring him, too. But he just won¡¯t budge. It¡¯s like his smile onlyes to
life when you¡¯re around¡±
¡°Karen, I can¡¯t retum Keh¡¯s feelings!¡±
¡°I know! And so does he! Karen regretted ever ying matchmaker.
No happy ending was one thing, but to get Keh deeply in love was quite another.
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¡°He promised me he¡¯d go on the blind date.
Karen said with an eye roll. ¡°Yeah, he did. Showed up and told the girl right off the bat that he has
belonged to someone else and that he¡¯d never love her despite the marriage. They could tie the knot
only if she was cool with that. Who would marry a guy like that?¡±
Dorothy looked down, an ufortable weight settling in her heart.
¡°I don¡¯t deserve what he¡¯s doing for me.¡±
¡°Keh thinks you do, and no one can tell him otherwise!¡± Karen patted her shoulder. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t
stress about it, Dorothy. Keh¡¯s a grown man. Whatever choices he makes, he makes them willingly.
No one¡¯s forcing his hand. And you shouldn¡¯t feel guilty. I certainly don¡¯t me you for any of this.¡±
Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
She was always clear about whom to love or hate! She wouldn¡¯t reproach Dorothy just because
Keh was Keh.
¡°Do you think it¡¯d be better if I kept my distance from him?¡±
¡°No way. He was abroad before and nevermitted to anyone.¡±
Dorothy lifted her gaze. ¡°That¡¯s because he was busy taking care of Langston for me. Now, he¡¯s free
from babysitting, and I¡¯ll just fade from his world.¡±
¡°If that were true, Keh probably wouldn¡¯t have agreed to go abroad! He left to help you out with
Langston, right?¡± Karen paused, sensing something amiss. ¡°Wait up! You said you won¡¯t need his help
with Langston? Did the Lopez family find out¡?¡±
¡°Mhm,¡± Dorothy nodded faintly. ¡°They¡¯re taking the children.¡±
¡°What the heck? They think they can just take them?¡± Karen exploded. ¡°You gave your life to deliver
the children, but what has the Lopez family ever done? They think they can just swoop in and im
them? Dream on!¡±
¡°It was my decision.¡±
Karen blinked in confusion. ¡°What?¡±
Dorothy exhaled deeply. Her longshes casting shadows that hid the turmoil in her eyes.
¡°Everett¡¯s father convinced me that the kids would be better off with the Lopez family. They¡¯d have
brighter futures, whereas | could only offer them ordinary lives. He made sense.¡±
Besides the promise to see Everett, Dorothy was seriously considering Jonathan¡¯s words.
She knew hardship all too well. Growing up, she was always trapped by money. While other kids had
their fill of good food and warm clothes, she was grateful just to have a full belly. Others could pick
prestigious colleges or study abroad, while she had to settle for a second¨Ctier school because of a
measly schrship.
Dorothy knew the kids wouldn¡¯t suffer as she had if they stayed with her, but they would still be far, far
below what the Lopez. family could offer.
She couldn¡¯t be that selfish.
¡°Better for who? Have you even told Everett? He¡¯d never agree!¡±
Dorothy grabbed Karen¡¯s sleeve urgently. ¡°You mustn¡¯t tell Everett about this!¡±
¡°Why not?¡±
¡°Byte 7 said they could recover the surveince disk in a month. I¡¯ve got it all nned out. Once I have
the video, I¡¯ll go for the public, st it all over domestic and international media. I¡¯ll use the court of
public opinion to pressure the Lopez Corporation while simultaneously filing criminal charges against
his parents. The Lopez family is deeply rooted; I need to make a big scene to get a fair verdict. But¡¡±
Karen pursed her lips, and her face troubled. ¡°You can never be with Everett if you ever get into those.
Can you¡ can you really give him up?¡±
After all, it was insane for a daughter¨Cinw, before even getting married, to n for her mother¨Cin¨C
law¡¯s sentence to death!
Dorothy forced a smile but said nothing. She was at a loss for words.
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After a prolonged silence, Karen let out a sigh, her head hung low. ¡°Man, you say Everett¡¯s a stand¨Cup
guy, but why on earth did he have to get stuck with parents like that? You two are so in love, and yet¡
¡°The Lopezes look down on me, no surprise there.¡± Dorothy said with stark self¨Cawareness.
She knew all too well why Everett¡¯s parents despised her- simply because their prestigious family name
was out of reach for her humbleness. And, in all fairness, it was true.
But that didn¡¯t give them the right to hurt her mother, to treat the lives of ordinary folks as if they were
disposable!
Dorothy had no desire to social¨Cclimb by holding on to the Lopezes¡® coattails. But she wasn¡¯t going to
let herself be ughtered like amb as they coerced her to such a situation.
¡°And they think Heather, that illegitimate daughter, is worthy of them? If you ask me, once her real
background is revealed, she¡¯ll be the one bringing shame to the Lopezes! Here you are, hard at work,
honest money in your pocket, and you¡¯re still inferior to some other woman¡¯s kid?¡±
Karen could understand the Lopezes¡® fixation on their status to some extent, but Heather was hardly
from some illustrious lineage!
Maxton, her father, had a bit of cash, sure, but it just was a drop in the bucketpared to the wealth
of the Lopezes.
¡°Because Everett¡¯s mom has been grooming Heather to be the perfect daughter¨Cinw. All her
credentials and identity have been carefully curated to make the match. Dorothy exined.
¡°You should¡¯ve just exposed what Heather truly is from the get¨Cgo. Let everyone know she¡¯s an
illegitimate child. That would¡¯ve put the Lopezes in a bind,¡± Karen said with conviction. If she had been
in Dorothy¡¯s shoes, she would have let the whole world know, as nobody was going to tread on her!
¡°Karen, you still don¡¯t get how society works,¡± Dorothyughed, though there was a hint of sadness in
her voice. ¡°Money and power can change everything. In the end, I might be the onebeled as the
illegitimate child.¡±
¡°There¡¯s really no justice at all!¡±
¡°Exactly,¡± Dorothy agreed, her voice heavy.
She knew all too well how difficult it was going to be to challenge the Lopezes and seek justice for her
mother¡¯s death. The road. ahead was fraught with obstacles. Nothing was certain.
The only thing Dorothy was sure of was that she would do all to uncover the truth. The person
responsible for her mother¡¯s demise would not get off scot¨Cfree.
After taking a breath of fresh air with Karen, they waited for Jeffrey toe down and join them before
Karen reluctantly escorted Dorothy back inside.
¡°Everett told me to take care of her. Don¡¯t worry.¡± Jeffrey told Dorothy.
Karen frowned instantly. ¡°I don¡¯t need your care. I can find a hotel myself!¡±
¡°C¡¯mon, I¡¯m the host!¡±
Watching the two bickering from the moment they met, Dorothy couldn¡¯t help but intervene.
¡°Enough, Karen! We¡¯re strangers in a strangend. Just stick with Jeffrey. If Everett trusts him, it¡¯s
probably fine.¡±This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.
¡°It¡¯s not that I¡¯m scared of him! I just can¡¯t stand him!¡± Karen kept her distance, never forgetting how
Jeffrey had bullied her best friend in the past. A few harsh words wouldn¡¯t settle the score!
¡°Dorothy¡¯s heading back to Everett now. If you don¡¯te with me, I¡¯m leaving on my own.¡± Jeffrey
said, clearly not apromiser.
Realizing she was causing Dorothy troubles, Karen quickly changed her tune. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll go with you, but
at least make sure I¡¯m out safely!¡±
Dorothy couldn¡¯t help butugh at their constant squabbling. As she watched them leave the hospital,
she finally felt at ease. Wheeling herself around, she headed towards Everett¡¯s room.
At the door, she bumped into Dr. Quincy dding in his white coat.
¡°Ms. Sanchez, I was just looking for you. Mr. Lopez asked me to inspect on your leg Injury!¡±
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Chapter 482
¡°I¡¯m fine, really.¡± Dorothy knew Everett must be worried sick about her, so she walked over to Dr.
Quincy¡¯s side and whispered, ¡°If he asks about me, just tell him I¡¯m doing great! I don¡¯t want him to
worry.¡±
Dr. Quincy¡¯s lips curled into a smile, revealing two charming dimples that made her look like a college
student rather than a seasoned physician.
¡°You two are really a pair. He told me the exact same thing.¡±
Dorothy paused, a flicker of concern crossing her face. ¡°Is he okay, though? He¡¯s not hiding anything
serious from me, is he?¡±
Dr. Quincy patted her shoulder gently. ¡°Don¡¯t worry! He¡¯s fine. I wouldn¡¯t tarnish my reputation by letting
something happen to one of my patients. But you need to take your leg seriously. Mr. Lopez is right;
you need to take care of yourself.¡±
¡°It¡¯s just a fracture. I had surgery and everything.¡±
¡°But looking at your wounds, it seems like there might be an inmmation. Did you leave the ward and
come here right after your surgery?¡± Dr. Quincy always had an eye to detect these tricks.
Dorothy showed an embarrassed, sheepish grin. ¡°I was worried about him¡¡±
¡°I understand. But Mr. Lopez is out of danger now, so it¡¯s time to focus on your own recovery.¡± Dr.
Quincy moved behind her wheelchair and began to push it forward. ¡°Let¡¯s head over to the consulting
room. I¡¯ll take a look at you.¡±
Dorothy knew it would be foolish to argue now.
¡°Thank you, Dr. Quincy.¡±
¡°You¡¯re wee.¡± Dr. Quincy chatted as she pushed the wheelchair along. ¡°Honestly, seeing how you
two caring for each other, it¡¯s touching. It makes me believe that love really does exist in this world.¡±
Dorothy nced at her sideways. ¡°You¡¯ve never been in love?¡±
Dr. Quincy made a face. ¡°I¡¯m a med student. My life revolves around theb and the clinic. The only
men around are either my professors or fellow doctors with a simr career drive. Nothing would ever
happen. But during my time in the clinic, I¡¯ve seen plenty of long¨Cterm couples who, when faced with
life or death, seem to value money over everything else.¡±
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
Dorothy blinked, deliberating her words.
¡°They hesitate to spend money on their partner¡¯s treatment?¡±
¡°Yes! Some could have paid a little more for a cure but chose to give up instead.¡± Dr. Quincy sighed.
¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m terrified of marriage. The dark side of human nature is just too frightening.¡±
Dorothy wanted to express her shock, but then she thought of Maxton. He was exactly the kind of
person Dr. Quincy described. His mother was inpatient for years, yet he never paid the medical bills, let
along visiting her in the hospital.
If it hadn¡¯t been for Everett, she might neither have believed in love.
¡°But seeing the love between you and Mr. Lopez, how he¡¯d risk his life for you¡ He seems like such a
hero.¡±
¨C
¡°Everett¡¯s actually quite silly.¡± Dorothy thought of how he looked at her the powerful CEO of Lopez
Corporation, yet always timid and humble as he saw her and she couldn¡¯t help but smile.
¨C
His cautious tenderness was probably something only she got to see.
¡°You call him silly but watch out. I might just spill the beans to Jonathan!¡± Dr. Quincy teased, clearly
unaware of theplicated. rtions. She still regarded Dorothy the recognized daughter¨Cinw of
the Lopez family.
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Chapter 483
Dorothy watched as Quincy affectionately called Everett¡¯s father by his first name, Jonathan. It
suggested there might be more to the rtionship between their families.
¡°So, you and Everett¡¯s dad¡?¡± she inquired with a hint of curiosity.
¡°Oh, my dad and Jonathan have been friends for years, Quincy exined with a smile. ¡°I used to hang
out at Jonathan¡¯s residence all the time as a kid. I haven¡¯t met Mr. Lopez a lot though. He was usually
away at college here in the States, while I grew up abroad.¡±
¡°That¡¯s impressive, considering how well you speak the local dialect.¡± Dorothyplimented.
Quincy beamed at the praise. ¡°Thanks! I like to think I¡¯ve got a knack for it.¡±
The two girls chatted and made their way to Quincy¡¯s consultation room.
Quincy first checked Dorothy¡¯s wound, then disinfected the surgical site, and applied a salve she had
developed herself.
¡°Make sure you apply this every day. It¡¯s helpful with pain relief and reducing inmmation!¡± Quincy
instructed, then paused, her concern evident. ¡°Actually, why don¡¯t youe by daily? I¡¯ll take care of it
for you. That way, you won¡¯t forget it and neglect your own health.¡±
Dorothy tried to protest, ¡°I shouldn¡¯t be bothering you. I can manage.¡±
¡°No trouble at all! I¡¯m a doctor; it¡¯s what I do.¡± Quincy stood up, and her voice as gentle as ever. ¡°I¡¯ll
walk you back to Mr. Lopez¡¯s
ward now.¡±
Dorothy nodded in agreement. ¡°Sounds good.¡±
By the time Dorothy returned, night had fully descended.
She was greeted by the savory aroma of a hospital meal as she stepped into the room.
Hearing her entrance, Everett immediately called out. ¡°Dorothy?¡±
¡°It¡¯s me.¡±
Everett was confined to lying on the bed. His movements were limited, so he couldn¡¯t see who was
entering. He had to guess.
Dorothy approached his bedside and felt his forehead to make sure he wasn¡¯t feverish before
speaking. ¡°Are you hungry? I can help you eat.¡±
¡°I can¡¯t eat that. Food¡¯s there for you.¡±
Everett looked at her with helpless eyes, ¡°You¡¯ve been running around all day, worrying about whether
Karen has eaten, but you¡¯ve forgotten about your own stomach.¡±
Dorothy offered a slight smile, ¡°I didn¡¯t forget; I¡¯m just not hungry right now.¡±
¡°You need to eat, especially since you have gastropathy.¡±
He always remembered the little things about her, no matter how minor they might seem..
ncing at the spread of food¨Call her favorites¨CDorothy felt a pulse to cry in her eyes.
She urged to fight it back. As tears were about to drop, she quickly turned away and wiped, hiding from
Everett¡¯s gaze.
¡°What¡¯s the matter. Is there anything that you don¡¯t like?¡± Everett asked, seeing her hesitation to eat.
This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.
Shaking her head, Dorothy replied, ¡°No, there¡¯s nothing wrong.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t worry, I made sure there¡¯s no garlic in any of it.¡±
Everett never knows the more Everett did for her, the worse Dorothy felt. His attentiveness made her
ownmitment seem insignificant byparison.
¡°Have a bite.¡± Everett reached out a hand, trying to touch her shoulder.
But the monitors and cables restricted him, and any further strain might aggravate his wounds,
Hearing his gasp, Dorothy quickly turned back and grasped his outstretched hand. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are
you in pain?¡±
¡°No.¡± Everett said, smiling warmly at her. ¡°Worrying about me?¡±
Dorothy, unustomed to his direct gaze, awkwardly looked away. ¡°I worry as you to move too much
and dy your recovery!¡±
Everett¡¯s lips curved into a teasing smile. ¡°Dorothy, you¡¯re the hardest and most stubborn person I
know.¡±
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You are the hardest person!¡±
The words slipped out of Dorothy¡¯s mouth before she could stop them, and only after they were
hanging in the air did she realize they had a certain ambiguity.
Everett, ever the troublemaker, chose to y along. ¡°Yes, I am. I¡¯ll own that.¡±
¡°Ugh, I can¡¯t even deal with you right now!¡±
Dorothy turned to leave, but Everett¡¯s grip was irond, unyielding.
She frowned in frustration, ¡°Why do you have to be such a pain like Jeffrey, picking up his bad habits!¡±
During the takeover of East Star Enterprises, Dorothy had seriously doubted that the decision was
unlikely Everett¡¯s conduct. His demeanor was always collected, mature, and reserved, never acting like
a petnt child.
But that decision might have been fatal for both camps!
¡°Because I¡¯ve realized that sometimes you have to y the fool to keep someone like you close.¡±
Before Dorothy returned to his life, Everett¡¯s world had been orderly and disciplined: waking up,
attending meetings, travelling for work, domestic or international. Nothing seemed amiss. But after
reuniting with her, Everett began to see that too much gentlemanship could be a losing game in a
rtionship.
Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
Like now. If he let go of her hand for the sake of manner, he¡¯d miss out on even a moment of contact.
¡°Is that some sort of twisted logic you learned from Jeffrey?¡±
¡°I realized it on my own.¡±
Dorothy couldn¡¯t help butugh despite little irritation. ¡°Let go. I¡¯m starving.¡±
Only then did Everett release her. ¡°Alright! After you¡¯ve eaten, I¡¯ll have someone take you to rest. You
must be exhausted.¡±
¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡± Dorothy¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. With only a month to spare, she didn¡¯t want
to spend a second away from Everett, ¡°I¡¯ll stay right here with you.¡±
Seeing Everett¡¯s troubled expression, she pressed, ¡°Is there a problem?¡±
Of course, there was a problem!
Having the woman that he loved right beside him while being unable to touch or do anything was
torturous.
¡°I¡ um¡¡± Everett struggled to find the words, eventually just sighing, ¡°Never mind. Just stay if you
like.¡±
He¡¯d have to bottle up his desires!
¡°Why don¡¯t you just say what the problem is? Why hesitating? How am I supposed to know if you don¡¯t
tell me?¡± Dorothy didn¡¯t keep up with his fantasies and waspletely confused by his behavior.
She assumed Everett would want to be with her, but he actually seemed hesitant.
¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±
¡°Out with it! I want to know!¡± Dorothy took a firm stance.
With an awkward turn of his face, Everett¡¯s voice dropped to a whisper. ¡°It¡¯s just¡ my chest is injured,
but everything else is¡. functioning normally.¡±
Dorothy looked at him innocently, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Okay, and then?¡±
¡°And then¡ when you¡¯re close, when I smell your scent, I start to think¡¡±
Her gaze shifted from Everett¡¯s flushed face to a certain area below his waist that seemed to be
showing signs of life, and she finally got it.
¡°You¡¯re in this state and you still think about those !¡± She couldn¡¯t believe that this was the same
reserved Everett she knew.
Everett exhaled deeply, his attitude r¨¦signing to the situation.
¡°Dorothy, I¡¯m a man.¡±
Of course, he had desires!
Without Dorothy, he¡¯d resolved on his own. But how could he resist, with her so close after such a long
abstinence?
Dorothy paused for a moment before tentatively suggesting, ¡°So, do you want me to ask Jeffrey to find
you a girl?¡±
¡°Good heavens, Dorothy!¡±
She flinched at his outburst. ¡°Why are you yelling? Anyways it¡¯s not like it¡¯s your first time being with
other women.¡±
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¡°What are you talking about?¡±
Everett was confused, feeling as if Dorothy¡¯s words had some hidden meaning.
¡°It means exactly what it sounds like.¡± Dorothy didn¡¯t want to bring this up; just thinking about the love
bites on his skin made her saddened. ¡°You don¡¯t have to exin. I understand.¡±
Everett frowned. His gaze fixed on her delicate face. ¡°When have I ever sought thepany of another
woman?¡±
He had always been chaste, to the point where even necessary interactions with females were
unavoidable at work, he would retain a distance from them. But Dorothy assumed as though he was a
yboy.
¡°How should I know when you did it?¡±
Everett¡¯s clueless expression only made Dorothy angrier, convincing her he was feigning! So she grew
even more irritated. ¡°Anyway, that¡¯s your business, not mine. You don¡¯t have to fake your purity. I¡¯m not
yours anyone at best I¡¯m your ex¨Cwife. I have no say over your private life.¡±
Strictly speaking, she had no right to question it even if Everett had been with a different woman every
day for the past four years. It was just that seeing those marks made her heart ache.
¡°Wait a second!¡± Everett felt unfairly used. ¡°What am I faking for? I haven¡¯t been with anyone else!
That¡¯s the truth.¡±
¡°I said I didn¡¯t mind. Why do you keep bringing this up?¡±
¡°Yes, I have to bring it up!¡±
Otherwise, how wronged would he feel? How wronged!
¡°Fine. But remember, you asked for this.¡±
Dorothy really wanted to divert from this topic and not dwell on such matters. Even if he had been with
other women, it didn¡¯t change the fact that he truly loved her, that he was willing to throw himself into
harm¡¯s way for her. She¡¯d be way too annoying if she kept fixating on it.
But now, Everett insisted on discussing it. He determined to confront her. So, let¡¯s be it.
That time you got drunk, Kevin brought you back to Bay Residence.¡±
Everett recalled the incident. ¡°Right, I called you because I wanted to see you, but you said you had no
sweet words for me so better not to meet. You said I looked pathetic clinging to you, that I was just
looking for an excuse to talk to you.¡±
Dorothy didn¡¯t expect him to remember their conversation so clearly; she had forgotten the specifics
herself. ¡°Anyway, that night, after you got drunk, I went to Bay Residence to look for you.¡±
Everett¡¯s handsome countenance froze, stunned.
His eyes fixed on her. ¡°You came to me?¡±
¡°Yes!¡± Dorothy nodded, admitting it outright. ¡°I felt guilty for being harsh with you. Kevin said you were
intoxicated, and I wanted to take care of you. But¡ but¡¡±
The sight of the bite marks on his shoulder and the heart¨Cwrenching difort it caused her were
hard to take in even until now. ¡°Did I say anything to you?¡±
¡°No.¡±
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.
¡°Then what was it?¡±
Dorothy took a deep breath and said slowly, ¡°I saw bite marks on your shoulder. Many bite marks.
You¡¯re not going to tell me Kevin did that, are you? You certainly couldn¡¯t have bitten yourself there
either!¡±
Everett just stared at Dorothy, and after a long moment, he suddenly burst outughing.
His Adam¡¯s apple bobbed up and down as heughed so hard that his chest trembled, and theughter
made the pain in his wounds start to throb.
¡°Everett, what¡¯s so funny!¡±
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¡°So you¡¯re telling me those bite marks are from another woman?¡±
Dorothy frowned, fighting the urge to roll her eyes at him. ¡°Don¡¯t even try to spin a yarn about it being a
guy¡¯s doing. I¡¯m not buying
that tale.¡±
¡°No, they really were from a woman.¡± Everett teased, watching her cheeks flush with anger, a smirk
creeping up his face.
Her jealousy was a dead giveaway that she had feelings for him!
Seeing Dorothy like this made Everett happier than anything else.
¡°And you say you haven¡¯t been dating anyone else?¡± Dorothy¡¯s eyes widened like a wife interrogating
her husband, almost ready to jump out of her wheelchair. ¡°She must have been pretty close to leave a
bite on your shoulder. You obviously slept with her!¡±
Everett nodded, ¡°You¡¯re spot on. Not just once, but quite a few times. She was drunk that night, and I
intended just to escort her to her hotel room. But then she got handsy and wouldn¡¯t let go of me!¡±
Dorothy covered her ears and turned away, ¡°Spare me the sordid details! So she touched you and you
just surrendered? Where have your morality gone to?¡±
¡°Gone when it came to her. I found it hard to stand my ground.¡± Everett saw she was genuinely upset,
and knew it was time to reveal the truth before she actually took off and he couldn¡¯t chase after her.
¡°Didn¡¯t it ever ur to you that this woman might be you?¡±
¡°How could I¡¡±
Dorothy stopped before finishing the sentence, frozen.
¡°Verity Holdings Limited copsed overnight. Did you think about who might have had a hand in that?¡±
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She was still trying to make sense of it all.
She remembered that Lane suddenly showed up in Havenbrook City, and she had asked him about
Verity Holdings Limited. Lane imed it was him behind thepany¡¯s copse!
¡°So you were in Havenbrook City the night I got drunk?¡±
¡°How else would the bite marks be there?¡±
¡°The driver from Everglow City who came to my rescue, was he sent by you?!¡±
Everett thought for a moment and then nodded. ¡°You could say that.¡±
¡°And you made Verity Holdings Limited crash?¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
¡°Everett, don¡¯t you think that was too contemptible? You saw me alone in the hotel, and then you¡.¡±
He cut her off quickly, ¡°Hold on! I didn¡¯t take advantage of anyone. Like I said, you started it.¡±
¡°Impossible!¡± She always justy down and slept when she was drunk. It wasn¡¯t her first time drinking.
How could she possibly end up fondling a man!
¡°The folks at Verity Holdings Limited roofied you that night, so you were¡ quite eager¡¡± Everett
paused for effect. His eyes narrowed and lips curved into a sly smile. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen you so intense
before. I admit. I did let you have your way with me that. night.¡±
And he seemed to relish it, pulling her back for more even after she waved him off.
Dorothy¡¯s brain couldn¡¯t keep up. She couldn¡¯t imagine what exactly had gone down that night!
Everett said that Verity Holdings Limited had roofied her; who knows what could¡¯ve happened if it
wasn¡¯t for his staff¡¯s protection! ¡°Those bite marks¡ were all from me?¡±
¡°Yes.¡± Everett nodded, ¡°You kept asking me to be gentle, but I couldn¡¯t. So you bit me.¡±
¡°Enough, enough!¡±
Dorothy felt her face blushed as if on fire.
The details of that night were just too much!
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¡°Not enough, nowhere near enough. Youplimented my six¨Cpack, saying I was good and raving
about my strong back and stamina!¡±
All those words, she¡¯d never utter when sober, were out in the open that day!
Dorothy couldn¡¯t bear to hear anymore of what happened next.
¡°Umm¡ Everett, I¡¯m tired. Can someone take me to my room, please?¡±
Everett¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Weren¡¯t you going to stay with me?¡±
¡°No, no, I¡¯d better head off. I¡¯lle back tomorrow!¡±
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She needed time to process this whole revtion!
¡°No way!¡± Now it was Everett¡¯s turn to panic, ¡°You can¡¯t just leave like that.¡±
¡°Is there something else?¡±
Of course, there was!
He had a very serious issue to address!
Their eyes met, and then he directed her gaze down toward his lower half¨Cthe part of him that was still
defiantly making its presence known.
¡°Dorothy, you can¡¯t be this cruel.¡±
Cruel?
She was about ready to flee the country!
¡°Goodnight!¡±
Dorothy was about to leave, but she heard Everett¡¯s sharp inhale behind her.
¡°Ah¡ yikes!¡±
She rushed back, looking him over anxiously. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did you pull your injury? Does it hurt a
lot?¡±
Looking up, she met his eyes, twinkling with mischief.
¡°You! You¡¯re such a rogue!¡±
Everett¡¯s strong hands firmly caught her wrist, and his handsome face filled with sincerity. ¡°Dorothy, I¡¯m
in pain.¡±
¡°Where does it hurt?¡±
¡°There. It¡¯s aching because it¡¯s pent up.¡±
Dorothy tried to break free but worried about hurting him. She hesitated, caught in a dilemma. ¡°Can you
stop messing around? Even if I stay, there¡¯s nothing I can do, right?¡±
He was in no condition to get up, let alone doing more!
¡°I can¡¯t get up, but you cane on top.¡±
Dorothy looked as if she¡¯d heard the most scandalous proposition.
¡°Weren¡¯t you the one who kept insisting on being on top when at that hotel?¡± Everett, having thrown all
courtesy to the wind, no longer blushed or stammered. ¡°You said I was too heavy, that you wanted to
control the rhythm!¡±
¡°Enough, enough!¡± Dorothy repeated, exasperated. ¡°I must have been out of my mind that night.¡±
¡°Stay with me, please?¡±
As she didn¡¯t budge. Everett had to y his trump card.
¡°Before I met you, I could take care of it myself with hands. Now, after saving you, here I am, unable to
do anything, and you won¡¯t help me¡¡±
Dorothy looked troubled. ¡°But, but¡ I was drunkst time!¡±
The thought of doing it sober was more unbearable than killing herself!
¡°Then just pretend you¡¯re drunk tonight.¡±
¡°How can one pretend to be drunk?¡±
Turn the lights off. It¡¯ll be fine. You won¡¯t see anything.¡±
Staring at his already excited face, Dorothy only wished to travel back in time to nip that topic in the
bud. She cursed herself for bringing it up.
Look what it led to!
She was stuck in this dilemma.
¡°I¡¯ve got injuries on my legs too.¡±
¡°We¡¯ll take it slow; we¡¯ve got all night.¡±
They would find afortable position eventually; there was no reason to give it up.
He was like a hungry wolf tonight, not the usual abstinent CEO, and he had no intention of letting her
go.
She couldn¡¯t escape, so she nodded.
¡°Then I¡¯ll¡ go turn off the lights.¡±
¡°Great!¡±
¡°Everett, doing this¡ it won¡¯t affect your injuries, right?¡±
¡°No, it won¡¯t! Just be gentle.¡±
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Just another night in the city, Karen was tossing and turning on the plush hotel bed and was unable to
find sleep.
Her mind was spinning with how she¡¯d break the news to Keh, who was still waiting on his
passport, all eager toe over to Swevia. What a mess it would be when he arrived to find Everett
and Dorothy were doing just fine. He¡¯d be so embarrassed.
After much deliberation, Karen forced herself to dial Keh¡¯s number.
He picked up a few ringster.
¡°I was just getting Langston ready for his bath when I Heard the phone. What¡¯s up? Everything okay
with Dorothy?¡±
¡°Yeah, she¡¯s fine,¡± Karen murmured, her lips pursing in difort. ¡°Um, Keh, how¡¯s the passport
thing going?¡±
Keh paused as he sensed something amiss. ¡°I¡¯ve submitted the application and taken a new
photo. You knew it, but why asking again?¡±
¡°I just think¡ maybe you should hold off oning here. Dorothy¡¯s doing well, and the Lopezes
haven¡¯t given her any trouble.¡±
There was silence on the other end. Though Keh said nothing, Karen could feel his
disappointment.
¡°Keh, Dorothy said she¡¯d be back in a month. Save yourself the trip, okay? I¡¯m nning to stay
until she¡¯s settled, and then I¡¯ll head back too.¡±
Both cousins knew that no one would dare hurt Dorothy anymore ever since Everett has been brought
back to consciousness.
It took an eternity before Keh¡¯s voice came through softly. ¡°Alright, I won¡¯te. Just take care of
her.¡±
¡°I will.¡±
After hanging up, Karen felt something heavy in her mood, something uneasy and sad she couldn¡¯t
quite pinpoint.
She flicked through her phone and looked for ordering some beer to help her sleep. But the foreign
script was indecipherable, and she didn¡¯t speak a word of Swevia¡¯snguage. Heck, she was even
afraid of getting lost just going downstairs.
Something slipped into her mind. She put on the slippers, dashing out and banging on the door two
rooms down from hers.
The door swung open to reveal a man fresh from the shower. Annoyance etched into his features..
¡°What is it for?¡±
Jeffrey had just stepped out of the bathroom, draped in the hotel¡¯s white robe. His hair still dripping
when Karen¡¯s relentless knocking nearly gave him a heart attack.
¡°I need a drink. Go get me some.¡±
¡°Am I your servant?¡± No one have had the gall to boss him around other than Everett!
Karen batted her eyshes to show off her innocence. ¡°I never said that! Everett asked you to look
after me, and I need a little liquid courage to help me sleep. But I can¡¯t buy it myself, so you¡¯re my only
hope! You¡¯re not going to let me down, are you?¡±
¡°I am.¡± With that, Jeffrey mmed the door shut.
Karen stood fuming by the rejection. ¡°Hey! Where have your gentlemanliness gone to? No wonder you
and Heather are two peas. in a pod ¨C bothcking morality, pfft!¡±
She had barely turned to leave when Jeffrey¡¯s door swung open again. This time he was dressed in
casual wear.
His handsome face seemed helpless. ¡°I was just changing clothes. What, you expected me to go out in
a towel?¡±
¡°Next time, could you wait until you¡¯ve got the whole story before jumping to conclusions?¡± Jeffrey
almost lost his sanity to this. woman. ¡°You¡¯re arbitrary to judge people based on your own
assumptions.¡±
Karen stiffened her neck, huffing. ¡°Oh, so how you¡¯re lecturing me? And what about all those times you
snapped at Dorothy without getting the full story? You were the arbitrary one who believed that Dorothy
stole Heather¡¯s man?¡±
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¡°Now you see! Everett¡¯s heart has always belonged to our Dorothy, not that Heather!¡±
Jeffrey was left speechless by her blunt words. His arms crossed over his chest as he watched her
vent. When the tirade was over, he finally murmured, ¡°Are you still heading out for some beer?¡±
¡°Yes!¡±
Karen had the knack for being flexible ¨C she had to express herself when diforted, and so did
when she was happy.
Jeffrey was still on the mend and not quite steady on his feet. Karen had to drive.
She wasn¡¯t used to drive, especially not in a luxury car. It took her a good while to figure out the
controls before they were finally on their way.
Once at the supermarket, Karen pushed the cart and loaded it with a dozen bottles of beer. She wasn¡¯t
sure which one tasted best, so she¡¯d just try them all.
Jeffrey eyed her hoarding and pointed at the growing collection in the cart, ¡°You¡¯re not going to get out
of your bed tomorrow if you drink all those.¡±
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¡°No worries, as I don¡¯t have to fret over Dorothy anymore. Everett¡¯s got her covered.¡± Karen picked up
a can with a redbel, inspecting it back and forth but not recognizing a single word. ¡°Hey, you
drinking?¡±
A twitch tugged at the corner of Jeffrey¡¯s mouth.
¡°I¡¯m still healing, remember?¡± Did she not care about anyone else¡¯s well¨Cbeing, other than Dorothy?
Karen paused, then gave an awkward smile, ¡°Sorry, sorry, totally slipped my mind about your injury!
Just that I thought your wouldn¡¯t feel the pain, considering it¡¯s a wound from your beloved woman,
right? Shouldn¡¯t you be grinning and bearing it?¡±
¡°Can we not bring that up again? I¡¯m seriously done.¡±
Karen shrugged and even patted his shoulder in a mock¨Cconsoling gesture, ¡°I¡¯m just looking out for
you, reminding you to keep your eyes peeled next time. Don¡¯t jump to conclusions without knowing the
full story.¡±
Great, that advice wasing back to haunt him.
Jeffrey simply chose to keep quiet. If he couldn¡¯t beat her, he¡¯d just stay out of her way, right?
After shopping, Karen drove them back to the hotel. She nced at the hotel¡¯s entrance, noting the
prominent letter ¡®L¡® and pointed, ¡°That ¡®L¡® wouldn¡¯t stand for ¡®Lopez¡®, would it?¡±
Jeffrey carried the bags and followed her. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me that you don¡¯t know it is part of the family
business of the Lopezes. This is just a drop in the bucket for the Lopez family. They probably wouldn¡¯t
even notice it.¡±
Karen stared at the towering building and lost in thought. Jeffrey mistook her expression for admiration,
but her mind was racing. For Dorothy, confronting the Lopez family would be as hard as extracting a
tooth from a tiger¡¯s mouth!
How impossible it would be!
They were deeply rooted; without Everett¡¯s protection, Dorothy might vanish from the world before she
ever got her justice.
Dorothy had never felt so exhausted.
She had thought that he would be more restrained with the injuries, but¡.
She couldn¡¯t have been more wrong!
His demands and whims were even more faxing than when he was in full health.
Worn out, Dorothy passed out without even making it to the shower.
The next morning, it was Dr. Quincy¡¯s knocking that jolted her awake.
¡°Who is it?¡±
¡°Sorry to disturb your rest.¡± came the apology from outside, ¡°I¡¯m here to change Mr. Lopez¡¯s dressing.¡±
Dorothy quickly rolled out of bed and Everett caught her wrist gently. his voice soft, ¡°No rush, be
careful.¡±
¡°It¡¯s all your fault!¡± Dorothy red at him before getting up and hurrying to open the window for some
fresh air.
Then she went to open the door for Dr. Quincy, who stood outside in her white coat.
Seeing her in such a bleary¨Ceyed, clearly worn out state, Dr. Quincy was stunned and asked with a hint
of confusion, ¡°What exactly¡ happenedst night?¡±
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Dorothy¡¯s expression was slightly unnatural as she mumbled, ¡°No, nothing.¡±
Quincy eyed her and then let out a light chuckle. ¡°Taking care of a patient can be exhausting, huh?¡±
¡°Mm¨Chmm¡¡±
It really was exhausting.
Quincy seemed to understandpletely and gave her a supportive pat on the shoulder. ¡°Why don¡¯t
you catch some more sleep? I¡¯lle backter.¡±
¡°No, you should tend to his bandages¨Cthat¡¯s more important!¡±
Thest thing Dorothy wanted was to be alone in a room with Everett.
It was mainly because the pains on her back and legs!
Quincy, oblivious to the tension that had filled the room moments earlier, entered with the medical
supplies andmented, ¡°Why does it feel so stuffy in here? It¡¯s like there¡¯s a¡ a smell¡¡±
Dorothy¡¯s scalp tingled at her words. She felt guilty, and she couldn¡¯t bring herself to look up.
A terrifying thought struck her!
Would Everett continue to be like this for the next, full month?
¡°How are you feeling, Mr. Lopez?¡± Quincy¡¯s voice floated from behind her.
Everett responded, ¡°Pretty good.¡±
¡°Let¡¯s take a look.¡± Quincy moved to his side and carefully began to unwrap the bandage, then frowned
slightly. ¡°Did you move around too much in your sleep? The wound seems to have bled a bit!¡±
Everett¡¯s eyes flickered toward Dorothy, who still hadn¡¯t dared to turn around. He replied, ¡°Maybe I did
while I was asleep.¡±
¡°You should try to keep still. If the wound keeps bleeding, it¡¯s going to take forever to heal. Quincy
advised as she jotted down notes on her clipboard. She then checked the monitor readings and
nodded in satisfaction. ¡°But it does look like you¡¯re on the mend. You¡¯ll have to stay in bed today. But if
all goes well, we can remove the monitors tomorrow, and you can start moving
around a bit.¡±
¡°Alright, thank you.¡±
As Quincy prepared to leave, Everett stopped her and asked with his voice low, ¡°Can I take a shower
tomorrow?¡±
¡°Not yet. You¡¯ll have to stick to the sponge. Is something bothering you?¡± She noticed his deep frown.
¡°It¡¯s just ufortable after sweating.¡±
¡°Sweating?¡± Quincy looked puzzled, ¡°The room has air conditioning; you could turn it on!¡±
Everett¡¯s gaze returned to Dorothy and smiled, ¡°Alright, got it.¡±
Quincy left the room, feeling as though both patients were acting oddly today.
Once the door closed, Dorothy, frustrated, gritted her teeth. ¡°Are you trying to make sure everyone
knows what happened between usst night?¡±
She had been silent, yet he kept deliberately bringing it up!
¡°I just asked about the shower. I didn¡¯t say anything else.¡± Everett replied, his handsome face regaining
some color, In fact, he looked quite refreshed today.
¡°I can¡¯t even deal with you! I¡¯m going to go stay at Karen¡¯s tonight.¡±
¡°Fine. Go ahead.¡±
To Dorothy¡¯s surprise, Everett agreed without hesitation!
Just as she nodded, he casually added on.
¡°Leave me alone in the hospital room then. I might die and no one would know.¡±
¡°This hospital belongs to the Lopez family. You could have as many nurses you want.¡±
Everett raised an eyebrow, and the corners of his lips barely hid a smirk. ¡°But they can¡¯t help me with
my problem. Only you can.¡±
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Dorothy clenched her teeth. ¡°I absolutely will not today!¡±
¡°Just once then.¡±
¡°Not even once!¡±
¡°Dorothy, don¡¯t forget, I can get out of bed tomorrow.¡± Everett¡¯s voice floated effortlessly with a hint of
threat, ¡°And then, it will be up to me to decide how many times we want.¡±
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Dorothy could hardly believe the man in front of her was the same person she knew. It was as if he¡¯d
been possessed by some mischievous spirit!
If anyone from the Lopez Corporation saw him now, lounging about like some kind of loafer, they¡¯d rub
their eyes in disbelief.
Come on, this was Mr. Lopez, the embodiment of self¨Crestraint and icyposure, who had managed
to stay scandal¨Cfree despite the turbid world of business that he thrived in!
¡°Is this all you think about when I¡¯m around?¡±
¡°With you by my side, it¡¯s impossible to think of anything else.¡±
Just as Dorothy was about to respond, there was another knock on the door.
She opened the door and found Jonathan standing there. His lips twitched into a faint, emotionless
smile upon seeing her. ¡°How¡¯s Everett doing?¡±
¡°Dr. Quincy said he¡¯s doing great. He¡¯ll be off the monitors by tomorrow.¡± Of course, Dorothy didn¡¯t
mention the little incident of Everett unstitching his wound.
They were all adults, and they all knew what that¡¯s about¡
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
Jonathan nodded, then spoke in a hushed tone, ¡°Could you please spare us a few minutes? I need to
have a word with him alone.¡± ¡°Sure.¡±
Without suspicion, Dorothy moved to leave.
Everett suddenly spoke up from the hospital bed, ¡°There¡¯s nothing that she shouldn¡¯t hear.¡±
He was done with their misunderstandings. It was better to let her hear things firsthand than to leave
her guessing.
Dorothy was a very insecure woman. The more he kept from her, the more unsettled she¡¯d feel.
Jonathan was no doubt not fond of such an attitude of his son¡¯s.
Only that decisive, ruthless Everett could navigate the battlegrounds in themercial world, not some
doting lover distracted by a woman¡¯s presence. Didn¡¯t he just put a target on his back?
Dorothy noticed the displeasure on Jonathan¡¯s face, and she didn¡¯t want to cause a rift between the
father and the son. She offered a smile and said, ¡°Everett, I should check on Karen anyway. She did
come with me, after all. I need to make sure she¡¯s
settled in.¡±
Before Everett could object, Jonathan was already agreeing, ¡°I¡¯ll have someone escort you.¡±
¡°Thank you.¡±
Dorothy nodded and left the room..
As soon as the door closed, the smile that had graced Everett¡¯s handsome face vanished, reced
once more by his usual stoic
and noble demeanor.
¡°Why avoid her?¡±
¡°Because she¡¯s not part of the Lopez family!¡± Jonathan¡¯s response was blunt, leaving no room for
Everett to harbor any delusions. of Dorothy being epted by them.
Everett¡¯s eyes narrowed as he regarded his father. ¡°Was there a bargain between you and Dorothy?¡±
¡°Nothing at all¡±
¡°That¡¯s impossible.¡± Everett knew well both Dorothy and his own parents, who never showed mercy
easily. ¡°Dorothy must have given up a lot for you to let her in and see me.¡±
Jonathan¡¯s face grew stern, ¡°Don¡¯t forget whose son you are! You¡¯ve been raised by the Lopez family,
and everything you have is built on the foundation of the family¡¯s century¨Clong legacy. And now, you¡¯re
questioning your father over a woman?¡±
¡°I do belong to the Lopez family, but I also do belong to Dorothy.¡±
¡°And what are you to Dorothy?¡± Jonathan¡¯s voice was sharp with severity. ¡°The fact is, you¡¯ve invested
more emotion and time in her than she ever has in you! She¡¯s always been holding something back
from you!¡±
Otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t have divorced in the first ce.
¡°I don¡¯t want to argue about this. I just want to know what was her bargain.¡± Everett wasn¡¯t interested in
those analysis.
He understood what Jonathan said, but none of those outweighed his willingness to yield to his heart.
¡°I¡¯ve told you. There was nothing!¡±
Everett looked straight into his father¡¯s eyes, piercing through the pretense. ¡°It¡¯s about the kids, isn¡¯t it?
You want Abigail and Langston back to the Lopez family.¡±
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He could only think of one thing the Lopez family was truly missing children.
¡°It¡¯s not about wanting,¡± Jonathan argued, his voice firm with conviction, ¡°Since the kids are Lopez¡¯s
bloodline, so it¡¯s my responsibility to bring them home, instead of letting them suffer out there with
Dorothy!¡±
He hadn¡¯t nned on keeping this from Everett. Of course, it wouldn¡¯t have stayed a secret for long. He
just hadn¡¯t felt ready to broach the subject.
¡°Whether it¡¯s suffering or blessing, that¡¯s up to the kids to decide, not you.¡±
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¡°They¡¯re too young to know what¡¯s good or bad for them. Surely they want to be with their mom. But
we, the Lopez family, can¡¯t ept Dorothy, nor can we let our lineage falter outside!¡±
Everett tugged at his chapped lips. ¡°They¡¯re not outside with me here.¡±
He never saw the children being raised by Dorothy as ¡°suffering¡°. They were clearly well¨Ccared for
adorable, healthy, and incredibly sensible.
As their father, he felt a deep gratitude for Dorothy, and it pained him to see her struggle.
¡°Nonsense!¡± Jonathan started to scold, but then hastily softened his tone as recalling his son¡¯s
condition, ¡°Everett, you know what I care about! If you really wish for the best for the kids, you should
have them back to us. Who knows how Dorothy might raise
them!¡±
¡°Dorothy has never taught them to resent the Lopez family. Your fear isn¡¯t
necessary.¡±
¡°I feared? We, the Lopez family, didn¡¯t even know about the kids before!¡± Jonathan¡¯s voice deepened
with emotion, ¡°Yes, I admit that your mother made a mistake and that I didn¡¯t expect Heather to be so
brazen. From now on, we¡¯ll make sure you have nothing to do with Heather. But Dorothy¡ she can¡¯t be
part of the Lopez family.¡±
¡°Why?¡± Everett clenched his teeth, attempting to sit up despite the pain.
After several failed attempts as he was restrained by the wires of the monitoring equipment, he simply
unplugged the cords.
Suddenly, the machine let out a shrill, buzzing rm.
Jonathan hurried over startled. ¡°What are you doing? Have you lost your mind?¡±
But Everett seemed deaf to his father¡¯s words. His eyes fixed on Jonathan. Blood seeped frantically
from his wound, yet he didn¡¯t.
even wince.
¡°I asked you why. Why can¡¯t Dorothy be part of the Lopez family?¡±
¡°It just can¡¯t happen! Now, lie down!¡± Jonathan was genuinely frightened. Hisposure shaken, as he
rushed out to call for the doctor. ¡°Quincy! Quincy! Come quickly, he¡¯s bleeding!¡±
Quincy was in her office flipping through a medical journal when she heard themotion and dashed
out.
¡°What happened?¡±
¡°Quick, hurry! Everett just pulled out his monitor, and he¡¯s bleeding!¡±
Quincy frowned and rushed to the patient¡¯s room.
¡°Mr. Lopez, what have you done?¡± She reached to remove the bandage and check his wound, but he
dodged her.
¡°It¡¯s nothing. I¡¯m fine.¡±
¡°You¡¯re bleeding out, and how can it be nothing?¡± Quincy had never seen anyone so reckless with their
life. ¡°Where¡¯s Ms.
Sanchez?¡±
Everett looked at her and asks, ¡°What do you need her for?¡±
¡°Because you won¡¯t settle without her!¡± Quincy had him figured out, ¡°Mr. Lopez, either cooperate with
me right now, or I¡¯m calling Ms. Sanchez to handle you!¡±
¡°I¡¯m serious!¡± She was already pulling out her phone.
Everett¡¯s demeanor softened slightly, but his brow remained furrowed. ¡°Don¡¯t tell her!¡±
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Quincy gestured towards his wound. ¡°Theny still, buddy. Let me check out where the blood came
from. You don¡¯t want Ms. Sanchez toe back and find you soaked in blood, do you?¡±
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
Out of everything Jonathan had said, he was right on that only one point ¨C Dorothy was Everett¡¯s
Achilles¡® heel.
And right now, Quincy was exploiting that weakness with pinpoint uracy.
Seeing his son finally cooperating, Jonathan¡¯s worry settled down a bit, but it was quickly reced by
irritation. ¡°You¡¯re trashing your own health over a woman?¡±
¡°Dorothy probably had her fair share of troubles trying to see me. You didn¡¯t seem to care much about
her then, did you?¡±
¡°She¡¯s not one of the Lopezes!¡±
Everett snorted with disdain, ¡°Being a Lopez doesn¡¯t put you above anyone else.¡±
Jonathan had never been so tantly defied by his son before. He was so angry he could barely
breathe.
Quincy, sensing the situation was getting worse, quickly interjected while tending to the wound. ¡°Alright,
Jonathan! Can we stop quarreling? The patient needs to stay calm and rest to heal properly. Any
irritation isn¡¯t going to help!¡±
¡°He started it!¡±
¡°Well, how about you and Amanda step out of the hospital for a while? That way, Mr. Lopez can¡¯t reach
you to pick a fight.¡± Quincy¡¯s hands moved with practiced ease as she disinfected and rebandaged
Everett¡¯s wound, but the monitor needed to be taken down as it was damaged by him.
Once everything was settled, Quincy sought for a private chat with Jonathan to avoid stressing out the
patient in the hospital. But as she reached the door, Everett called out to her.
¡°Don¡¯t tell Dorothy about the fuss earlier.¡±
¡°You¡¯re aware she¡¯d worry, huh?¡±
With a sigh, Quincy set about separating the twobustible rivals.
She ushered Jonathan into her office, poured him a ss of water and offered aforting smile,
¡°Jonathan, there¡¯s no need to stay angry. What can¡¯t a father and son talk over?¡±
¡°There¡¯s nothing to talk about! After all this time, he still refuses to budge. He insists on marrying that
Dorothy!¡±
Quincy paused, taken aback, ¡°Isn¡¯t he already¡
¡°The Lopezes will never wee her in our house!¡± Jonathan mmed his hand down on the desk,
¡°Even if it means disowning my own son, I won¡¯t allow such a daughter¨Cinw into my family! I tried
not to meddle in his personal affairs, but look at him now, so obsessed by Dorothy that he¡¯s neglecting
his own health! How can I, as a father, not be heartbroken?¡±
Jonathan¡¯s face reddened by rage. Quincy quickly tried to soothe him, worried he might pass out from
anger.
¡°Even if you disagree, you need to talk this through calmly! Don¡¯t act in haste! Both you and your wife
are not in the best of health. I¡¯ve seen your medical reports, and you really should avoid getting angry.¡±
¡°I wish I could do that! My terms are simple: Dorothy is not setting foot into the Lopez household.¡±
¡°Why?¡± Quincy was puzzled, but she was aware of somemon causation of disapproving a
marriage. Frictions between the inws, social barriers, and things like those.
¡°Isn¡¯t she aware of her status? How could she ever be worthy of the Lopezes? Quincy, I¡¯m not being
cruel, but you grew up in a prestigious family just like us. If you wanted to marry an average Joe, your
parents wouldn¡¯t agree either!¡±
Quincy mulled it over and, finally, she could only nod. She didn¡¯t like it but waspelled to agree with
his sentiment.
Indeed, it seemed like the heirs of wealthy families, were Inevitably bound to arranged marriages. They
could barely escape from that fate, especially those only sons like Everett.
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¡°I feel it, you know? Mr. Lopez and Ms. Sanchez are truly in love.¡± Quincy was aware that affection
could not vanquish the reality. But their love was so fierce, and their willingness to sacrifice for each
other was rare indeed. It moved even Quincy.
¡°Love¡¯s easy to im, but it doesn¡¯t stand a chance against the unforeseeable life ahead!¡± Jonathan
had more to say, but a nce at Quincy made him hold back. His stance, however, remained firm.
¡°Anyway, I won¡¯t approve.¡±
Dorothy returned from Karen¡¯s and was surprised to find Everett already propped up in his hospital
bed!
Her face lit up with joy. ¡°Did Dr. Quincy take you off the monitors in advance? Does this mean you¡¯re
recovering well?¡±
Everett¡¯s handsome features tightened. He wanted to nod but didn¡¯t, and deftly changed the subject.
¡°I feel like I could get up and walk around.¡±
¡°You can¡¯t do that! Not until Dr. Quincy says so.¡± Dorothy approached Everett¡¯s bed to wipe him down
with a towel. That was when she noticed something was wrong. ¡°Your bandages they look freshly
changed. Are you bleeding again?¡±
¡°Dr. Quincy changed them. Maybe it was needed after removing the equipment.¡± he said vaguely.
Luckily Dorothy didn¡¯t dwell on the details as her thoughts preupied by his apparent improvement.
¡°Everett, just focus on healing. I can¡¯t bear feeling guilty about you anymore.¡±
She was earnest, looking straight into Everett¡¯s eyes. His love was a burden she couldn¡¯t shake,
weighing on her day and night.
¡°I don¡¯t want your guilt.¡± Everett said with more severity and sincerity in his eyes. ¡°You know what I
want. Dorothy, you agreed to my father¡¯s terms, didn¡¯t you?¡±
Stunned, Dorothy looked at him. ¡°He told you?¡±
¡°I knew it¡ I knew they¡¯d bully you!¡±
In hisst conscious moments before sumbing to blood loss, Everett¡¯s mind was filled with the
thought of what might happen to Dorothy if he died or remainedatose. The Lopezes would surely
pressure her or even worse.
But ultimately, his body gave in, and he closed his eyes full of worry and unease.
¡°Calm down.¡± Dorothy forced a smile on her face to spare him any self¨Creproach. ¡°I agreed to their
terms because, first, the Lopez family can provide a better future for the kids, and second, so that I
could see you. It¡¯s a win¨Cwin, really.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t believe you¡¯d give up the kids that easily.¡± Everett didn¡¯t believe a word she was saying.
Dorothy felt transparent and unable to hide anything in front of Everett.
¡°It¡¯s hard. But as parents, we should n for the best future of our children. I¡¯m thinking long¨Cterm.¡±
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Abigail and Langston may still have a good life with bright future without my dad! Their dad is not dead
yet.¡±
As long as Everett was around, he wouldn¡¯t let his kids suffer.
¡°There you go, making a fuss over nothing.¡± Dorothy tried to deflect, not daring to confront him further.
¡°You rest a bit. I¡¯ll go see Dr. Quincy about getting some ointment for your leg.¡±
She left the room without waiting for Everett¡¯s consent.
Approaching Quincy¡¯s office in her wheelchair, she overheard a voice that sounded like Jonathan.
¡°Quincy, if you could just be our daughter¨Cinw¡¡±
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Inside the room, Quincy was even more surprised than Dorothy was.
¡°Ah? Jonathan, you must be kidding me!¡±
Jonathan seemed to struggle for words before finally letting out a chuckle, ¡°Well, my wife and I are
nning a trip back to Elysian Country. Got some business to take care of, so I¡¯ll be counting on you to
look after Everett! I trust your medical skills.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Lopez is out of the woods now. You may just go and handle your business!¡±
¡°Alright.¡±
Knowing Jonathan wasing out, Dorothy quickly ducked into an empty room to avoid crossing paths
with him.
Dorothy knocked on the door after he left.
¡°Ms. Sanchez, you¡¯re here.¡± Quincy said, turning to fetch the ointment for her.
As she searched, she suddenly paused and cautiously asked, ¡°How long have you been here?¡±
Hopefully, she hadn¡¯t heard the conversation with Jonathan.
¡°Just got here.¡± Dorothy didn¡¯t want Quincy to feel awkward. After all, she was always so kind and
warm¨Chearted. It was clear that Quincy held no other intentions towards Everett.
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
And even if she did, Dorothy wasn¡¯t in any position to feel jealous or to push her away.
Everett had been seriously injured while saving her, and it was Quincy who had pulled him back from
death.
Their families had been friends for many years and shared a deep bond.
Quincy indeed came from a well¨Cto¨Cdo family, but she was not at all spoiled and lofty. Instead, she was
any random girl with a gentle and approachable vibe.
Like now, she didn¡¯t hesitate to kneel down and apply the ointment to Dorothy¡¯s wounds.
She was just as professional as any hospital doctor, if not more attentive.
¡°Your wound isn¡¯t healing well; there¡¯s some infection. Thankfully, your X¨Crays don¡¯t show any major
issues. You should try getting rid of the wheelchair and walking around a bit to get some exercise.¡±
¡°Okay.¡± Dorothy nodded and then softly asked, ¡°Did Everett aggravate his injury just now?¡±
¡°Did he tell you that?¡±
¡°No.¡± She had seen the fresh bandages with her own eyes.
Quincy hastily waved her hands. ¡°Then don¡¯t ask me. I don¡¯t know anything; he told me not to say!¡±
Dorothy sighed, ¡°I won¡¯t tell. I¡¯m just concerned about his health.¡±
After all, he had just narrowly escaped death, and any mishap would worry her.
¡°Mr. Lopez is in great shape, and he¡¯s recovering quickly. Plus, you can rest easy, he¡¯s not in any
danger now.¡±
¡°That¡¯s good to hear. I¡¯m relieved.¡±
Having received the answer she sought, Dorothy was about to return to her room.
But Quincy suddenly called out to her, ¡°Ms. Sanchez.¡±
¡°Yes?¡±
¡°I want to ask you a question.¡±
She nodded earnestly, ¡°Go ahead.¡±
Quincy hesitated a bit before awkwardly asking, ¡°Do you love Mr. Lopez? I don¡¯t mean anything by it.
Just curious, with a man who would risk his life for you, do you love him as deep?¡±
Quincy, who had never been in love, was genuinely curious.
But Dorothy just smiled, offering no answer.
She always remembered her time was limited. When the time was up, she¡¯d have to vanish from
Everett¡¯s life. It didn¡¯t matter whether she loved him.
¡°When you meet someone like that, you¡¯ll know.¡±
Quincy sighed softly, wrestling with her thoughts before speaking, ¡°Ms. Sanchez, to be honest, I feel
like Mr. Lopez loves you more deeply.¡±
¡°You¡¯re right about that.¡±
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She couldn¡¯t deny it¨CEverett was trapped in this rtionship deeper than she was.
So if Everett, the CEO of Lopez Corporation, with all his fearlessness and clout, still couldn¡¯t turn the
tide, what could an ordinary. person like her possibly change?
Dorothy returned to the hospital room and, as she pushed the door open, she was stunned to see
Everett standing by the window! He was still tall and upright, with a posture that screamed pride and
privilege. There he was, lost in thought quietly in front of the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling window.
Hearing her enter, he tilted his head slightly.
The once sharp edges of Everett¡¯s face were softened by illness and implemented by anguid grace,
which all made him appear almost boyish.
¡°You¡¯re back.¡±
¡°Why are you out of bed without permission? Dr. Quincy said you could try walking tomorrow, not
today!¡± Dorothy was frantic with worry, fearing for his health, especially since Everett was known for
being stubborn.
¡°One day won¡¯t make a difference.¡± Everett was tired of being confined to the bed. His skin was itching
for movement.
Dorothy hurried over and locked eyes with him. ¡°Get back into bed, now.¡±
¡°Just a little longer.¡± Everett¡¯s lips curled into a smile at her concern, then he said softly, ¡°Give me your
hand.¡±
¡°What?¡±
Although unsure of his intentions, Dorothy extended her hand.
Everett grasped her wrist and lifted his shirt, pressing her palm against his firm abs.
¡°I¡¯m going to lose these if I don¡¯t get up and move.¡± he joked.
¡°You loved touching here when we were on bed. I have to keep them.¡±
Flustered, Dorothy¡¯s cheeks turned red, and she red at him. ¡°Let go, I don¡¯t love touching them!¡±
¡°But you did, many timesst night!¡±
¡°That¡¯s because I was sitting on top of you, and I¡ I needed something to bnce myself!¡±
Her hasty retort came without thought, and she didn¡¯t realize its implications until it was toote.
Everett¡¯s arms caged her between the wall and his body, leaving her no room to move.
¡°You¡¡±
¡°Dorothy, I want you again.¡±
She didn¡¯t need him to say it because she could feel the heat pressing against her.
¡°Are you insane? It¡¯s broad daylight!¡±
Dr. Quincy could walk in at any moment!
¡°Close the curtains.¡±
¡°This isn¡¯t about the curtains.¡± Dorothy sputtered.
Seeing her attempt to wriggle free, Everett¡¯s grip tightened unintentionally and revealed the defined
lines of his knuckles.
His eyes, usually cool andposed, now burned with unbridled desire.
¡°Just once, I¡¯ll be quick.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t believe you!¡±
He always took his time and left her breathless and drenched as if she¡¯d been fished out of water by
the end of it!
Everett smirked, his voice a husky whisper in her ear. He noticed a tiny, faint mole on Dorothy¡¯s ear, so
light it was nearly invisible unless observing close¨Cadorable enough that he wanted to taste it.
And he did just that.
Dorothy was startled and instinctively recoiled, but she was still immobilized by him. Then, his lips
imed hers fiercely.
The kiss was an invasion, a relentless and voracious plundering that left no room for protest.
Dorothy¡¯s hands were free but dared not move, because unfortunately, she had to be mindful of
Everett¡¯s wound on his chest.
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Mmph!¡±
Her protests were also swallowed whole.
Only when she was nearly breathless did Everett reluctantly let her go, his voice dark with longing. ¡°I¡¯ll
be quick. Just once, okay?¡±
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Onlyter did Dorothy realize that when Everett said, ¡°I¡¯ll be quick¡°, he wasn¡¯t talking about time but
speed.
The room spun so fast she couldn¡¯t even make out the ceiling tiles of the hospital room anymore. The
harsh lights blurred into triplicates, then quintuplets, before scattering like countless twinkling stars.
¡°Could you¡ maybe go a bit¡ faster¡¡± she gasped out..
Her arms felt like they couldn¡¯t lift, as if she was a deep¨Csea fish starved of oxygen.
Yet Everett leaned in to kiss that small mole by her ear and feigned surprise. ¡°Not fast enough? Alright,
I¡¯ll speed up a little more.¡±
¡°No, no, no¡¡± she protested weakly.
¡°Oh, you¡¯re afraid I¡¯ll finish too quickly? Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve got time.¡±
¡°No, no, no¡¡±
Everett took pleasure in seeing her flushed and breathless, too worn out to say anything but shake her
head.
She was utterly his in this moment.
After all, Dorothy had ovee so many obstacles and even gave up on the kids just to be by his side.
She must have feelings for him.
Right?
That was the case, wasn¡¯t it?
Back at the hotel, after seeing Dorothy off, Karen nned to pack her bags and check for a flight home.
She couldn¡¯t help much at this point and knew Dorothy would worry if she stayed. So what was the
point for her to stay?
With that thought, she inadvertently nced at the left wall.
It was Jeffrey¡¯s room just beyond a few more walls.
She stopped what she was doing, sighed heavily, hesitated, and headed straight for Jeffrey¡¯s door after
a brief pause.
It took him a while to open the door.
Jeffrey¡¯s handsome face was flushed an unusual shade of pink, and his expression sour and impatient.
This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.
¡°What now?¡± he rasped. His voice was oddly hoarse.
¡°I was hoping you could help me pack and then lend me your car. I wish to get out a bit.¡±
It was a rare trip to be here in Swevia Country, and she couldn¡¯t spend it all cooped up in a hotel. She
wanted to explore and take photos to remember the trip.
¡°I¡¯ve got no time,¡± Jeffrey grunted and tried to retreat to the room.
Karen blocked the closing door swiftly and frowned. ¡°What are you so busy with that you¡¯ve got no
time?¡±
¡°None of your business.¡± he snapped back.
¡°I¡¯m trying to help you out! You¡¯ve been looking after me thesest few days, and even though I can¡¯t
stand you, I know how to separate personal feelings from gratitude.¡±
¡°You are trying to help me?¡± Jeffrey raised an eyebrow.
Karen nodded. ¡°Tell me what you¡¯re up to, and I¡¯ll help you.¡±
With a scoff, Jeffrey stepped back and flung the door wide open. He revealed the TV screen behind
him.
On the screen was an explicit scene of two people kissing and caressing.
¡°I¡¯m wanking. How exactly can you ¡®help¡® with that?¡±
Karen has never been an innocent saint for all her life, but just for this time she missed that
interpretation.
She waspletely dumbfounded as she saw the screen.
She had been so insistent on helping, even when he didn¡¯t ask for it.
¡°Coming in?¡± Jeffrey teased.
Taking a deep breath, Karen¡¯s eyes went wide. ¡°You¡¯re¡ you¡¯re absolutely foul and disgusting!¡±
Itpletely slipped her mind that her ownputer was filled with simr content.
Jeffrey was confused by the insult. ¡°What¡¯s so foul and disgusting about it?¡±
¡°You¡¯re in a hotel injured, and you still have the mood for those? Isn¡¯t that just sleazy?¡±
Jeffrey snorted withughter. ¡°I¡¯ll think about whatever I want, whenever I want! It¡¯s not like I¡¯m
harassing you!¡±
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¡°You wish! I¡¯d rather be a nun than be with you!¡±
Karen¡¯s cheeks burned with rage, and she spun on her heel to leave.
Jeffrey caught her arm on impulse. ¡°You¡¯re walking away just like this?¡±
Karen nced at his hand on her, then back up to his chiseled face, and suddenly, she let out a shriek.
¡°Aaaahhh!¡±
Jeffrey was startled and quickly mped his hand over her mouth, dragging her into his room.
¡°Do you want to bring here everybody in the hotel?!¡± he hissed.
This woman was aplete nutcase!
She stared at him in disbelief, pointing at his hand. ¡°You¡you just grabbed me with your right hand,
and now you¡¯re covering my mouth with it!¡±
¡°Yeah, so what?¡± Jeffrey was clueless.
¡°Which fucking hand did you use when you were wanking?!¡±
He got silent, and it confirmed Karen¡¯s suspicions!
Jeffrey¡¯s hand, which had touched his ¡®stuff, was now touching her hand and her mouth!
¡°Ugh-¡±
She bolted for the bathroom and started to throw up in the toilet.
Jeffrey was at a loss for words!
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Watching her exaggerated reaction, as if she was trying to upchuck her very soul, he was half¨Ctempted
to shove her into the toilet
and be done with it.
¡°Are you sick or something? It¡¯s my room. I can do whatever I like in here. You¡¯re the one who came
knocking and killed my vibe. I¡¯m the one who should be upset, not you acting all disgusted!¡±
Karen eyed him, and her gaze travelled downward to his hastily buttoned pants.
¡°Damn it, Jeff! I¡¯m telling you ¨C you better not breathe a word of this to anyone. Especially not to
Dorothy, and definitely not to Everett! Pretend it never happened! Forget all about it!¡±
She ran out like a whirlwind, as if Jeffrey might chase her down and do God knows what.
Staring at the door that had mmed shut, Jeffrey could only twitch the corners of his mouth in
disbelief.
The porn was still ying on the TV screen, but the eager audience was gone. He turned off the
screen with the remote control and flopped back onto the bed. Even though he no longer felt like
continuing, being interrupted like that left him feeling all kinds
of ufortable.
Ever since hisst date, Jeffrey had been on a bit of a dry spell. This was the longest he¡¯d gone without
a little action ever since his first time.
And now, when he finally decided to take matters into his own hands, he got interrupted!
He sat up annoyed, threw on his clothes and jacket, pocketed his car keys, and then knocked on
Karen¡¯s door.
¡°What on earth are you packing? Why would you even need my help?¡±
He was an injured man, and he was not her valet!
Karen¡¯s voice came through crisp and clear from inside the room. Just two word.
¡°Fuck off!¡±
¡°Don¡¯t get too cocky! We agreed to forget what happened, and now you¡¯re cursing at me?¡±
¡°You fuck off!¡±
Jeffrey rolled his eyes. ¡°Fine, I¡¯m taking the car. Who knows when I¡¯ll be back.¡±
He needed a break from all this drama. Maybe he¡¯d check out the local girls in Swevia Country for
some fair skins, good looks, and long legs.
Just as Jeffrey was about to walk away, Karen unexpectedly opened the door. ¡°Hold up, I¡¯ming
with you! Drive me to somewhere busy and bustling. I want to go shopping, and you will take me back
afterwards.¡± Karen was doing her best to maintain a steady demeanor and expression.
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She tried to act as if the awkward encounter with Jeffrey hadn¡¯t just happened.
But Jeffrey¡¯s mood soured. ¡°Seriously, I need to drive you back? I¡¯m out here on the prowl, not to y
your personal chauffeur!¡±
¡°But didn¡¯t you just¡¡±
¡°God dammit, I¡¯m totally deted now. I did what?¡±
Karen swallowed hard, clearing her throat lightly. ¡°Alright then, I won¡¯t keep you. Go find some girl to
cure your impotence.¡±
Jeffrey felt like he could be driven to his grave by this woman¡¯s nerve.
¡°Okay, you¡¯re throwing these usations at me. I can¡¯t argue anymore. Guess I have no choice but to
prove you wrong with
actions!¡±
With a strong push, he swung the door wide open and strode in.
Karen stumbled backward and realized it was toote to shut the door.
¡°What are you doing?! Let me remind you, this is illegal!¡±
¡°Don¡¯t y coy. You think I haven¡¯t noticed you drooling over me?¡± He cornered her, leaving her no
escape. ¡°Who couldn¡¯t take her eyes off me when on the ne?¡±
His face, magnified and all too close, nearly made Karen feel like the air she needed was being sucked
away.
But that didn¡¯t soften her resolve.
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¡°I did not!¡±
¡°Heh.¡± Jeffrey sneered, casually grabbing her butt. ¡°You might not have the curves of a pin¨Cup, but I
guess you¡¯ll do.¡±
¡°Bah! Get off me!¡± Karen tried to wriggle free, but his strength was overwhelming.
It was then that she realized the man in front of her was indeed very much a man.
Continually mocking and infuriating him was likely to provoke a reaction she couldn¡¯t counter.
Seeing genuine fear in her eyes, Jeffrey finally relented with a scoff, ¡°You don¡¯t respect a tiger, and you
mistake me for a sick cat! Show some respect from now on, got it?¡±
He had only intended to teach her a lesson, never to actually touch her.
Besides, this was Dorothy¡¯s best friend. If he really crossed a line, Everett would literally kill him!
Jeffrey backed off a few paces and was about to gloat, but then he noticed the tears streaming down
the young woman¡¯s face.
¡°Hey! Whoa, damn it, don¡¯t cry!¡±
He wasn¡¯t adept at soothing girls. All he could do was clumsily offering her a tissue.
This was the most troublesome person he ever knew. Karen, usually fearless, was genuinely crying.
Had he taken the teasing too
far?
¡°You, fuck off!¡± Karen felt a sudden rush of grievances, though she couldn¡¯t pinpoint the exact cause.
Jeffrey quickly gestured with his hands. ¡°Okay, okay, I fuck off! If you need to get outter, just hit me
up. I¡¯ll give you a ride there and back, deal?¡±
¡°Out!¡±
¡°You got it!¡±
The door closed, and Karen, sobbing, reached for her phone to call Dorothy.
Someone picked up after a few rings,. Before they could speak, Karen poured out her woes.
¡°Dorothy! Jeffrey, he¡ he forced me to wank for him¡ And then he harassed mel How can someone
be so vile!¡±
There was a stunned silence on the other end, followed by a low voice. ¡°This is Everett. Dorothy¡¯s
exhausted; she¡¯s asleep. You said Jeffrey harassed you?¡±
Karen went nk, her first instinct was to hang up the phone.
Damn!
What in the world had she just told Everett?
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Dorothy was sound asleep in the hospital room. Her energy thoroughly sapped by Everett. It was hard
to tell if she had simply sumbed to exhaustion or slipped into unconsciousness.
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Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing her face in a warm glow that made her look even more
delicate and beautiful. Dorothy¡¯s beauty wasn¡¯t the kind that screamed for attention with bold makeup.
She was the pure and bright, with a face the size of a palm and vibrant, clear almond eyes. Dressed in
a simple T¨Cshirt and jeans, she could pass for an undergrad on campus. But when she wore something
a little more well¨Cdesigned, something that hugged her curves, she would have temptation adding on
that purity.
Her waist was so slim that Everett could easily pin her down with one arm and indulge in her. Despite
her slender frame, she had an impressively developed bust, which was not exactly voluptuous but
certainly something to be proud of.
Everett had been sitting by her side, watching over her without moving. He was reluctant to look away
even for a moment, until Karen¡¯s call came through.
He couldn¡¯t fathom why Jeffrey would do that, but Karen was Dorothy¡¯s best friend and had been a
great help to her. This was something he felt he needed to get involved with.
Fearing to disturb Dorothy, Everett picked up his phone and stepped out of the room. He winced with
each step he took.
It took several rings before Jeffrey answered.
¡°Hey, Everett¡¡±
The guilt was evident in his voice.
¡°What¡¯s the deal with you and Karen?¡±
¡°She talked to you?!¡± Jeffrey¡¯s voice spiked in pitch, causing Everett to hold the phone away from his
ear to avoid the sudden outburst.
That¡¯s not important!
¡°It is important!¡±
With a sigh, Jeffrey recounted the event, conveniently leaving out the part where he¡¯d got impotent.
The more he talked, the more he felt like the victim¨Chow unfair it all was! She interrupted him, and he in
turned had to sooth her!
Everett listened with a frown and eventually spoke in a measured tone, ¡°I¡¯ll get someone else to take
care of her. Keep your distance.¡±
Thest thing he wanted was another round of drama.
¡°I just wanted to tease her a bit. I had no idea that tomboy would actually cry!¡± Jeffrey felt that he has
really met a rival. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll do as you said and stay away from her.¡±
After hanging up, Everett was about to head back to the room when he felt a presence behind him. He
turned sharply to see Quincy, with her round eyes looking at him through the lenses of her sses.
She dressed in her usual whiteb coat and addressed him with a mix of exasperation and concern.
¡°Mr. Lopez, you were supposed to stay in bed until
tomorrow.¡±
¡°I had something to take care of.¡±
¡°If you keep this up, I¡¯m really going to have to tell Ms. Sanchez!¡± Quincy had just assured Jonathan
that she wouldn¡¯t let anything happen to Everett. Now, he was really running her credibility with
Jonathan.
¡°Don¡¯t say anything,¡® Everett said instinctively. ¡°I¡¯m heading back now.¡±
¡°Here, lean on my shoulder, and I¡¯ll help you¡± Quincy offered, stepping closer to lend her support.
But Everett, with a frosty expression, wouldn¡¯t even let his clothes brush against hers.
It had always been like this. His being a clean freak had reached almost mythical proportions,
especially when it came to women. Even when Quincy applied the medications, he insisted she wear
disposable medical gloves.
¡°No need. I can manage on my own¡±
¡°But you¡¯re risking your recovery! It¡¯s already bad enough that you got out of bed prematurely, and now
you won¡¯t even letting me help. What if you fall?¡± Quincy was focused solely on her duty as a doctor
and oblivious to the rejection in his eyes.
The next moment Everett spoke with a cold and distant tone, ¡®Sorry, I have a bit of a clean freak.¡±
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Uh?¡±
Quincy was about to ask what being a clean freak had to do with anything when she caught sight of her
own hands and instantly got it. She tugged awkwardly at her lip. ¡°Sorry, my bad.¡±
She watched as Everett Lopez moved steadily forward, refusing to be assisted or to lean against the
wall. His back remained ramrod straight as if bending was simply not an option.
Quincy knew all too well that Everett must be in agony. The trembling that barely perceptible in his
silhouette was telltale. He¡¯d been stabbed clean through with wounds both in the front and back, and
his flesh and blood were indistinguishable when he was sent to hospital.
She recalled the first moments of taking charge of Everett. When he barely regained consciousness,
his lips were moving. At first, Quincy thought he was moaning due to the pain and tried tofort him
for multiple times. But as she listened closely, he was actually calling out for Dorothy.
Sighing softly, Quincy felt a sudden, intense envy toward Dorothy.
Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
¡°If only I could be loved like that.¡± she mused.
Dorothy was still asleep when Everett returned to his hospital room.
He gazed at the small, huddled form on the bed, and his lips curled into a persistent smile.
He admitted to himself that he had put her through quite an ordeal.
Not wishing to disturb her rest, Everett picked up a chair and sat down beside the bed. He was content
just to watch her sleep.
As he watched, the smile in his eyes deepened.
Honestly, he felt a bit like a creep!
But who could understand?
It was the thrill and tion of finally holding the moon he had longed for since his youth.
He had never imagined she could grow fond of him, let alone love. But now, with her lying next to him
and willing to do anything for him, Everett feared this was just a dream.
He worried that maybe he¡¯d died from the stab wound inflicted by Heather, and all these were illusory.
Everett reached out and tentatively touched her arm that was ced near her cheek, then her
eyebrows, her hair, wishing time could just stop right there.
He didn¡¯t know how long it has been before he heard a knock at the door.
Everett frowned involuntarily and nced at the door monitor. Seeing it was Jeffrey, he pressed the
remote to unlock the door.
Jeffrey had intended toe by and share some gripes about Karen. But upon entering, he saw
Dorothy sleeping soundly, and Everett, pale but looking lively, and he immediately got the picture.
¡°Step outside to talk?¡±
He gestured toward the small sitting chamber within the room.
Everett nodded. He pulled the covers up over Dorothy before he left.
As the door shut behind them, Jeffrey¡¯s immediately started to scoff. ¡°Everett, aren¡¯t you indulging a bit
much? Look at what you¡¯ve done to Dorothy. How long¡¯s she been sleeping?¡±
Everett never liked to discuss personal matters with others. To be precise, doing so freely in front of
Dorothy was a recent hurdle he¡¯d ovee.
¡°What do you want?¡±
¡°Why¡¯s your face all red?¡± Jeffrey wasn¡¯t going to miss an opportunity to rib Everett. He pointed at his
flushed ears whileughing uproariously, ¡°Did I hit a nerve? How many times, huh?¡±
Everett furrowed his brow and tried to mask his embarrassment. ¡°What do you really want?¡±
¡°Changing the subject with me, huh?¡± Jeffrey smirked, ¡°Come on, I¡¯m a guy, and I get it! Your buddy
here¡¯s been pent up for long too. If you bring me a woman with a fine figure and pretty face right now,
she¡¯d probably end up just like Dorothy!¡±
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Everett nced up, a hint of amusement touching his eyes. ¡°So, that¡¯s why you harassed Karen, huh?¡±
At that usation, Jeffrey looked like he was about to explode in protest.
¡°Whoa, hold up! It was totally her stirring the pot first! I was just¡ just trying to teach her a lesson,
that¡¯s all! Her looks, her figure¨Cthey¡¯re not even my type.¡±
¡°She¡¯s a friend of Dorothy¡¯s. You should back off.¡±
Everett knew his friend all too well; this guy was more about lust than love. So he needed to make sure
not to let Jeffrey hurt Karen, otherwise it would put Dorothy in an awkward spot.
¡°Me, make a move on her?¡± Jeffrey¡¯s expression was animated as he heard what Everett said, ¡°Come
on, man! When have I ever hung out with a girl who wasn¡¯t miles hotter than her?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t care about the others.¡±
¡°I¡¯d go out with any of them than messing with Karen, man!¡±
Everett usually had no interest in Jeffrey¡¯s dating life. But today, despite Jeffrey¡¯s apparent disdain for
Karen, he couldn¡¯t help noticing that she was all Jeffrey talked about.
¡°Got a thing for her?¡±
Everett and Jeffrey were the kind of friends who cut straight to the chase.
¡°No way! Absolutely not!¡±
¡°Then keep your distance. Find another hotel. I¡¯ll have someone sort it out for you.¡± Everett paused,
then added, ¡°Dorothy mentioned Karen¡¯s heading back home soon.¡±
Once she was gone, their paths would likely never cross again.
Karen would continue with her life, and Jeffrey with his wild nights.
¡°No wonder she suddenly wanted to take in the sights. She¡¯s leaving Jeffrey touched his nose, ¡°Uh, I¡¯m
heading back. Need to take care of some business.¡±
¡°What¡¯s the rush?¡±
¡°Work stuff, man! I¡¯ve been out of the game for too long. Got a pile of things to sort out.¡±
Everett didn¡¯t push it. He just nodded. ¡°Go ahead.¡±
¡°See you! If I¡¯m free tonight, I¡¯ll swing by!¡±
Jeffrey waved and dashed off like a bat out of hell.
Everett, grimacing at the pain, slowly shuffled back to his previous spot and sat down.
The room was well¨Cequipped with a sofa, a spare bed, even a separate caregiver¡¯s room¨Call more
comfortable than the chair. But sitting in the chair was the only way to stay close to Dorothy.
Now that he was alone, he pulled out his phone and started sifting through theplicated mess Kevin
couldn¡¯t handle, all the while stealing nces at Dorothy.
Everett didn¡¯t even realize was that he had a smile stered on his face the entire time. Even when his
cheeks felt stiff, he wouldn¡¯t let it fade.
The information and documents Kevin had sent him weren¡¯t as overwhelming as he expected. They
were actually quite manageable.
Everett could imagine Kevin running around like a headless chicken, no exaggeration.
[Mr. Lopez, are you recovered?¡°]
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.
Kevin messaged as soon as he saw Everett online.
[Yeah]
(Can you let Ms. Sanchez know? She was asking me about you in tears. I didn¡¯t have much to tell her,
and since your dad¡]
Reading Kevin¡¯s message, Everett¡¯s gaze drifted back to Dorothy His eyes filled with an unspoken
depth of emotion.
After a moment he replied (No need Dorothy¡¯s right here beside me]
Then he added a few more words: [She¡¯s sleeping]
[Ms Sanchez actually went abroad to find you?!]
[Yeah, this time she came to me on her own initiative.]
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Perhaps to others, the fact that Everett had saved Dorothy and she sought him out was nothing
special.
But for Everett, that was an affirmation!
It meant that he had officially be someone Dorothy cared about.
The significance of that ce in her heart was immense to him. He dared not even hope to upy a
large space there, as long as he wasn¡¯t kicked out.
Jeffrey rushed back to the hotel and paced back and forth outside Karen¡¯s door for ages without
knocking.
He wasn¡¯t sure what he feared. For the first time, he felt a entanglement of emotions.
He never felt this anxious even back when he had a crush on Heather.
Suddenly, the door swung open!
Jeffrey looked up startled, and their eyes met. His mind went nk, unable to conjure up anything to
say. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Karen asked, freshly showered and changed, about to take a walk.
Without Jeffrey¡¯s car, she nned not to stray too far, just to make sure she could find her way back.
But as soon as she opened the door, there he was!
¡°¡ ¡¡± Jeffrey stammered. Words failed him.
Karen thought he was gearing up for another argument and tempted to shut the door!
Jeffrey quickly blocked it with his hand.
This time Karen didn¡¯t hold back, mming the door so hard right on Jeffrey¡¯s hand. He yelped in pain.
¡°Are you insane? I¡¯m injured here!¡±
¡°A few more bruises won¡¯t make much difference. Compared to what Heather went through, I¡¯m really
being gentle to you.¡±
Jeffrey was immediately at a loss for words.
Karen red at him. ¡°Move your hand! Or I¡¯ll break it and don¡¯t you dare me me!¡±
¡°I won¡¯t move it.¡± Despite the throbbing pain, Jeffrey insisted blocking the door from closing. ¡°I have
something to discuss with you, something important.¡±
¡°You¡¯ve got nothing important to say.¡± she stated tly.
¡°I know you are leaving, so Ie to offer you a ride to show you around. Why do you always have to
think the worst of people? How do I not have anything important?¡±
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.
Jeffrey found that this woman always managed to provoke him easily.
Women usually flock to him like fish swimming downstream. When had he ever had to grovel like this?
But Karen, she acted as if she was untouchable, as if she were some lofty richdy!
¡°Oh, that won¡¯t be necessary.¡± Karen replied coldly.
After witnessing his indecent behavior, Karen suddenly became aware that she was dealing with an
adult male. She was even relieved that Jeffrey was only teasing her. Here all alone in this foreignnd,
even Dorothy, who had Everett for protection, was still struggling with the Lopez family. If Karen were to
be bullied, she wouldn¡¯t even know who to turn to.
So she decided to keep her distance from Jeffrey. It was better not to trouble herself or cause any for
Dorothy.
This sudden change in Karen¡¯s attitude was a shock to Jeffrey! He suddenly found that he missed the
old Karen who could banter with him.
¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid of getting lost?¡±
¡®No¡®
¡°Swevia Country isnt the safest, you know! If you get kidnapped, no one will be able to save you.¡±
Karen stopped in her tracks, then said, ¡°Fine, if it¡¯s that unsafe, then I won¡¯t go out. Take your hand
back, I¡¯m closing the door.¡±
Not going out anymore?
¡®Come on! I¡¯ll apany you. With me around, they wouldn¡¯t dare=¡±
¡°Hand! Take it back!¡± Karen cut him off firmly.
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¡°Hey! What¡¯s the deal,dy? I¡¯m alreadypromising!¡±
Did he really have to kneel or something?
¡°Who the hell am I to you? No need for the sweet talk.¡± Karen just wanted to keep her distance from
Jeffrey before she left Swevia Country for good
She had her rant and almost broke his hand ¨C the revenge was done!
Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
She never thought she¡¯d have anything to do with Jeffrey, a spoiled rich kid. Once she was back home,
they were as different as night and day.
But to Jeffrey, her words rang differently. He knew this game all too well!
Many women had tried the same tactic when they wanted more from him, saying things like, ¡°What am
I to you, that you should care?¡± or ¡°On what grounds do you get to tell me what to do?¡±
So Jeffrey raised an eyebrow, instantly catching on to her so¨Ccalled ¡®hint¡®.
¡°If you want to be my girlfriend or something, just say it straight. No need to beat around the bush.¡±
¡°I think your head¡¯s screwed on wrong!¡± Karen¡¯s face cracked, and her eyes rolled as she sized up
Jeffrey with a mix of disdain and pity, ¡°Me, your girlfriend? Take a good, hard look in the mirror¨Cno,
even if you¡¯re easy on the eyes, I wouldn¡¯t settle for what Heather has abandoned!¡±
Heather¡¯s leftovers?
Disgusting. No, thank you.
Jeffrey was getting frustrated too, ¡°Can we please stop talking about Heather?¡±
Karen shrugged, ¡°It¡¯s the truth, isn¡¯t it? Didn¡¯t you go after her?¡±
¡°I did not! Absolutely not!¡± He had never pursued her, never even thought about being her boyfriend.
Jeffrey knew all too well how much Heather was into someone else ¨C Everett.
¡°So you never even had a crush on her?¡±
Karen rolled her eyes, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t touch anything Heather hasid her hands on, be it things or people.
So, drop your narcissism! Sure, I thought you were pretty good¨Clooking on the ne, but getting to
know you? It¡¯s just a pretty face. There¡¯s nothing about you other than that face that attracts me one
bit.¡±
¡°You-¡±
¡°I know, youck femalepany. Maybe it¡¯s just not convenient here in Swevia Country, but I have no
intention of being your disposable girlfriend! If you¡¯re that desperate, just go out to fetch some or go for
prostitutes as long as you don¡¯t set your sights on me.¡±
Karen wasn¡¯t silly to think his interest in her was genuine. She had seen firsthand how pent up he was
today! Suddenlying over to talk about being his girlfriend it was clear what was on his mind.
Even though she was no innocent little girl and wasn¡¯t against a mutually beneficial fling, Jeffrey was
absolutely a no¨Cgo.
The fact that he had liked Heather made himpletely nasty in Karen¡¯s book.
Jeffrey stood there and stunned by her tirade. His mouth was agape butpletely at a loss for words.
¡°Is there anything else?¡± Karen felt she had said her piece, and it was time for this guy to leave.
But he was still there, leaning on the door frame. The imprint from the m was still visible on his hand.
He showed no sign of leaving.
¡°You¨C1- Jeffrey stammered, finally squeezing out, ¡°I never go for prostitutes!¡±
¡°Oh, good to know Karen shrugged, ¡°And then?¡±
¡°I came here to ask you out for a walk, that¡¯s all! What¡¯s with all this mess? Karen, be sane, will you? At
least I have taken you out for food when you were hungry here. I¡¯ve done all you¡¯ve asked of me these
past days. Do you really have to be this harsh on me?¡±
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Sometimes, Jeffrey couldn¡¯t help but wonder what he had done to rub Karen the wrong way from the
get¨Cgo.
Sure, he might have gotten off on the wrong foot with Dorothy, but that was all down to
misunderstanding and a touch of self¨Cinterest. Time had moved on, and Dorothy had let it slide So why
was Karen still on his case?
His words, however, seemed to strike a chord of guilt in Karen.
She took a deep breath, her tone softening significantly. ¡°Look, I think there¡¯s no need to mingle with
you since we will be strangers in the future. If my wordse off harsh, just bear with them, alright?
It¡¯s not like you have much of a choice anyway, considering you won¡¯t be seeing me around anymore.¡±
The finality in her ¡®you won¡¯t be seeing me anymore¡± left Jeffrey with an ufortable twinge in his
heart.
It wasn¡¯t overt, but the feeling was there.
¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I see you? We¡¯re both in Eldorria City, he countered.
¡°If I don¡¯t want to see someone, I won¡¯t see them,¡± she snapped, leaving no room for argument and not
sparing Jeffrey¡¯s feelings one bit.
He had never been one to take such slights lying down. With a defiant twist of his heart, he withdrew
his hand, ¡°Fine, then let¡¯s not see each other ever again! It¡¯s not like I wanted to see you anyway!¡±
With that, he spun on his heel and stormed back to his room.
Karen watched his retreating figure, which seemed to be sulking and snorted.
¡°Psycho!¡±
Dorothy woke up that afternoon feeling like she¡¯d been put through a wringer every bone in her body
ached.
¡°You awake?¡± Everett, who had been working on hisptop beside her bed, immediately put his work
aside as he caught her moving.
This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.
¡°Yeah.¡± Dorothy propped herself up, noticing that Everett had simply pulled up a chair to work at her
bedside. Irritation red within her. ¡°When did you wake up? How could you get out of bed by
yourself?¡±
Everett replied with a soft chuckle, ¡°I never slept.¡±
Dorothy gasped.
¡°You must be hungry. I¡¯ll have something brought up for us.¡± He added.
Dorothy sighed in exasperation, ¡°Just lie down first before you worry about me!¡±
¡°Just a few more projects to review, then I¡¯ll rest,¡± he said, nodding at theptop screen cluttered with
text.
Dorothy knew his presence here was dying important work back home, but nothing was more crucial
than his health.
¡°How about this: you lie down, and I¡¯ll read them out to you, okay?¡±
Everett looked into her eyes for a few seconds before nodding in agreement, ¡°Sounds good.¡±
She helped him back into bed with tender care, mindful not to jostle his wounds. Once he was settled,
she took her ce in front of theputer.
Just as she was about to read, something urred to her.
¡°This contract¡ it has a confidentiality use, right? Is it okay for me to see it?¡±
¡°You can see everything of mine,¡± he teased.
Dorothy was taken aback. Lately, his sweet talk caught her off guard and made her blush.
She cleared her throat and focused on the document, but paused.
¡°A new project in Snowfall City?¡±
¡°Yes.¡±
¡°It must be gorgeous there in winter when it snows!¡± Dorothy had seen snow but never visited Snowfall
City, only glimpsing it in photos featuring its Central Avenue and the iconic Sophia Cathedral.
Everett¡¯s eyes softened, his clean cut hand was reaching out to hold hers.
Then when Snowfall City is nketed in snow, I¡¯ll take you there.¡±
Dorothy stiffened, and her expression became uneasy.
They wouldn¡¯t make it to the snowfall. She thought.
Yet she forced a smile to feign excitement, ¡°Really? That¡¯d be wonderfull I¡¯ll pack lots of down jackets.¡±
¡°Dorothy¡±
¡°Mhm?¡±
Everett¡¯s gaze flickered with a promise, ¡°I WILL take you there¡±
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Dorothy nced into his eyes, the corners of her lips curving into an uneasy smile.
¡°I trust you, you know.¡±
¡°As long as you do, that¡¯s all that matters.¡±
¡°Yeah.¡±
Dorothy shifted her gaze away pretending to focus on theputer screen. But her vision was getting
more and more blurred.
As her tears threatened to spill, she stood up in panic and turned her back to Everett, ¡°Oh, I just
remembered I haven¡¯t washed my face after waking up. I¡¯ll go freshen up!¡±
No sooner had Dorothy stepped into the restroom than the door opened again.
Quincy, concerned about Everett¡¯s injury¨Cmore about Everett himself¨Cmade a habit of checking in.
He walked in to find Everett alone in bed and paused, ¡°Where¡¯s Ms. Sanchez?¡±
¡°She¡¯s washing up.¡±
¡°Ah.¡± Quincy stepped closer, slipping on medical gloves and began to inspect the wound with
professional attentiveness. Whether the patient was someone from the Lopez family or not, Quincy
always maintained herpassion as a doctor.
Having lived abroad for so long, and with an elder brother to inherit her family estate, Quincy had
learned to be content in any situation. She never really longed for romance, content with the thought of
remaining single for life. But witnessing the connection between Everett and Dorothy, she began to
reconsider the idea of love.
She mused if a guy like Everett were to fancy her, she¡¯d probably say yes.
When Dorothy returned, she was greeted by the sight of Everett on the bed with Quincy carefully
tending to his injuries and offering gentle reminders now and then.
A thought struck her; if Everett had feelings for Quincy, maybe the Lopez family had thrown a grand
wedding by now to wee her with open arms.
This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.
Maybe Amanda wouldn¡¯t favor Heather as much either.
¡°Ms. Sanchez.¡± Quincy¡¯s voice snapped Dorothy out of her reverie.
¡°Hmm?¡± Dorothy quickly refocused, ¡°What is it?¡±
Quincy nodded towards Dorothy¡¯s pocket, ¡°Your phone¡¯s been ringing. Didn¡¯t you hear it?¡±
Dorothy gasped. Then, with an awkward smile, Dorothy excused herself and stepped out with her
phone.
Looking at the screen, she saw it was Maxton Sanchez calling. She hung up without a second thought¨C
she had nothing to discuss with him. But Maxton, who looked like a crazy man, kept calling back over
and over again. Dorothy frowned as her frustration peaked, and she finally picked it up.
¡°Spit it out, what do you want?¡±
¡°That¡¯s no way to talk to your father!¡± Maxton¡¯s, tone was as usatory as ever.
Dorothy wasn¡¯t in the mood for wasting time, ¡°I¡¯m hanging up if there¡¯s nothing important.¡±
¡°I do have something!¡± Maxton¡¯s voice was tinged with desperation, ¡°Have you seen your sistertely? I
can¡¯t reach her, and your mom¡¯s worried sick. Thought you might help me find her.¡±
So, he was looking for Heather.
¡°I¡¯ve seen her.¡±
¡°Where is she?¡±
¡°In a warehouse. Your precious daughter has kidnapped my friend and my kid.¡±
Maxton paused and sounded totally disbelieving, ¡°I¡¯m serious here!¡±
¡°I¡¯m not joking either.¡± Dorothy¡¯s voice was icy, ¡°I just regret not having the power to tear her to pieces.
And here you are asking me for her?!¡±
Heather had endangered Everett and pushed him close to death. If it weren¡¯t for Amanda¡¯s people
whisking her away, Dorothy would have sought vengeance even if it meant going to Jail herself!
¡°How did you be a person like that? And you also want to kill your own sister, huh? Is this how
Be raised you?¡± Disgust dripped from Maxton¡¯s words.
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¡°Zip it, you¡¯ve got no right to talk about my mom!¡±
¡°Who are you yelling at?¡± Maxton had lost his patience too. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for the fact that I couldn¡¯t find
Heather, do you think I¡¯d bother calling you? Every time you open your mouth, it¡¯s eitherining
about me or ming your sister. She¡¯s been singing. your praises to me, trying to mend fences
between us, and yet you¡¯re always at her throat!¡±
Dorothy took a deep breath to keep from exploding with anger.
¡°She¡¯s been speaking well of me? And what good has that done? Did it make our rtionship any
better?¡±
She could see right through Heather¡¯s little games. Complimentsced with subtle digs were her
specialty.
¡°That¡¯s because you¡¯re so damn stubborn. What¡¯s that got to do with your sister? You¡¯re really spoiled
by your mom!¡±
¡°Then why didn¡¯t you raise me? Why weren¡¯t you around when I was a kid, huh? Where were you when
I needed money? Did you care about what I wore or ate?¡±
¡°How did I not? It was your mom who told me to stay away!¡±
Dorothyughed sarcastically, ¡°Well, Heather must really be your flesh and blood. You both have a
talent for making excuses. If you¡¯re looking for Heather, well, you¡¯ve got the wrong person. And you
better hope I don¡¯t find her!¡±
¡°What do you mean?¡±
¡°I¡¯ll see to it that your baby daughter ends up behind bars. I swear I will!¡°¨C
With that, she hung up and immediately blocked Maxton¡¯s number.
People like him shouldn¡¯t even be in her orbit; they were just an eyesore.
Despite her harsh words, Dorothy couldn¡¯t help but smirk as she put her phone back in her pocket.
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
They were both his daughters, yet the difference between them was night and day!
Heather was the illegitimate one, but how did that matter? As long as Maxton favored her, she could
steal all the fatherly love. But luckily, Dorothy didn¡¯t need it anymore.
Had this been in the past, she would have ended up crying after a shouting match with Maxton, though
she couldn¡¯t quite say why since she should¡¯ve given up on him as a father long ago. But now, her eyes
were bone dry.
She just wished she could be the one to bring Heather down.
When Dorothy returned to the hospital room, Quincy was still busy preparing the potions and chatting
away with Everett.
Well, to be precise, it was more like a monologue. Everett¡¯s gaze fixed on the door, waiting for
Dorothy¡¯s return and asionally grunting in response.
¡°Jonathan invited my dad for a hike the other day, and Mom said he came back reeking of booze. No
idea what kind of ¡®hiking¡® that was. Whenever those two get together, it¡¯s booze central! Oh? Ms.
Sanchez, you¡¯re back.¡± Quincy looked up and waved naturally at Dorothy.
¡°Yeah,¡± she nodded. She was suddenly unsure how to face Quincy so she just managed a tight smile,
¡°Dr. Quincy, how is he doing?¡±
¡°He¡¯s stable and got no major issues! But you really need to keep an eye on him. Mr. Lopez looks so
stoic and quiet, but he¡¯s a handful when left alone. I don¡¯t get it. The moment he¡¯s out of my sight, his
wound is bound to bleed!¡±
Dorothy knew the reason behind that all too well. She cleared her throat, ¡°I¡¯ll take good care of him.¡±
¡°That¡¯s good to hear. I¡¯ll head back to my office then. Don¡¯t forget toe byter for the medication
application,¡± Quincy said warmly and patted Dorothy¡¯s shoulder before leaving.
As the door closed behind Quincy, Everett spoke in a low voice, ¡°What were you thinking about when
you were standing still at the door?¡±
¡°No, nothing at all! Did you sort out thepany stuff? I can keep reading the contracts to you.¡±
¡°Are you jealous of that female doctor? Everett raised an eyebrow ¡°if that¡¯s the case, I can always get a
male doctor instead.¡±
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¡°Stop!¡± Dorothy waved her hands frantically, ¡°It was Dr. Quincy¡¯s skill that saved you. She¡¯s a wizard in
the medical world. Without Dr. Quincy, you¡¯d still be living on the line!¡±
Her thoughts before didn¡¯t meant to target Quincy at all!
It was just admiration, pure and simple.
Deep down, Dorothy harbored a sense of inferiority, viewing herself as nothing more than dirt on the
ground. So when Everett fell for her, it was a shock to her system.
¡°The Lopez family pays her a sry.¡± Everett wasn¡¯t too hung up on it.
As a physician at the Lopez Private Hospital, it was only natural for Quincy to treat patients; it was part
of her job description! At most, they could give her a bonus for a job well done.
Just like with Heather. Amanda kept reminding Heather of her enormous sacrifices for the Lopez family,
praising her dedication and single¨Cminded focus. But as far as Everett was concerned, Heather had
already beenpensated for her work. It was her job, after all.
¡°Don¡¯t get the wrong idea. I¡¯m not jealous,¡± Dorothy insisted, worried he might actually change his
doctor. ¡°I swear!¡±
Everett, however, was not satisfied with her response. His handsome face became a bit somber.
¡°Not jealous?¡±
¡°Right! I¡¯m really not! In fact, I¡¯m grateful to Dr. Quincy for saving you.¡±
¡°Dorothy, you mean to tell me that you feel nothing when you see other women around me?¡±
She blinked, taking a moment to grasp the full meaning of his words..
¡°Everyone socializes, right? And in social circles, there are men and women. Am I supposed to
demand that you, a big shot CEO, cut off all contact with the opposite sex?¡±
¡°But when I see men around you, I get jealous.¡±
Dorothy widened her eyes.
¡°Whether it¡¯s Keh, Lane, or maybe others I don¡¯t know about, I get jealous of them all.¡±
Now Everett, usually so distinguished and genteel, spoke with the petnce of a child.
¡°Then go ahead and put me under house arrest. That¡¯ll end my social lifepletely.¡±
¡°I¡¯ve thought about it.¡±
Dorothy was shocked again.
His eyes were serious and earnest, ¡°I¡¯ve really thought about it.¡±
But he dared not go through with it.
The two exchanged a long look before Everett let out a soft sigh.
He couldn¡¯t let her know the full extent of his feelings all at once. He had to reveal it slowly, like
chipping away at an iceberg: otherwise, the look in her eyes a moment ago suggested she was already
plotting her escape.
Back in his own room, Jeffrey stripped off his clothes and dove into bed, grumbling to himself.
He was too tired to y the part of some eagerckey groveling for approval. Better to stay away!
As he was about to fall asleep, his phone rang at the most inconvenient time.
Jeffrey, shirtless and irritated, sat up and snatched the phone. It was Lane,
¡°What¡¯s up?¡± he barked.
¡°What¡¯s with the tone?¡± Lane sounded sloppy as usual, but this time he feigned his nonchnce.
Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
Lane, who was out of the loop, could only hope to get some information through Jeffrey.
¡°Nothing. I¡¯m tired.¡±
¡°Oh. I heard you dashed off to Swevia Country right after waking up?¡±
¡°Yeah.¡±
Lane paused, his voice rising a notch, ¡°Dorothy went to Swevia Country too, right? To see Everett?¡±
¡°Yeah.¡± Jeffrey responded reflexively, then remembered who Lane was. ¡°Wait a second, you¡¯re not still
hung up on Dorothy, are you? She¡¯s back with Everett now and they¡¯re inseparable.¡±
¡°They¡¯ve really back together?¡±
¡°Why would I lie? Just give it up, man!¡±
Lane better be a lifelong bachelor like he did!
Lane chuckled, then took a moment before asking. ¡°So, that person you kept mentioning before¡
what¡¯s her name, Heather? Are you still in touch with her?¡±
¡°Don¡¯t even mention her! Don¡¯t make a madman!¡±
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Jeffrey could feel his blood boil at the mere utterance of that name.
¡°What¡¯s the deal? You guys used to be thick as thieves, right?¡±
¡°She kidnapped Dorothy¡¯s kid and had it out for Dorothy. When she didn¡¯t get her loved one atst, she
just stabbed Everett in a fit of madness and nned to go down with him!¡±
¡°You mean Heather?¡±
¡°Who else would I be talking about?¡±
Silence hung on Lane¡¯s end of the line, and just as Jeffrey was about to conclude the call had dropped,
Lane rushed out, ¡°Something¡¯se up, gotta run.¡±
The abrupt end to the call only added to Jeffrey¡¯s irritation.
On Lane¡¯s end, his grip on his phone was precarious. He feared Jeffrey might discern something from
his demeanor, so he hung up out of panic.
Lane had sensed something was off with Everett; otherwise, the Lopez Corporation wouldn¡¯t be
sending a junior secretary to handle partnership meetings, and they wouldn¡¯t have locked down the
City Hospital. Therefore, he assumed that Everett was injured.
Lane figured Dorothy, who vanished afterwards, had gone to Everett¡¯s side.
But Lane had never in a million years imagined that Heather, of all people, would be the mastermind
behind it all. So she really had the gall to kidnap Dorothy¡¯s daughter¡ but she had sworn to him that
she wouldn¡¯ty a finger on Dorothy or her kids!
No wonder he couldn¡¯t get through to Dorothy; Heather, that madwoman, must¡¯ve spilled the beans
about him!
¡°Damn it, how could I be so stupid?!¡± Lane cursed and hurled his phone. The screen was instantly
shattered and nking out.
Grabbing his suit jacket and car keys, he stormed over to Heather¡¯s ce.
But no one answered his relentless knocking or the doorbell, which was just like the silence he got from
calling her number.
Lane wasn¡¯t going to stand for it. He was being sidelined before he even had a chance to act. He had a
whole nid out and all Heather needed to do was y along.
Driving back home, deted, Lane saw his secretary waiting anxiously at his doorstep. She was
obviously bearing bad news.
Stepping out of the car, Lane approached, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±
Seeing Lane, the secretary looked on the verge of tears, ¡°I couldn¡¯t reach you by phone, so I had to
come. Disaster struck. The president of the Lopez Corporation tanked East Star Enterprises¡® stock to
rock bottom and announced its dissolution out of the blue.¡±
Lane was shocked to hear what she said!
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Your shares had taken such a hit that they are not even worth a tenth of what they were when you
acquired them.¡±
That meant all his years of toil had evaporated overnight into meaningless numbers.
Everett yed hardball by leaving him no room to breathe and aiming straight for the jugr.
¡°Mr. Lane, what do we do now?¡±
Fists clenched in fury, Lane was at the brink of rage. But then, his anger subsided a little.
He wouldn¡¯t burn his bridges like what Heather, that moron did. If he thought it through, there had to be
a way to bite them back. hard.
Patience. His time woulde.
Laid up in the hospital, Everett had to delegate much of his workload to Kevin. This unexpected
downtime gave him a rare opportunity to mentor Dorothy hands¨Con.
¡°Why the due diligence is riddled with problems every time I think I¡¯ve done a thorough work? Is there a
way to make sure the other party doesn¡¯t dare to decelve?¡± Dorothy was poring over contracts on his
laptop in search of their patterns.
¡°You want to know the secret?¡±
¡°Absolutely!¡±
Everett chuckled, ¡°And what¡¯s in it for me?¡±
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Dorothy locked eyes with Everett¡¯s smirking gaze and she really got nothing to say.
¡°What more do you want, huh?¡±
At this rate, with the daily demands, Dorothy was seriously questioning if she¡¯d make it out of this
hospital alive.
¡°You know exactly what,¡± he teased.
¡°But you said you just need once today!¡±
Everett shrugged, ¡°Well, you wanted to learn new things. So if you¡¯re upping the game, I need to up the
reward.¡±
¡°Forget it. I¡¯m done learning.¡±
She¡¯d rather face the grim reaper anywhere but in a hospital bed.
Watching her almost physically recoil at the suggestion, Everett couldn¡¯t help but smirk, ¡°By the way, I
was thinking of bringing Langston and Abigail over.¡±
Though still bedridden, he figured having the kids around might speed his recovery, not to mention it
would ease Dorothy¡¯s mind about the goings¨Con back in the home country.
Truth be told, he had nearly drained Dorothy¡¯s power thest couple of days. His appetite wasn¡¯t fully
satiated, but he had to consider her limits. Now that his desire had somewhat abated, so his thoughts
turned to the kids, especially little Abigail.
He still owed that girl a fiver!
¡°Is that what your dad wants?¡± Dorothy asked instinctively, assuming Jonathan was bing
impatient.
¡°Our kids, our decision. He¡¯s got nothing to do with it.¡±
¡°How can you say that? He¡¯s their grandfather,¡± she protested. That was a fact that would never
change.
Just like Amanda and Jonathan, who would always be Everett¡¯s parents.
¡°But Abigail and Langston are ours,¡± Everett spoke soothingly, trying to quell the unease in her heart.
¡°Where they are and who they¡¯re with these are up to us to decide.¡±
¡°Yeah, Everett, I¡¯ve always known you¡¯d be a great dad.¡± She had seen firsthand the kind of man he
was. Especially the joyous harmony between him and Langston, which she witnessed, was something
she, as his biological mother, could only aspire to.
She felt guilty for the time she wasn¡¯t there for them, particrly Langston. The more understanding he
became, the heavier her guilt weighed.
¡°Of course! And you¡¯re the best mom they could ever have.¡±
Dorothy suddenly looked up and met Everett¡¯s gaze. She bit her lip, and after a long pause, she finally
spoke with a husky voice, ¡°Can you promise me something?¡±
Without a moment¡¯s hesitation, he nodded, ¡°Anything.¡±
¡°No matter¡ no matter what happens to us and to your parents, just always protect Abigail and
Langston well and love them as much as you can. Even if¡ I mean, if we¡¯re not, together, if we split forOriginal from N?velDrama.Org.
good, or if you find someone new and have other kids, don¡¯t treat Abigail and Langston any differently,
okay?¡±
Everett¡¯s handsome face darkened in an instant.
Her words sounded like ast testament.
¡°As long as you don¡¯t push me away, we won¡¯t split up.¡±
¡°I¡¯m talking hypothetically! I mean ¡°if so¡°. Don¡¯t you get it?¡±
Dorothy tried to mask her concern with augh, but Everett¡¯s expression remained grave.
There are no ¡°if so,¡±
¡°I just want you to promise me. Is that so hard? People change so nobody can predict the future. Okay,
even If we stay together, everyone has to face life and death, and you can¡¯t stop that. Suppose I die,
promise me you¡¯ll treat each of your kids with the same love, can you do that?¡±
Everett was silent for a few seconds, his deep eyes locked onto hers. Slowly, he said, ¡°I won¡¯t have any
other kids. When I get out of here, I¡¯m getting a vasectomy.¡±
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Dorothy¡¯s pupils contracted sharply, and she blurted out, ¡°No way!¡±
This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.
¡°I have Abigail and Langston and that¡¯s enough for me.¡±
He had never dared to hope that he could have children with Dorothy, let alone twins! Everett wanted
nothing more. Dorothy had no doubt about his sincerity indeed. But she was absolutely not okay with
what he was gonna do.
¡°Everett, you¡¯ve got decades ahead of you. Let¡¯s not make life¨Caltering decisions too hastily.¡±
The future was too far off to fathom.
What if Everett fell for someone else down the line? He was outstanding and shining bright like the sun,
always the center of attention wherever he went. In the long years ahead, surely a perfect match would
appear for him. If they were stuck with a hasty decision made today and unable to have more children,
that would be a huge regret.
¡°Are you nning on having another one?¡± Everett asked with a casual arch of his brow, ¡°I¡¯m just
worried about the burden that¡¯ll bring you.¡°.
¡°I didn¡¯t mean me having another!¡±
¡°Then who else would I have a child with?¡± Everett¡¯s tone shifted from teasing to a trace of irritation,
¡°Who are you trying to set me up with?¡±
It had been a long while since Dorothy had seen him angry. She looked down instinctively, her lips
muttering an attempt at an exnation, only to feel she had nothing to justify.
¡°If I could let go of you, why would I spend years trapping myself in ce and enduring the suffering?¡±
Everett wanted to move on as well. Countless nights he had to rely on his memories of the past, just to
make it through to dawn. Countless times had he frantically searched Bay Residence for any trace of
Dorothy. The sheets she¡¯d slept in, the pillow she¡¯d used, the clothes she left behind, and the dishes
she¡¯d used ¨C Everett had carefully preserved them all.
It was as if Dorothy had never truly left with those items kept by him..
But Dorothy didn¡¯t know any of this. That was why she could say such things.
¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Dorothy¡¯s voice was hoarse with apology, ¡°I thought you were ready to start fresh when you
had the tattoo removed.¡±
When she saw the bite mark but no tattoo, she assumed that Everett had moved on. He just happened
to run into her again.
¡°I did want to start over because waiting for you was too painful,¡± Everett revealed his chest tattoo,
urging her to take a closer look, ¡°I tried to get it removed, but I overestimated my own restraint. I
couldn¡¯t handle not having this sequence of numbers on my skin, so I had it tattooed on again.¡±
Those numbers had been with Everett for over a decade. After having them removed, he couldn¡¯t even
bear to look in the mirror while blow¨Cdrying his hair!
It was too unsettling that the feeling drove him mad.
As Dorothy¡¯s gaze fixed on the tattoo, she could clearly see the signs of it being redone.
She couldn¡¯t help but reach out and stroke the¡¯slightly raised skin, struggling to imagine the turmoil of
having it removed and then redone.
¡°Getting a tattoo over the scarred skin must hurt more, right?¡±
¡°Not at all. Whether it was the first time or the second, I was just happy.¡±
It felt to him like she hade back.
Back into his body.
How could he not be happy?
¡°Everett,have you already got so puerile in middle school? Weren¡¯t you afraid of your parents finding
out?¡± Back then, tattoos were a big taboo for students.
Getting caught by the school meant serious consequences.
¡°No one knew about it and you hadn¡¯t said yes to me as well. So what was there to show off?¡±
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Chapter 512
Dorothy paused as her eyes widened with disbelief, ¡°And when you yed basketball¡¡±
¡°There¡¯s a thing in this world called Band¨CAids.¡±
¡°You¡¯re quite the daredevil, you know. Back in middle school, you were just a teenager! Tattoos are
forever. How could you be so sure we¡¯d meet again when we grew up?¡±
At the end of the day, it was just youthful naivety, wasn¡¯t it? The impulsiveness of a teenager!
¡°I never thought that far ahead. When you returned the letters I wrote you, I thought it was your way of
saying no.¡± So after that, he didn¡¯t dare to think about their future.
¡°You thought I rejected you, yet you kept the tattoo?¡±
¡°Dorothy, don¡¯t question my loyalty.¡±
He had never been swayed by anyone else, so why would he remove the tattoo?
¡°So, do you have any idea how I felt when I got that text from you?¡± he asked.
Dorothy blinked in confusion, ¡°What text?¡±
¡°The one where you asked for some ¡®movie¡®. You said you wanted to see them.¡±
Dorothy froze on the spot, her eyes desperately searching for an escape route.
But Everett, holding her hand ced on his tattoo, wouldn¡¯t let her go.
¡°You finally asked for something, I figured. Although I don¡¯t have those ¡®movie¡®, I could give you a live
demo.¡±
Her face was now a shade of red that could rival a ripe tomato, and her hand was still firmly in his grip,
unable to retract it.
¡°I was asking Karen for them. And how did you immediately know what ¡®movie¡® meant?¡±
Everett let out a reluctant chuckle, ¡°I don¡¯t mess with women, but I haven¡¯t taken a vow of celibacy.¡±
¡°So, you watch that stuff too?¡±
¡°asionally. Jeffrey forces it on me.¡±
¡°I knew it!¡± Jeffrey, Everett¡¯s buddy, was just like Karen to her!
Speaking of Karen, Dorothy realized she needed to make some arrangements for her.
After all, Karen had traveled miles to be here. It wouldn¡¯t be fair to just leave her to her own devices
while she spent time with Everett.
¡°How about I invite Karen over for dinner tonight? Is that okay?¡±
¡°You call the shots.¡± Everett had no objections.
He was grateful to Karen, after all. He knew how much she looked after Dorothy, and of course, he
would have been even more grateful if Keh wasn¡¯t her cousin.
¡°Great, then I¡¯ll shoot Karen a message!¡±
Everett nodded, ¡°She¡¯s never been to Swevia Country before, right? I can arrange for someone to
show her around for a few days before she heads back.¡±
¡°I¡¯ll ask her what she wants to do when she gets here.¡± Dorothy paused, then added, ¡°And¡ If you see
Jeffrey again, could you exin that Karen isn¡¯t mean¨Cspirited? She¡¯s just really protective of me. I
want to apologize on her behalf since she said. something really harsh.¡±
Despite her lukewarm feelings for Jeffrey, she knew she owed him thanks for looking after Karen in
Swevia Country.
¡°He deserved the scolding. There¡¯s no need to apologize.¡±
Dorothy was taken aback, ¡°Did something happen between them?¡±
Had she missed something in her deep slumber?
Everett chose his words carefully, ¡°Karen called you earlier. You were asleep, so I picked it up.¡±
¡°And?¡±
¡°She said¡ Things got physical between her and Jeffrey.¡±
Dorothy¡¯s jaw dropped, ¡°Are you saying they-¡±
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
Everett quickly rified, ¡°Nothing serious happened, just that Jeffrey¡¯s been in the hospital so long. He
was used to being adies¡± man so now he was ufortable with no women around. So, seeing
Karen, he got some bad ideas. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve already given him a talking¨Cto, telling him to stay away
from your friend.¡±
Dorothy pursed her lips, finding the whole situation rather baffling, ¡°Karenid into him so fiercely, and
he still had the nerve to try- something on her?¡±
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Chapter 513
Chapter 513
Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
Everett couldn¡¯t care less about curiosity and gossip. His concerns were far more immediate.
¡°Hey, you¡¯re not mad at me over this whole mess, are you?¡± he asked tentatively.
She didn¡¯t reply.
¡°Jeffrey is always so impulsive and he¡¯s a man who speaks before he thinks like he¡¯s never grown up.
Don¡¯t be mad, okay? He picked on your friend, but I¡¯ll make it right.¡±
Dorothy couldn¡¯t help but smile at the hasty earnestness in his eyes.
¡°I never said I¡¯d drag you into this! I know my bestie. She can handle herself.¡±
With a mouth like Karen¡¯s, she could run circles around Jeffrey in a verbal showdown.
The moment Everett mentioned he was treating her to dinner, Karen was all in.
Who could say no to a feast of delicacies?
And Everett was nothing if not sincere, even arranging a limo to pick her up from the hotel.
Holding a bag of groceries and stepping inside, Karen gave a dry smile, ¡°Just swung by a fruit stand. I
couldn¡¯t understand a word they were saying so I just grabbed what I could recognize. Can¡¯t visit a
patient empty¨Chanded, right?¡±
She knew all about proper etiquette!
With a sigh, Dorothyughed, ¡°I could get used to the sudden etiquette of yours.¡±
Karen squinted yfully and strolled over to Everett¡¯s hospital bed, ¡°Mr. Lopez, feeling better?¡±
¡°Yeah,¡± Everett nodded.
¡°Good, good. With you looking after Dorothy, I can head back home without worrying. Otherwise, my
brother-¡±
Karen caught herself mid¨Csentence, mming the brakes on that thought.
¡°It¡¯s fine. I know he¡¯s good to Dorothy,¡± Everett smoothly carried on the conversation.
She gave an awkwardugh, ¡°Don¡¯t get it twisted, Mr. Lopez. It¡¯s all one¨Csided. Dorothy never said yes.
Her heart¡¯s always been with you.¡±
¡°Karen!¡± Dorothy couldn¡¯t bear it any longer. Fearing Karen might let slip something even more
untoward, she quickly cut in, ¡°Everett was thinking of showing you around Swevia Country. Interested?¡±
Karen was about to agree when she hesitated.
.¡°Who¡¯s the guide? It¡¯s not Jeffrey, is it¡?¡±
¡°It¡¯s not him,¡± Everett assured her with a wry smile. ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡±
¡°Thank goodness! A little sightseeing before I head back sounds perfect. Thanks, Mr. Lopez. I¡¯ll go with
it as long as the guide isn¡¯t Jeffrey
Before Everett could respond, his phone rang.
All eyes turned as the caller ID popped up¨Cit was Jeffrey.
Everett answered and could clearly feel Jeffrey was outside, for the whoosh of wind was audible over
the line.
¡°Everett, my folks called and they need me/back home. Looks like you¡¯ve got things under control here
so I can give Kevin a hand at the office.¡±
¡°Sure, I¡¯ll arrange the flight,¡± Everett responded with a grave tone.
Jeffrey took a drag of his cigarette, ¡°You sound weird. What¡¯s up? You¡¯re not with Dorothy, are you¡?¡±
¡°She brought Karen over for a meal at the hospital.¡±
¡°Karen¡¯s with you?¡±
¡°Yeah.¡±
¡°I¡¯m on my way.¡±
With that, Jeffrey hung up.
Everett tried calling back, but Jeffrey, as if anticipating what he was going to say, stubbornly refused to
pick up.
Dorothy, noticing Everett¡¯s change in demeanor, arched an eyebrow, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±
¡°Jeffrey¡¯sing over. I¡¯ve got someone trying to intercept him.¡±
¡°Why stop him?¡± Dorothy asked, puzzled..
Everett nced at Karen, who suddenly got it and quickly waved her hands, ¡°No need! Mr. Lopez,
Jeffrey and I just like to ruffle each other¡¯s feathers. It¡¯s not like we can¡¯t even be in the same room! I¡¯m
still willing to share a meal with the guy, given his cute face.¡±
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Chapter 514
¡°Sounds good. I was worried that you¡¯d mind.¡±
Everett¡¯s main concern was that Dorothy might think he was ying favorites with his buddies.
But Dorothy knew Karen¡¯s temperament. She wasn¡¯t one to hold grudges, especially not if the guy in
question was easy on the eyes like Jeffrey. Karen¡¯s tolerance certainly shot up when it came to
handsome men! And if Jeffrey had really done something outrageous, Karen would¡¯ve stormed the
hospital by now instead of sitting quietly.
Calling it a hospital was a bit of a stretch; it was more like the Lopez family¡¯s own private mansion.
Not only were the medical facilities top¨Cnotch, but they had even flown in a chef from back home!
For Karen, it was her first time seeing a hospital spread a feast like this, each dish a delightful assault
on the senses. She couldn¡¯t help but marvel, ¡°Rich folks live in a different world, huh? Way beyond my
simple mind!¡±
Dorothy chuckled at her friend¡¯s awe, ¡°You¡¯re drooling all over the table.¡±
Karen squinted her eyes and grinned from ear to ear, ¡°This is quite the eye¨Copener. Next time if
someone calls me in, I¡¯ll tell them I¡¯ve dined with Mr. Lopez himself!¡±
¡°Quit your yapping and eat up,¡± Dorothy said as she pulled out a chair for Karen, just as thest of the
dishes were served.
As soon as Karen reached for her cutlery, the door burst open.
They all looked up.
¡°Everett, you could¡¯ve invited me, man! Why you didn¡¯t tell me about such a feast?¡±
Without a second nce at Karen, he plopped down in the chair closest to Everett.
The atmosphere turned a tad awkward.
Jeffrey ignored Karen but turned to Dorothy instead, ¡°Langston is your kid?¡±
Suddenly caught off guard, Dorothy offered a nervous smile, ¡°Yeah.¡±
This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.
She felt a bit uneasy. She and Jeffrey weren¡¯t exactly chummy, and their previous encounters had
always been tense. Now, to be sharing a peaceful meal with him felt a bit surreal.
¡°He¡¯s sharp as a tack!¡± Jeffrey had none of those reservations. He lit up at the mention of Langston,
¡°Not only did he inherit Everett¡¯s looks but his brains too. And let me tell you, Langston¡¯s way more fun
than his old man. Not stuck with a poker face all the time!¡±
Everett frowned slightly and shot him a look.
Dorothy knew what Langston was like. The boy who was always one step ahead was certainly a better
match for Jeffrey¡¯s energy. *He¡¯s intoputers. He has been since he was a tot.¡±
¡°Smart and adorable!¡± Jeffrey eximed, pping his thigh in excitement, ¡°Dorothy, I want one too.
Have one for me, will you?¡±
Before Dorothy could respond, Everett red at him, ¡°Are you out of your mind?¡±
Jeffrey caught the warning in his tone and realized he¡¯d spoken way out of line.
¡°No, no, I mean¡ why don¡¯t you and Everett have another, and then you can give Langston to me! The
kid¡¯s practically my bro. We get along great!¡±
Zipping her mouth, Dorothy nced at Kargn, who seemed unfazed by the conversation and calmly
enjoying her meal.
¡°If you like kids that much, have your own,¡± Everett quipped, nipping Jeffrey¡¯s idea in the bud.
Jeffrey pouted, ¡°Me? I¡¯m a bachelor for life! Who am I supposed to have kids with?¡±
Karen chimed in without missing a beat, ¡°You think you¡¯d have trouble finding a woman willing to have
your kids?¡±
Chapter 515
Chapter 515
Chapter 515
¡°Come on, you can see me?¡± Jeffrey¡¯s voice wasced with a provocation as he broke the silence.
Everett was about to retort, but Dorothy touched his arm, signaling that it was okay to let it slide.
¡°I¡¯m not blind,¡± Karen said nonchntly, continuing to eat her burger as if the exchange hadn¡¯t affected
her in the least. ¡°Dorothy, this chef sure knows how to make a killer burger!¡±
¡°Good, then help yourself to some more,¡± Dorothy replied.
Jeffrey dropped his fork as his sight bore into Karen. He set his cutlery down with a tter, ¡°Didn¡¯t you
say you never wanted to see me again? So, I¡¯ve been treating you like you¡¯re not here.¡±
¡°That¡¯s fine by me,¡± Karen replied, unfazed by hisment.
Her indifferent attitude was like a punch on a pillow for Jeffrey. He would have preferred a fiery
exchange of words to this polite restraint, which felt almost the stiffness she showed the first time they
met.
Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
Jeffrey opened his mouth to snap back, but Everett cut in with a frosty reminder, ¡°Let¡¯s eat, shall we?¡±
¡°Right.¡±
The meal was a quiet affair with everyone lost in their own thoughts; though Dorothy and Everett
seemed more interested in the unfolding drama.
Karen suggested taking a walk with Dorothy after the meal to digest, which left Everett and Jeffrey
alone in the room.
¡°Why do you always have to be at Karen¡¯s throat?¡±
Even the usually oblivious Everett had picked up on the tension between the two.
Jeffrey slumped on the couch, pouting. ¡°She¡¯s just¡. different from the other girls!¡±
In Eldorria City, Jeffrey was a catch¨Ca man women chased after. He never had trouble wooing any
woman. None of them would so much as raise their voice to him, let alone talk back.
Except for Karen. It was as if she couldn¡¯t speak without challenging him.
¡°Just because she¡¯s different?¡±
Everett never cared for Jeffrey¡¯s fickle approach to rtionships. But if the women were willing, it
wasn¡¯t his ce to intervene¨Cexcept when it came to Karen. She was Dorothy¡¯s friend, and she had
helped raise the kids for years. He had to step in.
¡°Ohe on, you don¡¯t have to worry about me doing anything. I know you wouldn¡¯t be able to face
Dorothy if I got together with Karen,¡± Jeffrey said, ruffling his hair in frustration. ¡°But¡ heck, I¡¯ll be
honest with you. Life seems dull without someone like her to ¡®argue with!¡±
¡°You mentioned wanting to go back home during the phone call. Was that because you thought Karen
had left?¡±
¡°Ah, you always embarrass me by guessing everything right,¡± Jeffrey groaned, covering his face. ¡°I
went to knock on her door, thinking I was too good to stoop to her level, but no one answered. The
receptionist said she¡¯d been picked up, and I thought she had¡¡±
¡°Gone back to the home country.¡±
¡°Yeah.¡±
¡°She¡¯s about to, actually.¡±
Jeffrey¡¯s eyes widened, ¡°When¡¯s her flight?¡±
Everett shot a stern look at him, ¡°Why do you want to know?¡±
¡°Just curious.¡±
¡°Well, don¡¯t be.¡±
Suddenly, Jeffrey stood up, dragged a chair over to Everett¡¯s bedside, and sat down with a
conspiratorial air, ¡°Everett, this feeling I have¨Cwanting to yell at her when I see her, feeling empty when
I don¡¯t¨Cis this what liking someone is?¡±
He had never felt this way before¨Cnot even with Heather.
His previous flings were straightforward: a casual hookup, a goodbye with a wad of cash, and a hope
they wouldn¡¯t cling to him afterward. But with Karen, why did it feel like the tables had turned?
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Chapter 516
Jeffrey had never been one to stir trouble¨Cexcept when it came to bickering with Karen. Ever since she
had disrupted his peace that one time, any time he even thought about flirting with someone else, her
face would pop up in his mind like a persistent ghost.
It left him unusually irritable, feeling as if there was some unfinished business nagging at him. I¡¯ve
never felt this way before.¡±
Everett¡¯s approach to love was steadfast and enduring, so he wasn¡¯t familiar with fleeting affections.
¡°You wouldn¡¯t understand even if I exined it to you,¡± Jeffrey grumbled. ¡°I¡¯m thinking of hanging out
with her again. Maybe I¡¯m just intrigued because she¡¯s so sharp¨Cwitted. Once I¡¯m back home and
surrounded by all the local beauties, I¡¯ll probably forget all about her.¡±
¡°If that¡¯s your attitude, you¡¯d better stay away from her,¡± Everett warned, his brow furrowing deeper with
each word Jeffrey said. ¡°If Dorothyes after you for this, don¡¯t expect me to have your back.¡±
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
¡°Come on, man! Are we friends or not?¡± Jeffrey scoffed at Everett¡¯s attempt to wash his hands of the
matter. ¡°You¡¯d really ditch me over a girl?¡±
Everett shot him a nce, ¡°There are plenty of fish in the sea, but you just had to go for the one
swimming around Dorothy. I wouldn¡¯t care about any other girls you choose.¡±
¡°But Karen¡¯s different! She¡¯s interesting!¡±
Everett¡¯s lips thinned, and he spoke with a seriousness that was rare for him, ¡°Then will you marry
her?¡±
Marry her?
Those words hit Jeffrey like a bucket of cold water!
He hadn¡¯t even considered marriage, and now suddenly, it was on the table.
¡°Whoa, aren¡¯t we jumping the gun here? I haven¡¯t even got to first base with her!¡±
¡°If she agreed to be with you, would you marry her?¡± Everett pressed.
Jeffrey paused. He pondered for a moment, then shook his head, ¡°No, I wouldn¡¯t. The whole idea of
marriage seems so dull to me. Why do two people need a piece of paper to tie them down? Then
there¡¯s the meddling in each other¡¯s lives and shared responsibilities. Just thinking about them gives
me a headache.¡±
¡°Then don¡¯t step into her life.¡±
Everett figured Jeffrey was too set in his free¨Cspirited ways to be suddenly reined in bymitment, let
alone marriage. Even a stable rtionship would probably be out of the question.
¡°Poof¡ so you think it¡¯s a no¨Cgo between us too, huh?¡±
¡°It¡¯s really about what you want. Everyone else¡¯s opinions are just opinions.¡±
Jeffrey let out a long sigh, ¡°Alright. But I really should be heading back home. The Lopez Corporation is
a hot mess, and Kevin¡¯s probably on the brink of a breakdown.¡±
I¡¯ve already taken over some of the workload. Once I¡¯m back, I¡¯ll give him a long vacation to unwind.¡±
Everett answered. ¡°Mm. Jeffrey nodded, rising to his feet. ¡®It¡¯s getting dark. I¡¯m out of here. You and
Dorothy enjoy your cozy evening. I won¡¯t intrude.¡±
Everett nodded
¡®Till see if Karen needs a lift back with me,
Everett was then speechless for their whole conversation was a waste of time.
Outside, Dorothy and Karen had found a bench under the starry sky With Karen¡¯s presence, a rare
silence fell between them before Karen couldn¡¯t resist breaking it. ¡°Have you¡ changed your mind?¡±
Karen questioned.
Dorothy knew what she was getting at, ¡°No¡±
Karen sighed deeply and sat up straight, ¡°You know, I was really supportive of you finding out the truth.
Your mother¡¯s death deserves justice, and the culprit should face thew. But seeing how much Everett
cares for you, I can¡¯t help but wonder if it¡¯s cruel to him.¡±
In the blink of an eye, your closestpanion could turn into your fiercest adversary. Who could
possibly cope with that? ¡°Karen, as of now, Everett¡¯s mother shows no sign of remorse. She probably
still thinks she got away with it by destroying all the evidence.¡±
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His mother only felt disgust and contempt about her, not even a hint of guilt or remorse.
How could she convince herself to swallow this bitter pill?
The murderer could literally stand with an air of arrogance in front of the family of her victim as if she
had done nothing wrong. It was as if she had never once reproached herself. Even the murder of Be
was no more significant than swatting a fly to her.
¡°That witch is truly despicable!¡± Karen understood Dorothy¡¯s predicament all too well, ¡°But¡ she¡¯s sick,
constantly in and out of the ER. She might kick the bucket before thew even touches her!¡±
Maybe it was worth the wait.
If she did pass away first, Dorothy and Everett wouldn¡¯t have to go head¨Cto¨Chead,
¡°Her death isn¡¯t the endgame. I want her to admit her guilt, to pay for her life!¡±
¡°But that¡¯s a hard way to go.¡±
It wasn¡¯t just like trying to twist an arm with a leg; it was like David fighting Goliath! One wrong move
and you¡¯d be squashed. ¡°Karen, what I fear most isn¡¯t the Lopez familying after me, it¡¯s Everett¡¯s
eyes.¡±
Just the thought of Everett¡¯s face when he found out his mother was being used of murder after the
video from Byte 7 was restored made her heart wrench with pain.
¡°What¡¯s there to fear? If Everett sides with his mom, then he¡¯s not worth it! It¡¯s not like you¡¯re framing
the Lopezes ¨C the evidence is there! An eye for an eye, why should his mother get away with murder?¡±
Dorothy forced a smile, ¡°I¡¯d rather he mes me when he finds out.¡±
¡°Huh?¡± Karen was perplexed.
¡°Because then I wouldn¡¯t feel guilty. But I know Everett; he¡¯s not like that. He¡¯ll be devastated.¡±
He didn¡¯t choose his parents.
But they had raised him, and his mother had gone through hell to bring him into this world in that
delivery room; he couldn¡¯tpletely ignore that.
¡°Once this whole mess blows up, regardless of the oue, your feud with the Lopez family will be
etched in public memory. Even yearster, people will talk, and you¡¯ll lose any chance of reconciling
with Everett.¡±
Dorothy smiled, ¡°I¡¯m aware of that.¡±
¡°And you¡¯re still set on your decision?¡±
This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.
¡°I am.¡±
¡°Alright then! I¡¯ll support you with all I¡¯ve got, and so will Keh.¡± Karen extended her hand and gave
Dorothy a firm squeeze, ¡°If you think about it, we¡¯re only here for a few decades. How you live is up to
you. Fighting for justice, uncovering the truth for your mom, that¡¯s a life too. It¡¯s not like romance love is
the only way to carry on.¡±
Karen had a unique way of offering support.
Dorothy stretched, resting her head on Karen¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Karen, I¡¯m going to win.¡±
¡°Of course, you will! Because you¡¯re on the side of justice!¡±
¡°Yeah¡ I will win¡¡± Under the starry night sky, she wiped away her tears and took a moment to steady
her emotions, ¡°This is the only time I can get along with Everett. I need to enjoy this month, then brace
myself to bring Be¡¯s true killer to justice.¡±
¡°I¡¯m with you all the way.¡±
Even though Karen wasn¡¯t looking at her face, she instinctively reached into her pocket and handed
Dorothy a tissue.
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Dorothy paused for a moment, then let out a light chuckle, ¡°You really do get me, don¡¯t you?¡±
¡°Oh,e on! Just talking about this stuff makes me want to cry for you. There¡¯s no way you¡¯re not
crying.¡±
Clutching a tissue in her hand, Dorothy stood up, ¡°Karen, when you go back, could you maybe talk to
Keh? Tell him to stop waiting for me and find himself a girlfriend. I can¡¯t hold him back any longer.¡±
¡°That¡¯s tougher than taking down the Lopez family!¡± Karen rolled her eyes. ¡°Besides, leave him be. He
knows what he¡¯s doing.¡±
¡°Keh has done too much for me already.¡±
¡°You are worried that Keh thinks you and Everett will be over if you fall out with the Lopez family. In
that case, he might stand a chance again. And you assume that¡¯s why he¡¯s not finding a girlfriend now,
right?¡±
Dorothy nodded, ¡°Yeah.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t sweat it. Keh¡¯s clear on where he stands! He knows you¡¯ll never fall for him.¡± Karen had lost
count of how many times she had this conversation with Keh.
Keh was well aware, too, that even if Dorothy and Everett were a no¨Cgo, he wouldn¡¯t be the one by
her side.
¡°Then why does he still¡
¡°He¡¯s just stubborn! Isn¡¯t Everett the same?¡±
Dorothy bit her lips.
¡°Honestly, after the spat I had with Jeffrey today, I suddenly realized his life is what you¡¯d call ¡®real
living¡®! Look at you and Keh, and even look at Everett, you are all caught up in this love¨Chate
rtionship. But Jeffrey¡¯s different. His love life? Easye, easy go. Sure it¡¯s short¨Clived, but he hops
from one fling to another! Never a dull moment.¡±
Karen was pretty open¨Cminded, not the type to cling to the ¡®one and only¡® ideal. If things didn¡¯t work
out, she¡¯d move on without much fuss. She wasn¡¯t one to shy away from pillow talk with an ex, but she
hadn¡¯t reached Jeffrey¡¯s level of indulgence.
Yet, as she pondered, she realized there was a certain allure to living for the moment and settling the
problems when tomorrowes. Was being tied down in a rtionship really all that important?
Karen recalled a saying she¡¯d read somewhere: True lovers never part. If there¡¯s mutual interest and
affection, there¡¯s no need tobel it just to keep it going.
This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.
Dorothy nced at Karen and gave a wry smile, ¡°Don¡¯t let him corrupt you. He¡¯s a trust fund yboy;
even if he parties all day, he¡¯s got the family fortune to burn through.¡±
Considering Jeffrey¡¯s lifelong friendship with Everett, it was clear his family was well¨Coff too.
¡°I¡¯m just thinking out loud! It¡¯s a new life perspective, that¡¯s all.¡±
No sooner had Karen finished speaking than she caught sight of a figure approaching them..
Upon closer inspection, it was Jeffrey, the persistent yboy.
Dorothy sighed, ¡°If you can¡¯t stand him, I¡¯ll send him packing for you.¡±
¡°Not that much of a nuisance, really. You and Mr. Lopez are overthinking it! Why would I waste time
hating someone who¡¯ll be a non¨Cfactor in my future? He¡¯s the high¨Cflying heir to a fortune! I¡¯m not even
on his radar.¡±
Dorothy shrugged.
Jeffrey approached, nced at Karen, and then gave Dorothy a somewhat sheepish look, ¡°Uh¡
Everett asked me to drive Karen back to the hotel. Said it wasn¡¯t safe for her to go alone.¡±
Dorothy¡¯s brow furrowed instinctively since she sensed something was off, but Karen was already on
her feet, ¡°Let¡¯s go, then. Dorothy, I won¡¯t keep you from rest. Bye, sweet dreams!¡±
They left one after the other, their silhouettes retreating into the distance.¡±
Together, they almost looked like a matching pair.
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Chapter 519
Dorothy slipped back into the hospital room, finding Everett engrossed in a video call with the
company¡¯s shareholders.
She didn¡¯t interrupt. Instead, she gave him a little wave, signaling that he should keep at it and not mind
her.
Listening to Everett converse in smooth, fluent Spanish, Dorothy found a quiet corner to sit and watch
him work.
Her mind wandered back to Everett as a middle school student, who always d in his crisp, clean
uniform, sitting silently while working on problems with his refined, schrly look. He¡¯d furrow his brow
in concentration and asionally flipped through textbooks and jotted down notes.
Back then, her impression of her deskmate was simple: he liked his space clean, wasn¡¯t much for chit¨C
chat, and had a string of admirers. His family was loaded, too. Every day after school, a sleek ck
sedan would be waiting to whisk him away.
The make and model of the car were beyond her knowledge then, not to mention what a luxury car
even was. All she knew was that it was the most impressive car she¡¯d ever seen¨Cthe kind she figured
she¡¯d never get to ride in.
As she watched him now, Dorothy couldn¡¯t help but pull out her phone and snap a picture of Everett in
deep thought.
She scrutinized the photo from every angle, marveling at how there seemed to be no dead angle to his
face. His features were sharply defined, his jawline chiseled, and his oceanic eyes were as deep as aN?velDrama.Org owns this.
serene pool. When his gaze dropped, the delicate fold of his eyelids became visible, and below that,
hisshes fanned out like the feathers on a quill.
Dorothy saved the photo to her cloud album, hesitated for a few seconds before deciding whether to
file it under ¡®Life¡® or ¡®Scenery.
Chewing on her lower lip, her fingers finally moved to create a new album in the cloud, renaming the
untitled folder to ¡°0825.¡±
After these little adjustments, she felt a little silly, as if Everett¡¯s youthful spirit was contagious¨Cshe was
even resorting to a bit of sneaky photography.
But her mood? It was pretty great.
¡°This album should be filled with our photos together and with the kids, not just me alone.¡±
She had no idea when Everett had silently moved from the bed. He was now standing behind her.
Startled, Dorothy put on a stern face intentionally, ¡°What are you doing up again? Dr. Quincy said you
need to stay in bed!¡±
¡°I know my own body,¡± he replied, reaching past Dorothy to swipe her phone, extracting his solo picture
from the ¡°0825¡± album and creating a new one named ¡°Family,¡± where he dropped the photo.
¡°What are you doing?¡±
¡°In ¡®0825¡®, I want to see lots of pictures with you, and with the kids.¡±
He didn¡¯t want to be alone in that album.
Dorothy blinked. Then, she couldn¡¯t resist herughter, ¡°If you wanted a photo with me, you could¡¯ve
just asked! Beating around the bush isn¡¯t your style, Mr. Lopez.¡±
Everett raised an eyebrow, ¡°Fine, I want a photo with you. Is that alright, Ms. Sanchez?¡±
¡°Ummm¡ let me think about it,¡± she teased, then relented, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll indulge your wish!¡±
She stood on tiptoes, phone in hand, switching to the front¨Cfacing camera.
But try as she might, even on her tiptoes, she couldn¡¯t fit Everett¡¯s entire face in the frame.
¡°You¡¯re too tall, bend down a bit!¡±
Everett, with a half¨Csmile, simply took the phone from her and effortlessly pulled Dorothy into his
embrace.
Before she could react, he pressed the shutter button and nted a kiss on her lips right as the phone
clicked.
All she heard was the click of her cell phone before she was pressed against the wall and felt his
breath growing heavier.
¡°E¡Everett¡ I thought we were just taking a photo?¡±
¡°Who made that deal with you?¡±
He hadn¡¯t said a word about just taking a photo.
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Chapter 520
Dorothy felt Everett¡¯s wandering hands growing bolder by the second.
She tried to protest, but in a swift move, Everett shoved her phone into her hands. Great, now her
hands were virtually upied.
She attempted to push him away with her elbows, but she was wary of hitting his bruise. But where
could she put the phone? She couldn¡¯t just toss it aside!
¡°Everett! Since when did you be such a sly fox¡¡± she eximed.
¡°Just trying to show you that struggling is pointless,¡± he replied with a mischievous grin.
¡°Hmph! Let¡¯s see if you can keep me at bay without the phone!¡±
With a chuckle, Everett snatched the phone away and skillfully tossed it onto the bed.
Dorothy saw her chance to escape, but in the blink of an eye, Everett had captured her wrists in one
hand and held them aloft.
Now she was utterly at his mercy, even more than before.
¡°You¡¯re ying dirty!¡± she used.
¡°Then call the cops,¡± Everett said. He became aroused while enjoying the sight of her flustered state.
Truth be told, the moment she tried to sneak pictures of him, he had been devising all sorts of poses in
his mind.
Feeling his heat close in, Dorothy struggled harder, ¡°You¡¯ve gone too far!¡±Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.
¡°Not far enough! We won¡¯t have this freedom once Abigail and Langston arrive.¡±
With time running out, he was determined to make the most of their solitude.
¡°Everett, I really can¡¯t handle this¡¡± Dorothy was close to developing a phobia.
Just the thought made her weak at the knees.
¡°Just once.¡±
¡°You¡¯re full of it¡¡±
¡°I¡¯ll make it quick.¡±
Dorothy, fuming, tried to stamp on his foot.
The man did this on purpose; as soon as they were alone, his mind would fill with all sorts of naughty
ideas.
¡°I can¡¯t do this! My back aches!¡±
¡°Oh, then let¡¯s try spooning.¡±
Dorothy was totally shocked.
On the car ride back to the hotel, Karen sat in silence in the back seat. Jeffrey tousled his hair a few
times and was still unable toe up with an icebreaker.
They were almost at the hotel when Karen suddenly spoke, ¡°I need to stop by the grocery store.¡±
¡°Sure,¡± Jeffrey replied instantly, then hit the gas and headed towards the nearest supermarket.
Pulling up at the store entrance, Karen got out, and Jeffrey, following suit, was halted by her frown,
¡°Stay in the car, don¡¯t follow me!¡±
Jeffery was frozen. Watching Karen hustle into the grocery store, he scoffed, ran his tongue over his
cheek, and fished out a pack of cigarettes, intending to light it up.
He had the lighter ready when he decided to put the cigarette away. Unsure if Karen liked the smell of
smoke, he opted not to risk it to avoid her ire for stinking up the car.
Karen soon emerged from the store. Her hands were empty, no snacks or water bottle in sight.
¡°Didn¡¯t find what you were looking for?¡±
¡°I got it,¡± she said, her face flushing as she got into the car, purposefully turning her head away from
him.
Jeffrey thought of teasing her, but the words died on his lips.
Today, he wasn¡¯t going to pick a fight with her.
Back at the hotel, Karengged behind, a stark change from her usual brisk pace. Jeffrey¡¯s room came
first, and as he stopped, so did she.
¡°Something on your mind?¡± he asked.
¡°Um¡¡±
Jeffrey turned to face her, ¡°Well, spit it out. Today, I suppose I can deign to be your servant one more
time-¡±
¡°Do you want?¡±
His sentence was cut short by Karen¡¯s interruption.
¡°What?¡±
¡°I mean¡ do you want?¡± she repeated.
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Jeffrey blinked in disbelief, realizing he had just uttered the words he wished he could take back, ¡°Want
what? Do you need another run to the grocery store?¡±
Karen shot him an annoyed nce, clearly on the brink of walking out.
Luckily, Jeff¡¯s reflexes kicked in as he grabbed her wrist, ¡°Hold on, can you rify? How can I y
along if I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re on about? What¡¯s got your feathers all ruffled now?¡±
¡°Let go of me! I don¡¯t need this¨CI¡¯m going to bed!¡±
The word ¡®bed¡® struck Jeffrey like lightning, and he suddenly grasped what her question meant.
What kind of nonsensical reply had he blurted out?
¡°Karen, you-¡±
¡°Let. Go!¡± Karen was past the point of wanting to converse with him. She wished he¡¯d just vanish!
¡°Wait, just hold on! Damn it, I just got it!¡±
With a firm tug, Jeffrey reeled Karen back into his arms, trapping her between his chest and the wall.
His masculine scent mingled with his breath, tinged with a hint of tobo, enveloping them both.
Their bodies were tangled and inextricable.
They locked eyes, staring at each other for an eternity.
He licked his lower lip, his voice tight with urgency, ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s do it.¡±
Karen grimaced, ¡°But now I don¡¯t want to.¡±
¡°Are you ying games with me?¡±
¡°Nope, I was up for it a minute ago, now I¡¯m not. How¡¯s that ying games?¡±
Jeffrey always lost these verbal spats. He moved his lips, struggling to find the words to argue back,
but nothing came out.
¡°I don¡¯t care, you asked me and now I¡¯m ready!¡±
¡°Jeffrey, you¨Cmmph!¡± Her words were swallowed by his sudden kiss.
In his haste, Jeffrey knocked into Karen¡¯s teeth, a pang of pain making her nose twitch. But before she
could curse, her lips were already imed.
He kissed her, fumbling with the bedroom door, then lifted her off her feet and tossed her onto the bed.
¡°Stop it, just stop!¡±
Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.
Karen suddenly felt a flicker of fear. Why did she have to provoke a man who held it for such a long
time? She just wanted a taste of the rich hottie instead of meeting her end in bed!
¡°This was your idea, now deal with it!¡±
As Karen attempted to wriggle deeper into the bed, Jeffrey grabbed her ankles and pulled her beneath
him.
¡°I changed my mind, stop! Just solve it yourself. I promise I won¡¯t interrupt you.¡±
Jeffrey red, hisrge hands pinning her head as she wed and pinched at his back, but he refused
to break the kiss.
¡°Mmmph¡¡±
Karen was exhausted from struggling. This man was immovable like a mountain!
Suddenly, Jeffrey stopped.
Karen was stunned, ¡°What, what¡¯s wrong?¡±
¡°I forgot to buy something. Hold on, I need to step out!¡±
Thest thing he needed was to risk an unexpected pregnancy.
Jeffrey, fighting the difort, reached for his keys to leave, but Karen quickly grabbed him.
¡°I have it in my purse¡±
¡°What?¡±
¡°I bought them at the grocery store just now.¡±
Jeffrey narrowed his eyes, ¡°Feels like I¡¯ve walked into a trap, doesn¡¯t it?¡±
Karen couldn¡¯t help butugh at hisment, ¡°If you think it¡¯s a trap, then don¡¯t touch me.¡±
Trap or not, even if it¡¯s a ck hole, I can¡¯t resist tonight!¡±
Sure enough, Jeffrey found a small box in her purse,beled: Ultra Thin, 3¨CPack.
He frowned, ¡°You only got one box?¡±
¡°Yeah¡¡±
¡°Well, you better hope it¡¯s enough.¡±
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Chapter 522
To be honest, Karen hadn¡¯t exactly had a slew of ex¨Cboyfriends. In fact, most of her so¨Ccalled
¡°experience¡± had been garnered from steamy scenes on herptop, rather than the real deal.
But tonight, she thought she might literally die of exhaustion in bed.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of tossing and turning, she grabbed her phone with her
sweaty hands. It was already 3 A.M. If she didn¡¯t get some shut¨Ceye soon, tomorrow might as well be
canceled.
She threw a nce at Jeffrey, who stood by the full¨Clength window and puffed on a cigarette with
nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. It seemed that the word ¡®tired¡® wasn¡¯t in his vocabry.
Feeling her gaze, he turned back. He raised one side of his eyebrows before extinguishing his cigarette
and sauntering over to her.
¡°Still got some energy left?¡± he teased.
¡°Get lost,¡± Karen grumbled, attempting to swing her legs out of the bed for a much¨Cneeded shower
before retreating to her own room for sleep.
She wanted to sleep just like that but thest thing she wanted was for Jeffrey to think she was clinging
to him and hoping to spend the whole night with him.
Jeffrey, however, followed her with a widening grin, ¡°Needpany in the shower?¡±
¡°I can manage. Thanks,¡± she snapped back, locking him out of the bathroom.
¡°Huh. You do have a lot of energy left,¡± He chuckled, scratching his nose in amusement.
He wandered back to his phone, inexplicably drawn to capture the disheveled state of his bed with a
camera shot he briefly considered sharing on Twitter. But then he thought better of as he recalled the
trove of other conquests in his phone.
When Karen emerged in a bathrobe, she found Jeffrey propped up against the bed frame, idly scrolling
through his contacts. The phone¡¯s glow yed across his face, defining his sharp features with a
roguish charm.
She wasn¡¯t in the mood to admire his looks, though; good¨Clooking or not, he wasn¡¯t hers.
¡°I¡¯m taking your bathrobe and I¡¯ll bring you another from my room tomorrow,¡± she announced, breaking
his concentration.
¡°You¡¯re leaving?¡±
¡°What else?¡±
¡°Just stay here. The bed¡¯s the same as in your room.¡± His brows furrowed slightly as he said.
¡°It¡¯s not the same,¡± Karen said coolly, her face losing the flush of passion from moments before.
¡°What¡¯s different?¡± he pressed.
¡°My room doesn¡¯t have you in it.¡±
Silence hung between them.
Karen was too tired and sleepy to argue. She bent down to grab her clothes, intending to leave.
Jeffrey caught her arm in a burst of impatience, ¡°What¡¯s the problem now? Didn¡¯t I take good care of
you?¡±
¡°Noints,¡± she admitted truthfully; he had indeed ¡®taken care¡® of her, almost to the point of
meeting God.
¡°So why the rush to leave?¡±
N?velDrama.Org owns this.
Jeffrey had apparently forgotten his past post¨Cencounter routine of shooing girls away. His handsome
face was a picture of bewilderment now.
Karen, searching for an excuse, said, ¡°I¡¯m just not used to sleeping with someone else.¡±
¡°And after sleeping with your exes, you¡¯d leave them too?¡±
¡°What¡¯s it to you?¡± Her exes were entirely different from Jeffrey.
Worn out after the night¡¯s activities, Jeffrey didn¡¯t want to argue. He ran a hand through his damp hair,
¡°Fine, go back to your room. Call me when you wake up.¡±
Karen didn¡¯t respond. She pushed the door open and was about to leave but was stopped by Jeffrey
again.
¡°Wait! I just realized¡ I don¡¯t have your number, and you don¡¯t have mine.¡±
¡°That¡¯s right, Karen agreed as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
So she¡¯d already dismissed his earlier request as idle talk.
Jeffrey grabbed his phone and handed it to her. ¡°Enter your number. I¡¯ll save it.¡±
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Chapter 523
Karen nced at his phone, her expression clearly stating she had no intention of taking it.
¡°No need.¡±
No need?!
Jeffrey¡¯s face darkened and even got a little grim, ¡°Not even going to give me your number?¡±
Looking up, Karen¡¯s eyes were filled with disbelief, as if the request was the most absurd thing she¡¯d
ever heard, ¡°Why would I give you my number?¡±
¡°We just¡ you know,¡± Jeffrey stammered, struggling to find the right words in his cracked brain during
the early hours of the morning. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to keep some sort of¡ memento?¡±
Karenughed, ¡°With all the souvenirs you¡¯ve got, you won¡¯t miss one from me. Once you¡¯re back in
home, just hook up a few more times and consider it on my behalf.¡±
She wasn¡¯t about to get caught up in Jeffrey¡¯s long list of conquests or leave her mark there.
Her instinct told her to distance herself.
Yet Jeffrey, visibly panicked, grabbed her arm and pulled her back into the room.
¡°Karen, are you ying me? After all the effort I put in, you think I¡¯m some gigolo?¡±
¡°As if you didn¡¯t enjoy it!¡± Karen retorted, pointing to the evidence in the trash can, ¡°You went through
all of that!¡±
Silence fell between them.
¡°Are you finished? I really need to sleep now!¡± she said; her exhaustion made her vision blur.
But Jeffrey stood there, immovable, with anger brewed in his eyes.
¡°Why did you suddenly decide to hook up with me?¡±
Karen paused, ¡°I wanted to, so I asked. No big reason. It¡¯s not like I forced you. You agreed, didn¡¯t
you?¡±
Grinding his teeth, Jeffrey felt a mix of embarrassment and humiliation.
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He had a thousand things he wanted to say, but all that came out was a scornful tone, ¡°Are you always
this casual?!¡±
Karen¡¯s fist clenched involuntarily, but she quickly rxed.
¡°Think what you want,¡± she said, her tone dismissive. ¡°I just thought you were hot. Sure, there¡¯s not
much to you beyond that, but your looks¡ they¡¯re appealing. I wanted a taste, that¡¯s all.¡±
It was the blunt truth.
None of her previous boyfriends, whether she slept with them or not, were as handsome as Jeffrey.
That was a fact.
She treated it as a bit of fun in a foreignnd, and nothing more. It wasn¡¯t her first time, and she saw no
reason to make a big deal out of it. She wouldn¡¯t even mention it to a future partner. That¡¯s how
inconsequential it was to her.
¡°Just wanted to try something new?¡± Jeffrey repeated her words, his frustration growing with each
syble.
¡°Yes.¡± Karen nodded earnestly, ¡°You¡¯re like the fancy fruit on the top shelf of the grocery store.
Everyone wants a taste, but no one wants to buy the whole batch.¡±
Affording it was one thing, but even if you could, it didn¡¯t mean you¡¯d want it all the time.
Premium fruit doesn¡¯t always mean it¡¯s the best¨Csometimes it¡¯s just about the appealing exterior.
¡°Great, just great!¡± Jeffrey sarcastically wanted to apud her analogy, ¡°I¡¯m a piece of fruit?¡±
¡°Premium fruit!¡± Karen emphasized.
¡°To hell with premium fruit!¡±
Jeffrey¡¯s shout startled Karen, jolting her awake from her drowsiness.
¡°What¡¯s your problem? Are you sick or something?¡±
¡°I thought you wanted-¡± he began.
¡°Wanted what?¡± she asked.
¡°To¡ To keep this kind of rtionship going!¡± He was adamant not to say the words ¡®boyfriend¡® and
¡®girlfriend¡® first. He wouldn¡¯t lose this battle.
¡°Oh.¡± Karen¡¯s response was light and nonchnt, ¡°That exins the phone number. Then you
misunderstood. I¡¯m not interested in that. Can I go now? I¡¯m really tired!¡±
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¡°I¡¯m at my wits¡® end with you!¡±
Jeffrey paced the room with his upper body naked and hands on hips.
Karen looked for any chance to escape, but she was yanked back each time she tried to do so.
¡°Bro, it¡¯s half past three. Am I not getting any sleep?¡±
¡°Like I can sleep with all this going on?¡± he was so fumed that the idea of rest was far from his mind.
He had nned to finish his cigarette, curl up with her in bed, and after a good night¡¯s rest,y
everything out on the table for a heart¨Cto¨Cheart in the morning. But she had to spring a nasty surprise
on him in the dead of night!
¡°If you¡¯re going to be up all night, don¡¯t drag me into it,¡± Karen said, rubbing her eyes and yawning. ¡°I¡¯m
not kidding, I¡¯m seriously tired!¡±
Seeing her trying to leave again, Jeffrey grabbed the clothes from her hands and, without warning,
tossed them into the bathtub and turned the tap on!
Karen was dumbfounded, ¡°What the hell¡¯s wrong with you? I need to wear those!¡±
¡°We¡¯re both beat, and I¡¯m not having this talk now. Hit the hay, and we¡¯ll sort it out once we¡¯re up,¡±
Jeffrey said, feeling a heartache from all the frustration.
But his mind was so blocked with things he wanted to say and do, he couldn¡¯t get it out. Sleep came
first.
¡°I won¡¯t stay. I need to go back.¡± Even without her soaked clothes, she still had her robe and more
clothes in her luggage back in her room.
Grinding his teeth, Jeffrey snapped, ¡°Say one more word, and neither of us is sleeping. I¡¯ll keep you up
until you can¡¯t even get out of bed!¡±
¡°You wouldn¡¯t dare! If I don¡¯t consent, it¡¯s illegal!¡±
¡°Try me and see if I dare!¡± As he stepped closer, his tall frame cast a shadow over her, which was an
imposing presence she couldn¡¯t ignore.
Karen thought she¡¯d better be supple, ¡°How about this, Jeffrey? I¡¯ll go back and sleep, and I¡¯lle find
you once I¡¯m awake. You wait for me here, okay?¡±
¡°No way!¡±
¡°What if I insist on going back?¡±
He narrowed his eyes at her, then swiftly yanked off her robe, along with his own and the towels, and
tossed them all into the water¨Cfilled tub.
¡°You¡¯re out of your mind¡¡± Karen was thoroughly convinced that Jeffrey had lost his marbles.
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No decent person coulde up with such a scheme!
¡°Go ahead, leave naked. I won¡¯t stop you.¡±
Karen was seething as her eyes caught sight of theforter on the bed. She reached to pull it over
her body so she could wrap herself in it and leave.
As long as the hotel¡¯s corridor cameras didn¡¯t catch her bare, it would be fine.
Jeffrey¡¯s icy voice warned from behind, ¡°So you¡¯re choosing not to need aforter tonight, huh?¡±
¡°Go to a damn mental hospital! Did Heather screw up your head or something?¡± Karen¡¯s temper red
as well. ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be some kind of a yboy? Can¡¯t handle the game? Do you cling to all
your past flings like this?¡±
Silence.
No. Never, except for her.
¡°Listen, I don¡¯t want to wake up Dorothy in the middle of the night. Don¡¯t push It too far, or it¡¯ll be bad for
both of us.¡±
Having said her piece, Karen scanned the room for anything she could wear.
Her gaze settled on Jeffrey¡¯s blue hoodie.
She strode over, pulled it on, and thankfully, Jeffrey¡¯s height meant the hoodie was long enough to
cover what needed covering.
Without hesitation, she stormed out, mming the door so hard the frame rattled.
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Dorothy¡¯s eyes fluttered open to the ghostly glow of her phone, where an unread message from Karen
blinked back. It was nearly 4 AM when Karen had sent it.
[Hey Dorothy, please thank Mr. Lopez for me, but I¡¯m skipping the tour of Swevia Country! nning to
grab a flight home as soon.. as I wake up. Keh¡¯s got stuff going on and my folks are nagging me to
come back. They miss me! No need for you to drop by, just take good care of Mr. Lopez, okay?
Remember, whatever you decide, your girls are behind you all the way! Love ya, xoxo!] Karen¡¯s sudden
change of heart puzzled Dorothy, but considering Karen¡¯s whimsical nature, it wasn¡¯t entirely out of
character. [Worried about my troubles and couldn¡¯t sleep? Hit me back when you¡¯re up, Karen. You
came all this way to Swevia Country for me. If you leave without a proper send¨Coff, it¡¯ll eat me up inside
for life.]
Dorothy sent her reply, but the silence that followed suggested Karen had already sumbed to sleep,
probably not to stir until noon.
Behind her, Everett stirred. Hisrge hand slipped around her waist, pulling her back into his embrace
with a sudden tug. ¡°Ouch¡¡±
But his big move tugged at his wound.
Dorothy quickly set her phone aside and nudged him gently, ¡°Are you trying to get yourself killed? Let
me check if it¡¯s bleeding. I should call Dr. Quincy to have a look.¡±
¡°Now?¡±
¡°And when should I call her? Dr. Quincy is probably at work by now.¡±
Everett raised an eyebrow, ¡°You sure?¡±
Dorothy paused as she was suddenly conscious of the state of the room. Their clothes littered the
carpet, and the remnants ofst night¡¯s passion lingered in the air, unventted in their rush to sleep.
If Quincy walked in now, she¡¯d know exactly what had transpired.
She found herself at a loss for words, ¡°I¡¯ll¡ check your wound first, then.¡±
¡°Fine by me.¡± Everett presented himself with no reservation.
Dorothy¡¯s fingers danced over his skin, causing a tickle here and a slight wince there when they grazed
the wound.
Suddenly, he grabbed her wandering wrist.
¡°That¡¯s enough. Stop looking.¡±
Confused by his tone, she insisted, ¡°Did I hurt you? Just bear with me, I need to see if the stitches held
up!¡±
Everett¡¯s handsome face tightened, and his jawline was more pronounced with tension.
¡°I said stop,¡± he reiterated firmly.
¡°Just a little longer, okay?¡±
Instead of relenting, Everett directed her hand downward.
Dorothy recoiled the moment her fingertips encountered an unexpected heat, very different from her
own. Shocked, she withdrew her hand immediately.
¡°You¡¡±
¡°Which is why I told you to stop. Go get ready for the day.¡±
He knew he had to exercise restraint for Dorothy¡¯s sake. She was literally falling apart.
Flustered, Dorothy gathered her bathrobe tightly around her and scurried into the bathroom.
¡°Taking a shower?¡± Everett called after her.
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¡°Yes!¡±
¡°How long?¡±
Pausing, she called back, ¡°About twenty minutes?¡±
He nced at the clock. ¡°Fine.¡±
Twenty minutes was more than enough time.
Fresh from her shower, Dorothy found Everett dabbing at his hands with a paper towel.
¡°What spilled?¡± she inquired.
¡°Nothing.¡± A rare flush colored Everett¡¯s cheeks as he avoided her gaze.
Dorothy reached up to touch his forehead, ¡°You don¡¯t have a fever. Why are you so flushed?¡±
With a resigned grip on her hand, Everett¡¯s voice carried a hint of restraint, ¡°You might want to avoid
touching me right now.¡±
Dorothy blinked.
¡°Dorothy, can you check with Dr. Quincy when I¡¯m allowed to shower?¡±
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Dorothy nodded with a hint of resolve, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll be back in a jiffy.¡±
She slipped into something morefortable and headed out, making her way to Quincy¡¯s office. She
found the door ajar, yet the room was devoid of life.
¡°She¡¯s probably using the bathroom or got caught up in some urgent matter beforeing back,¡± she
figured.
Dorothy didn¡¯t leave. She stood by the door, waiting, when her phone began to buzz.
She expected it was Karen, but instead, it was an unfamiliar number.
A call from back home.
Worried it might be the kids in some kind of trouble, she answered promptly.
The voice on the other end was tinged with impatience and a youthful edge, sounding like a high
school student, ¡°Hey, how old is this surveince footage on your sh drive?¡±
It was Byte 7.
¡°Quite old,¡± Dorothy whispered, ncing around to make sure no one was listening, ¡°Are you having
trouble with the restoration?¡±
Thest thing she wanted was for Byte 7 to hit a dead end.
¡°Of course, it¡¯s a royal pain. You didn¡¯t think to mention that earlier?¡± Byte 7¡¯s tone carried the eternal
irritability of someone who¡¯s perpetually sleep¨Cdeprived, ¡°You round up the rest of my fee yet?¡±
His sudden pivot to money caught Dorothy off¨Cguard, ¡°I¡¯m working on it! Can you recover the data
sooner?¡±
¡°Nope! It¡¯s a real headache!¡±
Then what¡¯s the point of this call? She was confused.
¡°Stop trying to scrape together the cash. Just be my girl for a week, and we¡¯re even.¡±
He wouldn¡¯ty his fingers on any girls, so being chosen by him was a privilege.
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Byte 7 could sense she was hell¨Cbent on gathering the funds, and his pride was taking a hit. He
thought any girl in her right mind. would jump at such an offer, even pretend to be short on cash if they
weren¡¯t!
But this girl was actually trying.
¡°I can get the money,¡± Dorothy assured him earnestly.
She had done the math; selling all her stocks, bonds, and maybe a piece of real estate would get her
close enough. And for the shortfall, a bank loan or a few credit cards would cover the rest.
¡°Suit yourself,¡± Byte 7 grumbled and hung up.
Dorothy stared at her phone, conjuring up an image of Byte 7 on the other end: brows furrowed,
exuding an air of indifference to the world.
A pale, prideful, brash teen ¨C that was all she knew of Byte 7.
¡°Ms. Sanchez?¡±
Quincy¡¯s voice pulled Dorothy from her thoughts. She saw Dorothy standing there when she came
back.
Dorothy looked up and smiled, ¡°Dr. Quincy, you¡¯re back.¡±
¡°Yeah,e in,¡± Quincy gestured while she put her hands in the pockets of herb coat. The high
ponytail she tied gave her a youthful, innocent look, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±
¡°Everett sent me to ask when he can take a shower.¡±
¡°Oh, him¡ He can¡¯t shower just yet. Keep wiping him down for now,¡± Quincy paused, then nced at
her, ¡°I forgot that Mr. Lopez is a bit of a neat freak. He didn¡¯t refuse your help, did he?¡±
¡°No, I¡¯m allowed,¡± Dorothy was aware of Everett¡¯s pecurities, but he hadn¡¯t resisted her assistance,
¡°He just wants to shower on his own, feels better that way.¡±
Quincy smirked, recalling Everett¡¯s expression when she wanted to give him a helping hand. He acted
as if touching any other woman would be the end of him.
¡°So Mr. Lopez¡¯s neat freak is selective!¡±
Noticing Quincy¡¯s slightly furrowed brow, Dorothy quickly added, ¡°Did he do something to upset you?
Don¡¯t hold it against him, I swear his neat freak is quite severe!¡±
Dorothy knew Everett all too well; she anticipated that upon regaining consciousness, he would indeed
coldly decline any other woman¡¯s touch.
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¡°No, no, you¡¯ve got it all wrong!¡± Quincy waved his hands dismissively, ¡°It¡¯s just that I¡¯ve never seen
anyone with such a severe case of neat freak. I tried to give him a hand the day outside the hospital
room, but he¡¯d rather hobble along in pain than ept help.¡±
Dorothy knew that was something Everett was capable of.
¡°He¡¯s stubborn as a mule.¡±
Quincy chuckled, ¡°I guess you¡¯re the only one who dares to speak so candidly about the president of
Lopez Corporation.¡±
Dorothy tugged at the corner of her mouth, remaining silent, not feeling any sense of privilege. An ugly
ducky like her had nothing to brag about in front of the real swan.
Returning to the hospital room, Dorothy checked her phone again ¨C still no reply from Karen.
Looks like she had another all¨Cnighter!
Dorothy felt a wave of guilt, fearing Karen was staying up out of concern for her. It seemed like she was
dragging others into her mess again.
¡°What did the doctor say?¡±
Everett had seized the opportunity of Dorothy¡¯s absence to open hisptop and tackle some work.
Otherwise, she¡¯d nag him about resting instead.
¡°You can skip the shower; I¡¯ll give you another sponge bath in a bit.¡±
Everett looked at her and pursed his lips in silence.
¡°What? Not keen on the idea?¡± Dorothy stopped in her tracks, arching an eyebrow, ¡°Or should I find
some other bombshell toe over?¡±
Everett¡¯s handsome face turned stern. The seriousness of him reminded people of an old fogey.
¡°I don¡¯t like that kind of joke.¡±
¡°I was just kidding. I know you can¡¯t handle it.¡± Dorothy turned to wet a washcloth for him, and upon her
return, she sensed Everett really didn¡¯t want her fussing over him. ¡°What¡¯s the matter now?¡±
¡°Ufortable.¡±
At that word, Dorothy reacted like a startled deer, ¡°Where does it hurt?¡±
Everett looked at her helplessly, ¡°Having you bathe me is like torture.¡±
He figured the best way was to wait until he was ¡°well¨Cfed¡°¨C that might lessen the pain when she
helped him. But by that time, Dorothy would be so drained she could barely lift her arms.
It took Dorothy only a moment to grasp his meaning.
He¡¯d been driving himself to the brink of madness these days as if he was trying to make up for four
lost years in one fell swoop!
So much so that even fresh from sleep, she was worn to a frazzle!
¡°So, what do we do? Get a male nurse?¡±
¡°No.¡± That¡¯d be even weirder!
Dorothy could see a rare hint of conflict on Everett¡¯s chiseled features. She couldn¡¯t help but smile, ¡°Or
maybe we could ask Jeffrey to help out? He¡¯s your buddy so that shouldn¡¯t be too awkward, right?¡±
¡°Forget it.¡±
¡°Why?¡±
Everett shed a grin, ¡°He¡¯d be jealous that I¡¯m tougher than him.¡±
Silently, Dorothy red at him.
It seemed that men all had unshakeable confidence in this particr area!
¡°By the way, you don¡¯t need to worry about finding Karen a tour guide for Swevia Country. She said
she¡¯s nning to leave after she wakes up today.¡±
¡°Why the sudden change of heart?¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Dorothy shook her head, ¡°Maybe Keh¡¯s pressing her.¡±
Everett¡¯s handsome face froze, darkening at the mention of the name Keh.
¡°Since when did you start calling him that?¡± He remembered that Dorothy used to call Keh ¡®Mr.
Nelson¡® with utmost respect!
¡°I can¡¯t remember.¡± She honestly couldn¡¯t!
But Everett, as if seeking torment, pressed on, ¡°Was it during those four years?¡±
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¡°Seems like it. He helped me a lot.¡±
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¡°So, about him¡¡±
¡°Why do you have to pry so much? Don¡¯t you already know what¡¯s between us?¡± Dorothy wished to
close the book on this topic, because if it wasn¡¯t making anyone happy, why dwell on it? She felt like
Keh¡¯s kindness towards her was something that could never be erased, and she didn¡¯t want to lie
to Everett about that.
¡°Alright, I won¡¯t ask.¡± Everett kept his gaze fixed on her. ¡°When do you think is the best time to pick up
Abigail and Langston? You decide.¡±
He had initially thought about having Kevin drop them off, but after giving it some thought, he figured he
should consult Dorothy. It would be disrespectful to make such a decision without her input.
¡°Let¡¯s wait a few more days, okay?¡±
Of course, Dorothy longed to see her children and would have loved to have them with her
immediately!
But there was a part of her that was apprehensive and fearful about how to break the news to Keh,
especially since Langston had been with him for so long¨Clonger than she had been with the child
herself. The thought of suddenly having them whisked away to the Lopez family, with no idea when
they might see Keh again, made the words stick in her throat, whether face to face or over the
phone.
So, she figured the kids could spend a little more time with Keh¨Cjust a bit longer.
¡°I¡¯ll follow your lead,¡± Everett didn¡¯t say much, although he had read the reason for her hesitation from
her eyes.
The same sentiment remained unspoken between them: he didn¡¯t want to pressure Dorothy. He
wanted to give her the space to live her life the way she preferred, to choose her own path. As for his
feelings¡.
What pain, loss, or sadness could possibly outweigh the agony of the four years without her? He had
endured that; what was there to fear now?
Their mutual silence hung heavy in the air until the whirlwind that was Jeffrey burst in, shattering the
quiet.
¡°Everett! When is Karen flying back home? I need to know!¡±
He blurted out his question before noticing Dorothy was there too.
She frowned instinctively and had her guard up, ¡°Why do you need to know?¡±
Jeffrey, caught off¨Cguard, stumbled over his words.
¡°Jeffrey, Karen is my friend, and she¡¯s worlds apart from you. I¡¯d really prefer it if you didn¡¯t make her
your next conquest,¡± Dorothy said as her protective instincts kicked in. She had wanted to voice her
concerns the day before but had held back because Karen was there.
¡°I¡ I didn¡¯t say she¡¯s my conquest¡¡±
¡°Then enlighten me, why are you constantly looking for her?¡± Dorothy was naturally protective over her
best friend. She feared that Karen would get entangled with a man like Jeffrey. What would be of
her if the man just hit and ran?
Jeffrey¡¯s thoughts scrambled; he opened his mouth but no defense came out.
Everett propped himself up and pulled Dorothy close, ¡°You don¡¯t have to be so hostile towards him.
Jeffrey¡ is not a bad guy.¡±
Everett was confident about that much.
¡°I know the rtionship between you two, which it¡¯s like me and Karen. But until I can be sure you¡¯re
serious about her, Jeffrey, I¡¯m opposed to anything happening between you two.¡±
Dorothyid it all out there. There was no need for pretenses in front of Jeffrey.
It always came down to some ¡°simple truths¡± between men and women, didn¡¯t it?
Jeffrey had only met Karen a few days ago, and Dorothy wasn¡¯t buying any overnight romance.
¡°Hold on, both of you! Stop acting like I¡¯m the one chasing after Karen, will you? She was the one who
offered to be in my bedst night!¡±Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
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¡°What!¡± Dorothy shot up from her seat, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Everett¡¯s heart sank, and without thinking, he nced at Dorothy, knowing all too well what Karen
meant to her. To mess with Karen was like poking a bear, and Jeffrey had just jabbed at Dorothy¡¯s sore
spot!
Jeffrey, still feeling hard done by from the night before, protested, ¡°I swear, it was all Karen! I mean, I
just went along with it and didn¡¯t say no. If you don¡¯t believe me, ask her!¡±
Dorothy didn¡¯t want to hear his excuses; she reached for her phone, ready to call Karen to get the
lowdown..
Everett stepped in, urging Dorothy to let Jeffrey finish his piece, and asked, ¡°So, are you saying it was
mutual?¡±
Jeffrey¡¯s handsome face crumpled with frustration. ¡°Of course! I¡¯m not the type to force a woman,e
on! After we left the hospital yesterday, she said she needed to hit the supermarket, so I gave her a lift.
Next thing I know, back at the hotel, she¡¯s asking if I¡¯m up for it!¡±
Dorothy coughed pointedly, and Jeffrey hit the brakes on his story, sparing them the explicit details.
¡°And what are you nning to do? Why did youe here today asking about her flight?¡±
¡°She slept with me and didn¡¯t even leave a number! What can I possibly do?¡± Jeffrey looked at Dorothy
as if she were the judge and jury. ¡°You should be asking her what she wants, not me!¡±
Dorothy recalled Karen mentioning how Jeffrey was quite the looker. Could Karen really have taken a
fancy to him?
¡°I haven¡¯t reached out to Karen yet. She¡¯s probably still asleep. I¡¯ll get her side after we talk.¡±
¡°No way. Her room¡¯s empty.¡±
¡°What?¡±
Dorothy quickly dialed Karen¡¯s number, and this time, someone picked up.
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She should¡¯ve called earlier; she had only held back to avoid waking Karen, never imagining she¡¯d just
take off!
¡°Dorothy!¡±
Karen sounded like she was at the airport, with announcements ring in the background.
¡°Why¡¯d you leave without saying goodbye? Didn¡¯t you see my message?¡±
¡°I did, but you know I can¡¯t stand goodbyes! I¡¯d turn into a blubbering mess, so I snuck away! Besides,
we¡¯ll see each other when you¡¯re back from your trip; it¡¯s only a month!¡±
Dorothy nced at Jeffrey and hesitated but decided against bringing him up. If Karen didn¡¯t want to
talk about it, she probably intended to address itter or not at all. It would be too awkward to pry.
¡°So, you¡¯re at the airport now?¡±
¡°Yeah! Don¡¯t worry, Keh¡¯s picking me up, and he¡¯s bringing the kids along too. I¡¯ve missed them!¡±
¡°Alright, take care then.¡±
After hanging up, Jeffrey fixed his gaze on Dorothy, ¡°Where is Karen?¡±
¡°She¡¯s gone. If she didn¡¯t bother to inform you before leaving, it indicates she has no intention of
keeping in touch. You should let it go
Jeffrey¡¯s anger red. ¡°Why does she get to take the lead, sleep with me, and then shirk responsibility?
Does she think she can just define our rtionship however she wants?¡±
Dorothy crossed her arms. ¡°Well, what do you want then?¡±
¡°She¡¯s at the airport, right? Fine, I¡¯ll go get some answers!¡±
As Jeffrey stormed off, Dorothy called after him, ¡°You don¡¯t even know what you want out of this! How
is Karen supposed to define it? Think it over before you go chasing after her!¡±
But he was already out the door, not looking back
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Dorothy swiveled around, her fingers itching to dial Karen¡¯s number to inform her that Jeffrey had gone
looking for her. However, Karen had gone radio silent, probably caught up in the chaos of baggage
drop¨Coff and security checks.
Everett watched her furrowed brow and spoke in a soothing voice, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Didn¡¯t Jeffrey say he
doesn¡¯t have Karen¡¯s number? He probably will struggle to find her.¡±
¡°What¡¯s with those two, how did they even end up together?¡±
Dorothy had her reservations about Jeffrey. Not because he had once insulted her; it was his reputation
as adies¡® man that concerned her. After all, Karen was all talk and no experience ¨C how could she
ever handle a yer like Jeffrey?
After rambling on, Dorothy nced down and found Everett¡¯s gaze fixed on her, intense and
unwavering.
She arched an eyebrow, thinking there was something on her face, ¡°What?¡±
¡°Dorothy, you¡¯re not mad at Jeffrey on my ount, are you?¡±
¡°Rx, I¡¯m not about to hold a grudge that would curse your whole family tree.¡±
¡°Good to know.¡±
Karen had already made it to airport, checked in her luggage, and after passing through security, found
a cozy diner to grab a bite. She noticed the missed call from Dorothy and instinctively wanted to call
back, but ultimately decided against it.
Unanswered calls didn¡¯t stop her from tearing up over her meal, though! She thought to herself,
Dorothy was just too sweet, calling repeatedly out of concern for her!
Karen had always hated goodbyes; they made her want to cry ever since she was little. Even the mere
sight of such farewells would set her off!
Her tears fell in big drops, but that didn¡¯t stop her from making the steak on her te disappear, piece
by piece.
Nearly done with her meal, she wiped away her tears and headed to the lounge to wait for her flight.
The return ticket was still first¨Css, courtesy of Keh, who wanted to ensure herfort. The
lounge was plush, and she found a sofa to lie down on and catch up on some sleep.
In a drowsy haze, she felt someone nudge her arm.
Karen jolted awake to see a foreign beauty smiling down at her!
Thenguage barrier was real; she couldn¡¯t understand a word, but the flight attendant pointing to her
ticket was an unmistakable cue.
¡°Thank you!¡± Karen responded, realizing it was time to board.
She grabbed her carry¨Con, sent a quick message to Keh with her arrival time, prepared to switch
off her phone, and got ready to board the ne for more sleep.
Once she got on the ne and found her seat, she quickly settled in.
Karen sighed, thinking, you had to hand it to age; pulling an all¨Cnighter just wasn¡¯t as easy to bounce
back from anymore.
She slipped into the provided slippers, pulled out a nket, and before lying down, she turned on the
¡®Do Not Disturb¡® light.
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With more than ten hours of flight time, she was looking forward to some quality rest.
Just as Karen was about to drift off into dreand, a voice calling her name echoed through the cabin.
¡°Karen!¡±
She listened carefully, it was unmistakable.
Frowning, she sat up mid yawn only to see Jeffrey standing there!
What the hell?
Karen blinked a few times, rubbing her eyes for rity.
No mistake, this wasn¡¯t a dream.
¡°Weren¡¯t you supposed to find me in my room after you woke up? Huh? Karen!¡± Jeffrey¡¯s voice was
filled with frustration, contrasting sharply with Karen¡¯s befuddled state.
He had no reason to be here.
¡°Are you also¡heading back home?¡± she asked.
¡°I¡¯m here to get you!¡± Jeffrey marched over and grabbed her sleeve, ¡°Think you can run away? Think
again!¡±
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Chapter 531
Chapter 531
Karen nced around the first¨Css cabin, relieved that no one else seemed to be paying attention to
their spat.
¡°Can you let go already? Why would I run? I haven¡¯t done anything wrong!¡±
¡°Haven¡¯t you?¡± Jeffrey¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief.
Matching his gaze with her own defiant stare, Karen shot back, ¡°What have I done wrong, huh? Tell
me!¡±
¡°You¡¡± Jeffrey choked on his words, unable to voice his true grievance in such a public setting. But
then a thought struck him, and he blurted out, ¡°You took my hoodie, didn¡¯t you? You never gave it back
to me. That hoodie cost me a pretty penny, 950 bucks.¡±
Karen was stunned into silence. Did he really buy a first¨Css ticket just to chase after a hoodie? Was
there some special significance to that piece of clothing?
¡°Now, give me back my hoodie!¡±
¡°It¡¯s not with me. I left it at the hotel front desk when I checked out,¡± Karen frowned, puzzled. ¡°Didn¡¯t
they tell you when you checked out?¡±
Jeffrey was taken aback.
Of course, they didn¡¯t! Because he hadn¡¯t checked out. He had no ns to return home today!
The only reason he was on this flight was that he¡¯d pulled some strings and paid through the nose to
catch this woman!
¡°Why are you just standing there? Go back to the hotel and get your hoodie before the ne takes off!¡±
Karen urged him, almost as frantic as if the hoodie were hers.
Jeffrey felt a momentary illusion that he was indeed just there for the hoodie, spurred by her urgency.
¡°I¡¯ve already bought my ticket. You can reimburse me for that.¡±
¡°Come on, Mr. Turner, are you really short on cash?¡±
¡°I am! You insisted on taking my hoodie, so you¡¯re responsible.¡± Jeffrey clung to his excuse, not about
to let it go.
Karen rolled her eyes, silently cursing him for being so petty. She wanted to give him a piece of her
mind but figured it wasn¡¯t worth it¨Cthey wouldn¡¯t be crossing paths again anyway.
¡°How much was it?¡±
¡°Two grand.¡± Jeffrey whipped out his phone.
¡°Are you kidding me?¡± Karen nearly spat in disgust. ¡°No way! I¡¯ll give you one hundred, take it or leave
it.¡±
Jeffrey casually took a seat next to her, his imposing presence making her instinctively scoot back.
¡°One hundred works. Add me on WhatsApp and I¡¯ll send you my bank details.¡±
¡°Why not just say your bank details? I can do a bank transfer right now.¡± Karen schooled him as if he
were a clueless aristocrat.
Once she got rid of Jeffrey, she could get back to her much¨Cneeded rest.
¡°I don¡¯t do it that way. I only ept money after you add me as a friend.¡±
¡°No way.¡± Karen pocketed her phone decisively. ¡°I have no intention of adding you on any contact list,
be it my phone number, WhatsApp, or anything else.¡±
She was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.
¡°Why not?¡± Jeffrey couldn¡¯t grasp this one simple fact. ¡°I haven¡¯t done anything to you. You were the
one who came onto me yesterday!¡±
Karen didn¡¯t want to hear it.
¡°But wasn¡¯t it a mutual thing yesterday?¡±
¡°Yes!¡±
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¡°So, after it¡¯s done, we go our separate ways. Isn¡¯t that an unspoken rule we both know?¡±
Jeffrey narrowed his eyes, taking a deep breath. ¡°So, you treated me like a high¨Css fling, huh?¡±
Karen nodded without hesitation, ¡°Exactly.¡±
¡°You¡¯re so wrong!¡± Jeffrey¡¯s voice rose. ¡°So, you booked yourself a first¨Css seat on the return flight to
scout for your next high¨Css fling, is that it?!¡±
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Chapter 532
Chapter 532
¡°Jeffrey, seriously? Are you being a sore loser right now?¡±
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The way he was yelling at her, you¡¯d think he¡¯d caught his girlfriend cheating. But all they had was a
no¨Cstrings¨Cattached fling, and now he¡¯s acting as if he¡¯s got dibs on her?
¨C
Karen hadn¡¯t expected this from Jeffrey Mr. Heartbreaker himself.
She thought he would appreciate her slipping away quietly this morning, no fuss, no muss.
¡°Who¡¯s a sore loser?¡± Jeffrey always had a short fuse with Karen¡¯s remarks.
¡°Take a wild guess?¡±
His clenched fists tightened, and oh, how he wished he could just shut her up¨Cthe sass from those lips
only served to infuriate him further!
¡°Fine, so you say that I am a sore loser, right?¡± In one swift move, he wrapped his arms around Karen,
pulling her tight against his chest. ¡°Then I admit it! I am a sore loser!¡±
¡°Get off me¡ what the hell do you think you¡¯re doing?¡±
¡°Karen, you owe me.¡±
Karen¡¯s expression could¡¯ve been mistaken for someone hearing a ghost story. She struggled to break
free, and just as she did, her hair got tangled with a button on his shirt!
Fuming, she was ready to just rip her hair out when suddenly Jeffrey¡¯s hand caught hers. He was
smiling, his chest vibrating with suppressed chuckles.
¡°Why are you always so fiery? Just untangle it, will you?¡±
¡°Back off! Let me go, the ne¡¯s about to take off!¡±
She had been looking forward to a solid ten hours of beautiful sleep!
¡°I¡¯ming home with you,¡± he dered, having bought the ticket with no intention of disembarking
unless she did too.
¡°Like a bad penny, you always turn up!¡±
¡°That¡¯s right, I do!¡±
¡°You¡¯re sick. Return the ticket and save your money to see a doctor!¡±
While he untangled her hair, Jeffrey wasughing,pletely unbothered by her insults. ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll
go to the doctor together after wend.¡±
Karen was speechless, tugging at her hair to get away from him, only to feel a sharp pain at her scalp.
¡°Easy, I¡¯m almost done!¡±
And with that, Jeffrey pulled her even closer.
All Karen could smell was the faint scent of his cologne, transporting her back to the night before, when
he had her under him, demanding and taking without reserve.
Embarrassed by the shbacks, she flushed, holding her breath, waiting for the moment her hair would
be free so she could push this man away for good.
Just as she anticipated his movements slowing, signaling he was about to free her, Karen tried to
move. Jeffrey, seizing the opportunity, gripped her wrist firmly and pinned her down on the reclined
seat.
¡°What are you doing? We¡¯re on a ne!¡±
¡°I think you know exactly what I want.¡±
¡°Jeffrey, can we not do this right now? I¡¯m at a loss for words with you! If I had known you were this
clingy,st night I would have¡¡±
His gaze sharpened. ¡°You would haye what?¡±
Karen shrank back, ¡°Just¡ sit down, okay? Stop making a scene! You wanted to talk, didn¡¯t you? Let¡¯s
talk.¡±
Thest thing she wanted was to be the center of attention in first ss.
¡°Talk for real?¡±
¡°Yes, for real!¡±
Skeptically, Jeffrey pulled out his phone. ¡°Add me on WhatsApp.¡±
¡°Can we talk first before adding?¡±
Maybe after talking, he wouldn¡¯t want to add her anymore, so she wouldn¡¯t need to waste time deleting
him.
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Chapter 533
Chapter 533
¡°Why are you so against swapping digits with me?¡±
Jeffrey had noticed it alright. Karen wasn¡¯t entirely unyielding, but whenever it came to sharing her
WhatsApp or phone number, she¡¯d turn as rigid as a board!
¡°You want the truth?¡± Karen raised an eyebrow.
¡°Hit me.¡±
¡°I just don¡¯t want to be in touch with you, period. I¡¯m scared of you contacting me. Ideally, we¡¯d never
see each other again. And if by some cruel twist of fate, we do bump into each other, let¡¯s just pretend
we¡¯re strangers, okay?¡±
Karen¡¯s honesty was brutal, but it was exactly what was on her mind!
From the very start, she hadn¡¯t entertained a single thought of having any sort of future with Jeffrey.
It wasn¡¯t just because he was a notorious yboy. It was mostly because he had a thing with Heather!
That woman was vile, and the fact that he could be into her was an instant turn¨Coff for Karen.
As forst night, she truly approached it with the mindset of sampling some exotic fruit¡®, no deceit
intended. But who would¡¯ve thought that exotic ¡®fruit¡® woulde chasing after her!
¡°Karen, be honest. Didn¡¯t I look out for you in Swevia Country?¡±
¡°You did.¡±
¡°Didn¡¯t I agree to all your requests in the end?¡±
¡°Yes, you did.¡±
¡°And I even took you out for dinner on the first day. You would¡¯ve starved otherwise!¡±
¡°You¡¯re not wrong there!¡± Karen nodded without reservation.
Seeing her react this way only puzzled Jeffrey more. ¡°Then why the hell are you so keen on setting
boundaries with me? Can¡¯t we just be friends?¡±
He wasn¡¯t even pressing for some kind of romantic rtionship, was he?
¡°Nope.¡± Karen was as sinct as ever.
Jeffrey was left speechless.
¡°Let me up, will you? This is really ufortable!¡± Karen gasped, feeling the weight of his body on
hers.
Reluctantly, Jeffrey let her go.
As soon as Karen sat up, he grilled her, ¡°Out with it. Why can¡¯t we even be friends?¡±
¡°I guess I¡¯m not as enlightened as you. After sharing a bed, I can¡¯t just pretend we¡¯re nothing but
tonic buddies.¡±
It wasn¡¯t that she was clinging to what happened or that she had feelings for Jeffrey. To Karen, it just
felt weird!
How could they ignore what happened and go back to being chummy, as if they hadn¡¯t been naked and
intimate?
Jeffrey mused for a moment, ¡°We could always be¡ less than pure friends.¡±
¡°Friends with benefits?¡±
¡°Tsk, why do you have to make it sound so crude?¡±
Karen shook her head vehemently, ¡°My mom would kill me if she knew!¡±
She never dared tell her parents anything about her life outside of home. They probably still thought
she was inexperienced in the boyfriend department.
Jeffrey scoffed, ¡°Got anymer excuses?¡±
Even the fear of Mom¡¯s wrath was being used!
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Karen chuckled nervously, ¡°I¡¯ve said all there is to say. Can you let me off the hook now, Mr. Turner?¡±
Jeffrey ran his hand through his hair, visibly flustered, searching for words, ¡°Look¡ if you have other
thoughts, just spill. Maybe, just maybe, I¡¯d say yes¡±
Like, wanting to be his girlfriend. Not a one¨Cnight stand, not a long¨Cterm hook¨Cup, but a girlfriend. The
kind you hold hands with in public.
¡°Can I really say it?¡± Karen¡¯s eyes widened in feigned surprise.
Jeffrey let out a silent sigh of relief, ¡°Of course. Go ahead!¡±
¡°You sure I can say it?¡±
¡°What¡¯s with all the dilly¨Cdallying?¡±
With a sly grin and hands sped together, Karen leaned in, ¡°Then could you¡ maybe not mention
last night to Everett and Dorothy? I don¡¯t want them to know either.¡±
Chapter 535
Chapter 535
Chapter 535
Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.
I know you¡¯ve got the kids¡® backs, I¡¯m not worried about that.¡±
¡°Then why?¡±
Dorothy sighed deeply, ¡°After everything that¡¯s happened, I just don¡¯t see things the same way
anymore. I¡¯m not big on nning for the future, that¡¯s all.¡±
¡°Really?¡± Everett held her gaze, the panic and evasion in her eyes not escaping him..
¡°Really.¡±
¡°Then follow my lead. You don¡¯t have to n a thing, and I¡¯ll handle it.¡± He took Dorothy¡¯s hand and
gently massaged it. ¡°Trust me this once, okay?¡±
She nodded, ¡°Alright.¡±
She trusted him to take care of the children, trusted that he wasn¡¯t the kind of man Maxton was! Even if
she had to burn bridges with the Lopez family, causing a huge rift and potentially damaging the Lopez
Corporation, she believed he wouldn¡¯t drag the two kids into it.
Karen had fallen asleep on the ne. She was too exhausted.
Jeffrey, sitting in the seat in front of her, had also pulled an all¨Cnighter, but sleep eluded him!
He didn¡¯t get her WhatsApp or her phone number.
He boarded the ne with the intent to go toe¨Cto¨Ctoe with Karen, but upon seeing her so tired that she
was tearing up, her eyes bloodshot, he just couldn¡¯t bring himself to continue.
He knew all too well how roughst night had been.
Finally, the ne began its descent into Eldorria City Airport.
The captain¡¯s announcement woke Karen up. She yawned and stretched, sitting up to find a shadow
blocking out all the light, casting darkness around her.
Karen frowned and looked up.
In that moment, she could only think of Jeffrey as a modern¨Cday version of a brooding romantic lead.
That expression was just too spot¨Con!
¡°What are you doing lurking around here?¡±
Now that she was rested, Karen¡¯s sharp tongue was back in action.
¡°Get off the ne with me,¡± Jeffrey said in a tone that brooked no argument.
But Karen was the exception.
¡°And why should I take orders from you?¡±
¡°Because I¡¯ve slept with you!¡±
¡°There¡¯s a lineup of men who¡¯ve been with me, you¡¯re just¡¡± Karen¡¯s retort was cut off as she caught
the dangerous signal in Jeffrey¡¯s eyes. Especially that look, as if he wished he could bite her tongue off!
¡°I wasn¡¯t satisfied with the oue of ourst conversation. Let¡¯s renegotiate, Karen.¡±
¡°Mr. Turner, we¡¯re in the country now Can we not drag Swevia Country¡¯s business over here? Your
persistence almost makes me think you like me!¡±
Karen¡¯s words were off¨Cthe¨Ccuff, but they struck Jeffrey like a gorg, leaving his head ringing.
But that wouldn¡¯t stop his quick wit.
¡°Don¡¯t tter yourself. Who would like you?¡±
Ugh! Jeffrey wanted to p himself for that one.
But Karen didn¡¯t get angry Instead, sheughed, ¡°That¡¯s more like it! Since you don¡¯t like me, let¡¯s
agree not to see each other again! I promise you; I won¡¯t breathe a word aboutst night to anyone,
and I certainly won¡¯t brag about sleeping with you, Mr. Turner. Is that good enough for you?¡±
¡°No, wait. Maybe I¡¯m just not thinking straight because I haven¡¯t slept. Come back to my ce first, let
me get my thoughts in order, and we¡¯ll talk!¡±
¡°No way!¡± Karen¡¯s refusal was as straightforward as ever. ¡°We¡¯re already in the country. You can call up
a girl right now; it¡¯s not hard, Mr. Turner. Have you forgotten this isn¡¯t Swevia Country? This is Eldorria
City! Your turf! Go find yourdy love, your soulmate!¡°
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Chapter 536
Chapter 536
At this moment, the silhouette of Eldorria City Airport loomed in the distance through the airne¡¯s
window¨Ca stark reminder that Jeffrey¡¯s time was running out.
He knew that if he let Karen leave without snagging her contact information, it would be game over.
Whether they¡¯d cross paths. again was a matter left to fate. Hoping for a lead from Everett was a fool¡¯s
errand. That guy was all about his girl, Dorothy, ying the lovesick puppy in front of her. Even with his
big¨Cshot role as CEO of the Lopez Corporation, he constantly worried about tripping Dorothy¡¯s temper.
And reaching out to Dorothy herself? Fat chance! She¡¯d already made her stance clear; she wasn¡¯t on
board.
¡°You don¡¯t have to head back with me right off the bat. What do you say we grab a bite after wend? I
rushed to the airport to catch you and haven¡¯t eaten a thing. I¡¯m starving.¡±
Jeffrey reached out, but Karen deftly sidestepped him.
¡°Can¡¯t do. Someone¡¯s picking me up.¡±
¡°Who? A guy or a girl?¡± Jeffrey¡¯s alertness spiked instantly.
Karen frowned, finding him to be a real piece of work. ¡°What¡¯s it to you?¡±
He grabbed her wrist, halting her packing efforts. ¡°I¡¯m asking you. A guy or a girl?¡±
¡°A guy, okay? Happy now?¡±
A guy? Some dude was picking her up!
¡°And who might this guy be to you?¡± He couldn¡¯t hide the sourness in his voice.
Karen paused, gesturing to the flight attendant who looked rather ufortable, ¡°Mr. Turner, we¡¯re
about tond. Can you please. take your seat?¡±
¡°Sir, please return to your seat,¡± the flight attendant added, urging him along.
With the presence of an audience, Jeffrey had no choice but to go back and sit down obediently.
Karen had just stowed her eye mask and travel pillow back into her carry¨Con when the ne touched
down smoothly.
She had managed to get a decent amount of sleep during the ten¨Chour flight and felt refreshed. Her
mind was already wandering to the sumptuous meal she¡¯d enjoy with Keh and the two munchkins.
She had to make sure Keh got the bill good and proper.
¡°Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for flying with us. We have nownded at Eldorria City Airport¡¡±
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The announcement began to y overhead.
Karen switched into her walking shoes, slung her bag over her shoulder, and made a beeline for the
exit, paying Jeffrey no mind the entire time.
This left Jeffrey grinding his teeth in frustration, but he couldn¡¯t make a scene with the other
passengers all getting ready to disembark.
As soon as Karen stepped off the ne, her phone rang¨Cit was Keh.
Hearing Keh¡¯s ringtone filled her with warmth. ¡°Yeah! Justnded! Are you here now? And you got
me a present¡ Oh, you¡¯re the best!¡±
Karen wasn¡¯t big on farewells but loved being picked up. It felt like there was something to look forward
to.
¡°No lies, I really love you! And of course, I¡¯m crashing at your ce tonight. Where else would I go?¡±
On the other end, Keh couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. ¡°I figured your folks would be eager to see you. I
can drive you to them first¡±
¡°No way! Flying¡¯s too exhausting. Let¡¯s head to my parents¡® tomorrow.¡±
¡°Sure, it¡¯s all up to you.¡±
¡°Alright, I¡¯m making my way out. I¡¯ll see you after I grab my luggage. Catch you in a bit.¡±
With the phone call over, Karen¡¯s step quickened.
But not a few pacester, she felt someone tug at her carry¨Con from behind!
Turning around, she was met with Jeffrey¡¯s glowering face.
Shoot, she¡¯d forgotten all about him.
¡°Mr. Turner, something else you need?¡±
Jeffrey¡¯s eyes narrowed, and he raised an eyebrow. ¡°Finished with your call?¡±
Karen nodded, ¡°Yeah.¡±
¡°So, you¡¯re going to stay with another man tonight, huh?¡±
Chapter 537
Chapter 537
Chapter 537
Karen was on edge the moment she heard those words. She had been willing to keep her cool,
considering all the kindness she had received during her time in Swevia Country, but now all that was
left was pure disgust.
¡°You eavesdropped on my call?!¡±
¡°Eavesdrop? With the way you were shouting, the whole airport could hear you bbering about
running off to some guy¡¯s ce to sleep with him!¡± Jeffrey was fuming, and his words were far from
sugar¨Ccoated.
No one had been paying them any attention at first, but their loud quarrel had now drawn the gaze of
many curious onlookers, their eyes gleaming with gossip.
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The words, heavy with humiliation, were more than any girl could bear.
Karen clenched her teeth tightly. ¡°Jeffrey, say that again, I dare you!¡±
¡°Isn¡¯t it the truth?!¡± Jeffrey retorted. ¡°You were the one on the phone saying you were going to his ce
to sleep over, even nning to bring him home to meet your parents! Karen, this is clear¨Ccut¨Cyou¡¯ve
got a boyfriend. So, what was all that about asking me if you could sleep with me back in Swevia
Country?¡±
No sooner had Jeffrey finished speaking than Karen strode over and delivered a resounding p
across his face.
¡°Jeffrey, you¡¯re disgusting!¡±
Spitting in contempt, she turned on her heel and bolted.
Tears streamed down her cheeks uncontrobly.
It was the first time Karen had ever felt such public humiliation. Although her family wasn¡¯t wealthy, she
had grown up.fortable and spoiled as the only child, showered with love and never once subjected
to such harsh words thanks to her sharp tongue.
Jeffrey was stunned by the p! It hadn¡¯t urred to him that Karen couldsh out like that.
The pain snapped him out of his rage, and as the fiery anger subsided, he became acutely aware of
the snickers and entertained expressions of the onlookers.
Damn it, what had he just done?
Jeffrey might have had a string of flings, but he had never lost hisposure like this. He¡¯d never had
such a fallout with an ex before; at most, he¡¯d avoid them or settle matters with money.
Why did everything feel different with Karen?
Annoyed with himself, Jeffrey watched Karen disappearing into the distance. He clenched his fists,
hesitated for a few seconds, then decided to chase after her.
No, he couldn¡¯t let it end like this.
¨C
Even if it meant apologizing or whatever it took, he couldn¡¯t afford to lose contact with her now not
when they were about to part ways for good.
Karen was sobbing by the time she reached the baggage im area.
After a while, she managed topose herself and donned a hat and mask from her carry¨Con bag.
She was mortified by Jeffrey¡¯s outburst and had no desire to be the subject of more whispering and
pointing.
Jeffrey¡¯s harsh words forced Karen to reflect on her own actions. Indeed, she had initiated the flirtation
and proposed the intimacy. Who else could she me? All she could do now was to not provoke him
anymore.
International baggage usually took its time, and the crowd was indeed thick.
While waiting, Keh called again.
¡°Are you still in there?¡±
¡°Yeah, but I should be out soon.¡±
Keh, ever so attentive, sensed something was wrong immediately. ¡°Karen, have you been crying?¡±
His words made Karen¡¯s tears, which she had just fought back, start to sting her eyes again. She
forced a cheerful tone to mask her red¨Crimmed eyes and said, ¡°Yeah! I¡¯m crying because I¡¯ll see you
soon, I¡¯m so happy!¡±
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Chapter 538
From the sea of faces, Jeffrey finally spotted Karen, who was decked out in her full armor of
entricity. She was simultaneously wiping away tears and grinning ear¨Cto¨Cear,ughing as if she
didn¡¯t have a care in the world while chatting on the phone and confessing that her tears were from
missing him so much.
The anger Jeffrey had been trying to suppress red up again in an instant. But after taking a few
determined strides toward her, he stopped.
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What was he doing to himself?
She¡¯d rejected him so clearly. Was he really going to stick around for another p in the face? It was
obvious she had a boyfriend, one she was living with, no less. They were even nning to visit Karen¡¯s
folks the next day. Where did he fit into the picture?
Jeffrey¡¯s lips twitched, and he ran his tongue over the inside of his cheek.
Right, he was just a fancy piece of fruit. Damn fancy fruit!
At the arrivals gate, Keh waved frantically upon spotting Karen.
On either side of him, both Abigail and Langston tugged at his pants. ¡°Keh, pick me up! I wanna
see too!¡±
Without a choice, since favoritism wasn¡¯t an option, he hoisted them up, one on each arm.
Karen, luggage in tow, briskly walked toward them and covered both kids: faces with kisses.
¡°Oh, my darlings, I¡¯ve missed you to death! Goodness gracious!¡±
¡°Aunt Karen!¡± Abigail leaned in, angling for a hug.
Langston, however, was having none of it. He wiped off the saliva left on his cheek from her kisses and
pouted, ¡°Aunt Karen, I¡¯m a boy and you¡¯re a girl. You can¡¯t just kiss me like that.¡±
¡°I¡¯ll kiss you if I want to!¡±
Keh set Langston down on Karen¡¯s suitcase and towed it along, speaking with gentle concern,
¡°Lying down on the ne for so long must be tiring, right? You should stretch a bit.¡±
¡°Not at all! Slept like a log¡± Karen said with a squint and a smile, choosing not to mention the incident
with Jeffrey.
¡°That¡¯s good. What do you feel like eating? It¡¯s my treat.¡±
Keh was always so kind and gentle. He ran his hand through Karen¡¯s hair, listening as she fiddled
with her fingers, debating between wanting a fondue or craving sauerkraut fish.
As they neared his car, Keh suddenly asked, ¡°Did you call Dorothy to let her know you¡¯re safe?¡±
¡°Oh, shoot! I forgot. I¡¯ll call her now,¡± Karen said as she reached for her phone.
Then Keh said, ¡°I¡¯ll do it. You go ahead and get in the car with the kids.¡±
Karen blinked, puzzled by his offer.
¡°No particr reason. I just want to give her a call.¡±
Karen hesitated, lips parting to tell him about a conversation she had with Dorothy, but ultimately, she
didn¡¯t have the heart to say it. ¡°Alright, you call. I¡¯ll get in the car with the kids.¡±
Keh nodded and walked away with his phone.
The wind in Eldorria City was brisk today, tossing his hair lightly and making his coat flutter.
He found Dorothy¡¯s number, hesitated for a few seconds, and then dialed.
Dorothy answered quickly.
¡°Keh
¡°Hey,¡± he said, a smile spreading across his face at the sound of her voice. ¡°Just wanted to let you
know, Karen¡¯s arrived safely. I¡¯m about to take the kids out to eat!
¡°Great! Thank you, Keh, for looking after the kids, and thanks for¡¡±
¡°You¡¯re always thanking me. I¡¯m getting tired of hearing it.¡± Keh teased with a smirk, ¡°When you
come back, say it to my face and treat me to a meal¡±
He had barely finished his sentence when he heard a man¡¯s voice on the other end, ¡°Dorothy,e
help me with my bath.¡±
Chapter 539
Chapter 539
Chapter 539
Keh knew it was all Everett¡¯s doing.
¡°Umm¡ Keh¡¡± Dorothy sounded hesitant.
He chuckled, ¡°Go ahead! He¡¯s sick, you gotta take good care of him. I¡¯ll be here when you get back.¡±
¡°Okay, see youter, Keh!¡±
After hanging up the phone, Keh looked up at the sky.
The wind in Eldorria City was fierce today, whipping around so much that his heart started to ache. He
instinctively clutched at his chest, took a moment to steady himself, then headed back.
Maybe this was for the best; feeling pain meant he was still alive.
In the hospital room, Dorothy ended the call and turned to Everett.
He was smirking with a raised eyebrow, ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±
¡°You wanted a sponge bath, right? I¡¯ll give you one!¡± she approached him, half¨Cexasperated, half¨C
amused. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say me giving you a sponge bath was like torture? Oh, I make one phone call to
Keh and suddenly you change your mind?¡±
Everett wasn¡¯t annoyed; hey back, azy smile on his face, his shirt unbuttoned at the top revealing
his toned chest, prominent corbones, and those mysterious, sexy numbers.
¡°I haven¡¯t changed my mind.¡± He paused, ¡°It¡¯s just that listening to you talk to Keh is a bigger
torture than any sponge bath.¡±
¡°Without Keh¡¯s help over the years, you might not have even had the chance to see me again.¡±
She would have been caught up in the hustle of making ends meet, raising kids, and then taking care
of them alone would¡¯ve limited her work hours. How could she have be a director at East Star
Enterprises?
No matter what the future held, Dorothy couldn¡¯t forget the help she received from Karen and Keh.
Otherwise, how would she be any different from those who bite the hand that feeds them?
¡°I know.¡± Everett was aware of Keh¡¯s ce in Dorothy¡¯s heart, ¡°But that doesn¡¯t stop me from being
jealous.¡±
¡°How childish.¡±
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The CEO of the Lopez Corporation was always whining about jealousy!
She wanted to capture Everett¡¯s rogue¨Clike demeanor right now and post it on the Lopez Corporation¡¯s
official website for everyone to see what the once cool and abstinent CEO was really like!
¡°I¡¯m only like this with you.¡±
¡°Yeah.¡± Dorothy sighed, ¡°So, shall I get the water for your sponge bath?¡±
She had almost forgotten about his obsession with cleanliness. The man couldn¡¯t stand not showering
for a day without going crazy.
Everett gripped her wrist, ¡°No need, just run me a bath.¡±
¡°You want to bathe yourself? Dr. Quincy said¡¡±
¡°She meant no showers. I¡¯ll only wash from the wound down.¡±
Dorothy frowned, ¡°Then I¡¯ll check with her again, just to be sure.¡±
¡°I¡¯m telling you it¡¯s fine, Everett repeated, with added firmness in his voice.
He just couldn¡¯t stand the stickiness on his skin, nor the thought of Dorothy washing him. He¡¯d rather
deal with the wound tearing. open¡®
He could handle a little pain.
Dorothy knew when he made up his mind, it was final.
She had gotten toofortable during the days they spent together in Swevia Country, forgetting that
he was the decisive Everett of the business world. Once he made a decision, he wouldn¡¯t allow anyone
to change it
¡°Alright but be careful¡°¡±
¡°You¡¯ll be there with me, so it¡¯ll be fine.¡±
Dorothy was stunned, ¡°You want me to join you¡ while you bathe?¡±
¡°What¡¯s left that you haven¡¯t seen?¡± Everett¡¯s gaze flickered, his question blunt.
Her cheeks flushed, ¡°I don¡¯t want to see! You¡¯re the one who forced me to look!¡±
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Chapter 540
Every time she tried to close her eyes, Everett would deliberately ease up his grip, then jolt her back to
alertness, insisting she keep her eyes open to watch him.
Several times, Dorothy bit him hard in frustration, but he seemed impervious to pain and even chuckled
in response!
With a mock re, Dorothy huffed and got up to run a bath.
Everett was a bit of a neat freak, so she took extra care to clean the bathtub thoroughly, wiping
everything down before finally turning on the taps.
Before she could finish, she suddenly felt arms envelop her from behind!
She paused for a second, then with a sigh, turned around.
¡°What now?¡±
¡°Help me with my shirt, will you?¡±
Dorothy pushed him gently. ¡°Your hands aren¡¯t broken.¡±
¡°But I want you to do it. With that, he stretched out his arms, and his loosely worn shirt gaped open,
revealing a glimpse of his sculpted abs.
Everett¡¯s lips curved into a sly smile, his Adam¡¯s apple sharp and bobbing with his breath, almost as if
tempting her to leave her unique mark with a bite.
No matter how many times Dorothy saw this, her heart would still race, and her cheeks would flush.
¡°Can you stop fooling around? I¡¯m leaving!¡±
¡°No way.¡±
With one swift motion, Everett pulled her close, breathing softly into her ear, where a tiny mole resided,
and spoke in a husky voice, ¡°Where are you running off to? I¡¯m just taking a bath.¡±
Dorothy didn¡¯t buy it for a second!
Especially when it came to these matters, he was full of lies, with ¡°just onest time¡± being the phrase
she heard most often.
¡°The water¡¯s ready, you can sit and bathe.¡±
How old was he to still needpany? Clearly, he had other things on his mind!
¡°What if I faint from the steam?¡±
¡°Doubtful, but okay.¡±
¡°I¡¯m serious, just a bath.¡± Everett caught her hand and ced it on the buttons of his shirt. ¡°Unbutton
this for me.¡±
This man, really! Dorothy rolled her eyes but helped him with the remaining buttons and took off his
shirt.
His wounds were still visible, streaked with blood and the faint yellow of iodine, front and back, due to
the through¨Cand¨Cthrough injury.
Unconsciously, her hand reached out to touch. ¡°It must hurt¡ Did it hurt a lot that day?¡±
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¡°Not really, just felt a bit cold.¡±
¡°You¡¯re lying to me!*
Everett lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. ¡°I¡¯m not lying; it didn¡¯t hurt.¡±
Dorothy¡¯s lips pouted, and tears threatened to spill.
Lately, her tear ducts had be a shallow well, always on the verge of overflowing.
¡®I don¡¯t believe you. Even a paper cut hurts me, and you had an entire dagger in you!¡±
With the pad of his thumb. Everett gently wiped away her falling tears, and when they kepting, he
simply leaned in to kiss them away.
The salty, slightly bitter taste unfolded in his mouth.
¡°You¡¯re not allowed to cry, Dorothy
¡°Then you¡¯re not allowed to do such things again! Everett, you carry so much on your shoulders, and
the whole Lopez Corporation is counting on you. My life isn¡¯t worth it!¡±
Everett¡¯s brow furrowed, ¡°Whether it¡¯s worth it or not is for me to decide.¡±
¡°Do you realize how afraid I am of the possibility of you dying?¡± Since the incident, Dorothy had
developed a phobia of the word ¡°death¡°. Even hearing it made her tremble uncontrobly.
She would never forget arriving in Swevia Country, witnessing Amanda¡¯s heart¨Cwrenching sobs.
Dorothy truly thought he was gone.
Everett smirked, ¡°You have so many admirers. If I died, it would just make it easier for them.¡±
Annoyed, Dorothy snapped, ¡°Oh, shut up!¡±
Chapter 541
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¡°You think Keh wouldn''t jump at the chance to take over if I die?¡±
It had taken him a decade of relentless pursuit to secure his position at the helm, and there was no way
he''d let it slip through his fingers that easily.
¡°He''s not the sleazeball you''re making him out to be!"
¡°Hmph. Everett scoffed, ¡°I''m a man¡±
And if there''s one thing a man knew, it was what other men were thinking!
Dorothy hated hearing anyone speak ill of Keh. She urged, "You should take a shower.¡±
¡°I still have my pants on¡±
¡°You can handle that part yourself!"
Knowing he had pushed her enough today and risking her actually leaving, Everett steadied Dorothy
with one hand while he slipped off his sweatpants with the other.
She kept her eyes tightly shut the entire time, refusing to sneak even a peek!
Fortunately, Everett''s wound was on his upper body. Nothing happened to him as long as he dodged
the wound, He even didn''t get his cloth wet
Since he couldn''t raise his arms high, it was Dorothy who washed his hair.
It was her first time tending to someone like this, and she was a bit clumsy. Her nails even identally
scraped his cheek, but it didn''t dampen Everett''s spirits.
While toweling off, she sighed, ¡°You''re going to be scarred front and back.¡¯
Such deep wounds were bound to leave their mark.
¡°That''s why I''m thinking maybe I should get a tattoo of Abigail and Langstoris birthdays. What do you
think?¡±
Dorothy''s towel-folding hands paused, ¡®Maybe not...¡±
¡°So, it''s only okay if the marks are yours?¡±
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¡°That''s not what I meant!¡±
She just thought tattoos were painful, and the inmmation and redness afterward just werent worth it.
¡°They''re my only kids. I want to tattoo their birthdays and names.
Dorothy sensed something amiss, "Why just those two? You''re still young!¡±
¡°It meant what I said the other time; he was serious about getting a vasectomy.
If that''s what it took to keep Dorothy, who always let her own imagination run wild, from worrying, he
would do it.
¡°Don''t!¡± she quickly interjected, ¡°I don''t want you doing that surgery!"
¡°Why not?¡¯
¡°Just... don''t! Why undergo a life-altering procedure when everything''s fine? You''re the CEO of Lopez
Corporation. Your family might as well have a ¡®throne¡¯ to inherit.¡±
Everett''s gaze fixed on her, ¡°Abigail and Langston are enough. They''re my children¡± Dorothy didn''t
reply.
¡°What, you want more kids?" he asked.
Dorothy frowned, knowing this man always kept his word. If he actually went through with a vasectomy,
it would be on her conscience.
¡°We can''t predict the future. What if I want moreter?¡±
Everett tried to gauge the sincerity of her words, ¡®Aren''t two enough?¡±
¡°Your genes are too good; two isn''t enough¡±
¡°Ah. Everett let out a soft sigh, ¡®Dorothy, I can provide for however many kids we have, but I worry
about your health¡±
He knew all too well the toll childbirth took on a woman''s body.
The joy of new life was one thing, but Dorothy''s well-being was the most paramount thing.
¡°Sounds like you''re nning on more right now¡± Having finished drying his hair, Dorothy neatly folded
the towel, ¡®Just don''t go through with the surgery yet¡±
He nodded, ¡°Alright, I''ll listen to you¡±
As Dorothy went to get the hairdryer, Everett''s phone on the table rang.
She nced down and saw it was Jeffrey.
Handing Everett the phone, she said, "It''s Jeffrey.¡¯
Everett pressed the answer button and Jeffrey''s voice came through, sounding muffled and
unenthusiastic.
¡°Karen''s got a boyfriend! I was yed!¡±
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Chapter 542
Everett and Dorothy exchanged a nce¨Cone puzzled, the other inquiring
What do you mean?
Karen¡¯s got a boyfriend! He even picked her up from the airport and she¡¯s also staying at his ce
tonight
Jeffrey was furning with an anger he couldn¡¯t dispell
¡°Did you just get back home? He had left in such a hurryst time so no one knew if he had actually
met Karen at the airport
And now, all of a sudden, he even knew who had picked her up!
¡°Yeah, I did the idiot, got on that ne behind her, thinking we could have a civilized chat Instead, she
runs off with some other guy!¡± Jeffrey¡¯s tone was that of a man who¡¯d had his wife stolen.
Dorothy, having heard enough, pieced together what had happened
Where did Karen get a boyfriend?
To be precise, she hadn¡¯t had one in years! For the past four or five years, she¡¯d been helping out with
little Abigail, asionally taking some frence design work, but it was always from home. She hadn¡¯t
even a glimpse of a man in her life, not to mention a boyfriend
¡°That was her cousin, Dorothy rified, not wanting Karen to get a bad rap over a misunderstanding
¡°What? Jeffrey¡¯s voice pitched up in surprise, and it took him a moment to continue. ¡°Everett! Are you
on speaker again?¡±
Dorothy snorted. No one wants to eavesdrop on your conversation. I¡¯m drying Everett¡¯s hair¡±
No, wait, what did you just say? Karen¡¯s cousin picked her up¡±
Dorothy ignored him and continued to focus on the task at hand.
Everett, seeing that she had no intention of ying matchmaker for Jeffrey and Karen, didn¡¯t want to
disobey
So he cleared his throat lightly. ¡°Uh, yeah, Keh called. He¡¯s picked up Karen.¡±
Silence fell on Jeffrey¡¯s end.
Everett was about to hang up when Jeffrey finally spoke up. ¡°Everett, can you get Dorothy to give me
Karen¡¯s number? Nope¡±
¡°Are we not friends¡°¡±
¡°Jeffrey, remember what I asked you at the hospital?¡±
The line went dead again
¡°Goodbye, if you¡¯re back in the countrye to the office tomorrow. Give Kevin a break¡±
Everett disconnected the call outright.
Dorothy gave him a curious look, ¡°What did you say to Jeffrey?¡±
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¡°Tasked him if he was so interested in Karen, would he marry her?¡±
Dorothy frowned. ¡°Even if he would, she wouldn¡¯t marry a yboy like him¡±
Everett chuckled softly. He said he wouldn¡¯t marry her. Don¡¯t worry¡±
I''m telling you, don¡¯t meddle in Jeffrey and Karen¡¯s business! I know Karen, and if she wanted anything
to do with Jeffrey she would have given him her contact info herself¡±
¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m not into ying Cupid¡®
Dorothy sighed heavily a hint of concern in her voice.
¡°If Jeffrey doesn¡¯t want to marry Karen, then why is he chasing after her? No, I need to warn Karen to
be careful¡±
Jeffrey was trouble¨Che was partying hard and living a hedonistic lifestyle, butpletely oblivious to
what love was Everett reached for her hand as he suddenly asked. ¡°If I were like Jeffrey, would you still
¡°¡±
¡°No.¡± Dorothy answered bluntly ¡°I cant stand men like that¡±
He was unbridled and reckless just like Maxton, who used their base desires as theirpass
To them, love was the most trivial thing. It didn¡¯t deserve to be cherished. They even took pride in their
infidelities, calling it charm and sophistication.
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Chapter 543
¡°Dorothy, you¡¯re the only one for me
Everett could tell she was thinking of her father again, so his grip on her hand tightened without him
realizing it
Dorothy believed him, she really did But she didn¡¯t want Everett to be set on just her
Jeffrey waspletely dumbfounded.
How on earth had he not figured out that the person Karen was chatting with on the phone was
Keh, her cousin?
Locking back, it made sense. Herughter, the way she talked about crashing at his ce, it all
seemed so casual,cking that coy vibe you get when talking to a boyfriend
It was all his own doing¨Cacting on impulse without considering other possibilities
Now the question was, how could he find Karen?
Irritated, Jeffrey kicked the living room couch and grabbed his phone to scroll through his contacts list
in a frenzy
Suddenly, it hit him that Karen had once mentioned working at The Prosperity Consortium! She was
there with Dorothy before Everett had pulled some strings to get Dorothy transferred to the
headquarters.
Jumping to his feet, Jeffrey started searching for the number of the manager at The Prosperity
Consortium¡¯s local branch
The phone was picked up promptly. The voice on the other end sounded deferential
This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
Mr. Turner, what can I do for you?¡±
Have your HR department check if someone named Karen used to work at The Prosperity
Consortium.¡±
¡°Absolutely, sir! I¡¯ll take care of it immediately¡±
After hanging up. Jeffrey put down his phone, grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, and checked
his phone again new messages.
Stepping out to the balcony for a quick smoke, he returned to still find no update
It shouldn¡¯t be this hard to find someone!
As Jeffrey was about to reach for his car keys by the entrance, his phone finally buzzed.
He answered it instantly.
¡°Mr. Turner, there was indeed ady named Karen on our records. She worked here but resigned years
ago.¡±
Do you have her contact number? Any way to reach her?¡±
¡°Yes, I¡¯ll send it to you right away¡±
A grin spread across Jeffrey¡¯s face, and he snapped his fingers without even thinking.
He was on to something
Dialing the number sent by The Prosperity Consortium manager, he was surprised to find the call
connected ¨C she hadn¡¯t changed her number
As he watched the dialing screen switch to a call timer, ready to speak, a female voice beat him to it.
¡°Hello?¡±
The voice was unmistakably Dorothy¡¯s
¡°Hello?¡± she repeated.
Jeffrey was speechless, ¡°Isn¡¯t this Karen¡¯s number? Why do you have her phone?
It took Dorothy a few seconds to recover from the surprise of hearing Jeffrey¡¯s voice, ¡°She gave me her
old number and I¡¯ve been using it. What do you want with her?¡±
Jeffrey didn¡¯t answer promptly.
¡°Jeffrey I just want you to stay away from my friend, alright? You do your thing, but Karen¡¯s not that sort
of girl And didn¡¯t you say it yourself that you are not marrying her? So don¡¯t waste her time or yours.¡±
¡°Everett just threw that question at me out of nowhere I didn¡¯t have anything serious with her then so I
certainly hadn¡¯t thought about marriage!¡±
Back in the hospital, there hadn¡¯t been anything solid between him and Karen, so where did marriage
come into it?
But things had changed since then!
¡°So what about now? Are you ready to marry her now?¡±
Jeffrey ran a hand through his hair, frustrated Dorothy¡¯s question caught him off guard
He could easily lie, but on the other end of the line was Karen¡¯s best friend, and the girlfriend of his own
best mate. How could he lie to her?
I haven¡¯t figured it out yet I asked Karen. She doesn¡¯t like you,¡±
Jeffrey was silent on this side
¡°Just when Everett asked if you¡¯d marry her, I asked Karen too. She said she¡¯s not into you¡±
Chapter 544
Chapter 544
With a fick of his wist, he pulled out a cigarette from the pack, it it up, and took a harsh drag. The
smoke quickly escaped from his nostrils before he blew it away, watching it dissipate into nothingness
Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.
Yeah
Karen didn¡¯t want anything more to do with him
She made it crystal clear, and the only one who seemed desperate was him!
¡°Fuck,¡± Jeffrey muttered under his breath He grabbed his car keys as he dialed his friend¡¯s number,
¡°Hey got any ns tonight?¡±
¡°The man, the myth, the Turner is back? Hell yeah, we do! Got some fresh faces at the club, and bro,
we¡¯ve got all shapes and sizes¡±
¡°Alright¡± Jeffrey said as he finished his cigarette and crushed it underfoot. I¡¯m on my way
¡°You got it, man! We¡¯ll throw you a wee back bash. Il make sure thedies are out in force
Jeffrey chuckled, the old roguish spark returning to his eyes
Women, huh?
Turned off the lights, and they were all the same. Who needed Karen anyway? He wouldn¡¯t even
answer the door if she knocked
He left his ce and had just settled into his car when his phone buzzed
It was a text from the Prosperity Consortium¡¯s head.
[Mr. Turner, I¡¯ve sent you Karen¡¯s home address and her info]
Jeffrey barely nced at it. He didn¡¯t even bother to open the message before he tossed the phone
onto the passenger seat and floored the gas pedal
The Charm Night Bar was a ce where time stood still.
Jeffrey was a regr, a fixture of the night scene. Everyone, from the owner to the bartenders, knew
him by name
¡°Look who it is, Mr. Turner! Quick on the draw tonight¡± greeted Wesley, one of Jeffrey¡¯s cronies Wesley,
a sort of silver spoon rebel owned a shopping center in Eldoria City
He stood to wee Jeffrey who sauntered in with his usualid¨Cback swagger and ordered a drink,
settling into a booth
¡°What¡¯s with the bandage on your head man? A lover¡¯s scratch? Wesley teased, nodding toward the
bandage on Jeffreys head.
Drop it. Let¡¯s just drink, Jeffrey said while he flicked his tongue against his cheek, his gaze swept over
the crowd. Haven¡¯t been here for a while Lots of new faces¡±
¡°Just wait introduce them to your Wesley said, raising an eyebrow and heading off
Whatever he said worked like a charm because when he came back, a bevy of beauties trailed behind
him, each more curvaceous than thest
¡°Say hi to Mr. Turner
¡°Hello, Mr. Turner Those women¡¯s eyes lit up at the sight of him. It wasn¡¯t every day they saw someone
as slick and obviously well off as Jeffrey
Eyeing the bottles on the table, Jeffrey lounged back with a careless smirk on his lips, ¡°Tonight, thedy
who drinks the most gets to leave with me¡±
Wesley was all for it, ¡°What are you waiting for? Didn¡¯t you hear Mr. Turner? Drink up?¡±
The women giggled and scrambled for a seat, each eager to be the chosen one
Jeffrey used to love seeing the scene that they spelled the wine While doing this, they were all vying for
his attention. And some of them, who feigned innocence at first, almost fell with him to show off their
curves atst
¡°So, what do you think? Wesley pped Jeffrey¡¯s shoulder. Not bad, right? They¡¯re all college girls from
around here Whichever you pick, I¡¯ve got the room ready¡±
He even slipped a card into Jeffrey¡¯s shirt pocket after his words.
¡°Fuck,¡± Jeffreyughed, lighting another cigarette ¡°You¡¯ve got it all figured out, don¡¯t you?
¡°Of course, man. Friends take care of each other! Got your eye on anyone?¡±
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Chapter 545
Jeffrey hadn¡¯t really hit the booze hard, instead, he¡¯d chain smoked his way through an entire pack of
cigarettes.
After the lights came up and the music died down, he led the girl in the white dress out of the bar, right
next to the hotel where his buddy Wesley had conveniently booked a room.
Jeffrey fished the key card from his pocket with a flick of his fingers and tossed it to her, ¡®Go on up, I¡¯m
gonna grab another pack of smokes.¡±
She nodded and lowered her gaze, and was almost embarrassed to meet his eyes, ¡°Okay¡±
Perhaps it was the high heels rubbing her the wrong way but she was taking her sweet time walking,
pausing every now and then
Scratching his stubble, Jeffrey made a beeline for the convenience store, picked up a new pack, and lit
one up as he strolled back to the hotel
The streetlights flickered erratically casting his chiseled profile in a dance of light and shadow
Before heading up, he nced at his phone: a message from his folks about dropping by the next day
a bunch of emails from his secretary with documents to review, and a text from the head of the
Prosperity Consortium
His eyes narrowed at the address, it was in an old neighborhood of Eldorria City, far from the
Consortium¡¯s usual haunts. It didn¡¯t sound like Karen¡¯s rental but more like her parents¡® ce.
But what did he care?N?velDrama.Org owns this.
Pocketing his phone, he strode into the hotel and rapped on the door with his knuckles. The woman
opened it, still blushing like a shy schoolgirl, her face and ears were both flushed with red
Jeffrey walked in, plopped down on the bed and locked her over. ¡°What¡¯s your name?
¡°Caren¡±
He choked on his smoke, ¡°What did you say?¡±
Startled by his sudden outburst, she shrank back, ¡°My name is Caren, which starts with the letter C
¡°Of all the luck. ¡°Jeffrey massaged his temple and suddenly felt irritable, ¡°Why are you acting so
skittish? Speak up. If you don¡¯t want to be here, you can leave¡±
¡°No, Mr. Turner,¡± Caren quickly exined, ¡°Im a college student. It¡¯s my first night at Charm Night¡±
¡°And?¡±
"I.. I¡¯ve never had a boyfriend before¡¡±
For the first time, Jeffrey really looked at her. She wore a tight¨Cfitting skirt that showcased her figure,
but there was an undeniable air of difort about her. And her high heels had rubbed her skin raw,
hinting at a painful redness
¡°A virgin?¡±
She nodded timidly
He stood up abruptly and pulled out his phone, ¡°Show me your bank details¡±
Confused, Caren asked, ¡°Why?¡±
¡°Just do it!¡±
She fumbled with her phone and brought up it
Jeffrey took a drag from his cigarette, punched in a number, sent the payment, and then crushed the
cigarette in the ashtray. ¡°You can go now. I¡¯m not into virgins.¡±
That could be too much hassle
Caren browsed the sum he transferred before she turned to look at Jeffrey. Mr. Turner, I didn¡¯te
with you for money¡±
¡°Then why? For love? Jeffrey let out a cynicalugh as he sat back down ¡°Sweetheart, I¡¯m just out for
some fun.¡±
Tears suddenly streamed down Caren¡¯s face, ¡°I really thought I liked you, that¡¯s why I came willingly.
I¡¯m not here for the money I can send it back¡±
Realizing she might be sincere, Jeffrey quickly stood up and snuffed out hisst cigarette, Forget about
liking me. I¡¯ve got a girlfriend¡±
¡°Time to go. Stay in the room if you want, leave if you don¡¯t Goodbye,
It was the first time Jeffrey had ever left a woman alone in a hotel room and ran out by himself.
Back in his car, he couldn¡¯t help but nce at that text from the Prosperity Consortium head again.
Should he take a gamble and go to the foot of Karen¡¯s parents building?
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Chapter 546
He scrapped against the leather with restless irritation
Damn it, Jeffrey why the hell would you go after her? A heartless woman he cursed himself
But the thought of hitting another bar or club didn¡¯t appeal to him anymore so he just drove back to his
apartment.
Elysian Country, the Lopez Estate
Heather¡¯s mother had to seek Amanda¡¯s help because Heather was nowhere to be found
Amanda answered the phone with ease, 1 have no idea where that girl has run off for It¡¯s been ages
since we¡¯ve spoken¡±
¡°I¡¯m afraid something¡¯s happened to herr
¡°It shouldn¡¯t be. Maybe she just needed to clear her head so she took a little trip to unwind. Don¡¯t worry
about it
After offering a fewforting words, Amanda hung up the phone.
She called over the butler with a fick of her wrist, ¡°Where did the master go?
¡°He¡¯s out said something about hitting the golf course
Amanda raised an eyebrow. ¡°So he won¡¯t be back for hile?¡±
¡°Seems likely¡± The butler nodded. Shall I call him for you, ma¡¯am?
¡°No need. If he gets back before I do, just tell him I went shopping and give me a ring. Don¡¯t let on¡±
The butler didn¡¯t dare to press for more He responded and promptly arranged for the chauffeur to take
Amanda away
This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
Amanda dressed down in casual wear. She donned a hat and a mask to cover her face, and also
instructed the driver to take a few extra turns around downtown before heading to the final destination
It was a secluded house in the suburbs, guarded and with windows nailed shut so tight not even a fly
could escape
Upon seeing the car arrive, the guard on duty bowed respectfully
¡°Mrs. Lopez¡±
¡°How is she?¡± Amanda stepped out of the car and scanned the interior
¡°Same as always, ranting and raving. She¡¯s been eating well, though. We¡¯ve followed your orders and
kept her indoors.¡±
Amanda waved them aside to stand clear
That¡¯s right, the one confined inside was Heather
When they had sent Everett off to Swevia Country they had Heather detained and ced under house
arrest right here
Because Jonathan had forbidden his wife to visit, Amanda had to sneak in to see her
Amanda entered alone. She didn¡¯t worry about Heather causing any harm, there was anotheryer of
iron bars keeping her securely locked away
Heather stirred at the sound of someone entering Upon seeing Amanda, she immediately stood up.
Her eyes lit up as if she saw the Silverline, ¡°Amanda, you finally came! Please, let me out?
Amanda frowned at Heather. Her tone wasced with disapproval and irritation.
¡°How can I let you out? You¡¯ve hurt my son!¡±
¡°Amanda. I was in total despair I loved him so much that I wanted to kill him and then die with him!¡±
Heather¡¯s hands clutched the bars. Her appearance was haggard and disheveled from theck of
sunlight.
¡°Haven¡¯t I always told you to keep your cool? Why don¡¯t you ever listen? Now look what¡¯s happened. I
can¡¯t help you anymore. The fact that you¡¯re still alive is thest favor I can do for you¡± Amanda said
firmly ¡°You saved my life once, and I¡¯ve repaid you many times over We¡¯re even. But the moment you
laid hands on Everett, I can¡¯t help you anymore¡±
¡°What are you saying?
¡°Give up on the idea of being a Lopez by marriage. Everett¡¯s father is already looking for a new suitor
Chapter 547
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Chapter 547
Panic struck Heather as she desperately pounded against the barrier in front of her.
"Oh,e on, Amanda! You''ve got to help me! Everett is mine, he belongs to me!"
"You know, Jonathan would still be fond of you if you didn''t mess this up.I''ve sung your praises to him
more times than I can count.But you just had to go and let yourself down! Did you ever think about me
when you were plotting your tragedy with Everett? He''s the only son I have! * Did Heather ever think
about her, seeing her only boy covered in blood, lying in an ambnce? The mere thought made
Amanda''s hands tremble uncontrobly.
Heather pledged hastily, "There won''t be a next time! I swear I''ll take good care of him.I''ll handle his
business affairs, and I won''t hurt him anymore, Amanda..I truly regret it!"
"Regret won''t fix anything now.Just stay put for the time being.If I can smooth things over with
Jonathan, til let you out.If not...well, you might just have to pay with your life"
Amanda was about to leave with that.
She felt utterly disappointed about Heather.
How many times had she gone against the wishes of her husband and son to support Heather? "Take
your time,"she had always advised, "the Lopez family only recognizes you as their daughter-inw.
What do you have to fear?"
Heather, who realized she was truly going to be left to her own devices, suddenly called out, "Amanda!
You remember what happened with Dorothy''s mom, don''t you"
Amanda froze, then slowly turned to face her, "What now, you want to threaten me?"
"No, Heather said, peering through the ts of the railing.
"I want to remind you that we thought we had destroyed all the evidence and dealt with everyone
involved.But when I went back to double-check the sh drives with the security footage, I noticed one
was missing!"
"What?!"
Amanda''s heart started to race.
¡®Do you know if someone took it?"
Heather shook her head, "I have no idea! That''s why I''m telling you.I''m afraid Dorothy might have
gotten her hands on it"
"Why didn''t you say something sooner?"
Amanda was genuinely panicked now.
This meant that their cleanup might not have been as thorough as they believed.
Maybe the sh drives was really lost, not to mention that the footage was already erased.
Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.
But what if Dorothy really got the sh drive?! With Heather''s recent actions already straining
Amanda''s rtionship with her husband, thest thing they needed was for Dorothy''s mother¡¯s case to
resurface.
The consequences were unimaginable.
"I didn''t dare tell you.I was afraid you''d scold me for ipetence!"
Heather''s voice broke into a sob.
"Amanda...I truly see you as my own mother.Even if I hadn''t married Everett, I would still respect you
deeply! I made a mistake, and I deserve to be punished.You can yell at me, hit me, even kill me, but
please...please forgive me.I was utterly hopeless back then.Seeing him rush to save Dorothy without a
second thought, I just lost it!"
"You."
Amanda wanted to continue her reproach but found herself at a loss for words, "I understand your
feelings, too, but I''m getting old, and Everett is my only son.
And you are the only girl in your family.How could you not think of that?¡¯ "I told you that I was totally
insane! I was out of my mind!"
"Alright, I''ll look into the missing sh drive.As for you...just stop causing trouble.Stay here quietly and
don''t provoke Jonathanis anger anymore"
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Chapter 548
Amanda crushed back to the Lopez Estate, grateful that Jonathan hadn''t yet returned from the golf
course.
Her outing had been a stealthy affair, unnoticed by prying eyes.
She had intended to visit Heather out of old loyalty, but what she hadn''t expected was toe away
with a piece of information that set her on edge.
After giving it some thought, she dialed her son''s number.
The phone rang several times before Everett picked up.
"Mother"
Hearing that familiar word brought Amanda a moment offort.
"Hey! How''s the recoverying along? Still in pain?"
"I¡¯m fine"
Everett''s response was as sinct as ever, void of any unnecessary embellishment.It had always
been like this.
Even before Everett met Dorothy, conversations between mother and son had been brief, usually cut
short by his workmitments.
Amanda felt isted.
She was struggling to bridge the gap to her son''s life, which was why she cherished Heather''s
presence so much.
Heather was young and worked close to Everett; she provided Amanda with snippets of her soris life as
well aspanionship in conversation.
"So, Dorothy...is she taking good care of you?"
Amanda hesitated before asking.
She was majorly assessing if Dorothy had got the sh drive by probing Everett''s attitude.
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She thought that if Dorothy had solid evidence, she would definitely tell Everett and stir trouble between
her and her son.
"She''s doing great."
"Ah, well, I guess there''s not much I can say.Your father¡¯s running the show now, and I''m stepping
back.Just call me if you need anything, and don''t forget to send a message every now and then!
Everett, no matter what, I''m your mother.You were born after a difficult ten-month pregnancy, and I
nearly traded my life for yours.How could I not care for you?"
"Sure, I will"
After hanging up, Amanda let out a sigh of relief.
It seemed that Dorothy hadn''t found anything yet.
After all, the surveince footage had been destroyed.
Even if Dorothy got the sh drive, it would be empty.
What was there to fear? She had been worrying over nothing.
Amanda patted her chest to calm her nerves and called out to the butler, ¡®Come on, let''s go out to the
driveway and wait for the master.He should be returning soon, night?"
"Yes, Mrs.Lopez!"
In the hospital, Everett was exining thetest strategic shifts in the industry to Dorothy.
"By adopting a bank modelbining merchant and investment, we can build a better rtionship with
banks.
If we analyze from these angles, namely the factory''s construction, production, Operational
management, employee payroll, as well as mergers and acquisitions, the model will benefit the in-
depth coboration between both parties"
He spoke with authority, while Dorothy listened intently and jotted down notes.
Whenever she was confused, she''d look up with a questioning gaze.
And like sharing a brain, Everett instantly understood and patiently broke it down for her again.
"Our overseaspanies, which are often widespread, can help the group to make the ounts of
domestic and international subsidiaries transparent.That can further facilitate direct bank-corporate
connectivity and other group management functions." Dorothy nodded.
She couldn''t help but be impressed by Everett''s intellect.
His ideas were always innovative, meetingpany needs while simplifying management.
"So, the Lopez Corporations next move is to focus more internationally, right?"
"That''s the general n.We''re not ruling out the possibility of a sudden, favorable overseas
opportunity"
Everett nced at her, a slight smile ying on his lips.
"Thinking of leading a project on your own?¡¯
¡®Me?"
Dorothy blinked, taken aback, then shook her head.
¡®No, I couldn''t possibly lead one."
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Chapter 549
"When you were al East Star Enterprises and leading the project for Everglow City Resort, I thought
you did a great job"
Dorothy grunted, "That was all Austin''s show; I was just his sidekick, mainly supervising! For each
project in the Lopez Corporation, its budget was an astronomical number.I don''t dare to lead any of
them* "You''ll have to step up eventually"
"Huh?"
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Everett leaned in close and whispered in her ear, ¡®The CEO''s wife of the Lopez Corporation has to
have the ability to stand on her own two feet, right?"
CEO''s wife...
Those words sounded like a cruel joke to Dorothy.
That ship had sailed for her.
"i''m not the one."
Everett''s face darkened in an instant, his gaze fixed on her, "So you''re not nning on registering our
Marriage after going back home?"
Dorothy shifted her gaze guiltily, "Let''s focus on your recovery first.Those things aren''t important"
"How can they not be important?"
Everett had noticed that recently, whenever such topics arose, Dorothy either changed the subject or
dodged the question ¡ª she never really wanted to talk about it, "Do you want Abigail and Langston to
keep growing up in a broken home?" he asked.
"It''s pretty solid, isn¡¯t it? Now they even have a dad"
Dorothy feigned ignorance.
"Dorothy, look at me"
It was a coldmand from Everett.
But Dorothy shrank back; she even stood up and stepped farther away, ¡®I''m going to find Dr.Quincy to
change your dressing.Rest a bit: we''ll talk when I get back!"
She bolted as if Everett might chase after her.
Once the door was closed behind her, Dorothy leaned against it, gasping for breath.
That was close, too close! But always avoiding the issue like this could only work so many times, and
she knew it would get harder to escape! Dorothy didn''t want to give Everett false hope, and didn''t want
to n a future that was never going to happen.
tf things changed, he''d be too disappointed.
She knew the taste of waking from a beautiful dream all too well.
It was bitter.
The next morning, Karen was woken by the yful noise of Abigail and Langston outside.
With her hair all over the ce, she shuffled out, stretching.
"Why are you guys up so early?"
"Aunt Karen, its you who slept in!"
Abigail chirped as she ran over, clutching the candy Keh had bought her the day before.
Langston, with hisptop in his arms, nced at her from the couch, "Aunt Karen, if you''re not diligent,
you''ll never get married!"
"Pfft! Stinky Langston.See if I don''t snatch thatptop away"
Karen threatened as she moved towards him.
Langston hugged hisptop and scampered off in a panic.
Keh came out of the kitchen just in time to see themotion "Alright! Breakfast is ready"
He poured milk for everyone and divided the toast and fried eggs.
Karen quickly dashed back to her room to wash her face, then came out smiling at Keh, "Brother,
you''re the best!"
"Eat up.I''ll drive you to your mom and dad''s afterward"
"Aren''t youing with me?"
Keh took a seat, ¡®I would have, but there''s a glitch with a school project.I need to fix it and send it
over from myputer.Besides, Abigail and Langston would feel out of ce at your mom and dad''s
without you.I''ll stay behind.Give them my regards, will you?"
"Sure!"
Karen nodded and started on her breakfast.
After a while, Keh found a moment to drive Karen back to her parents¡¯.
At the curb, Karen waved non-stop, beaming, "Drive safe!"
"Mhm, head up now!"
Watching Keh''s car drive away, Karen turned to go inside when her eyes caught a shy sports car
parked in theplex - definitely a new sight in the neighborhood
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Chapter 550
Chapter 550
The neighborhood wasn''t exactly run-down.
This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
It once fetched a pretty penny back in the day, even though the buildings had seen better years.
But a million-dor sports car parked in these parts? That was a head-scratcher.
The residents here weren''t exactly the high-roller types.
Curiosity got the better of Karen as she stole a few more nces in that direction, only to catch a
glimpse of someone familiar perched inside the car.
As she edged closer, her eyes widened in recognition¡ªit was Jeffrey.
What on earth was he doing here? Startled, Karen stumbled backward, nearly taking a tumble on the
pavement.
Luckily, the car''s upant seemed to be fast asleep.
His eyes shut tight, hands clutching his coat, his body curled up as if to ward off the chill.
When did he even get here, and why was he snoozing in his car? That man was like a bad penny that
always came back into her pocket Karen rolled her eyes and made to skedaddle, but fate had other
ns.
She bumped into a chatty neighbor just back from a grocery run, who waved enthusiastically.
"Karen! Look who''s back!"
Oh, great.
Just what she needed¡ªthe person in the car to hear.
Without daring a backward nce to check if Jeffrey had stirred, she waved half-heartedly and
quickened her pace.
"Karen!" Jeffrey called behind her.
Karen gasped.
Her back turned taut as she slowly twisted around, wearing a look of pure doom, "Mr.Turner, please tell
me you''re not here for me"
"Or what?" Jeffrey quipped.
His eyes were still bleary from sleep, and if Karen was any closer, she might''ve spotted the crust in the
comers.
But even sleep-disheveled, he managed to look effortlessly cool.
His presence drew stares and double-takes in this quaint part of town.
People thought a celebrity had just graced the sidewalks.
"You needed something?¡¯ Karen found herself dragging him aside, away from prying eyes.Thest
thing she wanted was this spectacle reaching her parents¡¯ ears.
"Of course I need something."
Jeffrey''s shirt crinkled under her pull, which seemed to amuse him "So, spill it, What''s this all about?"
"I''m here to let you take your responsibility for me.¡¯ he said, arms crossed, giving her a pointed look.
"As adults, we should face the consequences of our actions, don''t you think?¡¯ Karen gaped,
¡®Consequences? You''re not seriously hitting me up for a refund on a ne ticket, are you?"
Because that would be absurd.
"How did you leap to ne tickets?"
Now it was Jeffrey''s tum to be baffled.
"Back at the hotel! entrance, when you asked if I was up for it, I took it as a sign that you wanted me to
be your boyfriend.That''s why I said yes."
"Bull! I never said any such thing!* She had merely asked a simple question! "Maybe you didn''t, but I''m
old-school.I only sleep with someone if they''re my girlfriend.You slept with me, so now you have to be
my girlfriend"
Karen rolled her eyes so hard she thought they might stick.
If they weren''t in public, she''d have given him a piece of her mind for his shamelessness.
"Are you short on girlfriends, or what''s your deal?"
Karen narrowed her eyes. pointing an using finger at him.
"Ah! I get it now.You''re out for revenge, right? My calling you out bruised your ego!"
He shrugged, feigning innocence, "Not at all.I''m just here to make you take the toll."
"Cut the crap and get lost! I''ve got a house to get back to!"
She didn''t have time for this nonsense "Going home? Great, I''ll join you.Might as well meet your folks."
Karen stopped dead in her tracks and red back, "Are you psycho?"
He nodded, ying along, "Yes.And you promised to take me to the hospital."
"I did no such thing!"
Jeffrey pretended not to hear her protest.
He just grabbed her hand and steered her towards her parents¡¯ building.
Panicked, Karen struggled, "What are you trying to do?"
"Didn''t you say that if you and I ended up as sex buddies, your mom would skin you alive? I''d love to
see that happen"
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Chapter 551
"Before my mom would every a finger on me, she''d take you sleazebag, who was trying to take
advantage of her daughter down! Let go of me!"
Karen was genuinely struggling now, putting every ounce of fight she had into her efforts.
They were right on her doorstep; if her folks saw this, she didn''t even want to think about the
consequences.
Watching her thrash about with hands and feet, Jeffrey was caught off guard by her strength; he had to
be careful not to use too much force himself, fearing he might actually hurt the poor nutcase.
Finally, Karen managed to yank her hand back and, in the next second, took off running in the opposite
direction of her house! She knew Jeffrey would give chase, but at least she''d put some distance
between them and her parents¡¯ prying eyes.
She''d hoped to make it out of the neighborhood, but Jeffrey grabbed her by the scruff of her neck after
only sprinting past two houses.
"Karen,e on now.I''m at least 20 cm taller than you.Did you really think those little legs could outrun
me?¡¯ Jeffrey teased as he cornered her at the entrance of the building, barely breaking a sweat.
Meanwhile, Karen was panting like she''d just run a marathon.
Please, she was the epitome of a homebody who never exercised.
When she was suddenly sprinting for her life - it was exhausting! "Are you okay?"
Jeffrey asked, patting her back out of concem upon seeing her pant so heavily.
Karen swatted his hand away, "Don''t touch me! Just spit it out, what do you want? If it''s about me
cussing you out before and you''re upset, here, I''m bowing and apologizing and expressing my
sincerest regrets.Happy now? Just go!"
Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
"I''ve been clear; I want you to be responsible for me!* "You''ve got to be kidding me¡ª"
Karen was on the verge of losing it, "Jeffrey, count on your fingers.How many women have you been
with? Don''t you think that''s a bit cheeky by talking about responsibilities?"
Jeffrey had no intention of counting, mainly because ten fingers wouldn''t be enough for him to count.
"That''s all in the past.From now on, I won''t be with anyone else, just you.Isn''t that enough?"
"Get lost!¡¯ Karen was so close to spitting in his face, "You''re insufferable.Don''t make me call Dorothy!*
"Hey, no need for that!"
Jeffrey quickly stepped in to prevent her from grabbing her phone, "Look at how sincere I am.I''ve been
waiting outside your parents¡¯ ce sincest night, sleeping in my car and all!* He''d driven home the
previous night.He tossed and turned in bed so he ended uping along.
But this time, it wasn''t about his need for women.
Well, it was about a woman, not one to satisfy carnal needs, bul one whose face kept haunting him.
Karen wasn''t exactly a knockout beauty.
She had pretty average features and was not so tall, but her fair-skin with a hint of baby fat made her
look like a freshly baked biscuit.
Yet her expressions were so vivid.
Every emotion could reach her eyes with rity! Like right now, how adorably thorough her eye-rolling
was! ¡®All this just to tell me, you want me to take responsibility?"
"Exactly!* "Fine then, let me tell you that I never take responsibility for the men I sleep with.Happy?
Now you can get lost!"
Karen had seen enough; this guy didn''t respond to soft or hard tactics so she had to confront him head-
on! "That won''t do.You initiated this, but I get to say when it''s over.Otherwise, wouldn''t you be getting
all the benefits?"
Karen frowned.
Jeffrey tilted his head back, not waiting for her consent, "I dere, as of this moment, I''m your
boyfriend!* Karen clenched her teeth so hard they made a grinding noise, her brain whirring at full
speed, then suddenly, she smiled, "Okay! You started this, right? Well, I now dere, as of this
moment, we''re broken up!"
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Chapter 552
Chapter 552
"Try me!"
Jeffrey pinned Karen against the wall, his knee wedging between her thighs to make sure she couldn''t
escape.
Their eyes met, and something electric, something that seemed toe alive without warning, sparked
between them.
He held both her wrists in one hand, while his other hand grasped her chin, pulling her into a kiss that
she found both infuriating and irresistible.
He both loved and hated those lips! His masculine scent overwhelmed her; before Karen could even
process what was happening, Jeffrey had already broken through her defenses, iming her mouth in
a kiss that left her reeling.
By the time she gathered her senses to push him away, he was already pulling back and licking his lips
as if savoring the taste.
"Do you believe I''ll call the cops for public indecency, Jeffrey?¡¯
"And do you believe I''ll spread the word around your neighborhood that Karen''s a hit-and-run lover?"
he retorted with a roguish grin.
"You-"
"If your mom finds out, think she''d let you live it down?" Jeffrey teased, his smile devilish.
"Just let go of me! Can we talk like civilized people? I''m really ufortable in this position!"
Pressed against the wall, the uneven surface dug into her back painfully.
Jeffrey didn''t realize that until she said.
He eased his grip, though his hand remained on her clothes, ready to prevent any attempt at escape.
"I''m at my wit''s end with you,"
Karen grumbled, rubbing her sore back and grimacing.
"Seriously, are you here because you genuinely want me to be your girlfriend?* He nodded, "Yes."
"Well, let me give it to you straight¡ªI really can''t ept you as my boyfriend!¡¯ Karens face took on a
serious expression, ¡®I told you before, I can''t stomach the fact you chased after Heather Garcia."
She couldn''t be with someone who went after her friend''s rival.
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Especially not Heather.
Jeffrey, irritated, instinctively reached for the cigarettes in his pocket, only to remember he''d left them in
the car.
"To be clear, I never really chased her.It was just a bit of a crush because we''ve known each other for
so long.But nothing happened between us, not even hand-holding!"
Karen eyed him skeptically, "You never slept with Heather?"
"Never, I swear''? Jeffrey raised his hands as if taking an oath.
"That''s only because Heather had eyes for Everett, not you.You didn''t get a chance with her¡¯ Jeffrey
had nothing to say.
"What if Heather had made a move on you? Think you would have resisted?"
Karen scoffed, stepping back from him, "Jeffrey, I don''t know what you''re trying to pull here, but dating
you is out of the question!"
She couldn''t ept a man who had once fancied Heather.
"So.if it weren''t for this, you''d consider it?¡¯ Jeffrey pressed.
"It''s not that simple; I don''t want a boyfriend cramping my style right now!"
She squinted and grinned, "Plus, I''m not interested in Heather''s leftovers."
Jeffrey fought to keep his temper in check by taking a deep breath.
"Let me repeat myself: nothing happened between Heather and me.I''m not her leftover!"
Karen shrugged indifferently.
Jeffrey could now imagine how those heartbreakers looked and acted when they dumped
someone.She must be no different.
He rolled his tongue in his cheek, smacking his lips thoughtfully, "How about this: when we were at
Swevia Country, we hooked up three times, all at your initiation.If I call you out three times, we''re
even.In that case, I promise I won''t bother you again, and we can act like strangers.Deal?"
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Chapter 553
"Tell me the truth. You''ve been hounding me for ages just for this, haven''t you?"
Karen wore a look that saw right through him; her scoff was dripping with contempt.
Jeffery was at a loss for words, but frustration bottled up inside as he held back.
"Karen, you sure have a way with summaries!" He gave her a thumbs-up as a sarcastic gesture,
"Was it not who asked you first to be my girlfriend? And you said no! I never wanted such... such
improper affair to maintain between us."
"You even know the word ''improper,'' huh?" Karen shot him a piercing nce, checked the time on
her phone, and nodded towards the market by the entrance of themunity, "You better go shop."
Jeffery''s mind could never keep pace with Karen''s whims.
"Shop for what?"
"Condoms! Or are you nning on making babies?"
In silence, Jeffery''s lips twisted ufortably. He disliked the way she treated their situation as if it
was nothing more than a transaction.
Karen just wanted to shake him off and get away from his grasp.
"Still standing there?"
Jeffery''s lips quivered slightly, his voice involuntarily lowering, "No need to buy. I''ve got some in the
car."
"Hmph," Karen snorted, pushing him back a step, "Let''s go then. Where to?"
"Now? Right now?"
"Mr. Turner, I''d appreciate it if you could make it quick. My folks are waiting for me at home."
With those words, she strode off ahead, her casual indifference casting Jeffery in the light of a lover
seeking validation.
...
Dorothy Sanchez took a stroll around the hospital, appreciating the remarkably fresh air there.
The hospital''s location was ideal. It was situated just before a forest, where one could breathe
deeply and even catch the scent of fresh foliage.
She found a bench and sat down, in no rush to return to the ward. She wanted to give Everett some
space, to avoid a barrage of questions upon her return.
She had agreed to a one-month arrangement with Jonathan Lopez, and only a few days had
passed. She wanted to spend thesest moments with Everett, not dwelling on the future or the
nature of their rtionship toe.
"Ms. Sanchez?"
Quincy, returning from the storeroom with medication, could vaguely see her silhouette from afar.
But she only dared to greet her when she came closer.
Dorothy nced her way and smiled, "Dr. Quincy."
"What are you doing out here? Don''t you need to be with Mr. Lopez?"
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Quincy, holding the medication, offered a gentle smile. Herb coat was as immacte as ever.
"Just needed some air." Dorothy answered.
"Oh." Quincy set the medication on the bench and crouched in front of Dorothy, carefully rolling up
her pant leg, "Good timing, I can take a look at your leg!"
She disyed none of the airs typical of a wealthy heiress. Her gaze was filled with concern for her
patient''s ailment, devoid of any hesitation or distaste.
Some renowned doctors would carry an air of superiority even if they were in her home country,
expecting patients to conform to their examination process. But Quincy was never like that.
"Does it hurt much? The bruising hasn''t faded, but it''s healing."
"It''s not too painful anymore, just have to take it slow when walking." Dorothy had nearly tripped
while rushing out earlier.
Quincy nodded and gave her a solemn piece of advice, "You need to be careful. It''s your leg we''re
talking about! If it doesn''t heal right, you could be limping for life!"
Dorothyughed at her remarks, "Okay, I get it."
She watched Quincy, always so serene and gentle. So she thought Quincy would make a patient,
caring mother someday...
"Dr. Quincy, do you like kids?"
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Chapter 554
"Hmm?" Quincy blinked while a hint of confusion crossed his face, "I''m not a pediatrician, so I don''t
have much to do with kids. And with my busy schedule, there''s hardly any time for parties or social
events. But you know, I do have a soft spot for well-behaved kids."
She flopped down on the other end of the park bench, eyeing Dorothy curiously, "So why the
sudden interest in my thoughts on children?"
"Oh, it''s nothing. I just think someone with your patience would be great with the little ones."
"As a doctor, you''ve gotta have patience, right? If a patient is feeling ill or hurt, they''re naturally in a
bad mood. If I were to add to that by being grumpy or short-tempered, it could mess with their
healing vibes!"
It was clear to Dorothy that Quincy truly loved her job as a doctor.
She wasn''t just going through the motions for a paycheck.
Thinking it over, with her social standing and family background, if she didn''t have a genuine
passion for medicine, she could have picked a much easier path. Choosing the grueling life of a
doctor must be out of love for the profession.
Quincy''s life was surely different from her own. She had to deal with life''spromises, unable to
follow her heart''s desires.
"So, Dr. Quincy, have you never fallen for someone? I mean, romantically?"
Dorothy felt a bit presumptuous asking such a personal question, given they weren''t exactly close.
She hesitated before speaking, but her curiosity won out in the end.
Quincy pondered for a moment before replying, "I guess there''s been one or two, but it never went
anywhere. Plus, I wasn''t much of a believer in love before."
"And what''s your type?" prodded Dorothy.
Quincy''s face twisted withplexity, and then she turned to Dorothy, saying, "Someone like Mr.
Lopez, I suppose."
The moment the words left Quincy''s mouth, Dorothy''s hand clenched involuntarily.
Quincy had feelings for Everett?
Lost in thought, Quincy didn''t notice Dorothy''s reaction. She continued, "I like someone who''s
faithful, respects women, and has a strong sense of responsibility. Watching you and Mr. Lopez
together these past few days actually sparked the idea of getting a boyfriend in my mind!"
"Everett... he certainly ticks all those boxes," Dorothy acknowledged.
"Mr. Lopez is more than just that. He''s handsome,es from a good family, and he treats you so
well!" Quincy patted her shoulder. "Ms. Sanchez, you''re a luckydy!"
Dorothy remained silent.
"You''ve got a real catch in Mr. Lopez, someone willing to go the distance. That''s rare. I hope you
two can make itst, no fighting, no splitting up. Don''t shatter the romantic ideals I''ve just started to
form!" Quincy said that with candor, devoid of any hint of flirtation or pretense.
Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.
Dorothy knew she was overthinking it.
Quincy had no romantic interest in Everett. He was merely a standard of the ideal man for her.
If she hadn''t overheard the conversation between Jonathan and Quincy that day, she wouldn''t have
asked these questions. But now that she had, she couldn''t help but wonder...
What if, after she left, the Lopez family tried to set Quincy up with Everett?
Jonathan already seemed keen on the idea, and Quincy met all of Amanda''s criteria. When it came
to social standing and family connections, everything was a perfect fit.
"Ah! You didn''t have a spat with Mr. Lopez ande here to cool off, did you?" Quincy finally
caught on.
Dorothy shook her head, "No, we''re not fighting."
There were so few days left; how could she bear to spend any of them in conflict?
Chapter 555
Chapter 555
Jeffery brought Karen back to his ce instead of hitting up a hotel. He always thought hotels were
more like hookup joints, and that just wasn''t the vibe he was aiming for with Karen.
Standing at the front door of his townhouse, Karen peered inside, then spun around to fix Jeffery
with a questioning stare.
"Why''d you bring me here?"
She half-expected them to make a beeline for a hotel or something.
But here they were, smack in the middle of Eldorria City''s swanky suburbia. If she wasn''t mistaken,
this chic townhouse was Jeffery''s own pad.
"You''re not expecting... you know?" she quizzed him, leaving Jeffery momentarily at a loss for
words.
With a press of his fingerprint, the door unlocked and he gestured inside, "Come on in."
Hesitant, Karen finally stepped through the door into a dwelling that oozed luxury and was strikingly
simr to a fancy hotel lobby. Polished marble sculpted into high-end decor, furniture that screamed
''I cost a fortune,'' and a chandelier so massive that its crystals dazzled the eyes.
The ce was every bit the peacock nest that fit a man like Jeffery.
Karen deduced in a matter of seconds that the guy must''ve brought home his fair share ofpany.
It was a perfect way to unt wealth and make any woman think that if she yed her cards right,
she could snag a permanent spot in this haven, without the need for impersonal hotel rooms. After
all, a home came with all the bells and whistles and thefort of familiarity.
"Come in," Jeffery urged, noticing she was still hovering near the entrance. He approached and
presented her with a pair of fresh Chanel slippers.
Even if Karen wasn''t rolling in dough, she knew the brand.
"No thanks, I''ll go barefoot," she declined, feeling unworthy of the extravagantly priced footwear.
"They''re brand new. My mom bought them but never wore them," Jeffery exined as he sensed
her hesitation. His narrow eyes crinkled with a smile, "Rx, you''re the first girl I''ve ever brought
here."
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Karen rolled her eyes without thinking twice.
"How many times have you said that line?"
"What line?"
"''You''re the first girl I''ve brought here,''" she mimicked, shrugging. "Bet you''ve told every girl that,
haven''t you?"
Jeffery''s face knotted up in frustration, "This is my home! Why would I just bring any girl here? My
folks swing by from time to time!"
His rendezvous with women were always elsewhere, definitely confined to the anonymity of hotel
rooms.
"Ha, and yet here I am," she retorted.
"I¡ª"
"Whatever, it''s none of my business," Karen waved her hand dismissively. She had been tired of his
excuses. "Which room?" she asked directly.
Karen looked at him with increasing impatience, "Say it, Mr. Turner, I''m really in a hurry! My parents
are supposed to call meter!"
"Straight ahead to my bedroom."
Jeffery was worn out by her. As she walked towards the bedroom barefoot, Jeffery sighed and
picked up the Chanel slippers, trailing behind her.
After a night cooped up in the car, and the long haul from Swevia Country without a wink of rest, he
was genuinely exhausted.
As Karen swung open the door, to her surprise, Jeffery''s bedroomcked the opulence of the rest of
the house. It was definitely a guy''s room, with a simple palette of cks, whites, and grays.
She nced at the bathroom sink and noticed just one toothbrush. Just one. And one set of towels.
It seemed to confirm that, at least for now, he didn''t have a long-term bedfellow.
Without another word, Karen started to undress. She was eager to get this over with.
But as she slipped off her jacket and reached for her blouse, Jeffery stood up and reached out to
stop her.
"You''re in that much of a hurry to leave?" he asked.
"Of course! What, am I supposed to settle in and start a romantic life with you?" she fired back with
a hint of sarcasm.
Chapter 556
Chapter 556
Karen struggled to free herself, but he wouldn''t let go.
"I''m just not up for it today. I''m beat," Jeffreyined. He felt like his eyes must be ringed with
dark circles.
Come on, he was practically an invalid!
"What was the point of bringing me here, then?"
"To get to know the ce."
"You said we''d do it three times, and after that, we''d be strangers. What''s there to get to know?"
Karen snatched her jacket back and slid into it, "If you''re not in the mood, I''m outta here."
She stormed out like a gust of wind, not even pretending to leave room for argument.
Jeffrey exhaled sharply and quickly caught up to her with his long strides, "Fine, we''ll do it, okay?"
Karen was loss for words. She found what he said awkward.
"It''s not like I''m forcing you. You make it sound like I''m the one who''s being pushy!"
"No, that''s not what I meant." Jeffrey pulled her back into the bedroom, then crossed his arms and
started to peel off his shirt.
Karen wasn''t quite used to the sight of his bare chest. She quickly looked away, but she wondered if
she should sneak another peek after she got a feeling that he was kinda hot.
Despite Jeffrey''s frequent bar-hopping, he didn''t have a beer belly. Instead, he sported a set of
nicely chiseled abs, and when he lifted his arms, you could even catch a glimpse of the defined
oblique muscles, also known as "adonis belt."
"If you want to look, just look. You can even touch," Jeffrey moved forward intentionally. He had
caught her wandering gaze a long while ago. "Why don''t you try?" he teased.
"I don''t want to!" Karen turned her back on him and covered her eyes. "Turn off the lights and draw
the curtains!"
"Hold on, I need a shower first." Jeffrey was feeling grimy after sleeping in his car the previous
night. Even his stubble started to show.
"Whatever!"
Karen listened to him slip into a robe and then head into the bathroom, where the sound of running
water soon filled the room.
She thought she could finally rx, but when she turned around¡ª
She discovered that the ss of Jeffrey''s master bathroom was see-through!
He was in there showering, and everything was visible from the outside.
"That pervert!" Karen''s face suddenly flushed with indignation. Though she cursed under her breath,
her eyes obediently followed the contours of his figure all along.
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It made perfect sense that women were tripping over themselves to get to Jeffrey. He was
handsome, charming, from a wealthy family, and a major stakeholder at the Lopez Corporation. And
his social generosity was legendary. Plus, living alone in such a sprawling vi, with who knows how
many properties to his name, it was no wonder women were drawn to him.
It just seemed unfair that some guys got all the luck!
Karen quickly looked away when she saw Jeffrey reaching for a towel, pretending she hadn''t been
watching.
"Need a shower?" Jeffrey asked, raising an eyebrow as he was toweling off his hair.
"Nope! Thinking I wouldn''t notice the peepshow ss? I know your tricks!"
Jeffrey paused and nced at the ss following her usation, then realized, "Oh, that ss is
remote-controlled. Just forgot to switch it, that''s all."
He grabbed a remote from the table and pressed a button. The ss promptly turned opaque. "See,
fixed!"
Karen bit her lips.
"Wait a second, how did you know my ss was transparent? You were watching?" Jeffrey squinted
at her teasingly.
Karen could feel her cheeks burning hot.
But she''d never admit to her voyeurism, "Please, as if I''d want to watch your trashy body!"
Chapter 557
Chapter 557
"Seriously, how can you say it''s trash if you haven''t even given it a chance?"
After a refreshing shower, Jeffrey felt a little revitalized. Shuffling in his slippers to the stereo, he
decided to y a ssic rock bad to set the mood to dry his hair.
Karen stood there and watched his every move, feeling they were less like a one-night stand and
more like an old married couple.
"What''s with the dallying?" She thought, amused by his need to primp.
"Are you in a rush?" Jeffrey caught her gaze in the mirror with a teasing smile on his face.
Karen pursed her lips, choosing silence over a witty retort.
Just then, her phone started buzzing inside her purse.
She nced at the caller ID: Keh.
Slipping out of the bedroom and into the living room for privacy, she answered, "Hey!"
"Your mom and dad called me, worried ''cause you haven''t shown up at home. Didn''t I drop you at
your doorstep? Didn''t you go inside?"
"Um, well, I ran into a former ssmate and we got to talking. I¡¯ve decided to grab dinner with the
ssmate. I''m staying with Dad and Mom for a few days anyway, so there¡¯s no need to rush. I''ll
head backter."
"Alright, just give your mom a ring, so she won¡¯t be worried."
"Will do!"
After hanging up, Karen was about to call her mother. But she hesitated, worried that Jeffrey might
make a noise and give her away. Opting for a text message seemed safer.
Her message sent, and she made her way back to Jeffrey''s bedroom.
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Suddenly, the sound of the front door unlocking echoed through the house.
In the next instant, Jeffrey''s parents appeared in the foyer, locking eyes with Karen.
Silence.
Jeffrey, hearing themotion, emerged from his room with a towel casually wrapped around his
body, and froze.
"Mom, Dad, you could''ve at least given me a heads-up before dropping by."
Huxley Turner, recovering first from the surprise, coughed sternly to signal his displeasure before
marching off. That left Paloma still processing the scene.
"You went to Swevia Country, and we came over to tidy up a bit. Why didn''t you tell us you were
back?"
"Spur of the moment decision."
Paloma, her mind elsewhere, subtly signaled her son, "Honey, who is this...?"
Jeffrey knew he couldn''t dodge the question.
Stepping beside Karen, he casually draped his arm over her shoulder and shed a charming smile
at his mother, "Oh, I forgot to introduce you. This is my girlfriend, Karen!"
"Who''s your¡ª" Karen started to object but caught herself as she met Paloma''s gaze, "Yes! Hi, I''m
Jeffrey''s girlfriend."
"You''ve got a girlfriend and you didn''t tell us?!" Paloma seemed taken with Karen. Her initial
confusion was reced by an eversting smile, "Karen, is it? Such a pretty name, and you''ve got
a cute look about you! It looks like I''ve finally found someone who can keep Jeffrey in line!"
Paloma, with her life experience, had already guessed what the young couple was up to when she
saw her son step out fresh from a shower.
She just needed her son to confirm this girl''s identity.
For the time being, girlfriend it was.
Karen found herself overwhelmed by Paloma''s enthusiastic grip.
This turn of events was certainly not what she had anticipated!
Worried about scaring Karen off, Jeffrey pulled his mother aside, "Mom, I''ll exin everythingter.
Could you maybe..."
"I get it, I get it! I''ll leave you two lovebirds alone. Have a good night!" Paloma winked and discretely
exited, leaving the couple to their unexpected evening.
Chapter 558
Chapter 558
"Bang!"
The front door mmed shut as Paloma scurried after her husband, leaving Karen and Jeffrey
alone.
It wasn''t until Paloma and Huxley were safely in their car and out of sight that Karen allowed herself
to breathe a sigh of relief. Without a second thought, she yanked her hand away from Jeffrey and
made a beeline for the exit.
"Hey! Where the heck do you think you''re going?" Jeffrey called after her, bewildered.
"Home!" She shot back without looking.
Jeffrey was confused. Their parents had left; why was she still so eager to leave?
Seeing that he couldn''t stop her, and realizing he was still naked, Jeffrey could only stand in the
doorway and block her path, "My mom and dad aren''ting back."
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"I''ve changed my mind. Forget all that ''three times'' nonsense; I''m leaving now!"
Karen had a sudden premonition that her entanglement with Jeffrey was getting too deep. She had
to get out now without any hesitation.
"What''s gotten into you? At least wait until I throw on some clothes. I''ll drive you home, okay?"
"No need, I can hail a cab myself." Karen didn''t even want to spare Jeffrey another nce.
"Then you can''t leave!"
Silence fell between them.
In a fit of desperation, Karen stomped hard on his foot!
Jeffrey, caught off guard, sucked in a breath of pain, "Have you lost your mind?"
Taking advantage of his momentary distraction, Karen shoved him aside and sprinted out the door.
Jeffrey''s instinct was to chase after her, but as he took a step forward, he remembered he was only
wrapped in a towel; he hastily drew back, cursing under his breath.
"Damn, this is ridiculous!"
He knew he''d have to wait for Karen at her parents'' ce now.
...
When Dorothy returned to the hospital room, night had already fallen.
But Everett hadn''t turned on the lights.
As she opened the door, before she could utter a word, she felt herself being pulled into a warm
embrace.
"Mmph..."
Before Dorothy could speak, Everett''s kisses rained down on her in a relentless manner.
For every minute she''d been gone, he intended to make her pay.
His kisses were forceful, his hands firmly pinning her head from side to side, making her tilt back to
ept his demanding lips with no chance of escape.
"Mmm..."
When Dorothy was just about to suffocate, Everett finally let up. He was breathing heavily as he
released her lips.
But just because he let go of her lips didn''t mean he was done with her in bed.
"Everett, your wound! Ugh!"
He surged forward, went on a rampage and entered her body, nearly making Dorothy bite her
tongue.
"Why are you avoiding me?"
Everett''s voice was hoarse and gravelly. She could also tell that he was struggling to contain his
displeasure.
"I''m not... Ow, stop, don''t go any further..."
Every word Dorothy spoke that wasn''t to Everett''s liking, he would deliberately move in a way that
made her ufortable.
She wanted to struggle, but she was already caught in his whirlpool. How could she possibly
escape?
Especially that she couldn''t even resist too forcefully since he was injured, just for fear of hurting
him.
"Why are you avoiding me?" he asked the same question again.
"I''m not! I just had to step out for a bit!"
"Fine, then promise me you''ll register our marriage with me once we''re back in the country." Even in
the darkness, Everett¡¯s eyes seemed to catch her evasive nce with precision.
"I told you that we''ll talk about that once we''re back home! Ah¡ª" Dorothy''s grip tightened on
Everett''s solid arms, her nails digging in deep.
He was far from gentle now; he was showing no mercy. It was as if he was deliberately tormenting
her.
"I want you to promise me now."
Everett seemed to be persisted, forcing her to confront the issue head-on.
Sweat began to bead on Dorothy''s brow, mainly from the difort of the pain.
Chapter 559
Chapter 559
"Please, can you just give me a break?" she pleaded.
She had never witnessed Everett in such an assertive and unyielding demeanor. That scared
Dorothy a bit.
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Finally, sensing the tremor in her voice, Everett''s resolve softened. Clenching his jaw, he pulled her
into his arms after a moment of hesitation.
Both drenched in sweat, theyy in the darkness of the unlit night. They panted heavily as their
heartbeats were syncing up in an unspoken understanding.
Neither Dorothy nor Everett spoke again. But the answer they were both seeking had already
silently revealed itself.
After holding her for a while, Dorothy ventured softly, "Do you... want me to draw you a bath?"
"What''s really got you trapped, Dorothy?"
He couldn''t fathom it, nor could he imagine what his parents could possibly hold over her head.
But she remained silent.
"I promise I''ll keep Abigail and Langston safe. There won''t be any slip-ups. And from now on, my
folks won''t get a chance to corner you alone again. Okay?"
Dorothy steadied herself and mustered a smile, "It''s not about any of that! I trust you to protect our
children, and as for your parents... I hardly ever see them."
"Are they using Keh''s safety to threaten you? Or is it Karen?"
Everett was stubborn. He was determined to guess the reason.
He had spent the day alone in the hospital room, turning over every possibility in his mind. He
concluded that, if Dorothy would just let him, he could take care of all her troubles and concerns.
He''d even go as far as hiring protection for Keh, his rival, if that''s what it took!
"No, your parents didn¡¯t threaten me."
"And sending the kids to the Lopez family was your own choice?"
Dorothy pursed her lips, then gave a small nod, "Yes. Though it was your father''s suggestion, the
decision was mine after careful consideration. They truly have a better life with the Lopezes."
"And what about me?"
Dorothy was muted on hearing that.
"Dorothy, did you ever think about me?"
She had been dodging and avoiding any talk of the future, in which case she was clearly looking for
an out!
Everett wasn''t a fool; he could see right through it.
But he could also see that Dorothy was genuinely happy with him, that she didn''t resent their time
together. So why... why couldn''t she agree to remarry him?
"Of course I''ve thought about you!" Dorothy tried to keep her tone light, not wanting to get stuck on
the topic, "Like right now, I think you really should take a shower, or your need for cleanliness is
going to kick in."
"Dorothy!"
"Alright." Dorothy reached out to take his hand, her voice soothing, "Give me some time, okay? One
month, I''ll give you an answer in one month. You''ve got to stay here to recuperate for at least that
long anyway. I promise you''ll have your answer before you''re discharged."
Everett frowned.
"You need to let me think it through, right? We''ve been apart for so many years. You haven''t
changed, but I have. I''ve been through a lot, and I don''t think I should rush into marriage again."
Dorothy smiled, "Plus, you''ll have some time to slow down and really consider whether you''re just
obsessing over me or if it''s genuine love."
Everett suddenly let out augh. She could detect a hint of disappointment in it.
"You think this is just an obsession?"
"Well, it''s possible, right? Maybe you just feel like you missed out on your youthful crush on me, and
now that you''re all grown up, you''re fixated on getting what you never had."
Chapter 560
Chapter 560
"Ha."
Everett released her, propping himself up with his arms.
Dorothy sighed and wrapped her arms around his waist, "I didn''t say no, did I? Can''t I just think
about it? Since when did you be so domineering?"
"You should be asking, ''Who else have I ever consulted apart from you?''"
In business, he was the decisive tycoon who called the shots, and in private, he was the aloof and
proud scion of the Lopez n. When did he ever need to bend his ear to someone else''s opinion?
Except for Dorothy.
She smiled, resting her cheek against his back, "I know you''re good to me."
"You''re just taking advantage of my indulgence."
"Yes, I am exactly doing that!"
Everett sighed deeply, hisrge hand gripping hers, "One month. I expect your answer won''t
disappoint me."
"Okay."
He got up to switch on the light, which instantly brightened the hospital room.
Dorothy went to run a bath for him, but as soon as her feet touched the floor, she felt a twinge of
pain in her lower abdomen.
Everett noticed her frown, "What''s the matter?"
"...It hurts a bit."
"I''ll get the doctor."
Dorothy quickly grabbed him, giving him an annoyed re, "You know exactly why, don''t you?
And you''re talking about getting a doctor? What would we even tell them?"
That he went a bit too deep just now?
Everett''s handsome face froze, his ears turning a shade of red, "I won''t let it happen again."
He had been so consumed with confusion that he became irritable and lost his usual sense of
judgment.
Although he was usually quite demanding of her, he never let her feel pain, always considering her
comfort even if it meant restraining himself.
If Everett had truly let himself go wild, Dorothy might not have been able to bear it...
...
In the steamy bathroom, Dorothy was carefully washing Everett¡¯s back bit by bit for she was scared
to touch his wounds.
"I had Kevin buy a vi in Snowfall City."
She was about to rinse the washcloth when she heard Everett behind her.
"Hmm? Why..."
"Didn''t you say you wanted to see the snow in Snowfall City? We can stay there during the winter."
Dorothy paused, feeling a prickling pain in her heart.
Everett really took every word she said to heart. Even if she was giving offhand remarks and fleeting
wishes, he still remembered them all and nned to make them real.
"Buying a house there is a bit much, don¡¯t you think? Are we nning to settle up north?"
"I wasn''t sure when you''d want to see the snow. Having a ce ready means we can go whenever
we like." Everett had a thing about cleanliness; he didn''t like staying in hotels. Business trips were
unavoidable, but for a city they would visit frequently, he preferred to have a house.
"Okay," Dorothy nodded. "Is it already bought?"
Everett turned to look at her, "Yeah, you know Kevin gets things done."
"Then I''d like to see it before when you''re a little better." She was afraid she wouldn''t make it to
winter, to the snow of Snowfall City, but she could still see the house.
After all, it was a gesture from Everett''s heart, so she wanted to leave no regrets.
"Alright, I''ll go with you."
"No need! You wait for me in Swevia Country. I''ll just take a quick trip back to see it! You''re not well,
you shouldn''t be traveling."
"You sure I''m not well?"
Everett raised an eyebrow at her.
Dorothy''s face turned crimson, "I... I didn''t mean it like that!"
"We''ll go back together." Everett''s voice was soft as he looked into her eyes, "And then we''ll bring
Abigail and Langston over."
He would personally go to Keh''s to fetch his kids.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
Chapter 561
Chapter 561
"Alright."
Dorothy nodded in agreement.
She had her own agenda. She figured that once Kehid eyes on Everett, he''d further cut his
losses and move on. Dragging this out for years had been enough, and any further dy would only
deepen his misguided attachment.
After helping Everett out of the tub, Dorothy went the extra mile to blow-dry his hair before letting
him leave the steamy bathroom. The man''s wounds were stubborn healers, and thest thing they
needed was the flu. That could turn the wound into an infection.
She took a quick shower herself, carelessly sshing water before slipping into a bathrobe and
wandering out to join him.
Everett was nted in front of theputer. Head slightly bowed, he was deep in conversation with
Kevin about some business matter.
Dorothy found a spot where she could gaze at his profile undisturbed, a small indulgence she
allowed herself. Watching Everett work was, in its own right, a form of pleasure.
Sometimes he''d pause and frown a little, and his jawline would go taut with concentration. Other
times, he''d nod slightly in agreement, though his expression always remained cool and detached,
and his firmly sealed lips seldom gave a smile away.
Everett was the epitome of untouchable royalty, his approval feeling like a blessing from on high.
Dorothy watched for a while, then sneakily pulled out her phone to capture the moment with a photo
again.
Flipping through the pictures, she realized Everett''s piercing gaze was fixed on her. His eyes were
deep and enigmatic, with a lot of thoughts hidden behind.
"Why aren''t you back in bed?" he asked, closing theptop and turning to her with a frank stare.
She pocketed her phone with a smile, "You were on a video conference. I didn''t want to be caught
lounging in bed in the background."
"What''s there to be afraid of?"
She sighed with exasperation in her voice, "You''re the CEO! It wouldn''t look good if your employees
saw someone in bed during a meeting. It would ruin your superior image."
Everett reached out and pulled her onto hisp.
"We''ve named the new project."
"Oh? What''s it called?" she asked, wrapping her arms around his neck.
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"Dawn to Dusk."
"Is that the resort project in Havenbrook City I saw the other day?"
He nodded, "Yes."
"Round and round like dawn to dusk, right?" she mused, recalling a lyric out of the blue.
"No, it''s about the other lyric, ¡®I will be with you from dusk to dawn¡¯. That¡¯s a vow of eternal
commitment."
Dorothy raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Aren''t those two songs using the same two words?"
"But with a different meaning."
He didn''t want to soothe himself by a lyric such as "round and round". What he wanted was a bond
that couldn''t be severed by time or distance.
It seemed Dorothy caught his drift. She was first chuckling and then sighing softly, "Do you ever
regret going to school in Havenbrook City?"
If it weren''t for the Lopez family business expanding in Havenbrook City, he wouldn''t have stooped
to attend middle school there, and he wouldn''t have met someone as ordinary as her.
He cracked a half-smile, "I only regret that letter. I should''ve read it to you right then and there."
Instead of leaving it on her desk and making her return it unopened.
Dorothy paused, then her eyes twinkled mischievously, "If you had done that, I would''ve asked the
teacher to change my seat."
Back in her school days, she hadn''t given a thought to dating. Sure, there were boys who chased
her, and there was a lot. But all she cared about was earning extra cash to help with her mother''s
medical bills, or maybe buying a few extra test prep books.
"It wouldn''t have mattered. The teacher wouldn''t have agreed to it."
"Why not?"
"Because I wouldn''t have allowed it." The head teacher wouldn''t dare cross him.
Chapter 562
Chapter 562
Dorothy furrowed her brow slightly, finding Everett''s imperious tone a bit too much to handle.
But upon reflection, his words weren''t an exaggeration. Who would dare cross the Lopezes? When
a Lopez scion spoke, it was as good asw.
"Wait a sec... you didn''t ask the teacher to seat us together, did you?"
His lips curled in a secretive smile, "That¡¯s for me to know."
She scoffed.
In one smooth motion, Everett swept her up from her chair.
Dorothy yelped in surprise, "Put me down, quick! You can¡¯t stretch the wound!"
"A stretch more or less won''t make a difference now," he said. His arms were flexing as he held her,
and the muscle tone was all too apparent. Coupled with the gold-rimmed sses perched on his
nose, he looked every bit the cultured gentleman, yet his physique screamed of a suit-d ruffian.
"Hold on for a sec, I need to change," he told her, cing Dorothy on the bed before standing up to
change out of his business attire.
As he had juste from a meeting, Everett had been wearing a suit and tie. Now that the meeting
was over, he could slip out of those symbols of corporate warfare.
As Dorothy watched him change, she was unsure where to rest her gaze.
It felt rude for ady to stare so intently at a man undressing. But looking away felt negligent; she
was afraid of he might identally touch his wound in the process.
Thankfully, he was quick. His long, articte fingers buttoned up the silk pajama shirt one by one as
he asked, "Are you still in pain?"
"Huh?"
"Your abdomen, does it still hurt?"
Realization dawned on her, and she buried herself deeper into the covers with burning cheeks.
"I don''t want to talk to you anymore!"
Everett peeled back the corner of the nket and slid in beside her, enveloping her entirely in his
embrace.
"I didn''t push too hard today," he murmured, his breath warm against the faint mole on her ear, his
voice growing huskier.
"What if I go all the way next time?" he teased.
"Don''t even think about it!"
...
Karen hailed a cab back home, which caught her parents by surprise.
After all, she had just texted them that she wouldn''t be back for a while.
"What''s wrong, honey?" Karen''s mom, Serena, got up from the couch, following her daughter into
her room, concerned by her pallor.
"It''s nothing." Karen was just feeling irked by thoughts of Jeffrey, her mind a tangled mess.
"That''s good. If there''s anything bothering you, you talk to us, okay?" Serena''s voice was firm. "Your
dad was so worried. He had just called your brother, who was surprised you hadn''te home after
he dropped you off. You should have seen your dad''s face, which was scared stiff. He was thinking
you might''ve run into some trouble!"
Karen felt a mix of exasperation and warmth and stood up to hug her mom.
"Mom, I''m an adult. Do you really think I''d be kidnapped?"
"Of course we worry. You''ll always be our little girl," Serena said that as she patted her back. "Even
when you''re married with kids of your own, you''ll still be our baby."
Karen chuckled and snuggled closer, "I''m not nning on getting married. I''m happy as I am."
"Nonsense! What about when your father and I are old? Who will take care of you then?"
"If I get married, that doesn''t guarantee he''ll take care of me!" The image of Jeffrey popped into her
mind, and she grimaced. "What if he turns out to be a no-good guy, always out partying and
cheating? I''d be better off single!"This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
Chapter 563
Chapter 563
"You can¡¯t think this way! My daughter is a bright spark, a real beauty¡ªyou''ll snag a great husband,
no doubt about it," Serena chuckled, pausing for a moment with a twinkle in her eye. "Speaking of
which... you know, your father¡¯s colleague''s kid just got back from abroad. Caught a glimpse of his
photo the other day, and boy, he¡¯s a catch! Handsome and full of life. Wanna take a peek?"
Karen eyed her mother skeptically, "That''s your grand scheme, isn''t it, Mom? You''re setting me up
on a blind date?"
Serena waved her hand dismissively, "No pressure, darling! It''s all up to you. If you''re not into it,
forget it. But there''s no harm in looking, right? If there''s no spark, you just walk away. But if there is,
why not give it a shot?"
"Handsome, you say?"
"Mhm."
Karen pondered for a moment. "Got a picture?" she asked.
Serena sprang to her feet, "I sure do! I''ll grab it from your dad. Just take a quick look!"
Karen shed an ''OK'' sign. "Sure, let''s see it."
She thought about how long it had been since herst date and shuddered at the thought of
bing an old maid. If there was a chance to meet someone decent, someone with a kind heart
and good temperament, she was open to giving it a try.
It wasn''t like her friend Dorothy, who had been carrying a torch for Everett all these years. Dorothy
wasn''t looking because she hadn''t let go.
But Karen was different. She wasn''t pining for anyone, nor was in love. She was just toozy to
mingle, plus babysitting and work kept her busy enough without throwing men into the mix.
Came to think of it, she had Jeffrey to thank for this sudden openness to dating. Before, Karen
wasn''t sure what she wanted in a man, and she couldn''t say for certain even for now. But she knew
one thing¡ªshe didn''t want anyone like Jeffrey!
The thought of him squatting outside all night over theirst squabble was ridiculous.
Maybe Jeffrey was short-staffed?
...
Little did Jeffrey know Karen was being lined up for a blind date. He was still wrestling with the idea
of just showing up at her doorstep.
If she didn''te down soon, how much longer would he have to wait?
But then again, if he would be showing up unannounced and facing her parents, he wasn''t quite
sure what he''d say.
''Hi, I''m the guy who''s been seeing your daughter but never made it official''?
The mere thought made Jeffrey wince. He was anticipating the uing ¡°mix doubles¡±, which
would also be a harsh one.
After much deliberation, Jeffrey dialed the manager of the Prosperity Consortium.
The voice on the other end was as deferential as ever.
"Mr. Turner! What can I do for you?"
"Yeah, I want you to pick up some gifts and pay a visit to Karen''s folks as a gesture of goodwill."
The manager was confused, "Mr. Turner, Miss Karen hasn''t been with the Prosperity Consortium for
years!"
"Just do it, will you? Stop fussing. Say the Consortium values her past work and is interested in
bringing her back. Do I need to spell it out for you?"
"Of course, of course, my mistake..."
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"Remember, you''re to invite Karen out for a one-on-one. Get her toe downstairs, say there''s a
company matter that needs discussing privately."
The manager quickly agreed, "Got it! And then where do I take her? To you?"
"I''m right outside her parents'' ce. Just get her down here, and I''ll take it from there."
"Understood! I''m on it!"
"Make it quick."
Jeffrey hung up and cast a nce at the entrance to Karen''s parents'' building.
He wondered if she''d suspect anything.
Chapter 564
Chapter 564
Jeffery pulled his coat tighter around him, intending to lean against his car for a quick snooze ¨C he
was just that tired.
Suddenly, he sat bolt upright, fumbling for his cell phone to call his assistant.
"Drive your car over here!"
"Huh?"
"Bring your car, and then take mine to my garage."
His own car was way too conspicuous in this neighborhood. Even Karen, as clueless as she was,
would figure out what was going on. But any of his cars would stick out like a sore thumb here!
It was only his assistant''s ride that would blend in, more or less. It wouldn''t seem entirely out of
ce in this neighborhood.
"Oh my, Karen, you are the only one I go to such lengths for!"
Jeffery snorted, started the engine, and drove his car to the entrance of the neighborhood to wait for
his assistant. He didn''t want Karen catching wind of anything just yet.
¡
Sleeping next to Everett, Dorothy always found a deep, restful slumber.
She woke up the next day feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
She had to be up before Quincy arrived to change her dressing, get herself tidied up, and wait for
the doctor.
Knock knock.
Quincy was at the door right on time.
Dorothy wiped her hands and went to open it.
"Good morning, Ms. Sanchez!" Quincy, breaking from her usual attire, wasn''t in her whiteb coat
but a pristine white sundress, looking ethereal like a fairy.
She entered, holding the medical supplies and began to speak as she walked, "I have some
personalmitments today, so after I''ve changed his dressing, I won''t be at the hospital. I''ll be
back tomorrow! If anythinges up, just call me. I''ve briefed the other doctors at the hospital
about your case."
Dorothy nodded, "Okay."
It was clear Quincy had ns, otherwise she wouldn''t have shed her trademarkb coat.
Making small talk, Dorothy asked, "Dr. Quincy, what''s the special asion? You look stunning."
"My parents insisted I attend an event. They made it sound quite imperative," Quincy replied,
carefully changing Everett''s bandages. "It might be a setup, a blind date I guess."
"You are attending a blind date?"
"I''m not sure, but that''s my hunch!" Quincy chuckled, "They''ve been nudging me about it, but I
haven''t been keen on dating. I''ve put it off for so long; I think they''re getting anxious. I really just
need to show face."
Dorothy nodded, "Well, I hope you find someone trulypatible, Dr. Quincy."
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She waved it off, "Unlikely. It''s just a formality."
Dorothyughed, finding Quincy''s optimism and simplicity charming. Surely, she mused, the
universe would match her with a worthy partner.
After Quincy left, Dorothy approached Everett''s bedside and waved her hand in front of his face,
"Did you see Dr. Quincy''s outfit? It was quite lovely."
Everett paused his work to look at her, "What outfit?"
"You didn''t see?"
"I was reviewing a contract." Everett turned hisptop towards her.
Dorothy pouted, "You missed out. Dr. Quincy looked especially beautiful today."
Everett was about to finish with the contract, but something in her tone caught his attention.
He raised an eyebrow and pulled her closer, "You don''t think there''s something going on between
me and Dr. Quincy, do you?"
"No, I don''t."
"Dorothy, stop jumping to conclusions. It can only be you."
Chapter 565
Chapter 565
It simply couldn''t be anyone else.
"Why?"
Dorothy gazed into his eyes, which were deep and clear and untainted by any falsehood. She knew
he hadn''t lied.
But why?
What about her was worth this?
"There''s no why. I don''t have an answer as well."
If he did, he wouldn''t have been stuck and standing still for years.
Dorothy could feel that Everett wanted to throw the question back at her. But he didn''t dare.
He was scared the answer wouldn''t be the one he wanted.
The topic was too heavy; Dorothy didn''t want to delve any deeper.
She looked down to find her phone and noticed an unread WhatsApp message.
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It was from Karen.
Upon opening it, a photo of a guy popped up.
Everett, sitting beside her, caught a glimpse and immediately furrowed his brows, "What''s she
doing, sending you pictures of guys?"
Dorothy sighed, showing him the message thread on her phone, "Don''t jump to conclusions, okay?
She''s asking if I think he''s handsome. She''s nning to go on a blind date with him."
"She''s going on a blind date?"
"Yeah." Dorothy nodded, taking a closer look at the guy in the photo.
He was quite the looker, seemingly around Karen''s age. Not drop-dead gorgeous, but definitely
above average.
He had to be Karen''s type, or else she wouldn''t have sent it.
Just as Dorothy was about to zoom in on the guy''s photo to get a better look at his features, her
phone was snatched away!
Lifting her eyes, she met Everett''s displeased gaze.
"How long are you going to look at that?"
"You''re not getting mad about this, are you?"
"What''s there to look at? He''s Karen''s date, not yours." Everett turned off her phone and set it
aside, "You''re never going to have a chance to go on a blind date in this lifetime."
Dorothyughed helplessly and took the initiative to link her arm through Everett''s and to give it a
gentle shake, "I promise you I will never go on a blind date in my life, okay? Stop being jealous, it
doesn''t suit the persona of a CEO like you."
"Even a CEO has feelings. Can''t I be ufortable seeing you gawk at another man''s photo?"
"No, no, no, you can! I won''t look anymore, I''ll delete it." Dorothy promptly deleted the photo without
hesitation, "I just wanted to look out for Karen. Over the years, she''s been held back from dating
and marriage since I drag her down. Now that she wants to go on a blind date, I can''t just say
nothing."
If it weren''t for her always asking Karen to look after Abigail, she might have already found a partner
by now!
Dorothy always felt that theck of progress in Karen''s rtionships was her fault.
Seeing her delete the photo, Everett let it be.
"So, if things go well for Karen, she might be getting married?"
"Who knows?" Dorothy typed away and spoke to him simultaneously, "You know her personality;
she may have a shotgun wedding."
Everett''s expression darkened slightly, and after a moment''s hesitation, he asked, "Do you think
there''s a chance between Karen and Jeffrey?"
Dorothy stopped typing and looked up, "You know what kind of person Jeffrey is better than I do,
right?"
Everett didn¡¯t have a single word to say.
"Can he really settle down with Karen? I can tell he''s interested in her, or he wouldn''t keep bringing
her up or have followed her back from abroad. But who can tell how long will his interestst?"
Chapter 566
Chapter 566
Everett couldn''t promise anything with certainty, especially when it came to Jeffrey.
Jeffrey was known to be a yboy, who never took things seriously, for all these years. Everett was
genuinely surprised at the amount of attention he was paying to Karen.
It seemed like Karen was the only thing that could make Jeffrey hit the pause button on his usual
antics and show some real interest.
But as for how long that interest mightst, well, that was anyone''s guess.
Jeffrey himself was still a bit of a kid at heart, and Karen was no different. Even if they did get
together, there was no guarantee it wouldst all the way to an "I do."
Dorothy sent Karen a message on WhatsApp.
[Sounds like he might be just your type. Give it a shot. Whether it works out or not, you won''t know
until you spend some time together. Can''t just fall for a pretty face, right?]
Karen replied with a bashful emoji.
[Guess who might have a boyfriend soon! LOL! My dad finally did something right and set me up
with a real catch! Tall, handsome, just got back from starting a business abroad. He''s got a house
and a car in Eldorria City and earns over one hundred thousand dors a year.]
[That does sound impressive.]
Karen bombarded her with a slew of ''LOL''s. [The best part about blind dates set up by your parents
is everything''s out in the open! They''ve even checked out his house, car, and sry for me! But...
I''m kinda worried he might not be into me.]
Her job wasn''t exactly stable, and it wasn''t high-paying either. She was an only child, so eventually,
her parents'' money would be hers, but it wasn''t a lot.
And then there was her looks¡ªpretty average.
Karen sent a sighing emoji, [Dorothy, if only I had your face, I''d totally sweep him off his feet!]
Dorothy nced at Everett reflexively when she read that.
Thank goodness he didn''t see that message. He''d have gotten jealous for sure.
He had been a bit too possessivetely...
[I think you''re great as you are, no need to put yourself down.]
[OK! I''m gonna get ready then. Take a shower and maybe hit the mall for a new outfit. Dad''s in a
hurry and wants me to meet the guy tonight. Everything''s all set so I better spruce myself up.]
[Go for it! I hope you find happiness.]
Dorothy put down her phone with a sigh of relief.
Even if she didn''t know whether it would work out or not, at least Karen was taking a step forward.
That helped ease some of the guilt Dorothy felt.
This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
...
The manager from the Prosperity Consortium arrived lugging several boxes of various sizes.
Mr. Turner had given the orders, and he couldn''t afford not to handle this task well!
Standing at the doorstep of Karen''s parents'' house, the manager knocked. It was Karen''s dad,
Derek Miller, who answered, "Yes? Who are you?"
"Hello, sir. Is this Karen''s ce?"
"Yes, it is."
"I''m the manager from the Prosperity Consortium. I used to be Karen''s boss! I''m here because we''d
really like to have a word with Ms. Miller. We''re hoping she''ll consider rejoining our team."
Derek eyed the armload of gifts and therefore felt his sincerity. He knew his daughter had indeed
worked there before.
But...
"My daughter isn''t home right now."
The manager''s heart sank. He was worried about how he''d exin this to the big shot waiting in the
car so he asked, "Could you tell me when she might be back?"
Derek''s face was lit with a happy glow. He was wearing an eversting smile, "Hard to say. She''s
out shopping with her mother. They''re preparing for a blind date tonight. You know how it is with
girls; they have to dress up before they head out. They''ll probably be outte shopping. Maybe you
coulde back tomorrow?"
The manager was taken aback.
With that, Derek declined the gifts, simply suggesting they try again the next day.
The manager exited the building, and immediately Jeffrey, who had been waiting in the car, burst
out and strode rapidly towards the door.
"Where''s Karen?" he asked.
"Her dad says she¡ she¡¯s out on a blind date, not at home."
Chapter 567
Chapter 567
¡°What? Say that again!¡±
Jeffrey¡¯s voice boomed through the room, startling the manager to the point where he nearly
thought his eardrums would burst.
¡°He... he just told me that.¡±
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The manager was on the verge of tears. It wasn¡¯t his choice to set up this blind date!
Jeffrey clenched his fists, storming toward Karen¡¯s parents¡¯ apartment door.
He hammered on the door, and there was Karen¡¯s dad again.
Seeing another unfamiliar face on his doorstep, her dad looked cautious; he was sizing up the tall
young man before him.
¡°Can I help you?¡±
¡°Karen¡¯s going on a blind date?¡± Jeffrey had lost all sense of rationale, not caring about the
harshness of his tone.
Derek scrutinized him for a few seconds and looked defensive, ¡°What¡¯s it to you?¡±
¡°Give me her cell number.¡±
¡°Son, if don¡¯t even have Karen¡¯s number, that must mean she doesn¡¯t want to give it to you. I don¡¯t
know what you are to her, but my daughter isn¡¯t home. If you have business, wait for her toe
back.¡±
Jeffrey tried to speak again, but Derek had already shut the door.
He considered knocking again but knew it was pointless. Besides, Karen wasn¡¯t there.
Jeffrey descended the steps, finding the manager still trembling in anticipation.
¡°Mr. Turner¡¡±
¡°Just go, it¡¯s none of your business anymore.¡±
Frustrated, Jeffrey slumped into his car, yanking a cigarette from the pack to light up.
¡°Nice move, Karen! Really smooth!¡±
She actually went on a blind date!
She actually went on a damn blind date!
Jeffrey punched the steering wheel, his teeth grinding audibly.
But that wasn¡¯t the point. She was out there meeting other guys, and he was stuck waiting outside
her parents¡¯ ce with no other way to reach her!
How could he not be livid?
As he finished his cigarette, Jeffrey tossed the butt out the window, revving up the engine to leave.
He got the message loud and clear¡ªKaren never intended anything serious with him and never felt
a hint of affection. He was just shamelessly clinging on.
He would be a fool if he couldn¡¯t see that.
Jeffrey was someone with a reputation in Eldorria City, and here he was, letting someone trample
on his pride. The thought itself wasughable.
He floored the elerator, and the car shot off like an arrow.
At the turn of theplex, he nced in the rear-view mirror onest time.
That figure was definitely Karen.
She carried tworge shopping bags, donned a new outfit, and wasughing joyfully with someone
who looked like her mom.
Jeffrey then mmed on the brakes again, which was done in an uncharacteristic and sneaky
manner.
¡°Mom, I think this pink dress looks great on me, doesn¡¯t it?¡±
¡°Gorgeous! My daughter looks beautiful in anything.¡± Karen¡¯s mom, Serena, wore an indulgent
smile.
How could she not dote on her only daughter, who was always the apple of her eye?
¡°Alright, I¡¯ll wear this tonight!¡± Karen knew her own strengths; her fair skin made the pink dress even
more ttering.
Someone said a fairplexion could tone down many ws.
Just as Karen was about to head upstairs with her mom, she heard someone call her name from
behind.
Her shoulders tensed.
Thest thing she wanted was to turn around.
¡°Someone seems to be calling you,¡± Serena whispered softly.
¡°Yeah, Mom, you go ahead. A friend of mine needs a word.¡±
Karen watched her mother take the bags upstairs and disappear before she finally turned around.
¡°Jeffrey, what on earth do you want?¡±
Chapter 568
Chapter 568
Jeffrey clutched a pack of cigarettes in his hand, but hadn''t lit a single one. He just fiddled with his
lighter, asionally flicking it on, watching the me spark to life before snapping it shut, all while
keeping his eyes on her.
No next move, no words spoken.
Karen hadn''t expected him to actually show up in front of her parents, so she was really pissed.
Thest thing she wanted was for her folks to catch wind of her reckless escapades! How could she
possibly exin to them that their darling daughter had been living it up and even boldly hitting on a
guy, asking him outright if he was up for a one-night stand?
Click.
The lighter sparked again, the me appearing and then being extinguished.
Jeffrey gritted his teeth, trying to rein in his temper before finally speaking up, "Your dad mentioned
you''re going on a blind date. Is that true?"
"It''s true," Karen responded without little intention of concealment.
There was no need to hide anything from Jeffrey.
"And what about me?" Jeffrey lowered his gaze as he reached for a cigarette, and Karen couldn''t
help but notice his defined hands seemed to tremble ever so slightly.
"What are you talking about?"
"You admitted to my mom that you''re my girlfriend, and now you''re off to meet another guy."
Jeffrey was struggling to keep his cool, not wanting to start a row with Karen the moment he arrived.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
The truth was, he hadn''t rested much over the past few days and was running on fumes.
"That was you talking! With the way things were going, how could I not y along?" Karen kept her
distance. Her voice was barely above a whisper, wary of her parents overhearing from upstairs, "Did
you drive here?"
"Yeah."
"Let''s talk in your car." Karen nced at the clock; she had a few hours before the dinner party and
needed to sort out this mess quickly.
Jeffrey watched her walk past him. She was dressed in a new outfit, with a touch of makeup and a
spritz of perfume, looking different from the Karen he was used to.
No need to guess; she was all dolled up for the blind date.
She sure seemed eager about this setup.
Stuffing his cigarette pack and lighter into his pocket, Jeffrey strode after Karen and caught up.
"Where''s your car?"
"Right here." Jeffrey unlocked the sleek ck Audi A7 parked nearby.
Karen''s brow furrowed slightly.
No wonder she hadn''t noticed him arrive. That¡¯s all because he''d switched cars.
To avoid any misinterpretation, Karen intentionally sat in the back seat. But as she looked up,
Jeffrey opened the rear door and slid in beside her.
Leaving the car now would seem too deliberate.
"You mentioned before about three strikes and we''re done. I can''t do that anymore; I don''t want to
sleep with you anymore," Karen spoke first, her voice trailed off with a hint of guilt for reneging on
her promise.
"I noticed."
"So, Mr. Turner, please go find someone else to entertain you and leave me be. Look at me, I''m
average in looks and figure, and my family''s nothingpared to yours. How can I believe you
when you say you want me as your girlfriend?" Karen decided toy it all out, "I''m not a kid
anymore. I date with marriage in mind, so we''re not on the same page. Even if I said yes, it would
just mean a few more nights together, that''s all."
Jeffrey''s eyes fixed on her, his tongue pressing against his cheek, "So how do you know the guy is
going to marry you?"
"He probably will. I haven''t met him yet, but it''s a setup by my parents. So he''s likely on the same
page."
"And you''re sure he''s not just in it for fun, ready to bail once he''s had his fill?"
"I don''t know," Karen admitted. "But at least we''re well-matched socially."
Chapter 569
Chapter 569
The absurdity of matching social status!
Was it a crime toe from a good home now?
"Whatever he can offer you, I can match it," Jeffrey''s voice was a low rumble that filled with a tired
rage that seemed to have no outlet, "Stop going on these blind dates."
"He can marry me. Can you?"
Jeffrey was about to retort when Karen cut him off, "Don''t tell me you can! Because I simply don''t
believe it! Jeffrey, how long have we even known each other? Just that one night¡ªyes, we got
intimate¡ªbut every other time, we''ve been at each other''s throats! Now youe here saying you
want to be my boyfriend and even marry me? How ludicrous is that? Listen to yourself. Do you
believe your own words?"
That was true.
Even Jeffrey found it hard to believe.
What was he being so stubborn for? There were plenty of fish in the sea.
"You don''t believe I''d marry you, do you?" Jeffrey made up his mind, "Fine, tomorrow. Tomorrow
we''ll go to city hall and make it official! We can deal with the detailster. Will that make you
believe?"
Looking up, he was met with Karen''s shocked face.
"What are you even saying? Did you hear yourself?"
"I know what I''m saying, and I''m not out of my mind." Jeffrey ran his fingers through his hair, his
brows furrowed persistently, "Get your ID, I''ll pick you up tomorrow. What''s the big deal about
marriage? If I marry you, that''s gonna be more reliable than your current date prospect, right?"
"Hold on, just hold on," Karen waved her hands.
She was flustered! The conversation with Jeffrey had taken such a bizarre turn!
This wasn''t simply about rushing to the city hall, was it?
"Jeffrey, I never nned on marrying you!"
Jeffrey stayed silent.
"I might not be a saint or have any hang-ups about having sex, but you''ve been with too many
women, and you''re too much of a yboy. I don''t believe you''re ready to settle down for now.
Maybe you can behave for a day or a month, but what about in the long run?" Karen didn''t want to
anchor her life to a man teeming with instability.
What would she do if, after marriage and kids, he returned to his partying ways, thus leaving her
alone to cry with the baby in her arms?
Fighting against it and getting a divorce would be such a hardship. The Turners could crush her
average family in an instant, leaving her with nowhere to turn with her grievances!
"I admit I''ve lived it up, and I''ve said that if you be my girlfriend, I''ll change. Give me a chance,
yeah?" Jeffrey knew he couldn''t deny his past or make excuses, but he couldn''t travel back in time
to change it either.
"No chance, I can''t give you one," Karen was resolute, "Mr. Turner, we''re just not a good fit! Maybe
you should y around a few more years, or find someone who matches your family''s status. I can''t
afford to y your games."
With that, she moved to get out of the car.
Jeffrey''s hand shot out, pulling her back into a firm embrace.
Their eyes locked, his features so handsome it was hard for Karen to utter another harsh word.
"I''m not ying games, really."
This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
"I don''t believe I have the qualities or the charm to make you stay devoted to me. Do you
understand that?"
Despite Karen''s seemingly carefree attitude, she was acutely aware of her own situation.
She didn''t aspire to climb socialdders or invite trouble into her life. Her life n was pretty clear.
Hearing her, Jeffrey''s lips twitched, his gaze drifting to the new pink dress she wore, which he found
so distasteful he wanted to rip it to shreds.
"So, you really have to go on this date today?"
Chapter 570
Chapter 570
"Yes."
Karen didn''t think twice before nodding.
This was a blind date set up by her parents. Even if she wasn''t interested, she felt obligated to show
up.
Jeffrey had pinned her to the back seat of his car in the very next second.
Instinctively, Karen tried to struggle, but he easily subdued her with one hand and pinned her arms
high above her head.
"What the hell are you doing, Jeffrey?!"
"You promised me three times, Karen. I''m cashing in now!"
Panic surged through her and she attempted to kick him away, only to find her ankles caught and
lifted to his waist. "I changed my mind!" she eximed.
"I didn''t agree to that."
Before Karen could argue further, Jeffrey lost his patience to listen.
He had provided solutions, and she still disagreed. So be it. He''d resolve with his action.
The pink dress she wore was an eyesore to him. In a fit of rage, Jeffrey tore it apart.
"Jeffrey, are you out of your mind? Let go of me!"
"I gave you a chance."
A fair chance to talk it out.
God knew how he had to grit his teeth and clench his fists just to stay calm during their
conversation; he was trying to understand her, to avoid an argument right off the bat.
But if she still refused, he''d have to resort to his own methods.
Pinned beneath him, Karen felt a wave of fear and shame crash over her. She was terrified of this
side of Jeffrey...
"Let me go!"
"I won''t!"
As he spoke, his body pressed down with all his might.
"Ah!"
Karen''s face went ghostly white with pain, and after her initial cry, she couldn''t make another sound.
The intense ripping sensation felt like a knife stabbing into her.
The pain was unbearable for Karen, and Jeffrey was hardly enjoying himself either.
With no forey, this act was pure mutual torment.
Yet he needed this release in order to keep himself from going mad.
The pain brought a sobering rity to Karen, solidifying her resolve to have nothing to do with
Jeffrey ever again.
She tried to rx, to ease the excruciating pain...
The two stubborn people refused to speak. After what seemed like an eternity, Karen felt him
change rhythm and immediately pinched his arm, "You''re not wearing anything! Jeffrey!"
He raised his bloodshot eyes. Without a single word, his lips pressed in a tight line as he continued.
When Karen thought she might pass out from the motion, it was finally over.
His grip on her wrists loosened.
"Did you... did you finish inside?"
"Still going on that date?" His first words were as defiant as ever.
Karen didn''t want to answer and instead pushed against him.
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But Jeffrey was immovable like a rock.
"You''re sick! Jeffrey, do you even know what respect is? Great, you had your fun, but if I get
pregnant, I''m the one who suffers!"
Her emotions teetered on the edge; her voice broke, and tears streamed down her face.
"If there''s a kid, the Turner family will own up to it."
"And you think I want to marry you? I''m telling you, even if I never have kids, I will not bear yours! If
I get pregnant, I''ll end it! Uh..."
Her words were cut short as her lips were suddenly seized in a silencing kiss.
Her remaining protests were muffled.
"Mmm! Jeffrey... Mmm!"
"I told you, after three times, we''re done. This is just the first!"
Chapter 571
Chapter 571
Today, if Karen could actually make it to that blind date, he''d eat his own hat.
But it didn¡¯t cost three times to exhaust a woman. By round two, Karen was already speechless. Her
whole body was drenched as if she''d been pulled from a stormy sea.
"I really... can''t do this..." she rasped. Her voice was hoarse and breathless, her fiery spirit worn
down to a mere whisper of surrender.
Jeffrey, too, was feeling the burn of exhaustion that came from days without proper rest. But that
didn''t stop him from teaching the woman beneath him a lesson.
"Still thinking about that blind date?" he taunted.
"If I say I won''t go, will you stop?" Karen wheezed, her throat as dry as a bone.
He raised an eyebrow, "Maybe."
"Fine, I won''t go. Now let me go," Karen managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.
Satisfied with her capittion, Jeffrey gave one final push, bringing their second round to a swift
conclusion.
He withdrew, standing to fetch a bottle of water from the trunk of the car for Karen, who was too
exhausted to even reach for it without trembling.
Feeling magnanimous, Jeffrey unscrewed the cap and held the bottle to her lips, "I''ll feed you."
Karen was too spent to argue so she obeyed.
Her phone chose that moment to ring¡ªit was Derek.
It was time for the blind date. He was calling to hustle her back home.
Jeffrey watched her with an intensity that made her skin crawl.
"Don''t you dare speak," Karen whispered threateningly.
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"And you can¡¯t go on that date."
"Look at me! I''m a hot mess. I couldn''t go on a blind date if I wanted to!"
Her clothes were a disaster, her hair a wild tangle, and her new outfit was torn beyond repair.
Karen red at him and cleared her throat with a soft cough. But she was still hard to mask the
roughness in her voice as she spoke.
"Dad..."
"Karen, where are you? It''s time. Will youe straight there, or do you want toe home and
we''ll go together?"
Karen licked her parched lips, hesitating, "Dad, I might not make it today."
"What? Why?" Derek sounded puzzled.
"I''ve got... a friend who needs me. It''ll take some time to sort out. I probably won''t be able to make
it. Please apologize to your friends for me, and maybe another day."
Jeffrey''s warning look cut her off mid-sentence.
Quickly changing tack, sheughed lightly, "Let''s have dinner together another time. You and Mom
can invite them out again."
"You can¡¯t get cold feet, kiddo," Derek sounded a bit distressed, then something seemed to click.
"Wait, your friend? The guy who came by today? He came looking for you, but you weren''t home."
"He did?" Karen nced at Jeffrey.
He shrugged slightly with a hint of guilt in his smirk.
"Yeah! He asked for your number, but I didn''t give it to him. Are you with him now?" Derek''s concern
escted. "Is he bothering you? Karen, if you''re in trouble, just tell me. I''lle and get you!"
"No, no, it''s nothing like that... I''m with him, just catching up over dinner. He''s just back from abroad
and it''s been ages. It wouldn''t be polite to bail midway. Dad, you and Mom go ahead, I''m eating.
Gotta hang up now."
Without waiting for a reply, she quickly ended the call.
Jeffrey chuckled, "Me? A ''just friend''?"
The scent of their recent encounter still lingered in the car, and Karen had already distanced herself
from him.
"I''ve turned down the blind date. Can you please go now?"
Chapter 572
Chapter 572
"Where do you think you''re going looking like that?"
With a nce, Jeffrey motioned for her to check herself out.
Her lips were swollen, her cheeks flushed, her hair a mess, and her makeup smeared. Drenched in
sweat, her clothes were as disheveled as if she''d been in a brawl. That was not a look for her to go
home?
Her parents would probably call the cops on seeing this.
"Mind your own business."
"And if not me, who''s going to? Who do you want to take care of you?" Jeffrey''s tone sank as if
coaxing andpromising were hisst resort, "Let''s head to my ce first so you can clean up,
shower, and change."
Karen immediately rejected the idea, "I''m not going to your ce."
That would be jumping from the frying pan into the fire.
"My folks definitely won''t be there this time; I will message them in advance. You need to pull
yourself together at least. You can''t go home looking like this even if you ditch the blind date."
Karen had nned to go to Keh''s ce originally, while Jeffrey had a point.
Keh would worry and pester her with questions on seeing her in this mess. And she had no
idea what to tell him.
"Juste back with me to change, and I''ll treat you to some good grub. How about it, Karen?"
"You don''t have any clothes for me!"
"We''ll shop! It''s on me no matter how many you want and how much you will spend." Anything to
get her out of that dreadful pink outfit!
It was bad luck just to look at it!
"Fine, let''s go." She didn¡¯t have any better options for now.
"To my ce?" Jeffrey''s handsome face lit up with a smirk.
Karen turned her face away, ignoring him.
Jeffrey squinted his eyes and chuckled, jauntily grabbing the car keys to lead the way.
Her phone pinged several times with WhatsApp notifications.
Karen nced down to see messages from Dorothy.
[Did you go? How did it go?]
[I''m waiting for your update! Did you like the guy you met?]
[Looks like you''re quite into him; too busy to check your phone, huh?]
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Karen''s lips puckered in irritation. Her self-pity only grew as she dwelt on it until she burst into tears.
It startled Jeffrey, who was driving, causing him to m the brakes and pull over.
"What''s wrong?"
"It hurts... Jeffrey, you jerk! It hurts like hell, and you don''t even care!"
Jeffrey looked at her anxiously, "Um, where does it hurt? Should I take you to the hospital?"
"Back off! Where do you think it hurts? You... you asshole!"
Karen cried inconsbly, wiping away tears over and over.
Jeffrey watched helplessly, but he was clueless aboutforting girls. Therefore, he could only
stand there and hand her tissues, "Please stop crying, okay?"
"Jeffrey, you jerk!"
"Yeah, yeah, I''m a jerk. You can yell at me, but just stop crying!"
Karen paused. She looked up at his confused and anxious face and couldn''t hold back augh.
She was actuallyughing out of sheer frustration!
"Are you out of your mind? Why on earth did you crash my blind date, Jeffrey? You don''t happen to
have a thing for me, do you?"
Jeffrey was about to burst intoughter himself.
"If I¡¯m not into you, then why would I get out of my way to disrupt your blind date and be cursed out?
When have I ever done anything like this in my life?"
"How would I know if this isn''t just your usual pick-up strategy?"
"Do I look like I need to make a move to pick someone up?"
Karen eyed him, her mouth twisted in skepticism, "How should I know? That''s your area of
expertise, not mine."
"I promise you, from now on, I won''t be chasing anyone else. Just you!"
"Get lost!"
Chapter 573
Chapter 573
Karen sent Dorothy a brief text, saying she didn''t go on the blind date, then slumped into the
backseat of the car and fell asleep.
By the time they pulled up to Jeffrey''s ce, she was sleeping so tight with tear streaks marking her
cheeks and her silky hair spilling over the seat.
Jeffrey had a soft spot for her hair; it was always so smooth to the touch.
He drove the car into the garage, thinking initially to have his secretary take care of it, but then
figured he''d just give the guy some extra cash tomorrow to go get a new one.
After parking, Jeffrey leaned over and gently lifted Karen, carrying her into the bedroom.
She was so thoroughly exhausted that even all thismotion didn''t stir her.
Jeffrey washed a towel and wiped her face clean. He felt a twinge of guilt for what had happened in
the car.
This was the first time that he, a young master, took care of a woman like this!
After cleaning her up, he changed her out of her dirty clothes and into one of his own nightshirts.
Karen mumbled something in her sleep as she turned over, then drifted off again.
Jeffrey couldn''t help but smirk while watching her sleep so peacefully. He was pretty beat himself,
so he decided to slip under the covers and pull her into his arms.
Yeah, that felt right.
After all the trouble he''d gone through, this oue was worth it.
...
Dorothy was surprised, to say the least.
Karen had seemed so pleased with the guy she was set up with, yet she imed she hadn''t gone.
Dorothy eyed Everett, who was reviewing contracts, and approached once she was sure he wasn''t
on a video call.
"Did you tell Jeffrey about Karen''s date?" she asked.
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"No." Everett shifted his gaze from the screen to her face. "Why?"
"She said she didn''t go, and now she''s not answering my texts. I''m wondering if Jeffrey meddled!"
Dorothy had a hunch that Jeffrey had ulterior motives when it came to Karen.
Everett pulled her slender waist closer and seated her on hisp, "Karen knows what she''s doing.
She''s a grown woman; you don''t need to worry."
"I wouldn''t worry if it were anyone else. Lovees and goes, and at worst, she''d just meet the
wrong guy. But Jeffrey going after Karen? I don''t have a good feeling about it." Dorothy found
Jeffrey''s charm to be a bit too roguish for her liking.
Handsome, sure, but a notorious flirt.
How could she not worry about her friend potentially falling for a yboy?
Especially when Jeffrey''s reputation was so transparent!
"I have never seen that brat be serious about anyone. But maybe he''s ready to settle down
considering the way he''s going after Karen."
Everett knew the feeling well.
Sometimes it only takes a few words, a minute, or even a look to know you''ve found the one.
Even a yboy like Jeffrey would eventually meet someone who could tame him, someone he truly
cared for.
"Pfft! In the end, it''s up to Karen. She told me she doesn''t actually like Jeffrey, just thought he was
good-looking and wanted to... have a physical fling with him."
Dorothy was shy about using more adultnguage, so she danced around until shended on those
words.
Everett chuckled, the corner of his mouth curving up, "So when you texted me from the hotel and
didn''t push me away when I showed up, you just wanted to... connect ''physically'' with me?"
Caught in his words, Dorothy blushed awkwardly.
Everett nipped at her ear yfully, "Don''t you dare have those thoughts about anyone else!"
Chapter 574
Chapter 574
Dorothy flinched, ducking away from his imposing figure, "You know, Mr. Lopez, you''ve been
throwing around ''can''t'' and ''don''t'' a lottely!"
Everything seemed to be off-limits now!
He was setting rules at every turn and she didn''t remember him being this domineering before.
"It''s because you''ve been flirting left and right," he used.
"I have not!" she retorted without missing a beat.
Everett raised an eyebrow. "Then what about Keh?" he asked.
Silence.
"And what about Lane?"
More silence.
"While we''re on the subject, I still need to settle the score with him."
Simply tearing down The Prosperity Consortium wasn''t nearly enough.
Dorothy nced at him, neither pleading for Lane nor intending to.
If you did the crime, you''d do the time!
Lane put Abigail in danger, so how could Everett, her father, let it slide?
"Have you decided when you''re going back to pick up the kids?" Dorothy didn''t have a shred of
sympathy for Lane, but Keh was a different story.
She hadn''t even broached the subject of taking the kids away with Keh, mainly because she
had no idea how to bring it up.
It was just too cruel.
"How about next week?" Everett didn''t give her a chance to back out. The sooner he picked up the
kids, the better for him. He was eager to see his kids.
No man could stand having his kids cared for by a rival.
"Your health..."
"I''m fine." If he didn''t get his children back soon, that would be the least of his worries.
Hearing his non-negotiable tone, Dorothy sighed in resignation, "Then why you still asked? I bet
you''ve already had Kevin book the tickets."
"It''s just Kevin being efficient."
She knew it!
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...
Karen was exhausted.
She''d slept so soundly that her parents, along with Keh, had reported her missing at the police
station.
When she opened her eyes, the unfamiliar ceiling and room left her bewildered for a moment before
she abruptly turned to see the familiar man behind her.
"What are you doing here?!" Karen''s voice startled Jeffrey from his deep slumber.
He was bare-chested and rubbing his sleepy eyes. The silk sheets were loosely draped around his
waist, exposing his toned torso down to his. Fortunately, he was wearing pajama bottoms.
"What time is it?" Jeffrey yawned, rubbing his tousled hair, and sat up looking confused like a
teenager who still wanted to stay in bed.
Reminded by his question, Karen quickly checked her phone.
Nearly a hundred missed calls!
She scrambled for the covers and headed to the window to return the calls, weaving a tapestry of
lies that almost depleted her mental reserves. She''d never had to make up so many lies on the fly
before.
No matter how her parents or Keh grilled her, Karen stuck to her story that Jeffrey was just a
friend, that she had too much to drinkst night, cked out, and ended up sleeping at the hotel.
She let out a sigh of relief after she managed to stave them off for now. And when she looked up,
she caught Jeffrey giving her a look of reproach.
"If we''re just friends, how many ''just friends'' do you have?" he questioned.
Karen couldn''t be bothered with him and stood up to freshen up.
Jeffrey, persistent as ever, grabbed her wrist, "You haven''t made it clear. What are you up to now?"
"What haven''t I made clear? Jeffrey, don''t tell me you think that I''ve agreed to be your girlfriend just
because I didn''t go on that blind date yesterday?"
"You haven¡¯t?"
"Of course not!" Karen red at him. "You owe me for the ripped clothes, and while you''re at it, go
pick up some medicine."
Chapter 575
Chapter 575
She absolutely did not want to be carrying Jeffrey''s baby!
After a whole night, Karen wondered if emergency contraception was still an option.
Watching the man behind her showing no signs of action, she couldn''t contain her urgency, "What
are you spacing out for, Jeffrey?"
"So you''re just itching to get rid of me that quickly?"
"Can''t you understand a word I''m saying?" Karen was on edge, her patience thinning. She locked
eyes with Jeffrey, pleading, "Can we just get the pill first, please? I''m begging you. We can sort out
everything else after I''ve taken it! I''m not in my safe period!"
She never thought Jeffrey would force himself on her. And to make matters worse, he finished
inside.
Karen''s panic was palpable.
If she had anything to wear, she would''ve dashed out to get the pill herself long ago!
Jeffrey seemed like he wanted to say more, but he ended up silently grabbing a set of casual ck
clothes from the closet and hurried out the door.
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After freshening up, Karen, still in Jeffrey''s pajamas, waited anxiously in the room.
Her thoughts were a tangled mess, but one thing was crystal clear and resolute: she couldn''t keep
entangled with Jeffrey like this.
She had to make him understand that they were worlds apart, that it was impossible for them to be
together! Aside from his good looks, he embodied everything she despised.
He was a yboy, a rogue, disrespectful, irresponsible man. To top it off, he had a past crush on the
likes of Heather!
Anyone who dated him was truly out of luck!
When Jeffrey returned with the pill, Karen didn''t hesitate for a second and washed it down with
water.
"The pharmacist said there might be some side effects, like dizziness or nausea."
"Whatever." As long as she wasn¡¯t getting pregnant!
Karen didn''t wait for him to offer her clothes; she had to leave now. She''d managed to fend off her
parents'' questions for the time being, but she couldn''t avoid a lecture when she got home.
Just thinking about it was irking!
"Lend me a T-shirt." Her pants were still wearable; she just needed a top.
"I''ll take you out to buy a new one."
"No need, I have to go." Karen''s refusal was firm, eager to draw a line between them right there and
then.
As he went to fetch a shirt, Karen added, "Don''t bother with anything expensive, I can''t afford it."
She didn''t want to give him any excuse to keep pestering her!
Jeffrey handed her a in white tee, "You don''t have to return it. I''ve got plenty."
"Fine." Karen slipped it on, grabbed her phone, and headed for the door.
Jeffrey followed her to the foyer, and as she reached for the door handle, he couldn''t hold back
anymore and tried to stop her.
"You''re just going to leave like that?"
"What else do you expect me to do?" She still had to go home and clean up the mess he made, bit
by bit!
She could tell from Keh''s tone on the phone that he suspected something was off. Her parents
might be easy to fool, but not Keh. That smart man was not easily deceived.
"Give me your number."
Jeffrey had no intention of lurking around Karen''s parents'' ce waiting for her again.
"There''s no need, Mr. Turner. I''ve made myself clear; we''re not a match."
"What would make us a match?" Jeffrey insisted, not letting go; his gaze fixed on her.
"It''s never going to work." Karen squirmed, wanting tosh out but wary of provoking the man
before her, who could possibly drag her back to square one. Sheposed herself to reason with
him, "Look, a lot has happened recently, and I''m a bit overwhelmed. Let me go home and think
things over. Once I''ve figured it out, I''ll get back to you with an answer."
Chapter 576
Chapter 576
Jeffrey felt like Karen''s words were just a brush-off.
"Answer? How can you give me an answer?"
They didn''t even have each other''s phone numbers. Was he supposed to just wait around, hoping
she''d pop by to give him her decision?
Karen hesitated for a moment, then with a half-smile, she said, "Oh, alright then. Jot down my
number, it''s 555-867-5309."
After rattling off the digits, she turned to leave.
Jeffrey grabbed her sleeve before she could walk away!
The next second, his phone yed a soulless electronic tone¡ª
"The number you have dialed is not in service. Please check the number and dial again..."
Karen was taken aback. She didn''t expect him to call right then and there!
The situation was awkward to say the least.
Jeffrey just stared at her silently.
pping her forehead, Karen said, "I must''ve mixed up a digit. Try dialing it again!"
She repeated the number, and this time when he called, her phone actually rang.
"There, all set. I should get going now."
Karen nced at the grip he still had on her.
Jeffrey frowned, slowly letting go, "I''ll be waiting for your answer. Don''t take too long."
"Okay, okay!"
Karen didn''t even bother saying goodbye; she just bolted.
Jeffrey had nned a day to charm her¡ªstroll through the mall, grab some lunch, maybe pick out a
little something special for her. But waking up to this was a cold ssh of reality.
Her attitude hadn''t changed one bit and she was still ying hard to get.
And her promise to think it over? Jeffrey was a yboy but he wasn''t stupid. He knew a stalling
tactic when he saw one.
But chasing her was wearing him out. Maybe it was good for both of them to take a step back and
think. Lately, he hadn''t felt like himself at all.
He trudged back to his room and flopped onto the bed. Karen''s scent was still lingering on the
pillows.
It only added to his frustration.
His ringing phone pulled him back to reality. It was Everett.
"You up?"
"Yeah," Jeffrey said, peeling off his hoodie as he prepared for a shower, "What''s up?"
"Are youing into the office today? There''s a meeting with the domestic stakeholders, and I''d
like you to attend."
It would be awkward to send Kevin; he was a great assistant but not suitable for such a high-profile
meeting.
Jeffrey sighed, "Alright, I''ll be there soon. Have Kevin send me the brief."
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"Will do," Everett replied, then added in a lower tone, "What''s wrong with you?"
"What do you think? Dorothy''s bestie''s got me tied in knots!" Jeffrey grumbled, "I''ve humbled myself
like never before, and she''s still not budging. All my life, women have chased after me. When have I
ever been this desperate over a girl?"
"She thinks you can''t be faithful."
"Exactly!" Jeffrey had no secrets from Everett, "But I''ve told her that I''m done with the games. I even
offered to marry her if that''ll make her happy. I pulled a move like you did with Dorothy. Once it''s a
done deal, both our folks would have to ept it, right? How perfect would that be?"
There was a soft cough from Everett''s end, "That wasn''t a ''move'' on my part."
"That was premeditated. If not a ''move'', then what?"
Everett didn¡¯t say a word on the other side.
"Come on, help me out here. How did you get Dorothy to fall for you?" Jeffrey was ready to swallow
his pride and learn.
There was a brief silence on the line before Everett spoke, "She didn''t fall for me. At most, she just
like me."
Chapter 577
Chapter 577
"You already have two kids!"
"Dorothy''s nning to leave once I''m all healed up," admitted Everett, who wished he could be
oblivious to Dorothy''s intentions. It would spare him the anxiety of living like a man with a sword
hanging over his head during his recovery.
"Look, you two are already knee-deep in this. Why don''t you just bite the bullet, march her down to
the courthouse, and get hitched? Keep her by your side for good! Who''s going to stop you now,
anyway? You''ve always been too considerate of Dorothy''s feelings right from the get-go!"
"And do you still think you can tie down Karen like that?"
Jeffrey''s voice was so hoarse that he could barely squeeze the words out.
"Uh... that''s different. She really doesn''t have any feelings for me! She''s even got herself dolled up,
bought a new dress, and is getting ready for blind dates!"
The very thought riled him up!
Everett''s voice deepened, "You head to the office. If you need me, give me a call."
"Will do!"
"Oh, and Dorothy and I are heading back home next week to pick up the kiddos."
Jeffrey was taken aback. He quickly grilled, "You going to Karen''s to pick them up?"
"Yeah."
"Then count me in!" he dered, then realizing something was off, he mumbled an excuse, "I just
miss the little tyke, Langston. It''s not about seeing Karen! She said she needed time to think, and I
won''t bother her until she''s figured it out."
Everett didn''t want to strip a man of hisst shred of dignity, so he just grunted an acknowledgment
and hung up.
Jeffrey stared at his phone and double-checked the date.
She should have made up her mind a weekter, right?
...
As the days slipped by, Dorothy knew she couldn''t dodge the inevitable forever.
After much inner turmoil, she finally called Karen.
"Everett and I are heading back home."
"Huh? I thought you guys were staying in Swevia Country?" Karen was ecstatic to hear her best
friend wasing home, "When are you arriving? Keh and I will pick you up! Oh... wait, he
can''te. I''lle alone!"
Dorothy hesitated before gently saying, "Everett ns to bring Abigail and Langston back to Swevia
Country. Once he''s fully recovered, he wants the kids to stay with him."
"What do you mean?" Karen felt her brain struggling to keep up.
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"Abigail and Langston... won''t be living with us anymore."
"What? Can Keh handle that?" Karen blurted out without thinking, making it even harder for
Dorothy to continue.
Both fell silent for a few seconds before Karen tentatively spoke, "You don''t want to tell Keh
yourself, so you want me to break it to him first?"
"Yeah..."
"This is going to be too cruel for him. He''ll be devastated." Karen cared deeply for her brother,
Keh. He had always been so good to her so how could she not be heartbroken? "Don''t be
fooled by his tough exterior; he''s hurting on the inside. And now, you''re talking about taking the kids
away..."
"Byte 7 said the video footage could be restored in a month, and it''s already been ten days. At
most, in another twenty days, we''ll have to settle things with the Lopez family."
While Keh felt the pain, it was just as real for Dorothy.
"But during your fight with the Lopez family, won''t they mistreat Abigail and Langston? They''re
capable of anything!"
Karen was genuinely protective of the two children and ready to defend them with her life. That was
why she was so worried.
"I believe Everett will protect them. He promised me that."
Chapter 578
Chapter 578
"But..."
"Karen, I''ve prepared for the worst, but Abigail and Langston''s life has just begun! Only with Everett
can they have a life of ease andfort."
Karen was well aware of the hardships of this path. As a friend, she could only offer as much help
as possible.
"Alright, I''ll go talk to my brother."
...
The day Dorothy returned from her trip to Swevia Country, she got up early to pack her bags.
Quincy came over to change Everett''s bandages and left some extra with strict instructions to
remind him to change them during the trip back.
She didn''t advise Everett to travel at that moment because his wounds hadn''t fully healed, but he
was not the kind to heed a doctor''s advice.
"Don''t worry, I''ll keep an eye on him and try to avoid aggravating the injury."
"Mhm," Quincy nodded, seemingly with more to say. But in the end, she just waved her hand, "See
you in a week!"
"See you."
Dorothy got into the car with Everett, and they headed for the airport.
She spent the whole ride gazing out the car window, lost in thought.
Everett caught glimpses of her, but she never seemed to notice.
As they approached the airport, he finally reached out, pulling Dorothy into his embrace, his voice
low and tender, "Stop worrying, okay?"
"You know what I''m thinking?"
"Besides Keh, what else could be on your mind?" Everett had been holding back, but now he
couldn''t contain himself any longer.
He wished he could crack open Dorothy''s head and excavate Kehpletely from her
thoughts!
Because of his presence, things were awkward!
Not like with Lane, who he could deal with any way he wanted, and Dorothy wouldn''t get involved!
But Keh...
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Everett didn''t dare touch him. He was afraid that Dorothy might turn against him.
And he had to admit, Keh had genuinely looked after the kids for many years. He owed a lot to
Keh.
Sometimes Dorothy really wanted to know if Everett had installed some kind of surveince in her
brain, how else could he always know exactly what she was thinking?
"I just don''t know how to face him. I''m afraid he''ll me me."
"Abigail and Langston are our children. What are you afraid of him for?"
"But most of the time, it was Keh who took care of them."
It was like she nted the seed, but Keh did all the subsequent tilling, weeding, and nurturing,
and now she was about to take the fruits of hisbor!
It was a difficult situation.
"I''llpensate him, as long as his demands aren''t unreasonable."
But nothing like handing Dorothy over to him!
"He won''t want anypensation," Dorothy sighed.
Everett frowned, pulling her closer and capturing her sighing lips in a kiss!
"Mmm..."
He kissed her deliberately hard, with a deep, probing insistence, prying her lips apart.
He wanted to erase Keh''s name from Dorothy''s mind, even if just for a moment!
Dorothy was taken aback by the sudden kiss, startled at first.
But soon enough, he had her feeling all fluttery inside.
When the kiss ended, Dorothy''s cheeks were flushed, and the sight made Everett''s lower abdomen
tighten with desire!
Unfortunately, they were nearly at the airport.
"Still thinking about someone else?"
Dorothy red at him teasingly, "When did you learn to be such a rogue?"
"If I weren''t a rogue, you wouldn''t be sitting beside me now," Everett lifted her onto hisp, "Dorothy,
don''t leave me. Otherwise, I don''t know what I''d be."
Chapter 579
Chapter 579
Dorothy remained silent.
Surprisingly, Everett didn''t push her for an answer. Or perhaps, deep down, he already knew what it
was.
...
Truth be told, even if Dorothy hadn''t asked Karen to break the news in advance, Keh knew a
day like this woulde eventually.
After all, the children weren''t really his. Everett wouldn''t let him y dad forever.
In a few hours, Dorothy and Everett would bending at Eldorria City Airport.
Keh watched as the living room bustled, the two kids dressed and ready to go with Karen to
pick them up. Aplex mix of emotions brewed inside him.
Karen was ruffling Abigail''s hair,ughing and chasing after the kids. She looked up and caught
Keh''s pained expression.
"Hey, you munchkins, keep ying. Aunt Karen needs to chat with Keh for a sec."
She gave Abigail''s head a gentle pat before walking over to Keh.
"Something eating you up, Keh?"
Keh''s lips twisted into a half-smile. "Like I could hide it from you."
"Don''t you worry, Keh. Dorothy will be back for good in like, twenty days max! As soon as they
get the security footage from Byte 7 sorted, she''s gonna hit Everett''s mom and Heather with a
lawsuit."
As the other man in the picture, Keh should have felt a twinge of joy at the news.
But his concern overshadowed everything else.
"Dorothy could be in real danger."
"Yeah, I told her that! When we were in Swevia Country, I seriously thought about convincing her to
drop it, to just let it go. I mean, Everett''s got her back now, even his parents can''t touch her."
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Keh took a deep breath and cut her off before she could finish, "Dorothy won''t agree to that.
Her mom''s death was so sudden. It''s been her driving force ever since she was little."
Dorothy had scrimped and saved, worked multiple jobs through the toughest of student days, all to
pay for her mom''s medical bills. To see her mother well again was Dorothy''s ultimate resolve!
Just as her mom seemed to be getting better post-surgery, the news of her death came crashing
down.
That kind of loss was unbearable.
A mother''s murder was an unforgivable sin.
"But she can''t let hate ruin her life, can she?"
Keh looked Karen in the eye, his voice serious as he asked, "If it were you, could you let your
mother''s killer walk free?"
Karen fell silent. She wouldn''t either.
"Dorothy''s different, Karen. She grew up without a father. Her mom was her only family, her entire
world. It means more to her than you can imagine."
"Yeah, I get it now. After you put it that way, I totally see where Dorothy''sing from." Karen''s
brow furrowed. "Everett''s parents, they''re the worst! If it weren''t for this mess, she and Everett¡ª"
Keh gave her a look and smiled, "It''s okay, I know she loves Everett."
"Keh..."
"Everett has done so much for her, it''s only natural she''d fall for him." Keh wasn''t blind to reality.
He just regretted not meeting Dorothy sooner. "That day when I learned Everett would risk his life
for Dorothy, I knew I''d lostpletely, without a chance."
If he were in her shoes, he probably would have fallen hopelessly in love with Everett too.
Who wouldn''t be moved by such fierce and devoted love?
"The way Everett, with all his stature and status, has been secretly pining after a girl for over a
decade. Karen, I''ve got to hand it to him."
Chapter 580
Chapter 580
"Indeed."
When Karen first found out that Everett had a thing for Dorothy, she was gobsmacked!
Every girl dreams about some high-powered CEO sweeping her off her feet, but the reality of
bridging that gap isn''t just about mutual attraction. It''s about crossing a minefield of social lines.
"Ah, if only I had introduced you two sooner!"mented Karen, then caught herself, "And, Keh,
if only you had broken up with your ex a bit earlier! The moment I heard you were single, I yed
matchmaker with Dorothy. You can''t pin this one on me!"
Keh chuckled and ruffled her messy hair.
"It''s just not meant to be, no one''s to me."
...
Dorothy had slept through most of the flight. She only woke up when the ne began its descent.
The first thing she saw when she opened her eyes was Everett''s gaze locked on hers.
He was half-reclined in his seat, propping himself up with one arm. The recent events had slimmed
him down, making his features even more sharply defined and his presence somewhat more
brooding.
Dressed down in a simple white T-shirt rather than his usual business attire, Dorothy thought she
was back in middle school for a moment, gazing at the boy who used to steal her breath away.
"Have you been staring at me this whole time?"
Dorothy noticed the deep creases in his palm.
He had been holding that pose for a while!
"Not for long." Just a few hours.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Dorothy''s cheeks turned pink, "Are we about tond? Karen''s probably
waiting for us at the airport."
"You got Karen toe?"
"Yeah."
Everett frowned slightly, "There''s something I need to tell you before wend."
Dorothy saw the seriousness on his face and quickly asked, "What?"
"Jeffrey is here too, to pick us up."
...
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After dropping Karen and the kids off at the airport, Keh made his exit. He just couldn''t bear to
see them all lovey-dovey, so he chose not to stay.
There were enough carsing for Everett. They''d have room to spare.
As soon as Jeffrey''s car pulled up to the airport, he spotted Karen leading a child by each hand
towards the arrivals hall.
He ditched his car at the curb and strode after them.
"Aunt Karen, will Mommy buy me candy?" Abigail''s concern was always straightforward ¨C as long
as there was candy, she was happy!
She had a sweet tooth. If it wasn''t for the fear of ruining her teeth, she''d have a lollipop in her mouth
around the clock!
"Don''t worry, sweetheart. From now on, you can have all the candy you want!"
Abigail pped her hands with glee, but Langston looked more reserved.
Karen noticed and crouched down to his level, "Langston, what''s on your mind?"
"Aunt Karen, I don''t want to leave Eldorria City."
He had only just arrived, and there was so much here that fascinated him!
"You won''t be away for long. Your... your dad is hurt, and he''s just recuperating in Swevia Country.
Once he''s better, you''lle back."
Langston looked up at her, a hint of mistrust in his eyes, "You won''t send me abroad again?"
"Of course not! Now, Abigail and Langston, your dad¡¯s back! And Mommy will be with you in Swevia
Country too!"
Hearing this, Langston''s expression eased a bit.
Before he could say anything else, suddenly, Langston heard someone calling his name from
behind!
He turned his little face and saw Jeffrey.
"Mr. Turner!"
Karen followed his gaze.
What was he doing here too?
Chapter 581
Chapter 581
Jeffrey scooped up the oing Langston in one swift move, lifting him off the ground effortlessly.
"Mr. Turner, you woke up from the hospital?" Langston''s eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Yep! And look who''se to see me," Jeffrey teased as he yfully pinched Langston''s nose. "My
little champ even made a wish for me to wake up, huh?"
Jeffrey genuinely adored Langston, the kid was sharp as a tack and bore an uncanny resemnce
to Everett!
As they started catching up, Karen led Abigail over to join them reluctantly.
Jeffrey pretended to be casual as he greeted, "Here to pick up Dorothy?"
"Yeah."
"And this must be Abigail?" Jeffrey''s eyes lit up as he looked at the little girl Karen was holding by
the hand.
Abigail¡¯s skin was porcin-white, her big double-lidded eyes and rosy lips made her the spitting
image of a delicate doll!
There was hardly a soul who wouldn''t marvel at Abigail''s prettiness.
Karen simply responded with a distant monosybic, "Yeah."
Jeffrey didn¡¯t bother to argue. He walked over to Abigail and gently caressed her cheek, saying,
"You look more like your mom! I''m jealous of Everett, that lucky dog. He''s got both Abigail and
Langston, and here I am, without a single munchkin of my own!"
He threw a pointed nce at Karen, who seemed to ignore hismentpletely.
Walking side by side toward the arrivals lounge, they barely spoke. Jeffrey didn¡¯t initiate
conversation, and Karen certainly wasn¡¯t going to start one.
Finding a spot to sit down, Karen pulled out two candy bars from her bag and handed them to
Abigail and Langston.
Watching Karen alternating between kissing Abigail and yfully roughhousing with Langston,
Jeffrey thought to himself that if they ever had kids, she¡¯d make a wonderful mother. Surprisingly,
she seemed to really enjoy being around children.
"Ahem." Jeffrey cleared his throat subtly to catch her attention.
"What is it?" Karen finally looked up.
"Oh, just wondering... how about that thing you were considering? It¡¯s over a week¡¯s time now,"
Jeffrey prodded.
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Karen had not reached out to him in the past week, and he hadn''t made the first move either, mainly
because he felt he¡¯d already made enough of a fool of himself without any sign of her relenting. He
figured it was time to salvage some dignity.
"It''s the same as before," Karen said, with a nonchnce that suggested she was talking about the
weather rather than their rtionship.
"Still the same issue?"
"Yes."
"Karen, I used to be a party animal, but I swear I¡¯ve changed! I¡¯ve been at work during the day and
straight back home after it. I¡¯ve even ignored invites to go out for drinks ¨C you can check my chat
history!"
He had even turned down his buddies who came to his doorstep, enticing him to hit the bars. Jeffrey
was trying to prove a point, to show Karen he was serious about change.
"Even if you swear off partying forever, it wouldn''t change anything between us. Jeffrey, I just don''t
like you. How can you not see that?" Karen didn''t want to be so blunt, especially with the kids there.
Jeffrey clenched his jaw.
"You once said you liked my face."
"That was strictly about your face! And now look at this scar, all thanks to Heather. It''s just irksome
to me."
Chapter 582
Chapter 582
Jeffrey was fuming, his frustration reaching top as he scooped up Langston and marched over to
confront Karen.
"Why are you bringing up Heather again?"
"It''s the truth, why can''t I mention it? I hate her, in and simple. Do I have to lie just to be with
you?"
"You¡ª"
He always said he loved to party, but he could change that. He could cut ties with his high-society
friends. After all, they often needed him more than he needed them. But every time Karen brought
up Heather, Jeffrey just didn''t know what to do.
It was something from the past, unchangeable.
He couldn''t rewrite history even if he wanted to.
Langston watched the back-and-forth, sensing something more but not quite sure what it was.
Venturing a guess, he asked, "Aunt Karen, you dislike Mr. Turner?"
Without hesitation, Karen nodded. "Absolutely, I hate him."
"But Mr. Turner is really handsome! Aunt Karen, you always daydream looking at those hunky
celebrities'' pictures, even saying you wish to marry one. Why would you dislike Mr. Turner? I think
he''s way more handsome than those movie stars."
Karen was at a loss for words.
Jeffrey chuckled through his nose, rubbing Langston''s cheek, "That''s my boy, Langston, knows
quality when he sees it! Unlike someone..."
"He''s handsome? Langston, have you not seen the scar on his face? That thing¡¯s gonna stick for
life!" Karen, never one to back down, retaliated, "Let me tell you a secret, that scar is a lifelong
reminder from Mr. Turner¡¯s beloved woman!"
"What beloved woman?" Jeffrey retorted without thinking, "When did Heather be my beloved?
Karen, can you stop making things up in your head?"
"Did I say your beloved was Heather? No, you''re the one who brought her up!"
Jeffrey was speechless.
Karen shrugged, lifting Abigail onto herp, "Stop wasting your time on me, Mr. Turner. Go have
your fun, don''t hold back on my ount. I wouldn''t want you to feel all pent up!"
Jeffrey''s eyes narrowed, his frustration palpable as he took several deep breaths, "Just remember,
we still have one more time. And until then, better not let me catch you with another man, or you''ll
regret it!"
The threat hung in the air, as menacing as if he had vowed to give her a good thrashing.
Just the thought of it made her stomach churn.
"Are you kidding? So you''re saying I should stay single forever until you decide to settle your score
with me?"
"Fine by me. There''s no shortage of women hoping I''ll turn their way. I won''t miss one."
"Hah, count me out of that."
Karen despised the idea of clinging onto a rtionship that was clearly over, of being the woman
who couldn''t let go.
She was always the type to pick up and let go with ease. When she was with someone, she loved
fiercely and purely, ying the part of the doting lover. But the moment she found out her ex was
cheating, she packed up her things and left his ce without a second thought. She cut off all
contact with him. Even after he tried to win her back for months, she didn''t budge an inch.
Once tainted, she had no room in her heart for spoiled affection.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
Chapter 583
Chapter 583
So Karen reckoned, if she got involved with a guy like Jeffrey, his chances of cheating were like
99.9999%. She wasn''t full of herself, thinking she could be that one-in-a-million exception.
In the end, it would just be a breakup with wasted time and wasted emotions. What would be such a
rtionshipe for?
For his chiseled body, his handsome face?
Karen scoffed.
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Sure, he was easy on the eyes, no denying that. But after that one time he got a scar, it wasn''t the
same. His physique was fine, but when it came to the physical stuff, they were totally out of sync ¨C it
was agony for her!
All things considered, there were no good for them to be together ¨C just forget it.
¡°If you had already made up your mind not to go for it, why did you tell me you''d think about it?¡±
¡°What, and you would have let me go otherwise?¡± Karen figured Jeffrey wasn''t dumb; he should
have caught on to her intentions that day.
Himing to ask about it today was just in stupid.
¡°So, what, you''re going to keep going on blind dates?¡± Jeffrey had to keep his cool because of the
kids around.
¡°What''s it to you? It''s not like I''m your girlfriend! You talk as if I''m sneaking around behind your
back.¡± Karen whipped out her smartphone, pulled up her WhatsApp, and showed it to Jeffrey. ¡°See
this guy at the top? My parents introduced us. We''ve been chatting well, no need for a formal date.
We hit it off, so you might as well move on and look for your next conquest.¡±
Karen believed that for Jeffrey, it was all about the chase ¨C a fixation on what he couldn''t have. It
was just a relentless desire to win over the unattainable.
She knew his lines worked on plenty of women. With his rugged good looks, chiseled features and
that bad-boy charm, he could''ve easily been a star. She herself had been captivated by that face,
curious to see if the rumors about his prowess were true or if it was all just show.
But once you get what you''re fixated on, the charm would vanish, right?
As if she could bewitch Jeffrey and have him remain loyally besotted with her forever. Listen to that
idea ¨C it''s not just ridiculous, it''s downright delusional.
And sure enough, what did Jeffrey see from the screen of Karen¡¯s phone? Thest message was a
sweet ¡°Goodnight, sleep tight!¡± from the guy.
Their conversation was indeed heating up.
Jeffrey was grinding his teeth hard enough to make a sound.
¡°Delete it, Karen. Now.¡±
¡°Why on earth should I listen to you?¡±
Jeffrey clenched his fist, ¡°You really think I won''t drag you out in front of him and give him a show
he''ll never forget?¡±
¡°Are you out of your mind?¡±
¡°Don¡¯t make me say it again!¡±
Karen snorted and turned to shield Abigail, ignoring him.
There were kids around. She knew Jeffrey wouldn''t cause a scene.
But he didn''ty a finger on her. Instead, he snatched her phone!
¡°What the hell are you doing, Jeffrey?¡±
¡°What''s the unlock code?¡±
¡°I''m not telling you!¡±
He smirked, ¡°Fine.¡±
He set Langston down, then took Karen''s phone and smashed it to the ground with all his might.
Instantly, the phone shattered into pieces.
Passersby started staring at them, their expressions a mix of shock and curiosity.
The move left Karen stunned. Abigail and Langston were a bit scared too.
¡°Jeffrey, what the hell is wrong with you?¡±
Karen hurried to embrace both kids, trying to soothe them.
¡°I''ll get you a new one. That phone is tainted after you''ve used it to chat with other men!¡±
Chapter 584
Chapter 584
Karen was seething, her temples throbbing with frustration. "What if I get a new phone? I can still
log onto WhatsApp."
"Then I¡¯ll smash another one!" Jeffrey''s voice boomed.
Who could stand being taunted by Karen like this? Especially Jeffrey Turner, a man who was
usually treated like royalty by women. How could he stand such humiliation?
Karen rubbed her temples, trying to soothe the pounding headache.
She had seen women cling to trust-fund heirs before, but never had she seen one so persistent!
"You''re beingpletely unreasonable," she exploded.
Sensing the tension, Langston hurried over to Jeffrey, taking his hand in an attempt to ease the
situation. "Mr. Turner, do you like Aunt Karen?"
"I do not! She''s a flirtatious woman!"
Karen didn''t want to respond. But unfortunately, little Abigail overheard.
She tilted her head, her big eyes blinking in confusion. "Aunt Karen, what does ''flirtatious'' mean? Is
that a type of flower?"
Karen was at a loss for words.
"Is that man saying you''re like a flower?"
"He can''t say anything nice, Abigail. Promise Aunt Karen you''ll never deal with men like him. Men
who get angry when they can''t get what they want!" Karen was more upset about her phone than
anything else. She had just bought it not long ago.
Holding Langston in his arms, Jeffrey stepped closer to Karen. "Everett and Dorothy are about to
land. I''ll let the phone go. I''ll have it delivered to your parent''s ce. Just delete that guy after you
get it."
"I won''t delete him," Karen stated defiantly.
Soon Dorothy would be back, and Karen would have someone to back her up. Jeffrey wouldn''t dare
lay a finger on her!
She knew that once Dorothy heard about this, she would tell Everett and Jeffrey would be the one
to suffer.
"What, you want to make a scene in front of him?" Jeffrey didn''t mind putting on a show.
In the end, it wouldn''t be him who''d be embarrassed, but Karen would.
"Good luck finding out who he is first!"
With that, Karen stood up, scooping Abigail into her arms, and headed toward the arrivals gate.
Jeffrey clenched his jaw in frustration.
Langston tugged at his shirt. "Mr. Turner, you can¡¯t act like this! You should learn from my dad."
"Learn from your dad? It took him over a decade to win her over. Am I supposed to follow that?"
"What?"
"The worst at chasing girls is your dad! Always with that slow-boil approach. One day, the frog''s
going to hop away and he''ll be left with regrets!"
Langston pouted, pondering for a moment before replying, "My mom''s no frog."
"It''s just a metaphor!"
"Well, she''s not!"
"Alright, alright, she isn''t."
...
Everett and Dorothy made their way through the VIP exit, stepping off the ne before anyone else.
From a distance, Dorothy spotted Karen holding her daughter and Jeffrey with her son.
Surprisingly, the scene looked harmonious.
Dorothy was about to hurry over when she felt therge hand holding hers tremble slightly.
She looked up to see Everett''s gaze fixed on Abigail, his jawline taut.
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Was he nervous?
"Abigail loves sweets. A little candy can win her over," Dorothy reassured him gently, patting his
hand. "She must really like you after all the treats you''ve given her."
Everett looked down at her. "Dorothy, I still owe her five dors."
"What?"
"I didn¡¯t know she''s really my daughter. Yours and mine."
Chapter 585
Chapter 585
From the very first moment Everettid eyes on Abigail, she stood out to him like a beacon in the
night, and he felt an inexplicable pull towards her.
This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
He had thought it was merely because her eyes reminded him of Dorothy. But as fate would have its
twisted dance, it turned out that Abigail was his own flesh and blood.
"Yes, she''s our daughter," Dorothy said, sensing the storm of emotions within him and taking his
hand infort. "Come on, they''re all waiting for us."
Everett''s gaze rested on the little girl''s face, and he nodded slightly.
"Alright."
"Mommy! Mommy, I''m over here!"
Spotting Dorothy, Abigail waved her small arms frantically.
Upon seeing the man next to her mother, Abigail''s face fell into a pout.
"Aren''t you that... that man?"
The man who took the money from her and didn''t bring back any candy!
Langston, ever the unppable brother, tugged at his sister''s sleeve, "He''s Dad."
Langston knew his sister was stubborn and decided to let it be.
As Dorothy and Everett approached, Karen greeted them with a smile, "Tired, Dorothy? Did you
catch some sleep on the flight?"
"I did, slept the whole way," Dorothy replied with a smile, bending down to embrace her children.
But as she did, pain shed across her face, and she winced.
Everett quickly took Abigail into his arms, saving Dorothy from the difort.
Abigail''s big eyes sparkled, "Sir, where''s my five dors?"
Everett had prepared for this moment. He pulled out a hundred-dor note from his pocket, "Here
you go, repaid in full."
He had made sure to have it ready first thing in the morning.
But to his surprise, Abigail pushed the note back, "I don''t need that much, just five dors! Mommy
won''t let me spend a hundred!"
Everyone couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at her reaction.
Dorothy sighed with fond exasperation, "If I give you a hundred, you''d spend it all on candy. What
about your teeth then?"
Jeffrey had been holding Langston the whole time. Watching the yful banter, his grievances
seemed to melt away.
"Why don''t we head to the car? Find a ce to eat and chat, the airport''s no ce to linger."
Dorothy nodded, "Sounds good."
With everyone''s agreement, Jeffrey, still holding Langston, turned to leave. Everett stepped forward,
but noticed Dorothygging behind, who was pulled aside by Karen.
"You guys go ahead to eat, I''ll pass," Karen said, her mood soured by the thought of having to buy a
new phone thanks to Jeffrey.
"What''s wrong?"
"I don''t want to see Jeffrey. He''s a piece of work." Karen was clearly not looking forward to dealing
with him again.
Dorothy nced at Jeffrey and asked with concern, "What did he do to you this time?"
"Don''t get me started. I don''t even want to talk about him!"
Karen rolled her eyes dismissively.
"Karen, Everett and I just got here. Let''s have a meal together. If you leave midway, it''ll be awkward
for me to exin. Can you endure it for a while? What do you say?"
With Dorothy putting it that way, Karen relented with a nod, "Alright."
"Don''t worry, I''m here for you. If Jeffrey steps out of line, I''ve got your back."
Karen opened her mouth as if to reveal the incident with her phone, but then closed it, choosing to
keep the peace.
After all, today was a day of reunion and joy, and she didn''t want to be the one to spoil it.
Chapter 586
Chapter 586
Jeffrey had rented a spacious SUV for the pick-up, having calcted the headcount early in the
morning.
No sooner had Jeffrey slid behind the wheel than Everett tapped on the driver''s side window.
"What''s the deal with you and Karen?" he asked.
Though Everett hadn''t overheard the earlier conversation between Dorothy and Karen, it didn''t take
a genius to figure out it was about Jeffrey.
"Nothing. She''s got another blind date lined up, and I¡¯m angry."
"You''re not exactly her knight in shining armor, you know. You''re overstepping," Everett chided him.
Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.
Jeffrey raised an eyebrow. "Aren''t I your dude? Are you that scared of getting on Dorothy''s bad
side?"
"Yeah, terrified."
Jeffrey shook his head. His dude was a lost cause!
Soon after, Dorothy and Karen climbed into the SUV and took the back seats, while the kids settled
into the middle row. Everyone was silent, as if bound by an unspoken agreement.
That is, until Abigail couldn''t hold back any longer. She stealthily poked Everett, "Forget the money.
Can you treat me to some candy instead?"
Without hesitation, Everett nodded. "Sure."
From the driver''s seat, Jeffrey chuckled. "Your dad could buy you all the candy stores in Eldorria
City!"
"Really?" Abigail''s innocent eyes lit up.
Karen was quick to interject. "Jeffrey, don''t fill her head with nonsense. Abigail has bad teeth. Every
time I take her to the dentist, she always cries in pain!"
There was an awkward silence.
Karen had assumed the role of Abigail''s protective mom. Jeffrey knew better than to cross her,
especially since she''d just let Everett''s promise to buy candy slide.
Dorothy smiled. "Just for today, Abigail can have a little candy!"
"Yay! Can we get some for my big brother too?" Abigail pointed at Langston, who was sitting beside
her.
Langston looked up, deadpan. "I want a newputer."
Candy was kid''s stuff to him, hardly a worthy bribe.
"Sure, I''ll get it for you," Everett said, clearly incapable of denying his children anything.
Dorothy sighed. "You don''t have to spoil them so much."
"They''re my kids. They can have whatever they want."
Jeffrey turned to look at Everett, snorting. "We''re nothing alike. I wish I had kids."
With that remark, he nced at Karen through the rear-view mirror, but she was too preupied
with the children to notice.
Arriving at the restaurant, Dorothy''s phone buzzed as she stepped out of the car. She cast a quick
nce at Everett, who was lifting Abigail from her seat. Then she checked the message.
It was from Keh. "Landed yet?"
Dorothy pursed her lips before replying. "Yeah, we''re all out for dinner. Karen''s here too."
"The kids aren''ting home tonight, right? Do you have everything you need over there? Abigail
needs her bedtime storybook and her stuffed toys. I checked her room, and they''re still there.
Should I have someone drop them off?"
He suggested sending someone else, avoiding the scene himself.
Keh didn''t want to witness their family''s harmony.
Dorothy exhaled slowly. "I''ll pick them up. I''ll swing by after dinner."
She couldn''t avoid Keh forever. It was inevitable they''d cross paths.
Not visiting him upon returning was bad enough.
As Dorothy finished typing, she looked up to find Everett''s gaze fixed on her. She opened her mouth
to exin, but he beat her to it.
"I''ll pick them up. You don''t have to go."
Chapter 587
Chapter 587
"Everett..."
"I owe him some thanks," Everett said, curling his lips slightly. "Don''t worry, it''s just a thank-you
visit."
How could he dare do anything to Keh?
In the restaurant, with Everett and Dorothy stepping out for a moment, it left only Jeffrey and Karen
with the two kids again.
Karen pulled out chairs for Abigail and Langston before seating herself between them.
This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
Seeing that, Jeffrey took the seat next to Langston.
"Mr. Turner, you wanna swap seats?" Langston asked with a mischievous arch of his brow.
"No need, I''m good here," Jeffrey replied, aware that his earlier temper tantrum with her phone
might have been too much. So he kept quiet, trying to behave.
Karen, as if she couldn''t see him, was busily digging in her purse for candy to give Abigail.
Suddenly, she noticed Jeffrey pull out his phone and offer it to her, "Use mine for now. My
secretary''s out buying a new one."
"No need." Karen was frosty, not sparing him an extra nce.
"Karen, can you at least consider my feelings? You unt chats with your date right in front of me
and expect me to keep cool?"
He''d be a fool to let that slide!
Karen continued her silence, bending down to fuss with Abigail''s hair.
"Aunt Karen''s only got this one piece of candy left. Eat it quick before your mom spots it, or we''ll
both be in trouble."
Abigail looked up, "Mommy said I could have sweets today!"
"But if you have this one, Mommy won''t buy you any others."
"Then I''ll just eat it secretly."
Karen''sugh at thement made Jeffrey lose his train of thought.
Before this moment, Jeffrey had thought Karen in, especiallypared to his exes or flings. But
watching her interactions with Abigail, the warm smile and the solitary dimple that showed up, he
found her unexpectedly sweet.
Even if her features weren''t stunning, they didn''t detract from her appeal.
"Karen, I just realized, you''re kinda¡ª"
Before he could finish, Karen cut him off.
"Can you just be quiet? If you keep talking, I''m leaving. I''m only staying for Dorothy''s sake."
Jeffrey was at a loss for words.
"Who I chat with on WhatsApp is none of your business! I just showed it to you to help you
understand I''m not into you. I simply don''t want a future with you!"
She wanted to kill any hope he might have.
"You like that guy that much?" Jeffrey couldn''t stand the thought of losing to an average Joe!
In Eldorria City, in terms of looks, background, power and wealth, he only acknowledged Everett as
his better.
"That''s my freedom. I like who I like! As long as I''m not bothering you, Mr. Turner, isn''t that enough?
It''s you who''s disrupting my life now, get it?"
Karen''s furrowed brows made her point.
The fire in Jeffrey''s chest surged, but today was not the day to lose his temper.
But being publicly humiliated again and again was more than he could stand.
"Ha, you think I actually like you? Let me just tell you the truth¡ªI regret what happenedst time.
I''m just worried you might get pregnant. I have to keep an eye out! What if you sleep with your date,
get pregnant, and then try to pin it on me? I''d have to¡ª"
Smack!
His words were cut short by a p thatnded squarely on his face.
Chapter 588
Chapter 588
Jeffrey was utterly shell-shocked.
His words came to an abrupt halt.
Langston was wide-eyed as he nced between Mr. Turner and Aunt Karen.
Abigail, blissfully unaware, had been too preupied with her candy to notice anything amiss. But
once the silence sunk in, she edged closer to Langston, "Brother, what''s wrong with Aunt Karen?"
Langston quickly mped a hand over her mouth. "Uh... Mr. Turner, Aunt Karen, I''m going to check
why mom hasn''te in yet with Abigail!"
With that, he whisked Abigail off by the hand and darted out.
Watching Langston and Abigail leave, Karen snapped back to reality and stood up abruptly. "Enjoy
your meal, I''m heading home."
Before she could make it to the door, a firm grip caught her wrist.
Karen looked down at Jeffrey as she spoke with a harsh tone, "Don''t worry, there''s no chance of
pregnancy. I''ve taken pills for prevention."
"I wasn''t actually¡ª"
"Even if I did sleep with my blind date and got pregnant, I wouldn''te to you. You can record that
for evidence! So, Mr. Turner, there''s no need to keep up the charade. Everyone finds it quite
disgusting, don''t you think?"
Her words sounded almost casual, but each one wasden with biting sarcasm.
For reasons Jeffrey couldn''t fathom¡ªseeing as he prided himself on being a gentleman who
wouldn''t speak so harshly to ady¡ªwhenever he was around Karen, it was as if his mouth
disconnected from his brain and started spouting nonsense!
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"Hold on a sec! Let me get this straight..." Jeffrey''s face still bore the bright imprint of a p, and his
recent car ident injuries were yet to heal, giving him a rather disheveled appearance.
To his surprise, Karen didn''t immediately storm off. Instead, she stood there, watching him as if
waiting to see what else he could possibly say. Maybe it was time to clear the air once and for all.
Jeffrey ran a hand through his hair in frustration, licked his dry lips and slumped back in his chair
with a deted sigh.
"Damn it, I''m just not good at this pursuit thing. I''ve tried everything I know. How about you just tell
me straight¡ªhow exactly am I supposed to chase you?"
He had been holding back for a week!
He hadn''t called Karen and hadn''t loitered under her apartment, forcing himself to focus on work
instead.
He had secretly hoped a few days apart might lessen his feelings for Karen, or even lead him to
give up entirely.
But that hadn''t happened at all!
The moment he saw Karen, he still wanted to be close to her. Seeing her say goodnight to another
man made him want to smash her phone¡ªand the other guy''s too!
"Chase me? Weren''t you worried about me getting pregnant?"
"That was all said in anger. Can''t you tell? In all my years, I''ve always been careful, always used
protection¡ªexcept with you."
Jeffrey caught himself mid-sentence, "You''re special to me!"
"Well, thank you very much! After taking the morning-after pill, I was throwing up all day, too dizzy to
get out of bed. Am I supposed to be grateful for your exception?"
"That''s not what I meant!"
Karen took a deep breath, sensing Dorothy and the others would be returning soon, so she decided
to cut to the chase.
"So, you say you want to chase me, even marry me, right?"
"Yes!" Jeffrey perked up immediately.
"Fine, I¡¯ll agree. But you have to transfer all your assets to me and sign a prenup. If after we''re
married you stray, stay out all night, get too cozy with other women, keep in touch with ex-
girlfriends, or cheat¡ªbreak any one of these rules, you¡¯ll agree to divorce and leave with nothing!"
Chapter 589
Chapter 589
He stood there, tongue-tied and silent for an awkwardly long time.
Karen burst intoughter. "Got cold feet, huh? Leave me alone from now on, okay?"
She shrugged off Jeffrey''s grasp and strutted out.
Only a few steps out, she bumped into Dorothy and Everett walking straight towards her.
The moment Dorothyid eyes on Karen, she pieced together most of the story. She turned slightly
to Everett and said, "I need to have a word with Karen. Take the kids inside, will you?"
Everett nodded in understanding. "Alright."
As Karen approached, Dorothy reached out and grabbed her arm.
"Leaving already?"
"Yeah, I just can''t bear to sit with Jeffrey any longer." Karen''s eyes felt dry, but there were no tears¡ª
nor the inclination to shed them.
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Jeffrey wasn''t worth it.
"I''ll drive you home," Dorothy offered, seeing Karen''s reluctance to borate and choosing not to
pry. "Your parents'' ce or Keh''s?"
"I''ll catch a cab. Don''t trouble yourself, especially after a flight. You must be exhausted." Karen
patted Dorothy''s shoulder with a smile. " I''m fine. I just genuinely can''t stand Jeffrey. Don''t worry
about it."
"Is there something between you two?"
"Nothing but a couple of flings¡ªhardly sweet memories. Consider it like sampling some fancy fruit!"
Karenughed, her carefree demeanor almost making Dorothy feel herself overly concerned.
"Okay, then. If anythinges up, or if Jeffrey bugs you again, give me a call."
Karen shrugged nonchntly. "I doubt he will."
Judging by Jeffrey''s surprised and confused reaction earlier, he probably thought she was getting
too big for her boots.
But Karen was speaking her mind, not hiding her feelings. Being with a yboy like Jeffrey wasn''t
about love. It was about whether she could pick herself up after being kicked to the curb by him!
If Jeffrey had agreed earlier, she would have married him on the spot. After all, should he cheat
later, she could always divorce and get her share of the assets. That sounded much better than
wasting years only to end up with nothing.
"Why?" Dorothy seemed confused, not quite catching Karen''s drift.
Karen smiled. "Dorothy, men like Everett are rare, maybe one in a million. Jeffrey definitely isn''t
one."
Dorothy remained silent.
"Bye, we''ll talk tomorrow!"
"Sure."
Dorothy watched Karen take a taxi and then turned back to the restaurant.
Inside, Jeffrey was chatting with Langston, though he seemed distracted.
Everett nced up at Dorothy. "She''s gone?"
"Yeah."
Dorothy sat down, her gaze fixed on Jeffrey.
"Jeffrey, let Karen go. You two aren''t right for each other."
Jeffrey tensed for a moment, then gave a tight-lipped nod. "I know."
Everett knew what Karen meant to Dorothy. She had been starved of familial affection since
childhood, and the love Karen offered her was probably more than anyone else''s. In Dorothy''s eyes,
Karen was her sister.
With a serious tone, Everett said, "Let''s turn the page on this one, Jeffrey."
"Yeah." Jeffrey''s response was muffled, his mood evidently sour.
Truth be told, Dorothy could see that Jeffrey had feelings for Karen. But flirting was one thing, and
marriage was another. Karen might entertain a romance with Jeffrey, but when it came to marriage,
they were a mismatch.
Chapter 590
Chapter 590
The dinner was supposed to be a cozy affair, just a casual meal to catch up and chat. But in the
end, things took an unexpected turn, leaving everyone a tad uneasy.
Jeffrey barely touched his food before excusing himself with the ''urgent business at the office'' line
and made his exit.
Once the door had closed behind thest of the guests, Dorothy murmured, ¡°I''m not holding a
grudge against Jeffrey. If Karen really had a thing for him, my opinion wouldn¡¯t matter. But she¡¯s
made it clear that she¡¯s not into his yboy ways.¡±
¡°I get it. You don¡¯t have to exin,¡± Everett said. He understood her concern all too well.
Yet he couldn''t help but think that Jeffrey had really blown it this time.
He had never seen him like this before!
As a longtime friend, Everett wanted to lend a hand to Jeffrey, but the guy had to go and fall for
Dorothy¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦ ¨C Karen, the untouchable. What help could he possibly offer now?
After everyone had left, Everett asked Kevin to take the kids, Abigail and Langston, back to their
ce at Bay Residence.
¡°Go with them. I¡¯ll just grab something from Keh and I¡¯ll be right there.¡±
Dorothy watched the kids pile into the car, but hesitated to follow.
¡°I¡¯lle with you,¡± she offered.
¡°Worried I¡¯ll take a swing at Keh?¡± Everett¡¯s voice was calm, but it was the eerie calm before a
storm.
He had every intention of just saying thanks, but seeing Dorothy so protective was igniting a rage
he was struggling to contain.
He hated the idea of her worrying about the other man.
Dorothy took Everett''s hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze, ¡°I''m just worried you two might sh.¡±
She knew Keh well enough ¨C all polished manners and gentle smiles, but with a temper
beneath thatposed surface. And today, of all days, he must be in a foul mood. A confrontation
with Everett would just brew trouble that no one could contain, and the two men were not exactly
equals in a fight.
¡°Who would you be more worried about getting hurt in a sh?¡± Everett asked, despite himself.
Keh was like a thorn in his side, ufortable and irksome whenever touched.
¡°It¡¯s you of course! You¡¯re still recovering from your injury.¡±
His eyebrow quirked in challenge, ¡°You think I can¡¯t beat him?¡±
¡°You can!¡± Dorothy assured hastily, ¡°I¡¯ve never doubted that. You¡¯ve got the height advantage and
all, but you¡¯re still healing from a through-and-through!¡±
¡°So, you¡¯d be worried for me?¡±
¡°Duh.¡± Dorothy rolled her eyes and looped her arm through his, ¡°I¡¯ming with you. It¡¯s not just
you who should thank him. I should too.¡±
Avoiding the issue wouldn''t solve anything, and she still had to convince Keh to let go and find
himself a girlfriend.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.
Everett looked into her eyes, searching for any trace of affection for Keh. Finding none, his
irritation eased slightly.
¡°Alright, let¡¯s go together.¡±
They got into the car Kevin had ready for them, and Dorothy dialed Keh''s number.
¡°Keh, I¡¯m on my way over to pick up some things.¡±
¡°Alright,¡± Keh¡¯s voice was as calm and smooth as ever, ¡°Is Karen with you?¡±
¡°She¡¯s not. She went back to her parents¡¯ ce.¡±
¡°Oh,¡± There was a brief pause before he asked, ¡°So, who are you with?¡±
Dorothy nced at Everett, who was watching her intently.
Just making a call, and she could feel the tension radiating off him, nothing like someone about to
express gratitude.
¡°I''m with Everett.¡±
Chapter 591
Chapter 591
Dorothy spilled the beans because she wanted Keh to brace himself, and also because she
didn''t want to upset Everett.
He was touchy about these matters, especially when it came to anything regarding Keh.
As they drove towards Keh''s ce, Dorothy tried a few times to strike up a conversation to lift
the heavy mood. It just didn''t seem right, given what wasing, but she couldn''t quite figure out
what to say.
It was only as they were nearly there that Everett spoke up in a low voice.
"Don''t worry, I promised no bickering," he paused for emphasis, "for the kids'' sake."
"That''s a relief," Dorothy finally felt relieved; she gave him a smile, "Just think of Keh as my big
brother, okay?"
"I can do that. But can he treat you like a sister?"
Silence.
The tension was still as thick as ever.
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Choosing to stay quiet, Dorothy decided to wait and see how the meeting would unfold.
They pulled up to Keh''s ce and Everett got out first, then went around to the trunk to retrieve
a paper bag.
By the time Dorothy got out, Everett was waiting by the car.
Before she could ask what was in the bag, Keh appeared. He was dressed in a casual ck
tracksuit, walking towards them.
"Dorothy, you¡¯ve lost weight."
His first words were ones of concern for Dorothy.
Everett''s brow furrowed instantly, and his lips formed a cold retort, "She hasn''t lost weight."
Wasn''t that basically using him of not taking good care of Dorothy?
How could he possibly neglect her?!
"Uh..." Dorothy hadn''t expected a sh right from the first sentence.
Fortunately, it seemed Keh had no interest in a verbal spar. He merely offered a half-smile,
"Alright then, I must be mistaken. Come in, let''s talk."
He turned and walked back inside. Dorothy gave Everett a tug, signaling him to dial back the
jealousy.
It was too potent!
Despite his reluctance, Everett knew he had to keep up appearances for Dorothy''s sake.
"Make yourselvesfortable." Once inside, Keh poured them some water and yed the
perfect host.
Everett nced around.
The ce wasn''trge - a modest one-bedroom with simple decor. Toys were scattered
everywhere, yet he got things tidy in general.
Keh waited for them to sit before he gathered up arge pile of Abigail and Langston''s favorite
toys.
"There are more, but I figured Mr. Lopez would probably buy new ones, so there''s no need to take
these."
"Mm-hmm." Everett grunted in acknowledgment, cing the paper bag on the table. "I want to
thank you for all you''ve done for Dorothy and my kids over the years. This is for you."
Dorothy was surprised Everett had thought of this.
Keh nced at the bag but didn''t reach for it, instead just offering a smile, "What has Mr. Lopez
brought me?"
"Take a look."
"Ah, the Lopez family''s style shines through." Keh''s smile didn''t falter, though his true feelings
were unclear.
He took the bag and looked inside.
There was a deed to a vi, keys to a luxury car, and a contract for transferring ownership of a
medium-sizedpany.
What was in the bag could easily catapult someone to the upper echelons of Eldorria City''s wealthy
elite.
"Mr. Lopez, it seems you''re offering these in good faith."
"I told you that I came to express my gratitude." Everett could sense the challenge but chose not to
rise to it, not wanting to embarrass Dorothy.
Chapter 592
Chapter 592
Everett could sense the unease creeping into the woman beside him, a difort he never
intended to foster.
Lost in his own surge of jealousy just moments ago, he had failed to consider the awkward position
he had ced Dorothy in.
"It''s not like I said anything, right?" Keh stuffed the brown paper bag back into the cupboard,
then looked up at Everett with a level gaze. "I don''t need your thanks, because my help was for
Dorothy, not you. You have no reason to give me anything. It doesn''t mean much to me."
If Keh had wanted money, he could''ve easily spent his time earning it, but he chose not to.
Not because he couldn''t, but because he wanted to take some of the load off Dorothy''s shoulders.
"Keh, Everett was just trying to¡"
Keh cut her off with a smile, "Dorothy, I know. Seeing you two doing well actually makes me
happy for you. It''s been almost five years since I''ve seen such a smile on your face. But I hope you
understand that bumping into Mr. Lopez doesn''t exactly thrill me."
Who would be thrilled to see a love rival?
Dorothy bit her lips.
"Can I have a word with you in private?" Keh ignored Everett''s presence, focusing solely on
Dorothy.
"Uh?" Dorothy nced unconsciously in Everett''s direction.
Keh offered a reassuring smile, "It''s about Byte 7. Mr. Lopez can rx; it''s strictly business,
nothing to do with love affairs."
"No worries here." Surprisingly, Everett let go of Dorothy''s hand. "Go ahead, I''ll wait for you."
Relieved, Dorothy exhaled deeply.
"Okay."
She followed Keh to what used to be Abigail''s bedroom. Once the door was closed behind
them, Keh got straight to the point.
"How much more do you need for Byte 7''s final payment?"
Learning the issue was not that serious, she huffed, "Not much. I''ve got it covered on my own."
"I saw you selling off stocks and property, Dorothy. I bought them all."
Dorothy was taken aback, "What? Keh, you shouldn''t have!"
"That''s why you should just tell me how much you need. It''s a loan, not a gift! Stop liquidating your
assets. The Lopez family might notice you''re gathering funds."
If they dug deeper and found out before the video surveince was restored, and managed to bribe
Byte 7 first, it would be a disaster.
After a long talk, Dorothy finally nodded in agreement.
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But she set a condition: her assets would be transferred to Keh first. If she couldn''t pay him
back, they''d be his. It was a deal where he wouldn''t lose out.
Keh understood her stubbornness so he didn''t argue. Instead, he just nodded, "Alright, we''ll do
it your way."
"Then let''s get going." She didn¡¯t want Everett to wait for such a long time.
As she moved to open the door, Keh suddenly stepped in front of her.
"What?"
He pursed his lips, "Will you still insist on the truth even if it means turning against Everett?"
"Of course. I''m this close to having evidence so I won''t give up now."
"And do you love Everett?" he furrowed his thick brows and stared at her.
"¡Nothing will stop me from bringing my mother''s killer to justice! If his mothermitted a crime,
she must be held ountable!"
"I understand."
Keh released her and whispered reassuringly in her ear, "I''ll help you with everything I''ve got."
"Keh..."
"When the truth is out, I promise you I''ll find someone and settle down."
Dorothy''s face stiffened; she knew no amount of persuasion would change his mind.
When Dorothy stepped out of the room, Everett immediately stood up, "Are we ready to leave?"
"Yeah." Dorothy nodded, walking over to join Everett.
As they reached the foyer of Keh''s house, he called out to Dorothy.
"When youe back this time, visit your mom''s grave."
Chapter 593
Chapter 593
Everett shot an instinctive look to Dorothy upon hearing the proposition.
Dorothy¡¯s petite face had gone a shade paler, a forced calm painted over her features while her
lashes fluttered like the wings of a trapped butterfly. It took her several seconds to nod in
agreement, "Okay, I''ll go."
"If you don''t want to go alone, I cane with you," Keh offered gently.
"No need. Bye, Keh."
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Dorothy''s steps became noticeably flustered. It was Everett''s arm, wrapped supportively around her
waist, that guided her into the car and away from the scene.
Keh watched the car grow smaller in the distance until it disappeared from view, a storm of guilt
brewing inside him like a tempest.
He knew he shouldn''t have brought up her mother at such a moment¡ªthat was her sore spot.
But the indignation within him was just too strong to suppress.
Why should Everett y the magnanimous benefactor and do charity to him? He called it
compensation as if it wasn''t a tant insult!
Keh had tried to rise above the pettiness because he was deemed to be defeated. But he
hadn''t counted on Everett tailing Dorothy even for a simple errand!
Everett was always so cautious and always so attuned to Dorothy''s feelings...
Keh couldn''t believe Everett hadn''t considered how his own presence would rankle him.
Since Everett had chosen this path, Keh wouldn''t just sit back and take it. After all, for all of
Everett''s virtues, he was burdened with a mother who was nothing but trouble. He couldn¡¯t me
this on anyone.
And yet Keh''s heart ached for Dorothy.
Torn between the harsh truth of her mother''s death and her love for Everett, she must have wrestled
with the choice more than anyone knew. She, who typically shied away from confrontation and
bottled up her emotions, was now ready to leave her two children for a month to be by Everett''s side
¡ªa testament to her deep love for him.
From Everett''s bewildered gaze earlier, it was clear Dorothy hadn''t shared even a whisper of her
turmoil with him. She likely wanted to give their rtionship onest month to indulge in their
passion and set aside their grievances.
It was a rare decision for Dorothy, and Keh regretted bringing up her mother and reopening old
wounds.
...
Inside the car, the silence was as thick as it had been on the way over, but now it was heavy with an
unspoken tension.
Everett turned to look at Dorothy for the fifth time, and Dorothy finally caught his gaze.
"What''s wrong?" he murmured softly.
She shook her head, "Nothing, just a bit tired, I guess."
It was a lie, a cation.
"Are you upset I gave Keh those things?"
"No," Dorothy forced a thin smile, "He''s looked after your son for so long. You really should repay
him, although it might have been a bit much."
Some gifts were a gesture of gratitude, but they could feel like an insult if they were toovish.
"He''s made sacrifices in his career for Langston. Joining Lopez Corporation is out of the question,
and he wouldn''t want to. So I gave him apany of his own."
As for the mansion and the sports car¡ªweren''t those just the normal tokens of appreciation?
That way, if Keh ever wanted to settle down, there would be no shortage of women keen to
marry him. If he could get himself a wife no matter how old he got, then he wouldn¡¯t be fighting over
someone else''s wife.
"Don''t force him to ept. Keh has his own way of thinking," Dorothy said, fearing the tension
between them might escte.
"Alright." Everett agreed without hesitation.
The car pulled up to Bay Residence.
Stepping out, Dorothy looked up at the building. Her heart was a tumult of emotions she couldn''t
quite name.
Everett wrapped his arms around her from behind and rested his chin on her shoulder. His lips were
curving into a soft smile, "We''re home again."
Chapter 594
Chapter 594
"Yeah, back again."
She remembered the first time she set foot in this ce, neck craning and heart thumping, all she
could think was, "It is so nice to be rich!" Back then, she was even envious of someone who could
catch Everett¡¯s eyes.
And now, it turned out she was envying herself.
Hand in hand with Everett, she entered the house, where Abigail and Langston were already in a
wild y-fight and having toys scattered everywhere.
Dorothy''s face went through a quick change of colors as she scolded, "You two, clean this mess up,
now!"
Because Everett was bit of a neat freak.
She didn¡¯t even dare to nce at Everett, imagining just how sour his expression must be as he
saw his own home being messed up like that.
Instinctively, Dorothy kicked off her shoes and hurried to join the cleanup.
But suddenly, her wrist was caught in a warm, firm grip.
Everett''s voice came through from above, "Abigail, Langston, keep ying. It''s fine."
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Dorothy stared at him, baffled, "But this..."
"I like watching them y." There wasn¡¯t a hint of disgust in Everett''s eyes, only a pure joy reaching
all the way to his soul.
How wonderful that was.
That was what a home should feel like.
Dorothy was taken aback. She had a hunch that he was going to be one of those dads who spoiled
their kids rotten.
No, it''s not a hunch. It''s already happening!
When she saw the toys and y forts Everett had prepared for the little rascals, she was all
bbergasted.
The Bay Residence was pretty spacious indeed. He would even try to fit a whole roller coaster in
here if he could, right?
"Everett, you''re really overdoing it," she says, pointing to the miniature carousel behind the y fort,
"Langston won¡¯t even ride this. Only Abigail likes it."
There was no need to bring that home, surely!
They could just go to an amusement park!
Everett, however, didn''t agree, "That space would be empty otherwise, and the equipment was a
bargain."
Dorothy looked up at him and after a long pause, she could only remark, "Hmm, what isn''t cheap in
your eyes?"
"You."
Everett peppered kisses on her forehead, "I''d give everything I have, and it still wouldn''t be enough
to buy you."
Dorothy was still not quite used to his sudden bursts of romance, but arge part of the gloom from
their visit to Keh''s ce had certainly been swept away.
"Mommy! There''s so much candy here!" Abigail''s excitement was unstoppable as she tugged at
Dorothy.
Following her daughter into a pink room and going past the jungle of y fort toys, they came upon
the princess room Everett had carefully arranged.
Everett had put his heart into this.
He''d even cleared out his own library space because this room was bigger.
Pink and white decorations were everywhere, and the princess bed was hand-carved with Abigail''s
name at the base.
"Everett, when did you have the bedmissioned?"
It clearly wasn''t ast-minute job.
Everett, following her in, smiled and confessed, "Since the day I found out Abigail existed."
Dorothy was bbergasted.
"Do you like it too?" he gestured toward the bed, "Then for our bedroom we could¡ª"
"Let''s not," Dorothy waved the idea away, "I can''t picture you sleeping in a princess bed."
It would be hriously out of ce.
But Everett wrapped his arms around Dorothy and kissed her right away.
"As long as you''re in the bed, any bed will do."
"Everett, the kids are right here!"
"Parents in love is good for the kids."
Abigail, munching on candy and blinking her big eyes, didn¡¯t quite grasp their conversation. Luckily,
there''s Langston, who rolled his eyes at their lovesick parents and pulled his sister away.
"Ignore them. Let¡¯s go y!"
Chapter 595
Chapter 595
Today, Abigail and Langston, who were buzzing with excitement, yed until the wee hours of the
morning before finally hitting the hay.
Dorothy made sure the kids were sound asleep before retreating to her bedroom, indulging in a
rxing shower and slipping into her pajamas.
Everett had been glued to his work ever since dinner, his eyes now locked on theputer screen
with an intensity that seemed to light up the room.
But Dorothy didn''t feel neglected, not one bit. In fact, she adored Everett when he was in work
mode!
With his gold-rimmed sses perched on his nose, a slight furrow in his brow, he listened intently to
the report from the person on the other end of the call.
Every now and then, he''d push up his sses with the tip of his finger, exuding a no-nonsense vibe
that made Dorothy itch to nt a kiss right on the bridge of his nose¡
Dorothy naturally had her own world too.
Recent events had thrown a wrench into her projects, yet no one from thepany hade
knocking for updates. She didn''t need a crystal ball to know why.
Kevin must have stepped in.
Effortlessly, she logged into the Lopez Corporation''s software and was stunned to find her title had
changed from assistant to director.
Even with East Star Enterprises merging into the Lopez Corporation, she couldn''t fathom how she
qualified for the director''s chair.
Everett noticed her ount go active and lifted his gaze to meet hers.
She blinked in surprise, "How''d you know I was online so fast?"
Her position, even as a director, didn''t warrant a direct line to the CEO''s ount of the Lopez
Corporation! Plus, he was in a meeting. So he surely couldn¡¯t monitor employee logins all the time,
right?
Everett''s lips curved into a slight smile as he swiveled his screen to show her.
A pop-up notification was on disy, alerting Everett that the project director of the Lopez
Corporation, Dorothy, was online.
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There was actually a feature for that? She thought to herself.
He answered her silent question in a low voice as he could read her heart, "I had your son design it.
It''s just for you and me."
"Langston?"
"Mhm, he said he was bored, so I let him tinker with the Lopez Corporation''s software backend."
Dorothy was taken aback; she hadn''t expected Everett to let their son mess with thepany''s
systems.
"He''s still a kid! Don''t let him cause you any trouble."
Everett didn''t respond but shared a digital business card with Dorothy through the Lopez
Corporation''s software.
Opening it, she saw: Network Technology Consultant for the Lopez Corporation: Langston Sanchez.
"Have you lost your mind?"
"Langston passed thepany''s assessments, and human resources approved it," Everett said
seriously. "However, we should probably change hisst name."
"Even if he lovesputers, you need to keep an eye on him. He''s still too young, so don''t let him
identally cause a mess at the Lopez Corporation."
"Your son already did, no harm done." It had merely caused the Lopez Corporation''s software to go
offline for a couple of weeks.
Dorothy then had nothing to say.
Everett saved the final contract and sent it to Kevin, then stood up and walked over to Dorothy,
gently patting her shoulder.
"Stop worrying about everything. You are always fretting over different things. I''ve got it under
control."
He didn''t want Dorothy to wear herself out.
Her little mind was carrying too much weight. If only she could let go a little, like others did, but
Dorothy was different. She kept everything bottled up.
Just like now, Everett was painfully aware that Dorothy was hiding something big from him.
Something that not only threatened her but was also beyond his ability to fix because Dorothy
hadn''t even tried to ask for his help.
What on earth could it be?
Chapter 596
Chapter 596
After a tiresome day, Karen headed straight to her bedroom to catch some z''s.
She wove through a tapestry of bizarre dreams, only to be jostled awake by the persistent knocking
of her dad, Derek.
Bleary-eyed, her hand instinctively searched for her phone to check the time, but then it hit her that
her phone was busted.
"Karen?" Derek''s knocks continued, a steady rhythm against her door.
She quickly ran her fingers through her hair, "Coming,ing!"
Swinging the door open, she found Derek with a box in hand, "Karen, someone dropped this off for
you. He said your phone got busted by ident, and this is the recement."
Karen bit her lips. She knew in a heartbeat it was Jeffrey¡¯s doing. And what did he mean by "by
ident"?
"Is it for you?" Derek asked. Sensing her silence, his voice was tinged with caution.
"Yeah, someone wrecked my phone and mentioned something about a recement." She took the
box without ceremony.
After all, it was indeed Jeffrey¡¯s fault, and he wasn¡¯t hurting for cash. But she was.
A new phone would set her back a few hundred bucks.
"That nearly gave me a heart attack. I thought it was some scam," Derek chuckled; he didn¡¯t give
much thought about it.
Karen offered a fewughs in return before taking the new phone into her room.
For now, she could set up her WhatsApp and the likes.
Unboxing it, she found thetest, most expensive model from the Apple store.
But the film had already been peeled off.
"A second-hand phone?!"
Her brows knitted in displeasure, but upon booting it up, she realized it was new¡ªher card had
already been installed.
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Had Jeffrey taken her smashed phone with him when he left? That was the only way her card could
have ended up with him.
Too bbergasted at the time, Karen hadn''t noticed.
She powered on the device, logged into her ID, and began downloading her go-to apps. Before she
could even get WhatsApp running, the phone rang.
With her contacts yet to be transferred, the caller was unknown.
"Hello?" Karen answered. Her tone was less than enthused, bracing for Jeffrey.
"Is this Miss Karen?" The voice on the other end was tentative.
It wasn''t Jeffrey.
"Yes, speaking. Who''s this?"
"Levi, I''m... uh... the friend your parents introduced you to."
Karen didn¡¯t reply at once.
Levi was her blind date.
In the throes of her spat with Jeffrey, she''dpletely overlooked getting in touch with Levi all day.
"I sent you a message on WhatsApp today, and when you didn''t reply, I thought I''d try giving you a
call. Didn''t expect you''d pick up."
It made Karen seem like she was avoiding him!
She rushed to rify, "It''s not that I didn''t get back to you. My phone got trashed, and I haven''t
logged onto WhatsApp yet. I just started up this new phone, and your call came through."
"Oh!" Levi chuckled on the other end, "So your phone got wrecked. How did that happen?"
"An unfortunate ident."
Levi seemed the type not quite adept at small talk. He got a hint of awkwardness in his voice and
was unsure of where to steer the conversation.
Karen took the lead once more, "What are you up to?"
"Just finished sorting out some paperwork for the office. Now... I''m waiting for your reply on
WhatsApp."
After his confession, Levi let out a sheepish chuckle.
His innocence made Karenugh, "What if I never replied or answered the call? You''d just keep
waiting?"
"Well... my work''s done for the day, and there''s nothing else nned."
"Are you hungry?" Karen fiddled with the packaging of her new phone with her fingernail.
"Uh?" Levi felt confused.
"I''m starved. How about treating me to dinner? What do you say?"
Chapter 597
Chapter 597
Silence hung on the line for an eternity from Levi''s end.
Just as Karen was about to speak up, a tter echoed through the receiver like a tumbler taking a
dive.
"Wait, wait, just give me a sec. I''ve got to wipe down the table!"
Karen gasped.
Momentster, Levi panted back into the conversation, "So, what are you in the mood for? I''ll swing
by and pick you up!"
Karen couldn''t help but chuckle, "Here I thought you didn''t want to treat me. "
"No, it''s not that! I just... I didn''t expect you to bring this up¡"
Truth be told, he''d been on the verge of asking her out multiple times. But each time, the words just
wouldn''te out.
If Karen hadn''t brought it up, he''d probably still be hemming and hawing.
"Levi, you better brace yourself. I''m not exactly a knockout," Karen quipped. Theirst attempt at a
blind date fell through, and Levi had been swamped at work since then. They''d connected on
WhatsApp, sure, but never broached the subject of meeting up.
Today would be the first time they''d see each other face to face.
Karen wasn''t keen on rushing things, but with her life thrown into disarray by Jeffrey''s meddling, she
felt it was high time to get back on track¡ªfor her peace of mind and her parents'' sake.
Derek had that worried look when he dropped off her phone; clear as day, he feared she might
reach out to Jeffrey again. Although her folks probably didn''t know the gritty details, Jeffrey''s
confrontational visit was telling enough, no need to spell it out.
"You''re beautiful. I''ve seen your photos."
"I touched them up," Karen retorted.
Nowadays, what girl doesn''t edit her pics?
"They¡¯re still pretty," Levi replied with a goofy grin. "Decided what you want to eat yet?"
Karen rubbed her stomach, aware of her hunger but clueless about her cravings.
"Just pick me up first. We''ll figure it out then."
"Alright!"
After the call, Karen logged into her phone and WhatsApp, only to find a barrage of messages from
Levi.
[Good afternoon, heading to a sushi spot by the office. You into Japanese food?]
[Lunch was meh, won¡¯t take you there if I¡¯m treating.]
[Got a few meetings this afternoon. If I don¡¯t reply, don¡¯t be mad. I¡¯ll get back to you ASAP!]
He''d been rambling on by himself, and Karen hadn''t noticed a thing.
Scrolling through her messages, she spotted an unread one, marked by a little red dot.
A stranger had added her.
The profile picture was of Crayon Shin-chan sticking his tongue out, and the contact was named
with a single letter, J.
No need to guess who that was.
Other than Jeffrey, who else would it be?
Without a second thought, Karen deleted him.
Theirst exchange had been clear enough; there was nothing left to discuss.
By the time Levi arrived, night had enveloped the city.
After freshening up, Karen threw on a simple white tee and stepped outside.
Descending the stairs, her eyes immediately locked onto a sleek ck Audi¡ªimpossibly
conspicuous.
Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.
She took a sharp breath, relieved to see that the man emerging wasn''t Jeffrey.
"Over here!" Levi, all dapper in a tailored suit, waved at her. Next to him, Karen''s casual tee and
jeansbo, topped with a sporty hoodie, felt positivelyid-back.
Approaching him, she offered a smile, "Been waiting long?"
"Just got here." Levi was visibly anxious as he fished out a bouquet of roses from the back seat.
"These... are for you."
Karen was taken aback by the unexpected gesture and was momentarily speechless.
"I''m not much of an expert on what girls like, but my coworker said roses are a safe bet. So I bought
some." Levi admitted.
She could even saw the deep shade of crimson on his face if not for the dim streetlights.
Chapter 598
Chapter 598
Karen clutched the bouquet of roses as she slid into the passenger seat of Levi''s truck.
"Decided what you''re in the mood for?" Levi asked as he buckled up and revved the engine alive.
Karen pondered for a moment, "How about a steakhouse?"
"Perfect! There''s this ce on Rising River Avenue; that''s all the rage in Eldorria City. The steaks
are to die for. I''ll take you there," Levi said as he raised his eyebrows yfully; his eyes were
sparkling with a boyish charm.
His words and slightly awkward mannerisms had given Karen a hint.
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She met his gaze, hesitated, and then ventured, "If you don''t mind me asking... have you, um, never
been in a rtionship before?"
Levi seemed caught off guard by the question. He instinctively ran a hand through his hair, "Well,
there was this one time in high school, but it ended pretty quick with a call to my parents."
"That''s it?"
"Yeah. I was always buried in my studies, and once I started working, there was just never enough
time to think about dating."
Karen believed him. His bashful expression wasn''t something he could fake, but the more innocent
he seemed, the guiltier she felt.
He was so pure, and she...
"Ahem... I think we should be upfront with each other," she finally said.
"Sure, shoot," Levi replied, earnestly turning on the dome light and parking the truck by the roadside
to give her his full attention.
Karen moistened her lips with her tongue, took a breath, and said, "I''m not new to this. I''ve been in
rtionships before."
Levi nodded, "Then?"
"I mean I¡¯ve done some really wild things in the past."
She wanted to be honest, toy her cards on the table so they both had a chance to choose, rather
than having ite outter and deal with whether or not it mattered to him.
Levi took a moment to grasp her meaning. Under the dome light, Karen could see the blush on his
cheeks spreading, his ears turning a shade of crimson.
He hadn''t expected such frankness and that she broached this topic so directly.
"I... I don''t mind," he finally managed to say. "That''s your past."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. Everyone has a past, but it''s the future that''s important."
His innocence made Karen feel as though she was corrupting a young boy. She quickly switched off
the dome light to hide her difort, "Let''s get going. I''m starved."
"Alright!"
Levi was genuinely a good guy as she spent more time with him. He was naive and confused, while
he had a way of making thoughtful gestures that warmed Karen''s heart.
Throughout the meal, he would wipe their utensils clean, ce them before her, and prepare a
stack of napkins and a dish for the peppers.
Learning that he was inexperienced had initially made Karen consider calling it quits, for she didn¡¯t
want to lead on such a decent person. But as the meal progressed, she decided to give it another
chance.
He''d said he didn''t mind, so any further fuss on her part would be pointless.
As they were finishing up, Levi excused himself to the restroom¡ªKaren knew he was going to settle
the bill discreetly. She pulled out apact mirror to touch up her lipstick and caught a glimpse of a
familiar figure reflected within.
Jeffrey!
That persistent ghost from her past.
Karen snapped the mirror shut and nced over her shoulder, relieved to see that Jeffrey hadn''t
noticed her and was busy with his ownpany.
Chapter 599
Chapter 599
She remembered suddenly when Levi had mentioned that this steakhouse was a hit among the
affluent in Eldorria City.
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Go figure she''d run into Jeffrey of all people!
Before Levi returned, she''d already gathered her things and slipped away from their table.
She figured she''d wait for Levi at the front door, out of Jeffrey''s line of sight.
After settling the bill and actually washing his hands, Levi returned to an empty seat.
He scanned the room and saw no signs of Karen. Panic set in.
Did she leave because he took too long paying? Was she angry?
He whipped out his phone and dialed her number.
She picked up quickly.
"Karen, where are you?"
"I''m at the front, just needed some fresh air. Come find me."
"Okay."
Levi found it odd that she wanted to leave before finishing their meal, but didn''t dwell on it. He
ended the call, grabbed his coat, and followed suit.
Unbeknownst to him, the very mention of "Karen" had pricked Jeffrey''s ears!
"There." Karen waved at Levi as she saw him approach.
He jingled his car key and walked over, "Not feeling well? Should we see a doctor?"
"It''s not that dramatic. Just felt a bit stuffy in there, probably because of the poor venttion." Karen
chuckled as she tugged at the sleeve of Levi''s jacket, "Let''s just go."
"Sure!"
As Karen''s intimate gesture made Levi blush, they headed for the car.
Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, Karen nced at the front of the steakhouse gate. And she
saw Jeffrey stand right there.
He stood there, arms crossed, decked out in ck jeans and a matching bomber jacket. Leaning
against the entrance, he was fixing his eyes on her.
This was bad.
When had Jeffrey noticed her?
Karen''s face turned ashen in a sec, and her pace quickened.
Levi, sensing something amiss, offered support, "You look pale. Maybe we should just go to the
hospital?"
"No need, let''s just go fast."
Karen pretended not to see Jeffrey and got into the car. As she reached to close the door, arge
hand suddenly appeared and made a firm grasp.
Looking up, she met Jeffrey''s narrowed eyes.
"Why the rush? Can''t you even say hello when you see an old friend?"
Karen pouted.
Levi nced at him, then at Karen, "A friend of yours?"
"Uh, yeah! A friend. Just hang on a sec, I''ll have a quick word with him and then we can leave."
Karen forced a stiff smile at Levi, then quickly stepped out and shut the door.
She didn''t speak to Jeffrey right away, instead walking a bit away before speaking.
"Fancy seeing you here, Mr. Turner. You''re into steak too?" Karen''s smile looked more like a
grimace.
Jeffrey slid his hands into his jacket pockets, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it with a flick of his lighter.
"Did you get the new phone?"
"Yeah, got it. Thanks for the recement."
"And who''s that?" Jeffrey nodded toward the ck Audi.
He wasn''t clueless. He had a hunch but wanted to ask anyway.
Karen thought, why act all guilty like she''d been caught cheating? So she replied candidly, "He''s
someone I was set up with. Scratch that, guess he''s my boyfriend now."
Chapter 600
Chapter 600
"Boyfriend?"
Jeffrey''s echo of her words seemed to roll off his tongue with a mix of amusement and disbelief
before he let out a contemptuous chuckle. "Do you ever listen to a word I say?" he quipped.
"What are you talking about?" Karen blurted out.
He always talked so much nonsense, so how was she supposed to remember it all?
"Another round, huh? Now that you''ve got yourself a boyfriend, is that still on the table?" Jeffrey''s
words were deliberate. His eyebrows also arched mockingly as he talked.
"Of course it''s not on the table! I thought I made myself crystal clear back at the diner, Jeffrey. If you
don¡¯t have the guts to put a ring on it, you can forget about another night in my bed!"
She despised how Jeffrey always reduced everything to just that one thing.
Without a word, Jeffrey crushed his cigarette under his shoe, his gaze fixed on the ground.
"I''ve got assets that can''t be transferred, plus a few properties my folks left in my name. How about I
give you half of what''s left? How''s that sound?" He looked up at her, his face intermittently
illuminated by the neon glow of the diner''s sign, casting shadows across his expression.
Karen couldn''t help butugh.
"Mr. Turner, are we haggling now?"
"Even half would ensure you livefortably in Eldorria City for the rest of your life."
She had no doubt about that, but the truth was, she didn''t want it.
"Listen to me, Jeffrey. I said all of it," she repeated firmly, "And that''s only if you cross any of the
lines we set. I saw you hesitate when I asked ¨C that tells me I''m not irreceable to you. It''s clear
as day I''m not after your money. I just wanted to see where you stood. And you failed the test. Can''t
we just go our separate ways?"
"I can''t. What about him?" Jeffrey scoffed coldly. "By the looks of his car and the way he carries
himself, he''s probably got nothing but a beat-up ride and a mortgage to his name. Even if he gave
you everything, it wouldn''te close to a tenth of what I have!"
Karen felt the sting of insult, her brows knitting together in frustration.
"You think this is some kind of auction that the highest bidder wins? Let me tell you something,
Jeffrey. Your money doesn''t impress me. Here''s some friendly advice: let''s act like strangers in
Eldorria City. If we bump into each other, don''t bother saying hello. I don''t know you. And if you keep
pestering me, bringing up one more time, two more times, I swear I''ll tell Everett everything!"
The silence that followed was telling that she had hit his only sore spot.
With that, Karen spun on her heel to leave.
Jeffrey was quick, though, with long legs that closed the distance in no time, his handtching onto
her wrist.
Karen struggled, and Levi, who had been waiting in the car, caught sight of themotion.
He burst from the vehicle with a protective roar, "What the hell are you doing? Let go of Karen!"
A sinking feeling hit Karen ¨C why hadn''t she told Levi to leave earlier? She knew Jeffrey wouldn''t
hurt her, but Levi was another story.
"Don''te over here, I''m fine!" She tried to signal to Levi to stay out of it.
But Jeffrey, with a look of fury in his eyes, was already advancing on Levi.
Before he could get another word out, Jeffrey''s fist had connected with Levi''s face and sent him
crashing to the ground. His head hit the car door and let out a thud.
"Jeffrey, have you lost your damn mind?!"
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Karen rushed over, shoving Jeffrey away to help Levi up.
With his bookish demeanor, Levi stood no chance against Jeffrey.
As she looked up, blood was already streaming from his nose.
But Jeffrey wasn''t done. He yanked Karen back and his voice was thick with rage, "No one dares to
mess with my girl in Eldorria City!"
Chapter 601
Chapter 601
Levi didn''t even have time to brace himself before a barrage of punches rained down on him!
Karen tried to pull Jeffrey away, but she might as well have been a leaf trying to stop a hurricane.
Jeffrey was like a man possessed!
Themotion was so loud that even his buddies at the nearby steakhouse heard the ruckus and
came running out.
But their first instinct was to break it up!
¡°Jeffrey, what the heck is going on? Stop it, man!¡±
¡°Chill out, bro!¡±
But it was like trying to hold back a bull; a bunch of grown men couldn''t stop a raging Jeffrey.
It was only when Karen shouted, ¡°I¡¯m calling Dorothy and getting Everett here!¡± that Jeffrey finally
paused.
Karen rushed forward to Levi, who was looking like he''d gone ten rounds with a heavyweight, and
dialed 911.
Jeffrey gave them a nce, then pulled out a card from his pocket and tossed it over, ¡°I caused this
so I''ll cover it.¡±
Karen was seething at his rich-boy act! Thus, after calling for an ambnce, she grabbed her
phone to report the fight to the police.
But before she could finish, her phone was snatched.
Looking up, there was Jeffrey again.
¡°Weston, take him to the hospital. I''ll handle this.¡±
Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.
¡°You got it, Mr. Turner!¡±
Before she could grasp his intentions, Jeffrey had scooped her up from the ground and was carrying
her fireman-style!
¡°Jeffrey, put me the hell down!¡±
¡°Why? So you can go to the hospital, y the caring girlfriend, then get a room to ¡®talk¡¯?¡±
Karen thrashed and fought, wing and biting at him, but he neither dodged nor released her.
¡°You really think I won¡¯t call¡ª¡±
¡°I know, but your phone¡¯s with me.¡±
Karen seethed her teeth.
¡°Tomorrow, when Dorothy and Everett have cooled off, I''ll exin!¡± Jeffrey tapped his cheek with his
tongue. ¡°Tonight, you¡¯d better y nice because I¡¯m not in the mood!¡±
He''d left the diner at noon in a foul mood, and his friends had to drag him out for some grub,
insisting he needed thepany. They chose a casual spot over a bar, so Jeffrey agreed.
But who''d have guessed? He ran into Karen there!
Jeffrey never believed in fate, but after bumping into Karen twice in one day, he started to think
maybe they were meant to be.
Seeing she had no leverage, Karen gritted her teeth, ¡°Can you at least put me down? You¡¯ve hurt
Levi bad; I need to see him at the hospital! Our parents know each other!¡±
¡°I told you that Weston¡¯s got it.¡±
¡°Jeffrey!¡±
¡°I know my punches. He¡¯ll live.¡±
Karen, furious, bit down hard on Jeffrey¡¯s shoulder. That made him wince, but his grip didn¡¯t falter.
¡°Keep biting. Maybe you¡¯ll take a chunk out of me!¡±
Karen was at a loss with Jeffrey. She dreaded the consequences. How would she face Levi¡¯s
parents tomorrow?
But Jeffrey just looked down at her, who was trapped in his arms, and asked in a deep voice, ¡°So,
how serious were you two anyway?¡±
Chapter 602
Chapter 602
"You can''t control me!"
"Did you kiss him?" Jeffrey''s gaze fell on her lips, "Or did you sleep with him?"
Karen wasn''t about to back down. She clenched her teeth in defiance.
"Yeah, we slept together! His little friend is bigger than you, more skilled, way better in bed, and a
million times more caring!"
She had no idea how deeply such words could wound a man.
"Alright, fine."
Jeffrey pulled out his phone and dialed a number with one hand.
The call was picked up quickly on the other end, "Mr. Turner! We''re in the ambnce now, don''t
worry!"
"Weston, make sure that punk gets what he deserves."
Hearing this, Karen panicked, "Jeffrey, I was lying to you! We never did anything, not even a kiss. It
was our first meeting. We just had dinner and that''s all!"
Jeffrey nced at Karen and then relented with a chuckle, "Forget it, Weston. Just take good care
of our friend Levi who thought he could pry away my girl."
Only when he hung up did Karen breathe a sigh of relief.
"You are just that worried about him, huh?"
"I regret that I was involved with a lunatic like you!" She cursed herself for being blinded by his
charm, not considering the consequences that she couldn¡¯t afford.
She thought Jeffrey could handle a fling!
"What can you do, there''s no antidote for regret." Jeffrey walked to his car and shoved her inside,
"Juste with me, will you?"
"I don''t want to! I want to go home!"
"Home? You think I don''t know what you''re up to? As soon as you leave here, you''ll be running to
the hospital to see that Levi, won''t you?"
"I won''t. I really want to go home, okay?"
Karen banged on the car window, but it was a Rolls-Royce, not something her fists could break!
Jeffrey locked the doors outright and drove towards his ce.
Even he didn''t realize that the irritation and restlessness that had gued him all day had vanished
the moment Karen got into his car.
...
Late at night, after Everett was asleep, Dorothy tiptoed out of bed.
N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.
She first checked on the kids'' rooms, ensuring they were sound asleep and tucked in before she
could settle.
Whether it was jetg or sleeping too much on the ne, Dorothy hadin in bed for a long while
without feeling sleepy.
She went to the living room and booted up herptop, nning to finish the work Kevin had left
undone.
It was her responsibility at first. Kevin had only stepped in to help out in a pinch.
Considering how Everett was away and she had added so much to Kevin''s te, she figured Kevin
must be on the verge of burnout.
As soon as she logged in, she saw Kevin''s ount still online.
Dorothy typed a message and sent it, "Kevin, you can rest. I''ll take it from here."
"Ms. Sanchez, you''re still up?" Kevin replied almost instantly.
"Yeah, can''t sleep with the jetg, might as well get some work done! You go sleep. You still need to
be in the office tomorrow."
Kevin didn''t hesitate mainly because he was truly exhausted, "Okay then, I''m off to bed. Don''t
overdo it, you should rest too. I''ll handle it tomorrow."
"Thanks, I appreciate it!"
She closed the chat with Kevin, but out of the corner of her eye, she noticed her phone light up.
A text message hade in.
[Back in Eldorria City?]
The message was from an anonymous number, but she knew it had to be from Byte 7.
[Yeah, back now. How did you know?]
After a short wait, another message came in: [Your phone''s IP is in Bay Residence.]
Dorothy gasped.
Chapter 603
Chapter 603
Dorothy never expected that someone would actually track her IP address in real-time!
Was Byte 7 really that concerned she''d run away from him?
Before she could ponder further, another text pinged through: [Who''s living it up at Bay Residence,
the swanky spot in Eldorria City? The Lopez family, if I''m not mistaken.]
Dorothy wasn''t too keen on this invasion of privacy, feeling disrespected as if she were under a
microscope.
But respect seemed to be a foreign concept to Byte 7.
[It''s personal.] She texted back tersely.
[Oh! Your sh drive''s got issues. Meet me at the roundabout in front of Bay Residence.] Dorothy
blinked in surprise, her gaze involuntarily flicking toward the still-shut bedroom door.
[Now?]
[Yes.]
She wasn''t thrilled about the idea of meeting a man in the middle of the night. Despite anything
else, Byte 7 was a man who asked her out now, which indicated he had more than a professional
interest in her. But he said the sh drive had an issue, and that was something she couldn''t just
ignore. She was really afraid that to be true.
[Can''t it wait until tomorrow? It''ste.]
[I''m not free then. Either show up or forget it¡ªI''ll drop your case.]This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
As soon as he threatened to bail, Dorothy scrambled into her slippers, typing: [I''ll be there. Wait for
me.]
She didn''t bother with anything else, just grabbed a light jacket, slipped into her shoes, and dashed
out the door.
Thankfully, the outside world was still bathed in aforting glow. Dorothy jogged towards the
roundabout and sure enough, there was a shadowy figure.
This guy really had a knack for popping up like a ghost in the night.
Seeing Dorothy, Byte 7 pulled off his hoodie and sized her up under the moon''s glow.
"What''s wrong with the sh drive?"
"Someone tampered with it," he said nonchntly, the pale moon made his skin paler and
highlighted the blue veins on the back of his hands.
"Figures. Otherwise, I wouldn''t be asking for your help," Dorothy admitted. She knew Everett''s mom
was thorough, especially with incriminating evidence. It would have been wiped clean. Otherwise,
she wouldn''t be able to act so innocently in front of Dorothy without a hint of guilt.
"It''s hospital surveince footage," she divulged.
"You''ve recovered it?" Dorothy was taken aback.
Byte 7 snorted, "You think it''s that easy? Only a few frames have been restored."
"Right, this is the hospital surveince. I need to see who was with my mother before she passed
and what they said to her."
Byte 7 squinted. Hands shoved in his hoodie pockets, his lean frame could be blown away by the
night breeze.
"I don''t usually take on jobs like this. Too messy," he confessed.
Restoration could lead to questions of authenticity and the footage might end up in court. He could
even be summoned to attest to its legitimacy.
He found it all a hassle.
Dorothy''s heart sank, but she insisted, "You took my deposit! You can''t back out!"
"Could you let me finish?" he interjected with a click of his tongue.
Dorothy nodded.
Byte 7 nced at her, "You''re nning awsuit, right? To take down those who hurt your mom?"
"Yes!"
"Then I''ll get you an HD video copy. Wouldn''t want the court to go blind."
Dorothy was stunned, "Is that possible?"
"Doubting me?"
"No, no," she quickly shook her head.
Byte 7 eyed Dorothy, who was shivering slightly in the night air, and gestured dismissively, "Go
home. I got what I needed."
And with that, he turned and walked away with no hesitation in his step.
Dorothy watched him disappear into the night before she tiptoed back to Bay Residence. As she
walked in, she looked up.
There sat Everett, lounging on the couch.
Chapter 604
Chapter 604
d in a moonlit robe, his long legs crossed at the ankles. He appeared to have been seated there
for some time.
Dorothy wasn''t feeling guilty; she simply didn''t want Everett to know the real reason behind her
ndestine meeting with Byte 7.
"Did I wake you? Was I too loud?" she asked, slipping off her shoes and stepping into the living
room.
Everett didn''t interrogate her. Instead, he stretched out his hand, beckoning her closer, and pulled
Dorothy into an embrace. He then gave a soft murmur, "Chilly outside, isn''t it? You''re not dressed
warm enough."
"It''s fine, nothing to worry about."
He rubbed her hands to warm them but didn''t press for details.
It was Dorothy who couldn''t hold back, "Aren''t you going to ask where I''ve been?"
"If you want to tell me, you''d tell me."
He didn''t want to coerce Dorothy into sharing.
"You don''t think I was out seeing Keh, do you?" Dorothy wanted to clear the air, fearing
Everett''s jealousy might be aimed at Keh again. "It was Byte 7. I asked him to help recover
some data from my sh drive. He ran into a problem and came to ask me about it."
After exining, she showed him the text messages on her phone as proof.
He took the phone, nced at it, and set it aside.
"I trust you."
"But you''re upset," Dorothy could feel it.
Everett gazed into her eyes with his grim ones, "Because it feels like even though you''re close,
you''re always just out of reach."
She kept her secrets, refusing to let him in, not even granting him the courtesy of knowing.
It felt like he was a criminal who perpetually awaited a verdict. He never knew when and where he
might be cast aside.
"You''re overthinking it," Dorothy patted his hand, "What''s with this fear of loss after you''ve stared
death in the face?"
This was Everett, for heaven''s sake!
Even he was prone to insecurities.
"Because you''re always prepared to leave, keeping secrets, and you''ve even mapped out your exit
routes, haven''t you?"
Everett wished he could bepletely oblivious.
He wished he could be blissfully unaware and guessing nothing out as long as she stayed by his
side.
Dorothy started to look away and dodge the subject again, "Maybe after we return to Swevia
Country, you should let Dr. Quincy find you a shrink to check if there''s some underlying
psychological issue with you. I''m right here. Why worry so much?"
"That might be good. Get me a shrink and see if I can be cured."This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
She sighed in resignation and reached up to wrap her arms around Everett''s neck, pressing a kiss
to his lips.
Everett wanted more, so he decisively moved to pin her beneath him, taking the lead.
"This is the living room. What if Abigail and Langston wakes up?"
"The Bay Residence is soundproof."
"But..."
"Dorothy, I''m not looking to that. What are you thinking?"
With that, Dorothy''s cheeks med with embarrassment.
Lately, she''d found her thoughts drifting to such matters far too often.
"Then get off me and stand up!"
"I won''t." Everett insisted on holding her.
Dorothy didn''t dare struggle, wary of his injuries, so she could only let him hold her.
The evening breeze continued to stir outside, the rustling of leaves whispering through the room.
She looked up at him, their gazes locked.
They remained that way.
Time slipped by until he finally broke the silence with a heavy question.
"The secret you''re keeping... it''s about your mother, isn''t it?"
Chapter 605
Chapter 605
Dorothy''s body tensed up, her reaction nearly answering the question for him.
She desperately wanted to ask Everett when he''d started suspecting her. She thought she had
hidden it so well.
Seeing her silence, Everett pressed on, "It was Heather, wasn''t it? I¡¯ll call her over and you can deal
with her as you see fit."
"Don''t!" Dorothy finally spoke up, "I don''t need you to intervene. I can handle this myself."
"Don''t worry about my mom. I''ll talk to her."
By hook or by crook, he would get what he wanted.
Amanda surely wouldn''t turn against her son over Heather. And Heather had definitely tarnished her
standing in Amanda''s eyes after the recent ident in which she hurt Everett.
"I really don''t need it, Everett. Please, stay out of this."
Dorothy tried to walk away, but Everett pulled her back.
"There''s really nothing between Heather and me."
"I know that!"
If she still doubted anything between Everett and Heather now, she''d be out of her mind.
"Dorothy..."
"I''m just a bit tired. Can we go back and rest? Please?" Dorothy gave him a weary smile, clearly
wanting to drop the subject, "Everett, I don''t want to incriminate anyone without evidence. If we just
use your family clout to pin this on Heather, that''s not what I want."
She needed the truth, a fair and just verdict!
Dorothy was well aware that if she asked Everett to take Heather out, he would do it in a heartbeat.
But that wasn''t her goal.
If she had wanted that, she could''ve just confronted Heather and Amanda back in the day, making
sure they all went down together. Why bother gathering evidence or recovering files from a USB?
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.
"I''ll help you find it."
"Everett, stop. I need to do this on my own."
Because once the evidence was there, he might not be willing to hand it over anymore.
...
Karen was dragged back to Jeffrey''s ce without any room for discussion.
She had thought Jeffrey, who clearly had no respect for anyone, would force her hand again!
But surprisingly, all he did was lock the door and take her phone away.
"What the hell are you ying at? I need to get home!"
"Cut the crap, it''ste and your parents are asleep. They have no idea you''re out meeting guys!"
Karen rolled her eyes at him, "Ever heard of being nice?"
"What for?" Jeffrey grabbed himself a ss of iced water, and only then noticed that his knuckles
were bleeding and bruised from the scuffle with Levi.
"Better let me go, or I¡¯ll tell Dorothy first thing tomorrow! I''ll have Everette after you!"
Jeffrey couldn''t help butugh. He downed his iced water and then licked his mouth, "He''s all
cuddled up with his wife and sleeping soundly. Why would he bother with me?"
Karen frowned.
"Besides, I agree to your terms," Jeffrey said as he spread his hands, "Bright and early tomorrow, I''ll
have my folkse over, take you to the bank to check the bnce, and then we''ll swing by the
deeds office and the DMV for the name changes."
"Have you lost your mind? Jeffrey, have you been drinking?"
"Nope, why would I drink? Still got work tomorrow. Everett wants me at a meeting first thing. If I
showed up drunk, I might as well sign my death warrant." Jeffrey was already peeling off his shirt,
nonchnt as ever.
He did it so carelessly as if she was not there.
Karen quickly averted her gaze, but not before hearing his chuckle, "Don''t be shy. I thought you
loved the view."
"I do not!"
Chapter 606
Chapter 606
"No worries, you''ve got a lifetime to figure it out."
Jeffrey had thrown in the towel. He was utterly defeated!
So what if it was about wealth? At the end of the day, it didn''t really matter who owned his
properties.
He wasn''t that attached to his cars and assets.
"Jeffrey, can you just stop?" Karen, sensing he might be serious, pleaded, "We''re not a good
match!"
"You think you and that Levi are a good match?"
"He¡¯s not a match after the beating you gave him." She feared that even if she reached out to Levi
tomorrow, he''d probably block her.
N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.
And exining this mess to her parents? That was a tangled web she dreaded to unravel!
Karen was absolutely fed up with Jeffrey''s temperament. Impulsive, quick to anger, never
considering the consequences or anyone else''s feelings.
Jeffrey was leagues behind Everett in this respect!
"A match or not, you''re mine," Jeffrey dered, settling back into the couch with a thin smile, eyeing
her. "Tomorrow, you''ll join my folks in ironing out my assets. After I wrap up the meeting at the
office, I''lle straight to pick you up."
"I''m not going. I don''t want any of it."
"Like it or not, you have to take it! Karen, you''re an adult, aren''t you? You''ve got to stick to your
word."
Karen red at him, "You said you didn''t like me one bit!"
Jeffery was speechless.
"Anyway, I''m telling you that I still won''t marry you even if you give me your fortune. I said that just
to get rid of you! Just let me go. I really need to check on Levi at the hospital. Or how can my
parents face Levi¡¯s after this?"
She truly regretted dragging Levi into this mess!
For him, this was an unprovoked disaster.
"Well, for the record, once you say something, I take it to heart." Jeffrey casually crossed his legs
and gave a little shake of his foot, which exuded a roguish air. "What do your folks like, anyway?
I''ve never done the meet-the-parents thing. No experience."
"What?!" Karen frowned. "You want to meet my parents?"
"Isn''t it standard to meet the family before getting hitched?" Jeffrey raised an eyebrow. "You thinking
of pulling off some secret marriage? Don''t even go there! What if your folks don''t know you''re
already spoken for and set you up on dates? How would that work?"
He had no intention of being a secret affair for any woman!
"Jeffrey!"
"Master bedroom with me, or the guest room on your own. Take your pick?" He gestured towards
the two adjacent rooms, skipping the financial talk.
"I want to leave! Don''t you understand?"
"I won''t let you leave. Don¡¯t you understand that?"
Karen rolled her eyes and clenched her teeth, "Guest room!"
Jeffrey gave her a thumbs-up, "Then goodnight and sleep tight! My folks will be here first thing in
the morning."
Karen was in shock. She thought he was bluffing, or at least there was a chance. She couldn''t
fathom how a seasoned yer like Jeffrey, who was notorious for his romantic escapades, could
suddenly fall for her and be willing to hand over all his assets just to marry her.
But when she saw Jeffrey''s parents sitting in the living room waiting for her the next morning, she
was convinced.
"Karen!" Paloma waved enthusiastically. "You''re up! My husband and I hope we didn''te too
early to disturb your rest."
Karen blinked. She was nowpletely numb.
Paloma smiled and approached her, "Jeffrey''s off to the office, but he asked me to take care of
things. Once you''re ready, we''ll head to the bank. My husband and I have talked it over. Jeffrey
does have some assets that can''t be transferred. So here''s what we''ll do: we''ll liquidate our own
assets and deposit the cash into your ount. How does that sound?"
Chapter 607
Chapter 607
Honestly, it was hard for Karen toprehend how someone as level-headed as Paloma could
have raised someone like Jeffrey, a real bonehead.
She took a moment topose herself, then gave Paloma a small smile, "Jeffrey and I, well, we
had a bit of a misunderstanding."
"He told me!" Paloma ushered Karen onto the couch, her tone tinged with exasperation, "That boy
of mine has got a temperament, and I''m sure he''s been nothing but a headache for you! The truth
is, his father and I¡ªwe''re partly to me. Always buried in work, we never had enough time for
him. He was left to his own devices abroad and picked up some bad habits like smoking and
drinking."
Karen blinked.
"But you can rest assured, Jeffrey is not a bad kid. He just acts like he''s never grown up." Paloma
couldn''t help but sigh when it came to her son, "He told me this morning that he saw you dining with
a friend and ended up punching the poor guy! His dad and I gave him an earful, then sent someone
to check on your friend at the hospital. After work, we''ll drag Jeffrey over there to apologize in
person. Please don''t be mad. Don''t let this little tiff end things between you lovebirds. My son really
likes you!"
"It''s not like that, we..."
"Your request¡ªto have him transfer his assets into your name in case he messes up again, leaving
him with nothing¡ªI fully support it! That''s exactly what he needs. We''ve wanted to rein him in for a
while now, but nothing seemed to threaten him. With you in the picture, we can finally breathe
easy!"
Paloma could tell this time that her son was genuinely smitten.
A mother knew her child well. She might not say much, but she was aware of all his carousing with
fair-weather friends. Yet, what could she do? He always brushed her off, saying it was all just
networking.
Now, someone had finally made him take things seriously, and that was such a huge relief for her.
"You go freshen up, and then let''s head to the bank! I''ve got a meeting with the bank manager."
At the mention of the bank, Karen quickly waved her hands in protest.
After hesitating, she simply told the truth when she was unable to find a more delicate way to put it.
"Paloma. Jeffrey and I... are not dating!"
Although Karen agreed with much of what Paloma said and could see her sincerity, she couldn''t just
marry Jeffrey because of it. That would be so absurd!
"Huh?" Paloma was taken aback, clearly not expecting such a bombshell.
Her husband, Huxley, also frowned and sat up straighter to look at her.
Karen felt a little awkward.
She couldn''t exactly say that she and Jeffrey had just slept together for the heck of it¡ªthat she was
just sampling what their son was like without any intention of being responsible.
This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
This whole situation was totally unexpected!
"I was visiting a friend in Swevia Country, and since my friend was rather busy, Jeffrey was just
asked to look after me for a bit. That''s the only connection between us."
There was never any romance.
"That can''t be right. Jeffrey told us you two were an item, that it was even your idea. Oh, no, that''s
not what I meant. I thought maybe you liked Jeffrey too!"
"I only ever saw him as a friend. Maybe Jeffrey read too much into it."
Paloma exchanged a puzzled nce with her husband.
After a moment, Huxley spoke up in a deep voice, "Call that boy and find out what the heck is going
on."
Chapter 608
Chapter 608
Jeffrey had just left, saying he was filling in for Everett at a meeting, which meant he is probably in
the boardroom by now. Wait up, I''ll just shoot him a text and see what''s up."
Karen knew she had to skedaddle before Jeffrey got back; if he returned, she wouldn''t stand a
chance of leaving.
"Alright, you guys catch up with Jeffrey for the full scoop. I better head out."
"What''s the rush? Have some breakfast! I asked the housekeeper to whip up something special."
Paloma didn''t let Karen''s words sour her mood; she was still all smiles. "After you''ve eaten, whether
you and Jeffrey are an item or not, I''m making him go to the hospital and apologize to your friend.
We''ll sort out anypensation that''s due; we can¡¯t muddle it through and have you caught in the
middle of this mess."
"No worries, my friend probably doesn''t need his apology. I''ll have a word with him, that''s all."
Karen was terrified that if Jeffrey faced Levi, he might throw punches before he could even
apologize!
Nobody knew what he¡¯s gonna do next with his temper.
Coercing her, throwing his phone in a fit,shing out¡none of that was normal behavior.
"Karen, Jeffrey has to face the consequences of his actions. Don''t worry, with his dad and me
around, he wouldn''t dare step out of line." Paloma''s sincere gaze didn¡¯t carry a trace of high-society
arrogance.
For a moment, Karen wished Everett''s parents were like this too.
Then Dorothy and Everett would surely be living their happiest life together.
...
Dorothy slept like a log back at Bay Residence, as if Everett''s presence magically improved her
sleep quality.
If it weren''t for the kids'' ruckus, she might have snoozed the day away.
After freshening up, she stepped out in her robe to find Everett making breakfast while Abigail and
Langston were tossing a ball back and forth, chirping withughter.
Looking down, the plush carpet was a disaster zone.
Dorothy hurried over to tidy up, putting the toys back in their ce.
"Mommy, I wanna keep ying!" Abigail pouted, "Daddy said we could y whatever we want!"
That was a quick switch. She just fit in so naturally.
Dorothy sighed and called Langston over.
"Kids, listen up. Daddy is a bit of a clean freak; he doesn''t like a mess, so let''s keep things tidy,
okay?"
"But Daddy said it''s okay!" Abigail was already using Everett as her shield.
"That''s because Daddy loves you. But you gotta love him back, right? Don''t you want Daddy to be
happy?"
Abigail blinked innocently and nodded, "I do."
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"Then let''s clean up together."
Abigail agreed while Langston snorted, "Mommy, you''re so good at brainwashing!"
Dorothy gasped.
"Breakfast''s ready." Everett set the table and looked up to see the trio huddled over the toys.
No prizes for guessing who orchestrated this "activity."
"Stop that. I''ll clean upter. Abigail, Langston,e eat."
"Yay, breakfast time!" Abigail cheered at the prospect of ditching chores and darted off.
Dorothy looked helplessly at Everett.
He smiled tenderly, wrapping his arms around her from behind, "My world, my rules. I don''t mind at
all."
"No more clean freak?"
"Not when ites to you."
Chapter 609
Chapter 609
Dorothy gave him a girly gaze, ¡°Double standards much? Dr. Quincy said she tried to give you a
handst time, and you wouldn''t have it.¡±
Everett thought for a moment before he remembered the incident at the hospital in Swevia Country.
¡°She sure likes to talk, doesn¡¯t she?¡±
¡°It¡¯s not every day she meets someone like you.¡± Dorothy pulled out a chair and sat down, watching
Everett hoist both kids into their seats. ¡°She said you¡¯d rather suffer than ept help.¡±
Everett ced a ss of milk in front of her, ¡°I just don¡¯t like other women touching me, that¡¯s all.¡±
¡°You¡¯re not worried about me getting jealous, are you?¡± The thought suddenly popped into Dorothy¡¯s
head.
It seemed like he was always especially cold and distant towards Quincy, much like how he had
been with Heather at first.
Everett smirked at her, ¡°Would you get jealous?¡±
¡°I¡¯m not as petty as you are. Dr. Quincy¡¯s just treating you.¡±
That would be so unreasonable if she started getting jealous of his doctor.
¡°I kind of wish you were petty.¡±
This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
For years, his self-discipline was all that kept him in line. Dorothy didn''t seem to care or bother.
Dorothy shot him a nce. She said nothing but her smile lingered.
¡°I had Kevin book us flights to Snowfall City.¡± After breakfast, Everett tidied up the toys that Abigail
and Langston had been ying with.
Dorothy knew that his obsession with cleanliness wasn¡¯t cured, just temporarily subdued.
¡°Great,¡± she said, wrapping her arms around Everett from behind. ¡°It¡¯s a shame Snowfall City isn¡¯t
living up to its name right now.¡±
¡°It will snow eventually.¡± Everett turned around to embrace her fully. ¡°We can stay in Snowfall City
for a while.¡±
¡°What about your work?¡±
¡°Jeffrey¡¯s got it covered.¡±
Dorothy shook her head with a smile, ¡°Let''s not. Your health is what¡¯s important. We need to get you
back to Swevia County as soon as possible.¡±
¡°Dorothy, I don¡¯t want you to have any regrets.¡±
She shook her head in his arms, ¡°I don¡¯t have regrets anymore.¡±
To have someone cherish her like this, treasure her and protect her so carefully, she really had
nothing to regret about. If she had to name one, it might be the impossibility of growing old together.
...
Jeffrey had just finished a meeting at the office and stepped out of the conference room when he
saw a call from his mother.
Picking up the phone, he signaled to his secretary, ¡°Take the meeting summary to the CEO¡¯s office,
hand it to Kevin, and tell him I¡¯ll be out this afternoon.¡±
¡°Right away, Mr. Turner.¡±
Once he finished, Jeffrey spoke to his mother, ¡°Hey, Mom!¡±
¡°Are you done with your meeting?¡±
¡°Yeah, heading down to the garage now. Where are you guys? I¡¯lle find you.¡±
He spoke as he made his way to the elevator, car keys in hand.
Paloma paused, then whispered, ¡°What¡¯s going on with you and Karen? She told me you two aren¡¯t
even dating!¡±
¡°She said that?¡± Jeffrey raised an eyebrow as he got into his car.
¡°Yes! Your father and I arepletely confused. What¡¯s the deal?¡±
¡°Oh, well, I just ticked her off so she¡¯s ying hard to get! Haven¡¯t you heard her say she¡¯s my
girlfriend?¡± Jeffrey chuckled. ¡°I¡¯ll just need to sweet-talk her a bit, and everything will be fine.¡±
Paloma was still somewhat skeptical, ¡°Really?¡±
¡°Really! I¡¯m heading home to charm her now. You didn¡¯t let her leave, did you?¡±
¡°No, no, we just didn¡¯t want her storming off in a huff.¡±
Jeffrey breathed a sigh of relief.
¡°Alright, I¡¯ll head home now and we¡¯ll talk soon!¡±
Chapter 610
Chapter 610
Jeffrey barreled into the driveway, his caring to a brisk halt. He burst through the front door,
and sure enough, there was Karen, trapped in an intervention circle by his folks.
Before Jeffrey could make his presence known, Karen was in full defense mode, ¡°Jeffrey and I are
not an item! We¡¯re just friends, honest!¡±
¡°I get it!¡±
¡°You finally understand?¡±
¡°I know you¡¯re ticked off. Jeffrey can really be a piece of work! Just wait till he gets home. His dad
and I are gonna read him the riot act!¡±
Karen, feeling utterly helpless and at a loss for words, caught a glimpse of Jeffrey striding in.
She shot up from the couch and pointed at him, ¡°Jeffrey, get over here and exin!¡±
Paloma, seeing her son return, heaved a sigh of relief.
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.
Thest thing she wanted was her future daughter-inw making a run for it, leaving her to face the
music when her son asked about her whereabouts.
Jeffrey sauntered over with a grin and stood beside Karen. His eyes crinkled with mischief as he
announced, ¡°Alright, let me clear the air¡ª¡±
¡°Karen here is my girlfriend, and I¡¯m going to marry her.¡±
Paloma¡¯s heart settled back into ce at his deration.
But Karen? She was on the verge of tears.
¡°Are you nuts, Jeffrey? Since when am I your girlfriend?¡±
¡°How many nights have you spent in my bed? If not my girlfriend, then what?¡±
Karen was utterly dumbfounded.
Hearing this, Huxley coughed awkwardly, excusing himself to get some fresh air.
Paloma, now all smiles, chimed in, ¡°How about you two chat for a bit? Your dad and I will take a
stroll around the block. If you decide to hit up the bank today, we¡¯ll join. If not, we¡¯ll head out.¡±
¡°Sounds good, Mom. I¡¯ll sweet-talk her. She¡¯s just throwing a tantrum.¡±
Once his parents were out the door, Jeffrey turned around only to be greeted with a sharp pain in
his foot!
Karen had zeroed in on his flip-flops and stomped down hard.
¡°Yeow! Are you trying to cripple me? My leg¡¯s just healed!¡±
¡°You deserve it! Why don¡¯t you just be disabled?¡± Karen red at him and outstretched her
hand, ¡°Give me back my phone! This is like house arrest. Do you know that, Jeffery?¡±
She was desperate to get in touch with her parents and to straighten out the whole Levi thing!
¡°I had no choice. The minute I let you go, you¡¯d be straight to the hospital to find that pretty boy!¡±
Jeffrey tugged Karen back to the couch, fixing her with a serious gaze, ¡°I¡¯m not kidding. I agreed to
your terms for real. My folks are here to help us with the title transfer. You wanted security and I¡¯m
giving it to you!¡±
Jeffrey was different today.
Dressed up for apany meeting, he was wearing a rare look: crisp suit, tie knotted just so, hair
slicked back ¨C he looked every bit the aloof business tycoon instead of the rakish heartthrob.
Maybe it was an illusion, but she could actually sense a shred of sincerity in his words.
But still¡
¡°If you¡¯re serious, then answer me, why me?¡±
Karen tried to keep her emotions in check to have a real conversation.
But that genuinely stumped Jeffrey.
¡°What reason? The reason is you!¡±
¡°Among all your exes, there are prettier ones, ones with better figures, more sensible ones, and
ones who¡¯d cling to you. Why would you want to marry me?¡± Karenid her deepest doubts all out,
¡°Is it because I refused to stay in touch, so you find me different and refreshing?¡±
Jeffrey rolled the tip of his tongue against his cheek, loosening his tie, ¡°You¡¯re overthinking it... I
don¡¯t just say yes to anyone who asks.¡±
Chapter 611
Chapter 611
He remembered the moment Karen blurted it out, except for a mix of shock and a subtle flutter in
his chest, he did not feel the slightest hint of rejection.
So Jeffrey figured he must have a thing for her.
After all, he had an aversion to women who ng onto him. He even found them repulsive! He
feared getting stuck with someone he couldn''t shake off.
¡°So, when ites down to it, what¡¯s so special about me?¡±
The fact that Jeffrey had gone to such lengths for her was beyond Karen''s belief; it felt like a surreal
dream!
A dream where a wealthy bachelor falls for someone like her.
She thought of herself as utterly ordinary and invisible in a crowd! Even if he had eyes for someone
like Dorothy, it would be understandable; with her stunning looks and knockout figure, she was a
total catch.
This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.
But herself? She had nothing of the sort!
¡°I can¡¯t quite put it into words,¡± Jeffrey confessed, ¡°Don''t think that I''m smooth with sweet nothings
just because I''ve had a lot of arm candies. I rarely say such things, so when you ask me these
questions, I''m at a loss for words. I don¡¯t know what to say! How about this; you tell me the answer
you want to hear, and then I''ll say it to you!¡±
This was harder than when Everett demanded the project report by the next day! He had no idea
where to start, only knowing that if he messed up, he''d be back to square one trying to woo her!
Truth be told, aside from Karen, Jeffrey had never really fallen for any other fling. Those who he
found attractive were simply handed a room key and settled with a wad of cash after the deed. So
before Karen, he never needed to chase a girl and get beaten up like that.
Seeing Jeffrey scratching his head in frustration, Karen couldn''t help butugh.
He looked like someone new to dating, even more innocent than Levi.
"Let''s do this, you let me go, I¡¯ll clear things up with Levi, and then I''ll call you. We can talk more
later, okay?" Karen wanted to give him some time to sort his thoughts.
This was about marriage, not just fooling around.
She needed to give herself time to think, to decide whether to take a leap of faith with Jeffrey.
After all, with his looks, their kid would surely be beautiful! That was probably the most convincing
reason Karen could think of to persuade herself.
Talking about love and feelings was premature.
Karen wouldn''t easily fall head-over-heels; she was pretty level-headed when it came to these
matters. She would never be blinded by infatuation.
As soon as Jeffrey heard she was nning to leave and see Levi, he immediately grabbed her
wrist, ¡°No, you can¡¯t go see him!¡±
¡°I told you that I just want to check in. After what happenedst night, it''s impolite to vanish without
a word. Jeffrey, you can''t only think about your own feelings; you have to consider my situation too
and how I''ll exin this to my parents.¡±
At times like these, he acted like a stubborn and irrational kid who was consumed by jealousy.
Jeffrey looked at her and after a few seconds said, ¡°Then I¡¯ll go with you.¡±
¡°What for? To hit him again?¡±
¡°To apologize, of course! It wasn¡¯t you who hit him, so you shouldn¡¯t be the one apologizing!
Granted, he took my girl out for dinner, gave her roses, and they were alone in his car in the middle
of the night, but I shouldn''t have resorted to violence.¡±
Her response was silent, but his words sounded less like an apology and more like an usation.
Chapter 612
Chapter 612
It was as if Karen had been caught red-handed by flirting with other men outside of her marriage.
"So that¡¯s settled. Let¡¯s go!" Jeffrey took her hand and was ready to lead her out.
Karen, scared that Jeffrey might start another argument, struggled briefly, "Can''t I just go by myself?
Don''t you have work to do?"
"Work''s done for today! Everett only left me in charge of the meeting before he took off. Everything
else can wait and I stayed up all night finishing up. Taking care of you is my priority right now."
He was eager to marry her and experience the family happiness that Everett was enjoying now.
Karen rolled her eyes speechlessly. Then she suddenly remembered something, "Left? Where did
Everett go?"
"He took Dorothy and the kids to Snowfall City. He''s not in Eldorria City, so even if you wanted to
comin, it''s no use."
Jeffrey pulled Karen''s cellphone from his suit pocket and handed it back to her with a grin.
Karen was dumbfounded.
"You took my phone to work?"
"Yeah, didn''t want you finding it at home."
"You really are something..."
...
Dorothy had never been to Snowfall City before.
The air was dry, and by autumn, the weather had already turned cold. The breeze was chilly, unlike
in Eldorria City where you could still wear a T-shirt or maybe just throw on a light jacket at most.
When they disembarked from the ne, Kevin had already arranged for someone to pick them up
from the airport.
Seeing Dorothy shiver, Everett immediately took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.
Dorothy looked up to meet his gaze, "I''m not that cold. You wear it."
"I''m feeling hot."
Dorothy¡¯s got nothing to say about this.
First, they went to the vi Everett had bought. It had arge garden in the front with no
obstructions, which made the inside look bright and airy.
Stepping inside, the decor was Everett''s usual preference for minimalism - a sleekbination of
ck, white, and gray.
Abigail and Langston walked in. Hand in hand, they were looking around with clear dissatisfaction.
"Daddy, there''s nothing to y with here!" Abigail pouted, tugging at Everett''s trousers, "I want to go
back!"
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Everett bent down and picked up his daughter, "How could I not have prepared something for you to
y with? Why don''t you and your brother go upstairs and have a look?"
Abigail''s eyes widened, "Then I want to go upstairs!"
She immediately dashed toward the staircase.
Langston, who was initially dragging his feet, wasn''t very interested in children''s toys; he was just
there to apany his sister. That was until Everett whispered, "There''s aputer upstairs.
Check out the inte speed, okay?"
Langston''s face lit up with surprise, "Is it fast?"
"Of course. And it''s equipped with an anti-tracking system. You can hack intoworks without
leaving a trace."
Without another word, Langston sprinted past Abigail up the stairs!
Everett''s lips curled into a smile as he watched the two little figures scurry upstairs.
Dorothy, having just slipped off her shoes, watched their hasty departure in confusion, "What are
they rushing off to?"
"There are toys they like upstairs."
"You prepared that here, too?"
"What else would the kids y with?" Everett spread his hands as if it were the most obvious thing
in the world.
Dorothy shook her head in resignation.
She should have known Everett would do something like this. He was meticulous, aiming for
perfection in everything, and when it came to Abigail and Langston, his precious gems, he would
spare no expense to keep them happy.
"You just spoil them rotten."
"Jealous?" Everett pulled her into his embrace and stole a kiss on her lips, "I have to make sure
they''re settled so nothing can interrupt us when we head to our bedroom."
Chapter 613
Chapter 613
Dorothy was all too aware of what he was implying.
Buttely, Everett had been pushing his luck, inch by inch. Where was the restraint that once
defined the stoic CEO?
"You''re still injured!"
"Are you questioning my capabilities?" he retorted with a raised eyebrow.
Dorothy rolled her eyes. How could she dare?
She quickly discovered just how capable an "injured" man could be!
He even had the audacity to im they were testing the mattress quality.
After being fervently loved, Dorothy didn''t even want to move. As Everett''s wounds healed, his
appetite for variety seemed to grow.
She thought about resisting, butcking his strength, she could only plead for mercy.
Lying in bed, breathless, Dorothy gave him a sultry look; even her annoyed re seemed
coquettish.
"Who does this in the broad daylight, Everett?"
Everett didn''t argue, simply scooping her up from the bed and carrying her to the bathroom.
"I''m drained too. What about the kidster?" she asked.
"I''ve hired a nanny to look after them and a chef to prepare nutritious meals." Everett would always
ensure his children were well taken care of first.
Hearing this, Dorothy became even more irritated.
"So you''ve been nning to do this in the vi since we got off the ne."
Everettughed with a deep, resonant sound. His voice betrayed a hint of hurt, "Dorothy, it''s been
over four years since I''ve indulged."
How could he be satisfied after just a few times?
If he didn''t have to consider that Dorothy''s small frame couldn''t handle it, he''d have her in bed for a
month!
Dorothy looked at him and teased, "Who knows? After all, you might have been with someone else
in the meantime; I have no way of verifying that."
The hand around her waist suddenly tightened.
Everett pinched her fair face and said, "There''s only ever been you, Dorothy."
"I know, I was just joking."
This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
"I don''t like that joke." His gaze was intense and sincere, as if his eyes had room for Dorothy alone,
"Having you is enough. It was enough in school, and in the working world. It¡¯s enough for me now,
and it will be enough for me in the future."
A blush crept onto Dorothy''s cheeks, and she averted her eyes,ughing to change the subject.
"Are you trying to wear me out?"
He affectionately tapped her forehead, his voice a rumbling caress, "You ungrateful little thing."
The consequence of Dorothy''s feigned suspicion that Everett had been with other women was
being yfully but firmly taken in the bathroom one more time before he let her rest.
Shey in the bathtub. Everett was washing her hair, and Dorothy, with eyes half-closed, pondered
one question.
Why did this man have so much energy?
After the bath, Dorothy was so exhausted that she fell asleep as soon as she hit the bed.
Everett, now infortable home clothes, stepped out of the bedroom and went upstairs.
Abigail and Langston was busy with their building blocks. To be precise, Abigail was engrossed
while Langston was half-heartedly joining in, his mind on theptop beside him.
"Daddy! Look at the castle I built!" Abigail waved excitedly upon seeing Everett.
He sat down beside her, folded his long limbs onto the carpet and touched her little braids, "You''re
amazing, Abigail."
"I did it all by myself; my brother didn''t help at all!"
Langston snorted from the side, "I''m setting up our homework firewall; it''s almost done."
Watching his son and daughter, and thinking of Dorothy asleep downstairs, Everett suddenly felt
that life just like this might be touching the ceiling of happiness.
Chapter 614
Chapter 614
When Dorothy woke up, the night had already wrapped the world outside in its dark embrace.
Stretchingnguidly, she rose from the bed. Her legs were still tingling with a residual soreness, but
at least she could walk now.
Stepping out of the bedroom, the first floor was deserted, with only a singlemp casting a warm
glow in the living room¡ªit seemed like no one from upstairs had ventured down in quite some time.
As she reached the stairwell, the sounds of yfulmotion drifted down from above. Everett was
up there, his patience a well from which Abigail and Langston drew joyously. Each question they
posed was met with careful attention, and Everett''s answers were thorough, a testament to his
commitment to their curiosity.
Dorothy knew that back at the Lopez Corporation, loads of work had awaited him, yet here he was
ying with the children.
Hearing Dorothy¡¯s movement, Everett looked toward the staircase.
"Mommy''s here!" Abigail''s little figure darted into Dorothy''s arms. "Look, Daddy got us new toys! I
just unwrapped them!"
Dorothy surveyed the upstairs, relieved to find only a mountain of toys¡ªno forts or anything too
rowdy that might have prompted a mild reprimand to Everett. She understood his desire to make up
for the lost time with his children, but he couldn¡¯t spoil them too much.
Everett stood up and circled Dorothy into aforting embrace. "Awake now, are you hungry?"
"Not really." Dorothy''s appetite was modest, and she could go a long while on little food.
"I''ll have the chef whip up something light for you. You can¡¯t skip meals, it''s not good for your
stomach."
Dorothy nodded, uncharacteristicallypliant. "Okay."
Meanwhile, Langston let out a sigh of relief as the progress bar on hisputer finally hit 100%. He
turned to share his triumph with Everett, only to catch the intimate moment between his parents. He
scrunched his face and turned back to his screen, muttering something on his own.
After Everett instructed the chef to prepare snacks for the children, he returned with a gentle
question. "Mommy and I are visiting Saint Cathedral tomorrow morning. You two want toe?"
Abigail was about to express her eagerness when Langston interjected.
"I''m not going. I haven''t finished setting up thework security yet. Plus, why would I want to be a
third wheel?"
"If brother''s not going, I''m not either. I''ll stay with him!" Abigail dered, wrapping her arms around
Langston''s neck with a giggle.
Dorothy sighed. "Langston, where did you learn all these phrases?"
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.
"What isn''t on the inte?"
She worried about the vastness of the web but before she could voice her concerns, Everett took
her hand and whispered reassuringly, "Don''t worry, I''ve filtered what Langston sees online. Nothing
will slip through."
"You''ve thought of that too?"
"Of course. It¡¯s my responsibility."
Dorothy was no stranger to his meticulous nature, but this level of consideration still surprised her.
It was clear why not just anyone could handle being the CEO of an international conglomerate.
Beyond managing a daily deluge of decisions, one had to anticipate every eventuality.
Chapter 615
Chapter 615
In the end, Karen relented and apanied Jeffrey to the hospital.
Levi had been assigned to a private room, which was an arrangement undoubtedly made by Jeffrey.
She had picked up fruits and gifts along the way, and as she entered the room, Levi''s eyes lit up at
the sight of her. However, the light quickly faded when he spotted Jeffrey, who was impably
dressed in a suit, following closely behind.
"Levi, how are you feeling now?"
Karen''s voice was as dry as an overcooked turkey, mostly because she was feeling guilty. She
barely knew Levi, having only met him for the first time, but he had already taken a beating because
of her.
Jeffrey''s fists had been aimed straight for Levi''s face. With bandages of all sizes stered across
his features, poor Levi looked like a mummy straight out of a Halloween party.
"I''m fine," Levi forced a grin, pain ring across his face as he did so.
Karen moved to check on Levi''s injuries, but before she could take a step closer, Jeffrey yanked her
back.
"Look, I just told Karen here to apologize to you, man. We got into a quarrel and she wanted to
make me jealous, so she invited you to have hot pot with her. It was all about getting a rise out of
me, not because she was into you."
The way Jeffrey said "Karen" made her skin crawl with annoyance.
But to Levi, it sounded like cold, hard truth. A bitter smile twitched at the corner of his mouth. "So
that''s how it is. I thought she actually liked me."This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.
"Oh,e on. That¡¯s nonsense." Jeffrey chuckled, arching an eyebrow mischievously. "Just look at
me. One nce and you know who she''s really into."
"Jeffrey!" Karen couldn''t help but pinch his arm, even though he seemed to enjoy it way too much.
To any onlooker, they were the picture of a couple yfully bickering.
Levi felt a pang of sadness but wasn''t the type to hold grudges. Given his parents were close
friends with Karen''s, he wasn''t about to make a big deal out of it.
"Well, just don''t make her mad again, okay? Karen¡¯s a nice girl."
"I don''t need you to tell me that." Jeffrey pulled Karen into his arms and nted a dramatic kiss on
her cheek. "We''ve already decided to tie the knot."
Karen wanted nothing more than to sew Jeffrey''s mouth shut permanently.
Levi nced at Karen, wanting to seek some sort of confirmation.
She gave an awkward smile, at a loss for words.
"Don''t listen to his nonsense. We''re still figuring things out."
"So, he really is your boyfriend?" Levi pressed, not quite ready to give up. He had seen Karen
struggling to break free from Jeffrey''s grip the day before, and he thought maybe there was still a
chance for him.
Faced with Levi''s question, Karen had no choice but to nod in agreement.
"Yeah, he is."
Strictly speaking, he had only officially be her boyfriend about one hour ago.
"When we get married, you have toe for a drink," Jeffrey said, still grinning like a cat who got
the cream.
Levi knew he couldn''tpare to Jeffrey.
In looks, Jeffrey was the epitome of handsome, with his narrow, expressive eyes and an effortless
air ofziness that made him irresistibly charming. But Levi was average-looking at best.
In terms of family background, Levi had seen the Rolls Royce Jeffrey drove the day before. The
aura of wealth and privilege that Jeffrey exuded was unmistakable.
Even in height, Levi fell shortpared to Jeffrey.
Other than offering insincere congrattions, there wasn¡¯t much left for Levi to do.
"If I''m avable, I''ll be there."
"Great!" Jeffrey said, taking Karen''s hand. "Now that I''ve apologized, shall we go? Maybe head
straight to meet your parents?"
After all, he and his parents were all set for it.
Chapter 616
Chapter 616
"No!" Karen blurted out, her voice resolute. "Just give me some time, okay? I need to let this sink in
with them."
The thought of breaking the news to her parents that her blind date had shifted from Levi to Jeffrey
was daunting. There was no way her parents would take it lightly.
She needed a detailed n on how to break it to them and, truth be told, Karen still found the idea
of her and Jeffrey discussing marriage a bit ludicrous.
"Alright, you''ve got one day," Jeffrey conceded, setting his final limit. "I''m bringing my parents over
tomorrow."
"What''s the rush, Jeffrey?"
This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.
"Just jealous of Everett, I guess. I want my own little ''Langston'' soon, too."
After seeing Everett with his kids, Jeffrey''s desire for a child of his own had skyrocketed. He was so
impatient it was almost as if he wanted to kidnap a baby and call it a day.
...
The next morning, Dorothy and Everett left the house early.
Their first stop was Central Street.
Since it wasn''t the weekend, the crowd was sparse, only with couples and friends chatting and
laughing in twos and threes.
"Want a taste?"
Everett, donned in a dark trench coat, quickened his pace and bought a maple pecan ice cream
from a street vendor.
Dorothy took a bite, "Delicious."
"Then I''ll have Kevin buy some more and bring them back home."
"No need for that, really."
Hand in hand, they continued on their stroll, stopping asionally and snapping several photos
along the way.
They followed the navigation to the Saint Cathedral.
"Wow!"
The sight of the cathedral in front of her made Dorothy gasp in awe.
The sky was a striking blue, as if freshly washed by water, creating a visual spectacle against the
cathedral''s red brick and green domes.
She took out her phone, eager to capture the moment.
Standing behind her, Everett suddenly said, "Just taking a picture is boring."
Dorothy looked up at him, curious. "Then what would be interesting?"
Everett paused, his gaze shifting to a young student nearby with a backpack. He approached the
student and tapped his shoulder. "Hey, mind if I borrow a pen and paper?"
The student was a bit startled by Everett''s presence but nodded in agreement. "Sure, no problem."
After receiving the writing tools, Everett beckoned Dorothy with a finger.
"What do you want to write?"
She got the hint and yfully suggested, "Greetings?"
Everett chuckled with a hint of exasperation. "Isn''t that a bit trite?"
"So what do you suggest?"
With a smile, Everett took the pen and wrote on the paper: Greetings from Everett & Dorothy.
Dorothy leaned in to read it. "What¡¯s the difference from my idea? I thought you said it was trite?"
"Trite, yes, but I have to listen to you," he replied with a wink.
He returned the pen and paper to the student with a thank you, then held up the note in front of
cathedral.
"Let''s take the picture this way."
Dorothyughed and raised her phone, capturing the vibrant blue sky, the exotic cathedral, and their
note in one frame.
"You really like it here."
She nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! I remember seeing promotional images of Snowfall City and
thinking how beautiful it was! But the photos were all snowy. It''s even more beautiful now."
Everett tucked the note away and took Dorothy''s slightly cold hand in his again.
"We''lle back when it snows," he promised.
Dorothy looked at him and smiled. "Yeah."
"Close your eyes," he suddenly instructed.
Sheplied instinctively. The next moment, the warmth of his lips pressed gently against hers.
Chapter 617
Chapter 617
That heart-thumping sensation seemed to find its home only in the presence of Everett.
He kissed her with a focus that intensified from a whisper to a storm.
It wasn''t until the onlookers began to tease that Dorothy pushed him away and bolted. Her cheeks
flushed with embarrassment.
Everett knew she was shy. Striding with long steps, he caught up to her, "What''s the worry? Think
we''re breaking the rules?"
Dorothy didn¡¯t know how to reply.
"Then let''s make it official," he said, gripping her hand a bit tighter. "I''m back in town now. Let''s head
to city hall and renew our vows."
Dorothy blinked out of her daze and then smiled at him, "You think you can just whisk me away to
sign papers? I''ve learned my lesson the first time around."
Looking for a proposal? Everett thought she was softening up.
But Dorothy shook her head, "I want to give it more serious thought before I give you an answer."
In the world of grown-ups, anything short of a yes was a no.
Everett understood.
...
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They bought some snacks and trinkets on the streets, and only when Dorothy felt a hint of fatigue
did they head back to their ce.
"Go rest up. I''ll tend to the kids."
Everett stroked her hair, seeing the weariness in her eyes.
"Yourpany must be swamped, right? Don''t dump it all on Kevin and Jeffrey. I''m not that tired.
ying with the kids is doable."
"Are you sure you¡¯re not tired?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Dorothy nodded firmly, "Of course!"
"Then let''s do something else." Without further ado, Everett lifted Dorothy into his arms.
She gave a start, then yfully hit his shoulder, a hint ofint in her voice, "We just did...
yesterday."
"Just kidding," Everett said as heid her gently on the bed. "I''ve got thepany matters in hand.
Go to sleep."
Reassured, Dorothy was about to speak when Everett''s phone suddenly rang.
He nced down. It was Jeffrey calling. Dorothy also caught a glimpse of the name on the screen.
"And here you said you had it under control. Look who''s calling now."
Everett sat on the edge of the bed, crossing his long legs. With Dorothy watching, he answered.
"Hello?"
"Everett! When are you and Dorothy heading back from Snowfall City?" Jeffrey sounded oddly
excited, as if he''d stumbled upon some grand fortune, a stark contrast to his gloominess earlier
when they hadnded.
But this was the Jeffrey Everett knew, on his usual cheerful self.
"We haven''t decided yet," Everett yed with a strand of Dorothy''s hair, twining it around his finger.
"Is something up at the office?"
"No, it''s my news!" Jeffrey chuckled, "Karen agreed to be my girlfriend, and I''m meeting her parents
today!"
This revtion stunned both Dorothy and Everett.
Before their trip to Snowfall City, Jeffrey and Karen had been at odds.
"How did you pull it off?" Everett pressed immediately. "Jeffrey, you promised not to force her."
He could feel Dorothy frowning beside him.
"What do you mean ''pull it off''? I pursued her properly, and she said yes properly!" Jeffrey didn''t
appreciate the insinuation, his voice showing a hint of pique. "With my looks, do I need to resort to
deceit?"
"Karen agreed willingly?"
"Of course! If you don''t believe me, ask Dorothy to check with her!"
Everett paused, noticing Dorothy reaching for her phone, then asked again, "Jeffrey, you''re serious
about this, right?"
Chapter 618
Chapter 618
"Absolutely!" Jeffrey''s voice pitched up with excitement. "I''m not talking about just dating, man. I''m
talking about meeting the parents, tying the knot!"
"How long have you guys even known each other?"
Everett felt they were rushing into things like kids ying house, not taking it seriously enough.
While he wasn''t surprised Jeffrey could make such a move, the one in question was Karen. He
couldn''t help but throw in a few words of caution.
"Didn''t you fall for Dorothy the moment you saw her? The only difference between us is¡ªDorothy
didn''t say yes back in our college days, but Karen said yes to me now."
Everett was at a loss for words.
"If Dorothy had agreed to be your girlfriend back then, you would''ve said no? That you''din
about not knowing each other long enough, about not being cautious enough?"
Of course, Everett wouldn''t have said no.
He was left speechless by Jeffrey¡¯s retort.
"Chill, dude. I''m serious this time. I want to get married and have a couple of kids, just like you and
Dorothy!"
After a few more words of advice, Everett hung up. On the other side of the bed, Dorothy was
already probing Karen.
"Did Jeffrey do something to you? You can tell me, don''t be scared."
On the other end, Karen hesitated before saying, "Although he''s done some pretty bold stuff,
agreeing to be with him was indeed my choice."
"What made you change your mind?"
Dorothy clearly remembered Karen disliking Jeffrey before for his annoyance.
Even the time they met at the airport was a disaster! And that was just days ago.
N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.
"Just... I guess his parents are really nice, and it seems like Jeffrey is actually serious this time."
Karen could feel that Jeffrey was different towards her.
Otherwise, he would have bailed on any other girl by now with his notoriously short patience.
Even if Levi did all this, it wouldn''t be a big deal. But this was Jeffrey, the guy who''s always been
chased by women. He didn''t need to try this hard.
"What about you? What do you think?" Dorothy didn''t want her friend to start a rtionship based
on any side reasons. "Do you like Jeffrey?"
A long silence followed on the phone.
"He''s pretty handsome, more so than any guy I''ve dated before."
"That''s it? Just looks?"
Karen let out a dryugh, "What else can I say that I''d even believe myself? I''ve only known him for
a short while. Haven''t really gotten to know him yet. What''s drawing me in so far is that his parents
are genuinely kind and their family vibe is so warm. And then, yeah, Jeffrey''s got good looks."
Otherwise, there wouldn''t be any start between them.
Especially since Karen truly disliked anyone who had been with Heather.
"Jeffrey mentioned visiting your parents. Are you guys nning on getting to know each other for a
while, or... a shotgun wedding?" Dorothy was concerned when she heard Karen''s tone. It was clear
she wasn''t quite smitten yet, and a wedding would definitely be premature.
"Don''t listen to his nonsense! We''ve just agreed to try dating. Talking about marriage is way too
early. I might be a sucker for a pretty face, but I haven''t lost my mind!"
Hearing Karen say that, Dorothy felt relieved.
"Alright, as long as you know what you''re doing."
"Don''t worry, I''m not love-struck. If I were, I would''ve said yes to Jeffrey long ago."
Chapter 619
Chapter 619
Dorothy hung up the phone, her mind whirling as she tried toe to grips with the reality of the
situation.
Karen and Jeffrey - the thought of them together was, well, unexpected.
Everett rose from his seat and sauntered over to her. With an ease that spoke of years of intimacy,
he wrapped her in aforting embrace. "Don''t worry, Jeffrey isn''t just fooling around."
Dorothy sighed, her voice tinged with concern, "It''s just that Karen has done so much for me over
the years. I want to repay her, but she doesn''t need money or love. I just don''t know where to start. I
feel guilty... like all I can do is protect her from getting hurt."
"If Jeffrey dares to mistreat Karen, he''ll have me to answer to," Everett said with a grin. "Abigail and
Langston aren''t just your children. They''re mine too. So we owe the debts together."
Dorothy looked up at him, "Will Jeffrey treat Karen right?"
"Jeffrey chased Karen with all his might. As for what happens next... Dorothy, I can''t make
guarantees."
No one could predict the future, not even someone like Everett.
"I''m not expecting them to go the distance, get married, have kids, and live happily ever after. I just
hope that if they do part ways, it''s not because Jeffrey broke her heart," Dorothy mused.
"I''d never let that slide," Everett assured her.
Dorothyughed, her hand yfully encircling his neck. "Would you cut ties with Jeffrey for me
then?"
His lips curved in a half-smile, his response immediate and sure, "I would."
"If he heard that, he''d use you of choosing love over friendship!"
"Maybe he would''ve in the past, but not necessarily now."
"Oh?"
Everett just smiled.
Isn''t it different when one has a sweetheart and when one doesn''t?
...
As soon as Karen ended the call with Dorothy, she noticed two missed calls from Jeffrey.
Why was he so clingy?
"I''m heading over to your parents'' ce now."
Jeffrey''s voice was buoyant and excited when she answered.
"I haven''t even told my parents yet."
"Didn''t we agree yesterday? I gave you a whole day!"
Karen thought for a moment and then scrambled out of bed. "You''re not bringing your parents with
you now, are you?"
She had a vague memory of Jeffrey saying he wanted to bring his parents over the day before.
"No, I didn''t want to pressure you," Jeffrey admitted. He had considered it, but then thought it
wouldn''t be fair, like he was forcing her into marriage. So he decided to give Karen more time.
"Today it''s just me visiting, and I''ve bought gifts for your parents."
This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
"I still haven''t told them about Levi''s incident."
Karen found it odd that her parents hadn''t asked about Levi since she''d been home.
"Don''t worry about it. I gave Levi a sum of money to tell his parents he got hurt on his own, no
mention of you." Jeffrey chuckled, "Trust me, your parents won''t know what happened. Even if they
find out Levi got hurt, they''ll think it was just an ident."
"You''re using your money to solve problems again."
"What''s the point of having money if not to fix troubles?" Jeffrey retorted.
Karen didn¡¯t know what to say.
Well, he wasn''t wrong! At least her parents wouldn''t me her now.
"So, how much did you give to Levi?"
Chapter 620
Chapter 620
"A million bucks."
"You beat him up and then handed him a million?" Karen shot up with such force that she banged
her head against the armoire, clutching it as she let out a pained "Ouch!"
Jeffrey grew anxious. "What''s wrong? You think it¡¯s not enough?"
"No," Karen replied, checking her reflection to gauge the damage, then muttered with a tinge of
sarcasm, "Jeffrey, why don''t you just beat me up every day?"
Jeffrey was speechless.
...
Jeffrey waited for Karen at the entrance of her apartment building. Soon enough, she emerged,
donning a pink dress and draping a cardigan over her arms.
The pink hue stood out against her fair skin, making her look almost like a high school girl.
As Jeffrey watched her approach, the corners of his eyes crinkled in approval.
Sure, she looked pretty and vibrant in her outfit, but something about the pink seemed just a tad too
ring for his taste.
Karen walked over, her gaze drifting involuntarily to the empty back seat of his car.
He''de alone, indeed, empty-handed.
Jeffrey, wise to her silent critique, curled his lips into a sly smile and wrapped an arm around
Karen''s waist. "Looking for something?"
"Not at all." Her cheeks flushed. "Can you keep your hands to yourself, please?"
"No! I''m your boyfriend now. Isn''t it only right for us to be close?" Jeffrey teased, leaning in to
whisper near her ear with a husky, yful voice, "Disappointed you didn''t find roses on the back
seat?"
Karen just wanted to zip his mouth.
Her little hope had been so tantly exposed.
Jeffrey chuckled lightly, pulling out a set of car keys from his pocket and cing them in her hand.
"Using Levi''s old moves? Not my style. If he gave you flowers, I¡¯ll give you a car!"
Karen looked down to see the gleaming trident emblem on the key fob.
"You''re giving me¡ a Maserati?"
"Yeah, a limited edition. One for each of us." Jeffrey raised an eyebrow smugly, "Just imagine, all
the people in Eldorria City will know you''re mine when we drive out."
After all, there were only two of that limited edition!
Karen paused and pushed the keys back into his hand. "I don''t want it."
"Why not?"
"Jeffrey, this is too much." She felt like it wasn''t a rtionship but more like being kept.
Who gives a limited edition sports car on a first date?
"Too much?" Jeffrey''s face was a picture of innocence. "The moment you say yes, all my assets are
yours. Giving you a car now is just like moving money from one pocket to another¡ªno difference!"
Karen sighed. "I didn¡¯t mean it."
She had only brought it up to test his sincerity and to dissuade him, never expecting him to take it
seriously.
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Seeing her reaction, Jeffrey''s expression darkened. His excitement faded into seriousness.
"Are you having second thoughts?"
"No, it''s just... I was thinking we could start with a normal rtionship rather than rushing to
marriage. I... I''m not ready yet."
Jeffrey frowned, prying her hand open and forcing the keys back into her palm.
"You have to ept my gift! You epted Levi''s roses, why not my car?"
"How can youpare a bunch of roses to a sports car?"
It was not the same thing!
"How much money does Levi have, and how much do I have?"
Chapter 621
Chapter 621
Karen couldn''t help but recognize Jeffrey''s knack for smooth talking.
Opening the trunk of his car, Jeffrey revealed a bounty of gifts for Karen''s parents.
Peeking inside, Karen was struck speechless.
Skincare products and fine wine were one thing, but bringing a solid gold ornament as a first-time
gift to meet the girlfriend''s parents?
"You''re going to scare my parents with that," she chided.
Jeffrey''s style of gift-giving was extravagant to the point of suspicion. Anyone would wonder if Karen
had struck it rich or was hiding some scandalous secret.
"What should I bring then? I''ll go buy it now," Jeffrey said, clearly inexperienced in this personal
matter.
At Lopez Corporation, he was used to throwing his weight around, not currying favor with gifts.
He had no precedent for what to give when meeting a girlfriend''s parents. He''d never gotten this far
before.
"No need," Karen replied quickly, "My parents aren''t home. They''re probably visiting Levi. Let''s just
pick a nice restaurant and have dinner tonight. Your treat."
Subconsciously, she didn''t want Jeffreying to her house. Compared to his mansion, her family''s
simple home felt embarrassingly modest. She knew he didn''t care, but she didn''t want her parents
to feel inferior.
Relieved to see her relent, Jeffrey readily agreed, "Sure, I''ll follow your lead! I¡¯ll just let my parents
know. Whenever you want our families to meet, they''ll be there."
Karen nodded, "Your parents are really nice. I can tell they really love each other."
Jeffrey opened the passenger door for her and waited for her to get in before he walked around to
the driver''s side.
"My dad can be tough, but he rarely loses his temper with my mom. He''s only strict with me." His
eyes crinkled with a smile as he reached over and pulled Karen towards him, sealing the gesture
with a kiss.
Caught off guard, Karen struggled briefly before remembering that Jeffrey was her boyfriend now.
He deepened the kiss, refusing to let go, as if trying to savor every bit of sweetness from her lips.
When they finally parted, Karen''s cheeks were a bloom of red.
"You can be quite the charmer," Jeffrey''s voice dropped, husky with emotion.
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"Aren''t you supposed to be taking me shopping? If we don''t leave now, I''m going back inside."
"Don''t be mad," he teased, his gaze returning to the road ahead, but the engine remained silent.
Karen turned to him, "What''s wrong?"
The smug look on Jeffrey''s face had turned into a rueful grin.
"I regret kissing you just now."
"Why?"
He took Karen''s hand and pressed it against his body.
The heat from his desire was palpable, even through the fabric of his pants.
"What do you think?"
Karen snatched her hand away as if shocked, ring at him, "It¡¯s your own fault."
He sighed, "You''re right. Just give me a moment to cool down. I can''t drive like this."
Karen had been ready to tease him, but seeing his difort, she realized he was genuinely
struggling.
"Jeffrey, maybe we could just...¡±
"Please don''t talk to me right now! I''ll be fine in a moment, really."
Chapter 622
Chapter 622
Karen mped her lips shut, taking her ce in the passenger seat and waiting patiently.
She couldn''t help but sneak peeks at Jeffrey''sp, noting with a suppressed giggle that the situation
hadn''t deted much. It was almostical.
It hadn''t been that long since theirst tumble between the sheets. Was he always this sensitive?
The atmosphere in the car grew thick with awkwardness for almost ten minutes.
Karen was about to break the silence again when Jeffrey cleared his throat, "Um... could I possibly
use your bathroom?"
He needed a cold shower.
He had really overyed his hand earlier, kissing Karen with such fervor that now he was in quite
the embarrassing predicament.
Trying hard not to burst intoughter, Karen thought of every sad thing she could to stifle the
giggles, "Sure, follow me upstairs."
...
In the bathroom, Karen''s cheeks flushed as she listened to the sound of Jeffrey showering. She had
never considered him in a romantic way before, let alone as a potential husband.
But now, things were different.
"Is it okay if I use your towel?" Jeffrey suddenly called out from inside.
Karen touched her heated face, then walked over to the door, "The pink one is mine, did you see
it?"
"Yeah."
His voice trembled a bit, perhaps from the cold shower.
In no time, Jeffrey stepped out of the bathroom, his hair dripping wet, awkwardly wrapped in Karen''s
pink towel. He looked so out of ce, especially in the small confines of Karen''s room, his towering
figure almost invading the entire space.
"You didn''t have to take such a cold shower," Karen said, noticing his shivers and quickly draping a
nket over his shoulders.
Jeffrey adjusted the nket and gave a big, toothy grin, "Otherwise, we wouldn''t be able to enjoy
our day out."
"You good to go now?"
"Yeah," Jeffrey confirmed, turning to look for his clothes, only to hear Karen''s voice behind him.
"We could have just... you know, instead of the shower."
They had been intimate before. What was the difference now?
Jeffrey froze for a second before slowly turning to face her, "Why didn''t you say so earlier?"
"I did, in the car. I started to say ''maybe we could just...'' but you cut me off, told me to be quiet!"
Who''s to me here?
Before Karen could finish her retort, she found herself suddenly lifted into the air and pinned firmly
on the bed!
Jeffrey''s freshly chilled body contrasted starkly against her warm skin, causing goosebumps to
erupt all over her body.
"What are you doing?" she eximed.
"It''s not toote to make it happen now."
Karen''s eyes widened, the rest of her words swallowed down.
Jeffrey was impatient, not nearly as smooth and collected as before. He plunged forward without
waiting for her to be ready.
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"Ah... Jeffrey, it hurts..."
"Try to bear with it," Jeffrey urged through gritted teeth. "After I''ve been with you, I haven''t been with
anyone else. Count the days, how long has it been?"
Karen clutched his arms, ring at him, "Who asked you not to see other women?"
"Would I dare? Then you''d use me of ying around!"
"I never stopped you¡ªAh! Are you trying to kill me?"
With a forceful move, Jeffrey gave her a mild punishment, "Would you be happy if I was with other
women?"
Chapter 623
Chapter 623
Karen bit down hard on his chest, her agitation bubbling like a pot about to boil over.
The more she bit, the harder he held her. What began as an intimate tangle turned into a full-blown
wrestling match.
In the end, Karen had to admit defeat, her energy gging as she pleaded with him in a softer tone
to just hurry up.
If they kept this up, her parents would be back any minute.
After what felt like an eternity, they finally stopped, leaving only the sound of their staggered
breathing.
Jeffrey tried to reach for a cigarette before remembering he was at Karen''s ce.
"Want a cigarette?" Karen asked.
"Nah, I''ll quit if you don''t like it. No more bad habits." He chuckled.
"I don''t care what you do," Karen said, turning away and reaching for her clothes, her arms
trembling.
Just as Jeffrey was about to speak, he sneezed several times in a row.
She handed him a tissue, frowning slightly, "You''ve got a cold, haven''t you?"
"Maybe," Jeffrey replied, using the tissue and then heading back to the bathroom for a hot shower.
"How about we skip shopping today? I''ll check when my parents are getting back, and we can all go
out for dinner instead."
Karen hadn''t really nned on moving things forward this quickly. After all, she and Jeffrey didn''t
truly know much about each other.
But he''d been pushing, and she''d been stalling the meeting of their parents. It was already causing
some tension. If she kept her own parents from him, it would seem like she wasn''t serious.
Plus, her parents had their doubts about Jeffrey''s family background and were wary of asking too
much. A face-to-face meeting could dispel those concerns, making future dates and meet-ups more
natural.
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And most importantly, she could finally stop the relentless pressure from her parents to find a
boyfriend.
"I''m all ears for you," Jeffrey said in high spirits. He was so cheerful he''d agree to n their wedding
right then and there if she asked.
With a sigh, Karen got up to find her phone.
She''d barely dialed when the ringtone sounded from just outside the door.
Oh no! Her parents were back!
Karen froze, her grip on the phone slipping.
Had they returned earlier? The noise they''d made in the bedroom would have been unmistakable if
her parents had been home.
In the bathroom, an oblivious Jeffrey hummed along to a tune.
Karen''s heart sunk further as her mother didn''t answer the call.
She walked to the bathroom door and knocked, "Jeffrey?"
"Yeah? I''m here."
"My parents... they might be right outside."
Jeffrey''s humming stopped abruptly, and the bathroom door flew open.
There he stood in the buff, a mix of shock and bewilderment on his face.
"When did they get back?"
"How should I know?" Karen''s face was a mask of despair. "What do we do now?"
Jeffrey was at a loss. They were boyfriend and girlfriend, sure, but not engaged yet. Being caught in
his girlfriend''s room under such circumstances by her parents was hair-raising, to say the least.
Seeing Karen close to tears, Jeffrey quickly grabbed her hand. His expression was serious, "Don''t
cry, okay? It''s fine! I''ll call my parents right now toe over for a formal meeting. You just tell your
parents that we''ve already discussed marriage. That''s why we... you know, got ahead of ourselves."
Chapter 624
Chapter 624
As soon as he said that, Karen felt an even stronger urge to cry.
"Any other ideas? I''m not ready to settle down this early..."
"Nope, this is it!" Jeffrey had been eager to make things official, and this little mishap seemed like
an assist in his favor!
At his words, Karen couldn''t help but let a few tears slip out.
"Well, then you should call your parents. It''s perfect timing since you''ve got that gift in the car. Let''s
make it a meet-and-greet today."
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Jeffrey''s anxious expression morphed into an even brighter smile, "Deal! I''ll call them right now!"
...
After wandering all the spots they wanted to visit in Snowfall City, Everett and Dorothy had Kevin
book their return flight.
Dorothy was mindful that Everett had a pile of work waiting for him back in Eldorria City. He couldn''t
shirk his corporate duties entirely to keep herpany, after all.
Having seen the highlights of Snowfall City, including Central Street and the majestic cathedral,
Dorothy felt content.
She carefully packed all the souvenirs she bought in Snowfall City into her suitcase.
Everett watched her with a hint of a smile, "You know, I could buy you heaps of these."
"But souvenirs are special because of the memories attached to them. If you just swamp me with
them, they lose their sentimental value."
"So, will you think of me when you look at them?"
Dorothyughed, a bit exasperated, "Oh, there''s plenty that reminds me of you."
It wasn''t just the trinkets from Snowfall City, was it?
Everett stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her, "Have you missed me these past four
years?"
"Guess it yourself."
"I bet you did," Everett grinned. "Otherwise, why haven''t you dated anyone else?"
Dorothy looked up at him, "How can you be so sure?"
"I just know." Everett''s certainty was unshakeable. "As long as you didn''t end up with Keh, you
wouldn''t have settled for anyone else."
"Why''s that?"
"If someone could waltz into your heart that easily, why would I have spent all these years scheming
to win you back?"
Getting close to Dorothy, whether as a friend or a lover, required endless patience and preparation.
She wasn''t one to open her heart easily!
In fact, one might say that to even touch base with her, you''d need to invest a lot. And even then,
you might not get the oue you desired. Whether you called Dorothy cold or overly cautious,
that''s just who she was.
Jeffrey had suggested countless times that Everett should reveal everything he''d done for Dorothy,
iming it would help win her back. But Everett never even entertained the thought.
He knew it wouldn''t work.
If he barged into her world as a dominant presence, Dorothy would probably run for the hills, not
give a second thought to any supposed romantic feelings.
"So why the heck are you so set on cracking this tough nut?" Dorothy sometimes wondered if
Everett''s patience would have made any other woman fall in love by now.
"Because I only want you. No one else can take your ce."
"Everett, you know about my family background. Sometimes, I get so frustrated with my own
personality, but I can''t help it! There''s just so much that I''m afraid of, so many things beyond my
control that I obsess over."
Everett took her hand and ced it in his, "As long as you don''t let go of me, I''ll always stand by
your side."
Chapter 625
Chapter 625
Dorothy peered into his eyes, which burned with an earnest intensity, unmarred by even a hint of
evasion.
For a fleeting moment, she yearned to spill the beans about what his mother, Amanda, had done to
Be, just to see what he would do.
Would he still stand by her?
But the words died on her lips.
It wasn''t fear that Everett wouldn''t choose her. It was dread that he''d be torn apart by the decision,
plummeting into an abyss.
On one side was the mother who raised him, and on the other, the love he''d pursued for years.
Either choice could shatter him.
Rather than witness such torment, she chose to release her grip.
She couldn''t bear to see Everett struggle, so she decided to make the choice for him.
After all, it was his duty to stand by his mother as an only child. No one could fault him for that.
If he sided with her, she feared the wagging tongues and the judgmental whispers would drag him
into despair.
...
Once Jeffrey was tidied up, Karen slowly opened the bedroom door.
There sat Derek and Serena in the living room as expected, each looking more sour-faced than the
other.
Upon seeing his daughter emerge, Derek was the first to speak, "Karen,e here."
"Dad." Karen didn''t dare bring any bravado to the table, approaching with the timid steps of a kitten.
"You remember I''m your dad? Seems like you''ve forgotten everything I''ve taught you!"
Derek was known for his good temper, rarely showing anger. But today, he was livid.
He was incensed by his daughter''sck of self-respect!
The thought of his daughter entertaining a man at home in broad daylight, it was a father''s
nightmare!
"Dad... Jeffrey and I..."
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"What about you and him?" Derek''s stern voice cut her off, then his gaze shifted to Jeffrey, his voice
clearing, "Young man, your persistent visits to see my daughter have already displeased me, but I
can''t fault you for my daughter''s actions! If Karen had truly cut ties with you, you wouldn''t be tangled
up with her like this. Given today''s events, I''m deeply disappointed with how I''ve raised her, and I''m
afraid it''s not a good time for you to stay. Please leave. I won''t see you out."
"Mr. Miller, Karen and I are truly in love. It''s not like what you''re thinking," Despite his usual
nonchnce, Jeffrey approached the situation with utmost respect in the presence of his potential
father-inw, "Today was actually the day my parents were supposed toe over to formally ask
for Karen''s hand in marriage, and then... well, I just wanted to take a shower."
"Sorry, but I can''t agree to your proposal," Derek stood firm, "A rtionship that sprouts under these
circumstances is too flimsy to support a lifetimemitment."
"I really do love Karen!" Jeffrey was getting anxious, "I want to marry her."
Derek turned his gaze to his daughter, "And you? Do you love him?"
Caught off guard, Karen hesitated before giving a muffled acknowledgment, "Yeah."
"What do you love about him?" Derek scrutinized the young man before him, his expression
unyielding, "His good looks? Or the fancy car parked downstairs?"
Karen didn¡¯t dare to reply.
"Karen, we''re a humble family. You¡¯re the only daughter of ours. We never expected you to climb
the socialdder. Just look at him. He''s got ''yboy'' written all over him. Can you handle that? He
says he loves you today, but tomorrow he could be saying that to someone else. Then who will you
cry to?"
Chapter 626
Chapter 626
Derek just wanted his daughter to marry someone from an equivalent family, so that if the marriage
hit a rough patch or if she ever felt mistreated, he could step in and help her.
But what if she married into a much more powerful and influential family than theirs? Even if Derek
put his life on the line, justice might be hard toe by in this cruel world.
What if his daughter was mistreated then?
The thought of his daughter suffering while he could not offer any help was something he couldn¡¯t
bear.
Jeffrey was well aware of the family''s concerns, so he immediately assured them, ¡°Karen and I have
discussed this. I¡¯ve transferred all my assets to her. If I ever mess up and make her mad, I agree to
a no-fault divorce and will walk away with nothing but the shirt on my back.¡±
His deration left Derek and Serena momentarily stunned.
¡°I swear, my feelings for Karen are true. I¡¯m not just ying around,¡± Jeffrey raised his hand
solemnly, an earnest look on his face. ¡°I¡¯ve been chasing her for ages, wanting to marry her isn''t just
some whim! You¡¯re right, I¡¯ve had a checkered past, but I promise, from now on, Karen is the only
woman for me.¡±
He spoke with such conviction that even Karen couldn¡¯t help but give him a few extra nces,
wondering if he was just making well-rehearsed pledges.
After all, she only knew about his past from hearsay and his own ounts. Who knew if he would to
fall for every girl he met?
Perhaps these sweet nothings were second nature to him by now.
¡°We need to think this over. You should head back for today,¡± Derek exchanged a nce with his
wife, feeling that things had escted too quickly and it was best to cool off before making any
decisions.
¡°But my parents are already on their way toe.¡± Jeffrey had called his parents earlier, and as
soon as they heard, they dropped everything toe over.
Especially Paloma, who was eager to have Karen as her daughter-inw and save herself the
trouble of ying matchmaker.
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¡°We don¡¯t wish to meet them today,¡± Derek said tly, ¡°As you can see, the timing isn¡¯t right.¡±
Silence fell on Jeffrey¡¯s side.
Seeing her parents¡¯ firm stance, Karen spoke up, ¡°Dad, Mom, I¡¯ll exin everything to you in detail,
but Jeffrey¡¯s already asked his parents toe. It would be rude to turn them away now. After all,
they might be my inws in the future. Starting off on the wrong foot wouldn¡¯t be good, right?¡±
The term "inws" sounded like a charm.
Jeffrey¡¯s gaze brightened considerably at hearing it!
It was an indirect eptance of the engagement. How could he not be thrilled?
¡°Karen,e with me,¡± Serena said, pulling her daughter into the master bedroom.
Once the door was closed, Serena took a deep breath.
¡°Do you realize you almost gave your father a heart attack?¡±
¡°I¡¯m sorry¡¡± Karen hung her head, feeling guilty.
The truth was, she hadn''t anticipated this. If she had known, she would have avoided being at home
with Jeffrey.
¡°What¡¯s going on between you and that young man? Weren¡¯t you and Levi dating well? We heard
he¡¯s been in hospital after an ident. Your father and I visited him today and he kept singing your
praises!¡±
Karen didn¡¯t have the courage to reveal the real cause of Levi''s "ident" and could only
awkwardly rub her forehead, ¡°He¡¯s nice, but we¡¯re not right for each other.¡±
¡°And the guy outside is right for you?¡±
¡°He really treats me well,¡± Karen admitted, ¡°Mom, I want to give it a try with him.¡±
Chapter 627
Chapter 627
Even if Jeffrey had been quite thedies'' man in the past, Karen really wanted to give him a chance.
"Your dad''s worried he''s not reliable! With that face of his..." Serena sighed heavily, "Being
handsome and rich, do you think he''s going to settle down with you?"
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"Mom, it''s not like the ordinary ones would be any more likely to settle down if you only judge them
by their looks and wealth. Rather than that, I might as well choose someone easy on the eyes."
She''d had her fair share of rtionships with less attractive guys, and where did that get her? Only
heartbreak.
If Jeffrey turned out to be a jerk, at least she''d have seen iting and wouldn''t be so blindsided.
"You sure about this?"
"Yeah."
Serena was torn for a moment before letting out another long sigh, "You two... have already gone
this far, I won''t say much more. Just remember, don''t get pregnant before you''re married! Or else
you''ll be stuck with no way out."
Karen felt extremely embarrassed, not knowing what to say.
She knew her parents must''ve overheard something when they came back.
How mortifying it was.
Jeffrey''s parents arrived in no time, not only bringing the items he''d previously bought but also a
collection of treasured gifts.
The array of gifts piled up in Karen''s house like a small mountain, feelingpletely out of ce.
It was like Huxley and Paloma standing there in the room, all suited and booted, looking so formal
and serious.
Jeffrey took the opportunity to pull Karen aside, eyes crinkling with a smile, "I''ve finally got you in
the palm of my hand."
"My parents haven¡¯t agreed yet."
"You''re already mine. They can''t say no." He said, casually draping his arm over Karen''s shoulder.
Karen quickly brushed him off, signaling him not to act like a rogue in front of her parents.
Her parents were still going through the motions, but the Turner family seemed genuinely earnest. It
wasn''t just about thevish gifts. They never spoke down to Derek and Serena or acted superior.
Instead, they kept praising Karen for being a great girl, saying their son was so lucky to have met
her.
Watching the drama unfold, Karen felt like it was winding down and she could rx finally.
Jeffrey let out a sigh of relief, "If my parents hadn''t shown up, I might not have gotten through to
yours!"
Karen looked at him and asked softly, "What if my parents just t-out didn''t agree to us being
together?"
Jeffrey raised an eyebrow, "You want the truth?"
"Of course!"
"I''d have to figure out a way to get you pregnant. Then they''d have to ept me as their son-in-
law!"
At that, Karen''s brows furrowed in disapproval.
"Why do you onlye up with rotten ideas?"
He looked aggrieved, pursing his lips, "Why don''t you believe me? I''ve never had to chase anyone
before, and all these tactics are new to me ¨C used only on you! You''re just so tough to win over,
what other choice do I have?"
He did want to be a gentleman, but Karen wasn''t just any girl! He''d already tried sweet-talking and
had his share of cheeky moves, even earning a few ps for his efforts. What else was he
supposed to do?
"Don''t act like you''re so hard done by. It''s not like I asked you to chase after me."
"Right, right, it''s all my doing because I just want to whisk you home and find new ways to please
you every day!"
Karen pinched him hard at the waist, "Let''s see if you''ve got the guts to repeat that to my parents."
Chapter 628
Chapter 628
"Actions speak louder than words, babe."
Karen was about to pinch Jeffrey again but her hand was suddenly caught in his firm grip.
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"You don''t just go grabbing a man''s belt without permission."
His voice was a deep, husky whisper that made Karen freeze in surprise.
Jeffrey leaned in close, his breath tickling the fine hairs on her earlobe, "And you can only touch
mine."
...
Dorothy was utterly shocked. When they had left Swevia Country, Karen and Jeffrey were at each
other like cats and dogs. But as they returned to Eldorria City from Snowfall City, the two were hand
in hand at the airport.
"Wow! Aunt Karen, you''re not smacking Mr. Turner anymore?" Langston blurted out with a surprised
look stered all over his little face.
He vividly remembered the sound of Karen''s p on Jeffrey¡¯s face during theirst dinner together
¨C it echoed!
Such an embarrassing moment being aired like dirtyundry, Jeffrey felt a tad awkward. Hastily, he
scooped up Langston and covered his mouth, "What do you know, kiddo? That''s how Aunt Karen
shows love! Haven''t you heard? ''A smack means love, a scold means affection!'' The harder the
smack, the deeper the love!"
"So, my dad not spanking my mom means he doesn''t love her?"
Smile on Jeffrey¡¯s face disappeared in an instant.
Karen was exasperated and pushed him away, "Don''t fill the kid''s head with nonsense!"
Everett, cradling Abigail, nced over at the two and softly pulled Dorothy closer, "No need to
worry. Jeffrey''s serious this time."
"Let''s hope so."
Dorothy noticed the genuine smile on Karen''s face and the intimate interactions between them,
which did put her mind somewhat at ease.
Once they were all in the car, with the men and kidsughing up front, Dorothy chose to sit in the
back row with Karen.
"Does Keh know?"
Karen shook her head, "No way, how could I tell him?"
If Keh found out that her boyfriend was Everett''s close buddy, and that he once had a thing for
Heather, she''d probably be thrown out of the house!
"But he''ll have to find out sooner orter."
"We''ll cross that bridge when wee to it." Karen shuddered at the thought, "Jeffrey and I are
moving too fast. It might end as quickly as it started. Nothing''s certain yet."
She wasn''t holding out much hope for their rtionship. Keeping her expectations in check seemed
the best way forward.
After a moment''s thought, Dorothy lowered her voice, "Karen, if things between you and Jeffrey get
serious, and you eventually make it to the altar, promise me you won''t let my issues affect your
rtionship."
She feared her own fallout with the Lopez family would drag them into the mess.
Karen raised an eyebrow, "That depends on Jeffrey''s stance. If he can''t distinguish right from
wrong, I won''t be with him! Everett''s mom is up to no good; if Jeffrey tries to cover for her or speak
in her favor, I''ll kick him to the curb! I have no room for someone without integrity."
Dorothy''s fear was precisely on this issue, "It has nothing to do with you guys."
"Don''t overthink it, Dorothy," Karen reassured her, patting her shoulder gently. "Worrying about this
all the time must be exhausting. Everyone has their destiny, and love is no different. How it evolves,
whether itsts ¨C it''s all random and uncertain. If it ends, it''s because it wasn''t right. Whyment
over something that wasn''t meant to be?"
Dorothy had always admired Karen''s straight talk.
Up front, Jeffrey was animatedly recounting his encounter with Derek and Serena,pletely
unabashed and even proud as he concluded, "Anyway, after meeting the parents, I''ve finally
upgraded from being her ''fancy fruit'' to the real deal."
Chapter 629
Chapter 629
"Fancy fruit?"
Everett was clueless about what the joke meant.
Jeffrey snorted with derision. "Your wife''s bestie had regarded me as a fancy fruit for a fun try!
You''ve been too busy mooning over your wife to care about me!"
Everett was speechless.
...
The news didn''t escape Keh''s radar. They had just arrived the city before sitting down for a
meal when Keh''s call came through.
Instead of confronting Karen directly, he phoned Dorothy.
When she saw the caller ID, she stood up and made a beeline for the exit, cautious not to take the
call in front of Everett, just in case it was something serious from Byte 7.
Once outside the restaurant, she answered.
"Keh."
"Karen''s parents called me earlier, said she''s got herself a boyfriend, and they''ve already had the
meet-the-parents dinner. Did you know that?"
That was the news of the day.
"Yeah." And they were in the middle of dinner together.
"What''s the guy like? They say he looks like a yboy, not the reliable type. Karen''s parents are
worried she''s being blinded and asked me to get the scoop from you."
Dorothy was at a loss for words on how to urately describe Jeffrey.
Paint him in too good a light, and what if he ends up hurting Karen? It would be like giving her
endorsement for their rtionship.
But to speak ill of him when Karen was seeing Jeffrey would be like pushing Keh to force Karen
to break up.
After a few seconds of thought, she finally said, "He''s been good to Karen, otherwise she wouldn''t
have agreed to date him."
"But Karen never mentioned any of this to me before, not a hint of happiness or a word shared. Isn''t
that strange?" Keh paused before adding, "Dorothy, tell me the truth. Who is Karen''s new
beau? It¡¯s someone I know, isn¡¯t it?"
Otherwise, Karen wouldn''t have kept it a secret from him.
"Well... you could say that." But Keh and Jeffrey had never really shed.
"What''s his name?"
"Jeffrey." Dorothy was cornered into revealing it.
There were a few seconds of silence before Keh''s tone grew noticeably serious.
"The same Jeffrey who once sided with Heather against you?"
Silence fell on Dorothy¡¯s end.
"How could Karen do something like this! I''m going to question her."
Keh was about to hang up before Dorothy added, "Keh, let bygones be bygones. Jeffrey
was misled back then, thinking Heather was a friend, and that''s why he helped her. I''ve moved past
it."
"Anyone who''s backed Heather can''t be a good egg! After all they had put you through, and Karen''s
dating this guy? I will never approve."
With that, he hung up.
His anger was palpable. Otherwise, Keh was always a gentleman.
Dorothy knew this secret couldn''t be kept under wraps for long and it was bound to cause a stir.
As she turned to give Karen a heads-up, she saw Everett standing by the restaurant''s entrance, at a
distance that was neither too close nor too far.
The breeze yed with the hem of his jacket and his hair, yet he was still, just looking at her with a
steady gaze.
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Everett seemed on edge now more than ever, almost afraid that a single phone call would chase
her away.
He didn''t know when Dorothy nned to leave, or on what day. He just felt she was always ready to
exit his life at a moment''s notice.
"Was it from Keh?" Everett asked, advancing with a few long strides as she ended the call.
Chapter 630
Chapter 630
Dorothy nodded with a sigh, "Looks like Jeffrey''s gonna have a tough time winning over Keh."
"That''s their business," Everett replied, his chiseled face showing a hint of displeasure. "Why did
Keh call you anyway? Shouldn''t he be talking to Karen directly?"
"Probably he thinks Karen won''t spill the beans, and it''s her parents who asked him to check in with
me. They wanted an inside scoop on the situation." Dorothy snuggled into his arms, her voice soft.
"You think there¡¯s something going on between Keh and me?"
"Well," Everett scoffed, "You might not be interested, but he sure is."
Thest time when he was at Keh''s ce, Everett could feel his hostility from start to finish.
It wasn''t just a little bit.
Keh had told Dorothy he was over her, that they were just friends, but still he¡¯d be antagonistic
towards Everett.
What did that imply?
"Everett." Dorothy pouted yfully. "Do you smell that? A big whiff of jealousy."
Everett didn''t bother hiding it. He pinned her between the wall and his chest, kissing her thoroughly
before letting her go.
"Yeah, I''m jealous, but not as much as Keh. Because when I want a kiss, I can get one."
Dorothy''s cheeks were flushed, her breath still tinged with Everett¡¯s scent, a reminder of their
intimate moment. She liked it.
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Back in the dining room, Karen had already stood up from her chair.
Dorothy approached and took her hand. "Heading over to see Keh?"
"Yeah." Karen grimaced, exhaling heavily. "I''ve got to calm him down. If he tells my parents anything
bad about Jeffrey, it''ll tarnish his image for good."
"I''lle with you," Jeffrey was rising to join her. He couldn''t let Karen face this alone.
"No need." Karen waved him off. "I''ll talk to him first. You can''t rush things with Keh."
Keh was a tough nut to crack. Seemed gentle enough, but he was stubborn and not easily
swayed.
"I''ll take you there and wait outside," Jeffrey insisted, his gaze serious. "Whether it¡¯s your parents or
your cousin, as long as you''re not leaving me, nobody can tear us apart."
Karen was moved by his words and nodded in agreement.
Hearing their conversation, Dorothy felt a stir of emotion.
She had wondered whether she and Everett could stay together if she had to face his family head-
on, sending his mother to jail.
"What''s on your mind?"
Everett drew close, kissing her forehead.
Dorothy smiled. "Nothing... Jeffrey really seems to care about Karen. I hope they make it."
"Care? That guy¡¯s way past caring now. I wouldn''t believe those words came from him if I hadn''t
heard them myself."
Who was Jeffrey, after all?
A notorious yboy in Eldorria City - nobody would be ignorant of the name of Mr. Turner.
Now he was tamed by Karen, even considering marriage and kids - he must be serious.
Dorothy was surprised too. But as long as Karen was happy, that''s what mattered. Like Karen said,
the future was uncertain, and happiness in the moment was key.
She looked up at Everett, "Once you wrap up thepany stuff, let''s head back to Swevia Country
together. I''m worried about your injury."
"It¡¯s okay; there''s still something I need to do."
"What''s that?"
"I want to be with you when you visit your mother''s grave."
Chapter 631
Chapter 631
Dorothy''s face paled in an instant, her features drawn tight with tension.
She couldn''t even turn away fast enough to dodge Everett''s piercing gaze.
"No need, I''ll go alone."
She attempted to leave, but Everett''s grip on her wrist was firm, "Give me a reason."
"There is no reason." Dorothy struggled to break free, "I just want to go alone!"
Seeing her struggle, Everett feared she might hurt herself in the tussle and abruptly let go, causing
her to stagger backwards. Fortunately, he quickly pulled her back into his arms.
As he tried to understand Dorothy''s sudden change of expression, he ventured, "Is it because...
your mother never liked me?"
Everett remembered how her mom had been keen on setting her up with Keh rather than him.
Dorothy shook her head, "Stop probing."
She couldn''t bring herself to visit her mother''s grave with the son of her mother''s murderer, at least
not before justice had been served. It would be a disrespect to her mother''s spirit.
Dorothy knew her mother would be furious.
"Alright, I won''t pry," Everett said, seeing her downcast eyes and realizing she didn''t want to talk
about it anymore. "I''ve prepared everything you need for the memorial. I''ll drive you there, but I
won''t enter the cemetery, okay?"
"Everett, it''s been a while since I visited mom. I want to talk to her, just me alone, please!"
Her refusal couldn''t have been clearer. Everett could only nod with a wry smile, "Okay, as you wish."
...
Jeffrey drove Karen to the entrance of Keh''s apartment building. From a distance, they could
see Keh waiting outside with a sour face.
Sensing Karen''s unease, Jeffrey patted her shoulder, "I''m here."
She looked at him, "What if he hits you?"
Karen was a bit troubled, recalling how Jeffrey had gone berserk when he fought with Levi before.
She couldn''t imagine what she would do if Keh and Jeffrey came to blows.
"Well, I won¡¯t fight back," Jeffrey said with augh, either feigning ease or genuinely unconcerned.
"After all, I''ve swept his dear cousin away. Trust me, I''m tough enough. A few hits won''t matter. Just
don''t beat on my face, or someone might say I''ve been disfigured, that I''ve lost my charm and can''t
keep her heart any longer."
Karen took a moment to realize who he meant by "someone."
She red at Jeffrey, "You''re still in the mood to joke!"
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"Of course! We have to face this sooner orter. Dodging isn''t my style."
With that, he parked the car at the curb and then yfully pped his cheeks, "Karen, take a good
look at this face ¨C it might not be so handsome in a minute!"
...
Keh saw them too and started walking in their direction, his approach fierce and overwhelming.
Jeffrey instinctively shielded Karen behind him.
As Keh drew closer, Jeffrey greeted him first, "Hi, Keh."
"Are we acquainted?" Keh''s tone was frosty from the get-go. "Karen,e with me."
Hesitating, Karen didn''t move, "Keh, Jeffrey and I have decided to get married."
"Don''t you know who he is?" Keh shot back directly. "It was you who told me when Heather
tried to p Dorothy at the hospital, Jeffrey was there kicking Dorothy too when she was down.
Have you forgotten?"
That incident had be an indelible stain on Jeffrey''s past.
Sure enough, Karen could only lower her head in silence at Keh''s reminder.
Chapter 632
Chapter 632
Jeffrey was the picture of embarrassment, wiping the beads of sweat off his brow. "I swear, I had no
idea what kind of person Heather was back then! She nearly got me killed with her schemes, all
because I trusted her too much!"
"What made you trust her then?" Keh wasn''t born yesterday. He knew exactly what was at y
here. "You had a crush on Heather, didn''t you?"
Jeffery fell silent.
"Karen, think about it, is this the kind of guy you want to be with?" Keh didn''t mince words, his
directness leaving the others speechless.
Jeffrey was now sweating bullets.
He almost wished Keh would''ve just socked him. Maybe then, he''d get off the hook by ying
the sympathy card.
"Answer me!" Keh raised his voice, repeating the demand.
Startled, Karen murmured like a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar, "Dorothy said she
didn''t mind..."
"So you think it''s okay just because she doesn''t mind? He turns to chase you because he can''t get
Heather. And you just say yes?"
Jeffery quickly interjected, "I never chased Heather, I swear it! Yes, I had a little crush on Heather,
but it was mostly just friendship because I knew how much she liked Everett. I never stood a
chance."
"What about Karen? When did you start liking her then? And what are your intentions?" Keh
had always been protective of Karen, like a big brother or even a father. When she moved to
Eldorria City, he even bought her a small apartment, showing just how much he liked her.
Getting past him was going to be way tougher than getting past Derek!
"I''m serious about marrying Karen. I''m not kidding."
"Karen, do you believe him?" Both men looked at her expectantly.
She hesitated but eventually nodded.
"Yes, I trust him."
Keh clenched his fists, but he didn''t swing. Instead, he just twitched his lips, grinding out
through clenched teeth, "Fine, then I have nothing more to say. But if you break up with him one
day, don''te crying to me about it. And if he ever hurts you, don''t expect me to dry your tears!"
"Keh!"
"I don''t want to hear any promises, Jeffrey. If you''re a reliable man, you''ll never let Karen down, and
I''ll believe you. Otherwise, your words mean nothing to me."
With that, Keh turned to leave.
Karen dashed forwards, chasing Keh down to the stairwell before she could catch him.
"Keh! I know what you''re upset about. You think I betrayed Dorothy, right? I haven''t! I checked
with Dorothy over and over, and she''s okay with me and Jeffrey. If Dorothy really cared, I never
would''ve said yes to Jeffrey."
It wasn''t about how important Jeffrey was. She would never forsake her longtime best friend over a
guy she just met.
"Karen, it''s your decision. I can''t make it for you. I just don''t want to see you hurt by a yboy."
"Don''t worry, I can take care of my own heart! If he betrays his promises, he won''t get a second
chance from me." Karen didn''t want to upset her brother, who meant the world to her. "Trust me,
please. If you don''t believe me, you can ask Dorothy yourself when she visits Be''s grave
tomorrow."
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Keh paused, looking at her. "She''s going to the cemetery tomorrow?"
"Yeah. I think she''s going with Everett."
Chapter 633
Chapter 633
Ken remained silent.
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Though he knew that Dorothy would never take Everett to the graveyard.
...
The drive back to Bay Residence was charged with a heavy silence.
Apart from Abigail and Langston''s yful giggles, Dorothy and Everett hardly exchanged a word.
Everett had not only done thorough preparation for the memorial but had also purchased a prime
plot in the cemetery, hoping that if Dorothy agreed, they could relocate her mother''s resting ce
there.
However, it was clear she wasn''t even willing to let him go with her.
As the car came to a halt in front of Bay Residence, Everett stepped out first, cradling Abigail in his
arms, with Langston and Dorothy trailing behind.
Dorothy wanted to strike up a conversation with Everett, but seeing him not even turning back, she
swallowed the words back.
He took the kids to the y castle, leaving her alone in the living room.
Dorothy knew Everett wasn''t a man without temper. He was simply holding back, not wanting to
lash out at her.
Sitting on the couch, she nced at the calendar on her phone.
A month had flown by quickly, and now only half of it was left. Dorothy didn''t want to squander these
last precious moments with him on arguments or hold a grudge until dawn.
So she changed into her loungewear and went to the kitchen to cook a few simple dishes.
When Everett emerged, he found Dorothy sitting at the dining table with a weing smile.
In that instant, all the gloom and irritation seemed to dissipate.
He was utterly defenseless against Dorothy.
"It''s been a while since I''ve cooked. Care to taste?" Dorothy offered him a set of cutlery.
Everett pulled out a chair and sat down. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a small cut on her
hand, likely from chopping ¡ªa sign of her long absence from the kitchen.
"Don¡¯t do this again," Everett said gravely and rose to fetch the first-aid kit for her.
Dorothy let him bandage her wound without protest, resting her cheek against his arm. "Can you
stop being mad, please?"
"I''m not mad."
"But your face looks sour!" Dorothy blinked at him yfully. "Smile for me. You''re not handsome
when you don''t."
Exasperated, Everett put away the first-aid kit and then came back, scooping her into his arms and
carrying her to the bedroom.
He didn''t turn on the light but instead gentlyid Dorothy down on the bed. The afternoon sun was
no longer strong, casting a soft glow through the window onto her delicate features.
They locked eyes, and after a long moment, he sighed.
"I''m not mad. I''m just wondering why."
"Stop wondering. You''ll know anyway in half a month."
"Do you resent me for not being there when your mother passed?" Everett had thought of that, and
it pained him. "I swear, I had no idea about your mother''s death."
If he had known, he would never have left Dorothy!
"I don''t me it on you. It''s been so long, don''t dwell on it." She had endured those tough days with
clenched teeth and now she simply didn''t want to bring them up.
"Dorothy, promise me, whatever happens, we''ll face it together."
She looked into Everett''s eyes for a long time before finally speaking softly, "In your heart, who
matters more, me or your mom?"
"That''s not something topare."
"What if one day, there''s a deep conflict between her and me? So deep that it can''t be resolved,
how would you choose?"
Everett''s gaze flickered before he parted his lips, "I won''t let you be wronged."
Chapter 634
Chapter 634
Everett knew his mother all too well¡ªdomineering and often unreasonable. So, even when tensions
red between the two women in his life, he was always inclined to side with Dorothy deep down in
his heart.
He trusted that Dorothy wasn''t the type to stir up trouble.
"Everett, you know it''ll put you in quite a bind if we two sh, don¡¯t you?" Dorothy said. Everett
watched her smooth down his shirt, a yful smile on her lips.
"I don''t want to put you in a tough spot, just like you wouldn''t want to see me upset."
Everett caught her wandering hand, his eyes piercing with sincerity.
"As long as you don''t leave, being in a bind doesn''t matter to me."
All he wanted was for Dorothy to stay by his side.
She met his gaze with a smile, tactfully changing the subject. "Are we really going to leave all the
food I cooked sitting in the dining room?"
"I''ll carry you, and we can eat together."
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"Sure."
...
Karen fell silent after leaving Keh''s ce.
Jeffrey could sense her gloominess, so he steered the car towards a shopping mall.
"What are we doing here?"
"Shopping, of course! I promised to make it up to you with new clothes, remember? Isn''t it said that
a new outfit can lift a woman''s spirits?"
Karen raised an eyebrow at him. "You seem pretty experienced at this."
"I swear, I only financed shopping trips before. I¡¯ve never actually apanied any women to shop
except you."
"You''ve been swearing to a lot of thingstely."
"But I''m telling the truth, really!" Jeffrey moved closer, trying to take her hand.
Karen gripped his hand back, a teasing smile on her face. "I do believe you. If you were this
attentive with every girl, you''d be worn out."
"That''s the spirit!" Jeffrey breathed a sigh of relief. "Let¡¯s go. Get whatever you want, all on me."
"I might just take advantage of that."
"Why not? Just don''t buy anything pink. Otherwise, I''ll have to clear out the entire mall so you can
have your pick."
Karenughed it off. "I''m just teasing. Don''t go making a scene."
She wasn''t serious about spending Jeffrey''s money!
Hand in hand, they entered the mall. Karen steered clear of the high-end luxury stores. Instead, she
browsed the trendier shops on the upper floors.
"You don''t have to save money on my ount," he reminded her.
"I just don''t think luxury brands suit me." Karen could afford them, especially with a cousin like
Keh who could easily hand her a few grand for pocket money. But she believed in dressing for
who you are, not for showing off to high society.
As they shopped, Karen felt parched. Jeffrey went to a nearby caf¨¦ to grab her a drink.
She watched as Jeffrey stepped away, and several female eyes turned his way immediately, some
even sneakily snapping photos.
His striking looks always drew attention, but what came next caught Karen off guard.
"Mr. Turner?" a voice called out.
Recognizing the voice, Jeffrey looked over. It was a familiar face, but he couldn''t quite recall who
she was.
He raised an eyebrow, holding two drinks. "And you are?"
"It''s me, Caren! Remember? At Charm Night Bar, you took me to that hotel next door."
Jeffrey''s skin crawled at the recollection.
Turning stiffly, he saw Karen''s gaze fixed on them, her expression an unreadable mix of emotions.
Caren was oblivious to Karen''s presence. She pulled out her phone and smiled at Jeffrey. "You
gave me some moneyst time. I want to pay you back. Luckily we ran into each other today!"
Chapter 635
Chapter 635
"No need for that..." Jeffrey''s face was frozen in an expression of utter difort.
But Caren was dead serious, with an air of earnestness as she added, "I have to give it back to you!
I went looking for you at Charm Night Bar several times afterward, but you were never there. I don''t
want people to think I only left with you that night for money. If I keep this money, what''s the
difference between me and those women on the street corners?"
Just as Jeffrey was about to speak up, Karen sidled up to him, resting a hand on his shoulder with a
smile as she looked at Caren, "Honey, are you sure it was Mr. Turner who gave you the money?
You might be mistaken."
"There''s no mistake! I can show you the receipt. Look!"
Jeffrey''s instinct was to stop her, but Karen had already snatched it up.
The name on the receipt was undeniably Jeffrey¡¯s.
But the timing...
It was a transaction made after his return from Swevia Country.
Jeffrey could feel his heart growing colder than the iced drink in his hand!
He quickly exined to Karen, "Look, I did book a room for her that night, but I didn''t touch her! You
can ask her!"
Caren nced at the flustered Jeffrey, then at Karen. She seemed to understand something. "Mr.
Turner and I¡ª"
"No need to exin, sweetie. I get it! Keep the money. You''ve earned it." Karen''s face was a mask
of smiles from beginning to end, never once faltering, "Jeffrey, I''m done with this stroll, let''s go."
Jeffrey dared not defy her.
They left with nothing but two cold drinks, heading straight to the underground parking lot.
As soon as Karen got into the car, Jeffrey hastened to exin, "That night, I went to the bar
because you had turned me down. I thought maybe my feelings for you were just a passing interest.
I figured some drinks andughs with the guys would help me forget you. But it turns out to be
impossible. I couldn''t stop thinking about you. I didn''ty a finger on her. I gave her the money and
sent her on her way!"
Who would have thought he''d be so unlucky to run into her today!
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Jeffrey had spilled his guts, but Karen remained silent, making him even more anxious.
"I¡¯m sorry. I swear I won''t ever go to ces like that again! Can you trust me? Please, Karen, say
something!"
Karen turned to look at him only then, "What do you expect me to say?"
"Just... don''t break up with me. You can hit me, yell at me, p some sense into me."
"Honestly, I''m not feeling great," Karen sighed lightly, her head resting against the car window, her
voice subdued. "But I can''t really be mad at you. We had slept together back then, sure, but you
weren''t my boyfriend when you went to book that room with her. It''s pretty normal for you to date
other women."
That''s the life Jeffrey should be leading!
But to say Karen totally understood Jeffrey? Well, that definitely wasn''t the case.
Jeffrey remained silent like a deted ball.
"Do you get it?"
"I do," Jeffrey shrank a little, "But I really didn''t touch her."
Karen shook her head, "It doesn''t matter. You don''t have to exin. I just haven''t gotten used to the
idea of being with adies¡¯ man. I guess I should start getting used to meeting your exes around the
whole Eldorria City. It''s bound to happen more than once, and I should have been prepared."
Chapter 636
Chapter 636
Knowing that Jeffrey was adies'' man was one thing, but meeting a whole parade of his exes was
quite another.
All Karen could manage to show was a weary smile, admitting she wasn''t quite used to the idea yet.
"Look, I''ll make an official announcement about our rtionship on Twitter!" Jeffrey offered with a
hint of desperation. "Then everyone would know I''m off the market."
"No need, Jeffrey. I''m just tired. Drive me home, will you? I need to crash for a bit."
Jeffrey was on the verge of tears. "Don''t go home. Crash at my ce, please? I swear I won''t bug
you. I promise!"
He feared that if Karen went home and took some time to think, she might send him a breakup text.
All his efforts would go down the drain!
Karen looked at him with a smile tinged with resignation, "What are you afraid of? If I wanted to end
things, I would''ve said so already."
Jeffrey¡¯s unspoken words hung in the air.
"I''ve got ex-boyfriends just like you have ex-girlfriends. It''s no big deal! Maybe it''s just my cousin''s
scolding still ringing in my ears. Upon this, naturally I would feel a bit upset when I came across that
girl in the shopping mall."
Jeffrey didn''t buy it. Women could be as fickle as the weather. He knew it.
"Anyway, what''s the difference between resting at your parents'' ce and at mine? If you go home
like this, your parents will probably think I did something awful to you! Don''t go back, okay? Come to
my ce. When you''re up, I''ll take you out for something good to eat, whatever you want!"
Karen couldn''t help butugh at his anxious plea.
"Fine, but your parents aren''t home, are they?"
"Don¡¯t worry! If you want them home, they''ll be there. If not, they won''t!"
Karen was speechless.
Handing her a cold drink, Jeffrey''s voice dropped to a whisper, "I promise, apart from having too
many exes, I won''t give you any other reason to be upset. If we bump into any girl I know on the
street again, I''ll run the other way so fast that they won''t get a chance to say hi to me!"
"You don''t have to do that."
It was just another girl Jeffrey had been with, after all. She had known about his history from the
start.
"I can''t handle it," Jeffrey was close to sobbing. "Karen, I thought about it. If I met one of your exes
and found out you were once with him, I''d probably lose it."
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Much like how he felt while seeing Levi hanging out with her!
Jeffrey wished he could travel back in time to Karen''s first love and tie her down to amitment
with him and him alone.
"Oh, I doubt you''ll run into any. I haven''t had many boyfriends."
She took her rtionships seriously. Agreeing to date Jeffrey was a leap for her.
"Good. And if by any chance we do run into one, just don''t tell me."
What he didn''t know wouldn''t hurt him.
"Okay."
...
The next morning, Dorothy was out early.
Everett had left the car keys at the front hall. She drove to the cemetery, a ce still lush and
tranquil.
With a bouquet of flower in hand, Dorothy walked past rows of tombstones toward her mother''s.
She noticed a fresh bunch of flowers at Be''s headstone from a distance.
Someone hade earlier?
Her first thought was Everett. Had hee without telling her, despite her asking him to leave her
mother in peace?
Furrowing her brows, Dorothy quickened her pace, reaching out to remove the uninvited bouquet,
only to hear a man''s voice behind her.
"Dorothy?"
Chapter 637
Chapter 637
It was Keh. Dressed in a crisp white shirt, he was standing not too far away with a white towel
in his hand.
"Keh?"
Upon seeing her, a hint of surprise washed over Keh''s face before he walked towards her.
"You''re here to pay your respects to Be, and you didn''t even give me a heads up. If I''d known you
wereing today, I would''ve stayed away."
He offered a wry smile, then began to wipe Be''s headstone with the towel in his hand, gently and
meticulously.
It was clear that out of all the headstones, Be¡¯s was the cleanest. It was obviously tended to
regrly.
"Do youe here often?" Dorothy asked, observing how familiar he was with the routine, as if he
were the caretaker of the ce.
"When I have nothing else to do, I like toe by and check on her," Keh replied after ensuring
the headstone was spotless and then casually plucking a few tufts of grass that had sprouted
nearby.
Dorothy felt a pang of guilt. She hadn''t done as much as Be''s own daughter. It was Keh who
picked up her ck. "Thank you, Keh."
"Thank me for what?" He raised an eyebrow, folded the towel neatly and tucked it into his pocket.
"Be was fond of me, and I admired her indomitable spirit, too. All of this has nothing to do with
you. You don''t need to thank me."
"Keh, I¡ª"
"There''s no need to say anything," Keh cut her off gently, "Don''t shoulder all the responsibility
yourself. Since I''ve already said it''s my own will, you don''t need to feel obliged. Actually, I should be
thanking Be. Sometimes, Ie here and talk to her when I''m feeling down or troubled. It''s a way
for me to rx."
Dorothy lowered her eyes, "You really don''t have to do this, Keh. I can''t give you anything in
return."
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"Am I asking for anything? Dorothy, I''ve long since stopped wanting anything in return." Keh
stood quietly in front of her, his tone tinged with self-mockery and loneliness, "Don''t take away this
last bit of sce from me."
He had already retreated to the edge, even restraining himself from calling her too often. What more
did she want?
Dorothy kept her head down, knowing that no amount of persuasion would be of any use.
He had persisted for so many years. If he were the type to heed advice, it wouldn''t havee to
this.
"I won''t disturb you any longer. Have a good talk with Be. I''ll drop the towel off at the storage
locker and wait for you down below."
"Alright."
Dorothy nodded, watching Keh walk away, his figure shrinking with distance until it
disappeared.
She ced the flowers in front of the headstone and then sat down beside it.
"Moth, I''m here."
Whenever she called her mother Be before, she would get a stern look for not calling Mom, yet
Be¡¯s hand would always reach out to touch her head.
Be had always been stubborn in her ways.
Dorothy doubted her mother ever really spoke softly or calmly.
She remembered back in middle school, hiding the fact that she was working part-time. When she
got back to the hospitalte at night, she thought her mother would be asleep. Until one night, when
she was half-asleep, she felt someone stroking her hair with such tenderness and care.
She heard her mother''s sigh, and a whispered apology filled with guilt.
Chapter 638
Chapter 638
Which mother didn¡¯t love her daughter?
Be was no exception.
But, wounded by her past, Be''s protective instincts for Dorothy had reached an obsessive level- a
love so fierce she would rather perish than see her daughter trapped in a loveless marriage, fearing
that Dorothy would end up in a situation simr to her own. How could this not be love?
It was just that Be wasn''t one to mince words.
Every time she spoke, it seemed like scolding was the only way to make her daughter learn and
truly understand.
"Mom, do you get lonely down there all by yourself?"
Dorothy ran her fingers over the gravestone, tears welling up in her eyes. "Don''t worry, I''ll ensure
the one responsible for your death joins you soon. I''ve thought it over ¨C if justice prevails, I can
forgive myself, move on, and start anew. But if not, I... I have another path to take."
In any case, those who had wronged her mother would not get away with it!
Determination and resolution shone in Dorothy''s eyes.
Be not only gave birth to Dorothy but also raised her. There was no way Dorothy would let the
sins be buried and allow the culprits to gloat over their deeds!
Keh had been waiting quietly at the cemetery¡¯s edge.
The groundskeepers all knew him, waving as they passed, "Mr. Nelson, visiting your mother-inw
again, I see!"
He''d respond with a smile, offering no exnations or denials.
After a long wait, he saw Dorothy descending from the hill.
"Are your legs numb?"
He noticed Dorothy was walking a bit awkwardly.
She nodded, "Yeah, I talked with my mom a bit too long, forgot to shift my stance."
"Let me help you so you don¡¯t fall."
The cemetery was atop a hill, and the path down was always a slope.
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Dorothy initially waved off the offer, but after a few steps, she twisted her ankle.
"Should I carry you?"
"No, no need," Dorothy shook her head but, for safety''s sake, she epted his arm for support.
As they walked down, they encountered others who recognized Keh and waved.
"Do you know everyone here?" Dorothy asked.
"Well, I''m here often. If a storm hits and it pours too hard to leave, they let me wait it out in the
cemetery office. Got to know them after a while."
Dorothy was at a loss for words.
"They''ve all been looking after Be! If I can¡¯t make it, they clean the gravestone on schedule, really
kind-hearted folks."
Dorothy looked up at him and smiled, "My mom would be so happy. She liked things clean. I
remember when she was in the local hospital, she frequently insisted on having baths. But due to
limited facilities, daily showers weren¡¯t convenient. Eventually, she just settled for wipes, from
morning till night."
"Yes, I noticed that. When I visited her at the hospital, she was always busy with her washcloth."
"Thank you for taking care of her for so long."
"It¡¯s nothing! I figured I¡¯d ept your thanks this time, or else you wouldn¡¯t know how often to repeat
it!"
Dorothy felt helpless, sensing Keh treated her like a child, always using that gentle, cajoling
tone.
As they approached the road, Dorothy looked up, searching for where her car was parked.
Suddenly!
She caught sight of a ck Maybach speeding away from the cemetery.
The car moved too quickly for her to catch the license te number.
But Everett often rode in a Maybach.
Could he have been here too?
"What are you looking at?" Keh asked softly.
"Nothing! I¡¯ve finished paying my respects to Be, and I''m preparing to pack up and head to
Swevia Country with Everett."
Chapter 639
Chapter 639
Keh''s expression froze for just a moment before he nodded. "Yeah, alright. I''ll keep you posted
on any updates from Byte 7. And don''t worry about the final payment; I''ve got it all sorted."
Dorothy acknowledged with a quick, "Then I''ll be off."
"You drove here yourself?"
"Yeah."
Keh waved his hand dismissively, "Drive safe on your way back, and remember to ice that
ankle. We don''t want it swelling up by morning."
He watched as Dorothy got into her car, his lips curling into a half-smile.
Keh knew that Dorothy would never bring Everett to the cemetery. That man had no right to set
foot in the sacred grounds, to visit Be as a son-inw.
And neither would he, not in that role, ever.
...
Dorothy drove back to the Bay Residence, her gaze instinctively scanning for Everett''s car.
Seeing the sleek ck Maybach parked steadily in the garage, she let out a small sigh of relief.
It wasn''t that she felt guilty for anything¡ªshe just didn''t want to upset Everett by going to the
cemetery without him, especially after ending up there with Keh. The situation would be
ufortable if Everett were to find out.
She punched in the code and walked in, exchanging her shoes for slippers at the foyer.
Dorothy could hear theughter of the kids upstairs, but there was no hint of Everett.
Was he in the bedroom?
Shuffling in her slippers, Dorothy checked the master bedroom, but it was empty.
She went upstairs, half-expecting to find Everett ying with the kids, but he wasn''t there either.
"Where''s Dad?" Dorothy asked Langston.
"I dunno, Mom. He was here earlier ying with me and Sis, then he kept checking his watch like
he had something important to do. He didn''t stay long."
"He didn''t say where he was going?"
Langston shook his head.
"Okay, you two keep ying. Mommy''s going to look for Daddy."
Dorothy went back downstairs and called Everett''s phone.
After a few rings, Kevin picked up.
¡°Ms. Sanchez, Mr. Lopez is in a meeting. Is there something urgent?"
"He''s at the office?"
"Yes, the meeting might take a while longer. If there''s anything pressing, feel free to inform me, and
I''ll update Mr. Lopez."
Upon hearing that he was at the office, Dorothy quickly said, "No, it''s nothing! Carry on with your
work."
"Alright, Ms. Sanchez."
After hanging up, Dorothy changed into fresh clothes and took a shower. She thought that once
Everett returned, they should check the flights back to Swevia Country.
Eager to escape the domestic chaos, she was determined not to waste any more time and looked
forward to immersing herself in the tranquility of Swevia Country.
...
Karen should''ve known better than to take Jeffrey''s word for it.
While he initially let her rest upon their return to his ce, the remainder of the night turned into an
ordeal.
Jeffrey insisted that after a good rest, it was time for some ''activity.''
It was nearly noon before she woke up, her legs trembling and barely able to hold her up.
Jeffrey wasn''t in the bedroom. So, Karen took a shower first, then went out to look for him.
Upon opening the door, Karen could hear Jeffrey in the living room, apparently discussing work.
There he was, looking every bit the professional from the waist up, in a suit, fluently conducting
project negotiations. However, below the waist, he wore sky-blue boxer shorts.
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Karen chose not to disturb him and simply poured herself a ss of water.
Shortly after, Jeffrey ended the video call, grumbling, "I have no idea what got into Everett, suddenly
rushing back to work at the office! Now I''ve got to work overtime too!"
Chapter 640
Chapter 640
"Seriously, Jeffrey? You''ve got the most flexible job on the, and you''re moaning about a little
overtime?" Karen spun around, only to find Jeffrey already closing in on her.
"But it disrupted our cuddle time this morning," he grumbled yfully.
She shot him a re, remembering the cause of her irritation. "Is that all you think about?"
Holding her close, he quipped, "If I didn''t have a few thoughts racing through my mind when I''m
holding you, I''d probably have to see a doctor."
This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
He was in the prime of his life, after all!
Karen faced him with a stern look. "Listen, if I end up moving in with you, it''ll be a once-in-a-while
deal, tops. Otherwise, it''s off the table."
Thest thing she wanted was to be so spent from their passionate nights that she couldn''t function.
"A once-in-a-while deal? Are you kidding me?" he protested.
"Take it or leave it, hotshot."
Jeffrey quickly focused on the heart of the matter. "Fine, once in a while it is. So, when are you
moving in?"
He could manage with a littlepromise, for her sake.
"Dream on! I still have work, and there¡¯s no way my folks will give the green light for us to y
house this soon."
"But our folks have already met; marriage is just a nod away from you. How could they say no?"
Jeffrey wanted to keep her close, warding off any potential rivals.
Like that Levi!
He knew how hard it was to win Karen over, and the thought of losing her to someone else was his
worst fear.
"We need more time," Karen insisted, her voice filled with reason. "Everything''s peachy now
because it''s all new and exciting. But, give it time, and once the honeymoon phase fades, you''ll see
our issues surface. If we''re not a match, then I''m stuck moving my stuff out of your ce. There¡¯s
no point in rushing."
It''s not like she was homeless! Keh had even got her a cozy little ce of her own.
"Why do you always talk like we''re one step away from a breakup?" Jeffrey was tired of hearing
that. "We''re good together, aren''t we? If something bothers you, just tell me. I can change."
"Jeffrey, you can¡¯t always be the one bending over backward,¡± she pointed out.
To her, Jeffrey seemed like a kid who''d just got his hands on a coveted toy, cherishing it while it''s
new. But she knew that truemitment would be tested when the novelty wore off.
Jeffrey felt a surge of frustration.
Love was such a tough negotiation!
Why did he feel like he was begging, and yet she still kept one foot out the door?
"Karen, have I ever given you a reason to doubt me? Yes, I can be hot-headed, but that''s only
because I was so desperate to be with you. Wait until I actually give you a reason to worry before
you start nning an exit strategy. I promise, if that dayes and you want to end things, I won''t
make a scene."
Seeing his anxious expression, Karen reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist.
She didn''t want to go from a night of tenderness to a day ofying down thew.
However, being with Jeffrey, surrounded by his stunning, fit, and youthful exes, she couldn¡¯t shake
off her insecurities.
She couldn''t evenpete with the likes of his ex, Caren, in looks. Who was to say she wasn''t just
a pte cleanser, a simple appetizer before he returned to his usual feast?
"Okay, how about this? I''ll stay over for at least two nights a week, okay?"
"Five nights."
"What''s the difference then? Might as well move in at this rate," she sighed with a mix of
exasperation and affection.
Chapter 641
Chapter 641
Jeffrey wrapped his arms around her and with an easy motion; they both tumbled onto the couch.
"So why don''t you just stay? Live here," he whispered, leaning in to nt a series of delicate kisses
on her lips. "And if you feel weird about staying at my ce, I could even put the house in your
name."
"I''m not ready to think about marriage just yet."
"It doesn''t have to be about marriage. The offer stands regardless."
Karen furrowed her brows, "Are you always this generous with women? We''re talking about a vi
in Eldorria City."
Even without knowing the exact figure, she was sure it wasn''t cheap!
"Only the most generous for you," Jeffrey said, his gaze steady and unflinching, emphasizing every
word. "Really, you''re the only one I''ve ever brought home to meet my folks. The rest were just for
fun."
Karen couldn''t help butugh, "So you admit you''re a bit of a yboy then!"
"That''s so unfair. I never made any promises to them! It was all just for fun from the get-go."
Jeffrey wasn''t one for chasing after anyone. Most of his flings were one-night stands from the bar
scene¡ªpick up someone appealing, spend the night, leave some cash, and that was that.
None stayed around for more than a week.
Karen rolled her eyes. "I forgot to ask, with your kind of ''fun,'' aren''t you worried about catching
something?"
"Catching what?" Jeffrey blinked, then quickly raised his hand as if taking an oath. "Absolutely not,
I''m always careful."
He was scared, too. Even if there were no diseases, an unexpected child could be catastrophic.
"From the way you talk, it sounds like I should pat you on the back for that."
"No need, no need," Jeffrey quickly replied with a charming smile. "Once Everett wraps up his work,
let''s invite them for a proper meal! They picked us up from the airport twice, and we haven''t had a
chance to sit down for a decent dinner. They''re heading back to Swevia Country soon, and who
knows how long it''ll be before we see them again."
"In half a month, Dorothy will be back."
Jeffrey raised an eyebrow. "Why''s that?"
Karen realized she''d spoken out of turn and quickly waved her hands dismissively, "Just a guess!"
"Don''t you dare let Dorothye back without settling things with Everett. They should lock it down
for good, grow old together. Have you seen the state Everett''s in? If Dorothy leaves him again, I
think it''d kill him."
Karen was left speechless.
"You have no idea. In the four years Dorothy''s been gone, Everett''s been madly filling every
moment with work¡ªtrips, meetings, overtime, shuttling between thepany and Bay Residence.
His only downtime was spent tracking down Dorothy''s whereabouts and torturing himself with every
trace she left behind." Back then, Jeffrey genuinely feared for Everett''s life.
This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
No one''s body could withstand such abuse.
He''d never seen even a hint of a smile on Everett''s face, which promoted him to work overtime as
well, anxious not to upset Everett further.
"Everett... he really loves Dorothy." Karen had to admit, both in heart and voice.
"And what about Dorothy? Does she love Everett?" Jeffrey''s voice grew heavy, "Honestly, I feel like
she hasn''t given nearly as much to Everett as he''s given to her."
"Do you know about the time Dorothy nearly died giving birth to Abigail and Langston? I was
terrified. Signing the critical condition notice, I thought we were going to lose her."
Jeffrey was at a loss for words.
Karen let out a sigh, "Having grown up in a stable, two-parent household, it¡¯s natural that you may
not fully grasp Dorothy''s actions and decisions. But from my perspective, Dorothy has already given
Everett the greatest love she can."
Chapter 642
Chapter 642
Karen had known Dorothy for a long time, and she knew that, before meeting Everett, Dorothy had
been as cold as a winter''s day to just about every guy out there.
In fact, even when sometimes all others needed was a little smile or a sweet word from her to
smooth things over, she had refused to do so. She had a major case of man-repellent vibes!
Seeing that Jeffrey still seemed not to understand, Karen tried to break it down for him in a different
way.
"Imagine you have a million bucks," she said, "and you decided to give me eight hundred thousand.
Everyone''s gonna think you''re head over heels for me, right? But what if I can''t match that?
Perhaps I only have ten thousand to my name, but I''m willing to give you everyst penny. To
outsiders, the difference between eight hundred thousand and ten thousand is huge. They''ll start
questioning the sincerity of our love, never realizing that those ten thousand is all I''ve got."
Karen continued, "Dorothy was instilled with the belief from a young age to stay away from men, as
they are all up to no good. Be''s greatest fear was that her daughter would repeat her own
mistakes. However, when Dorothy discovered she was pregnant, she willingly chose to stay, boldly
contradicting her mother''s long-standing teachings and traversing the path her mother once took.
The authenticity of her love should not be questioned."
Jeffrey understood; he just smacked his lips and finally let out a sigh, "But Everett... that guy''s got it
tough, too. To stay true to Dorothy for over a decade, that''s something else. Not many guys can do
that."
"Yeah, you got that right."
"But hey, look at them now, as harmonious as a symphony, with kids and all. Nothing''s standing in
their way anymore. Just waiting for them to renew their vows and have the wedding they deserve.
After that, it''s our turn in the spotlight."
Karen couldn''t help but smirk.
Have the wedding they deserve?
She wasn''t so sure.
...
Dorothy thought that after Everett finished his meeting, he''d call her back.
He always used to!
But she waited and waited, hours passing by. She even got Abigail and Langston down for a nap,
had them wake up again, and still, not a peep from her phone.
What kind of meetingsts that long?
She was tempted to call and check in, but she didn''t want to interrupt his work.
Everett had been seriously injured saving her, so there must have been a backlog of work at the
Lopez Corporation. As the CEO, with his strong sense of responsibility and dedication, it was only
natural for him to be swamped at the office.
She figured that by nightfall, Everett would surely call her back. She decided to wait a little longer.
"Mommy, why isn''t Daddy home today?" Abigail, no longer used to his absence, asked as she came
downstairs and took her mother''s hand.
"Daddy''s very busy with work. He spent all his time with you, your brother, and me before. Now that
we''re getting ready to head back to Swevia Country, he''s got to wrap things up at his job!"
Abigail pouted, "Will he bring me candy when he''s done with work?"
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"Do you not want your teeth anymore?"
"But I really want some candy!"
Dorothy couldn''t resist her daughter''s charm and got up to fetch a small piece of candy from the
drawer.
Soon after, Langston came downstairs with hisptop and opened it up on the table for his mom to
see.
"Dad''s acting weird today."
"What''s wrong?"
"He''spletely offline." Langston pointed to the grayed-out avatar. "Didn''t he say he''d be busy at
the office? He''s not even logged into the Lopez Corporation''s system?"
Dorothy took a closer look.
He really wasn''t.
The screen showed that Everett was online in the morning, but after that, he''d been offline all day.
Chapter 643
Chapter 643
"He''s probably... gone incognito or something, right?"
After all, Everett''s system ess was way more advanced than that of the other employees. A little
invisibility trick was definitely within his capabilities.
"I checked, he''s not incognito, just not here."
"Maybe he''s in a meeting that doesn''t require system ess."
These kinds of meetings surely existed, like listening to subordinates¡¯ reports, quarterly reviews, or
handling project receptions, legal department contract liaisons, and so on.
But, typically, Kevin could handle such tasks; it was unusual for Everett to handle them personally.
Especially when he hadn¡¯t even returned a single call, just for those tasks?
"Why not give him another call! I have this sneaky suspicion Dad might be having an affair."
Dorothy sighed, giving her son''s head a gentle pat. "Don''t talk nonsense! Your father would never
do such a thing. Where on earth are you picking up such words? Don¡¯t use them again, okay?"
Langston stuck out his tongue and then bounded upstairs with Abigail.
They continued to y, carefree as ever, leaving Dorothy with a nagging sense of uncertainty.
Everett was acting out of character.
After a few minutes of internal debate, Dorothy finally picked up her phone.
She wasn''t worried about infidelity; she was worried something had happened to him, and he was
keeping it from her!
This time, the phone rang and rang with no answer.
Dorothy''s anxiety spiked; she tried again, still no answer.
She decided to call Kevin''s mobile number directly, and after a few tones, Kevin picked up.
"Ms. Sanchez."
"Kevin, are you at the office?"
"Uh, yes, I am. What''s up?"
"I''ve been trying to call Everett, and he''s not answering. Is he still tied up?" Dorothy stood up from
the couch, ready to grab her car keys and head to the office to see for herself.
Kevin, unaware that she was nning toe over, continued to fumble his words, "Yeah, Mr.
Lopez is still swamped. Lots to do today, probably missed his phone!"
"Did you tell him about the call I made this morning?"
"No, I haven''t. I got caught up, totally slipped my mind. Sorry about that, Ms. Sanchez."
"It''s okay. You guys keep at it."
Dorothy hung up and stepped out the door without hesitation.
Kevin''s tone was a clear giveaway; something was off with Everett. She needed to see what was
going on for herself!
Heading to Lopez Corporation, Dorothy decided to take Everett''s Maybach, just in case.
The security at the parking garage didn''t stop her for identification, allowing her smooth passage.
Upon entering the grand lobby of Lopez Corporation, she didn''t head straight for the CEO''s office
floor. Instead, she pressed the button for the floor where Everett often held meetings.
However, the meeting rooms were empty, not a soul in sight, not even a lower-level meeting in
progress, so Kevin couldn''t possibly be busy!
Dorothy''s mind was a whirlwind of confusion, and she didn''t want to specte.
She took the elevator straight to the CEO''s office.
Just as she expected, the lights were off, and no one was there.
Standing at the door of the CEO''s office, she dialed Kevin''s number again.
"Ms. Sanchez, something else?"
"Where are you right now?"
"I... I''m in the CEO''s office with Mr. Lopez."
"Thene out. I''m at the door."
There was silence on the other end for almost a minute before Kevin spoke in astonishment, "You...
you came to the office!"
"Tell me the truth, where is Everett? What''s really going on?"
"I... I can''t, Mr. Lopez told me not to say anything." Kevin sounded almost tearful, "Ms. Sanchez,
maybe you should try calling Mr. Lopez again?"N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.
Chapter 644
Chapter 644
Sandwiched in the middle of a dilemma, Kevin was definitely feeling the pinch.
"Everett''s not picking up his phone."
"Then keep calling until he does. Mr. Lopez is holding onto his phone."
Dorothy''s brows knitted in frustration. "Alright, I got it."
She ended the call and switched to texting on Everett''s WhatsApp.
[Call me back, or you can forget about seeing me again!]
True to form, less than a minute after she hit send, her phone rang with Everett''s name shing on
the screen.
Taking the call, Dorothy made her way to the CEO''s office door and punched in the code - 0825.
The lock beeped affirmatively.
Sure enough, the office code hadn''t changed.
On the phone, Everett''s deep, raspy voice came through. "You''re in my office?"
He could tell just from the sound!
"Yeah," Dorothy didn''t bother hiding it, "Aren''t you supposed to be at thepany? And making
Kevin keep secrets from me, what''s that about?"
"You care?"
"Don''t give me that!" Dorothy was irked.
She had thought Everett would never lie to her.
"I''lle to the office for you."
Everett still didn''t disclose his location.
But Dorothy was persistent. "No, I''lle to you! Tell me where you are."
"You don''t want to know."
"I do want to know! Everett, you better think carefully before you speak to me!"
The line went silent, and after a few seconds, he let out a heavy sigh.
"I''m at the cemetery."
"What?"
"I''m at the cemetery gate, but I haven''t gone up. Don''t worry, I didn''t disturb your mom."
¡
By the time Dorothy drove to the cemetery, dusk was already setting in.
She had thought Everett and Kevin were together, only to realize that Kevin had followed Everett
due to sensing something was off. Not daring to get too close, he just sat in his car, watching from a
distance.
Dorothy got out of her car and jogged towards Everett.
He stood straight at the cemetery''s main gate, indeed not having entered.
Numerous orange-red cigarette buttsy at his feet, too many to count, and as she approached, the
unmistakable smell of tobo filled the air.
Everett turned upon hearing her approach, offering a half-hearted smile. When he spoke, his voice
was so dry that it seemed to crack.
"You see, I''ve just been here a while, no women around."
Dorothy sighed, "I never suspected you of anything."
She moved closer, but Everett stepped back. "I smell like smoke."
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"And you still smoke so much? Everett, you''re still recovering from injuries! Do you want lung cancer
or what?"
He gave a wry smile, "Not quite there yet."
"Let''s go home, okay?" Dorothy didn''t want to stand around in a ce like this at night.
Everett nodded, then said, "You and Kevin go ahead; I''ll follow."
"What''s the fuss about?" Dorothy pursed her lips, stubbornly walking over to grasp his arm. "Is this
all because I didn''t take you to visit my mother''s grave?"
"Dorothy," Everett''s voice was heavy.
Thinking he was going to say something, she looked up at him, waiting.
However, all that followed was a sigh. "Let''s go home."
"You haven''t finished what you were saying!"
"There''s nothing to say. I just came to have a look."
"Everett!"
He pressed his lips together, took off his jacket, and draped it over Dorothy''s shoulders. "The wind''s
picking up. Let''s go home. I''ll ice your ankle when we get home."
Chapter 645
Chapter 645
Dorothy only realized something was off as she settled into the car, headed towards Bay
Residence.
How on earth did Everett know about her twisted ankle?
Everett was focused on the road; he addressed her unspoken question before she could voice it.
"The car you saw this morning, it was mine."
"Oh¡" Dorothy found herself at a loss for words.
Pursuing this topic would unavoidably lead to exining why she hadn''t invited Everett to pay
respects to her mother.
He didn''t press further, though. Despite both sitting in the front, an invisible wall seemed to have
erected between them. Neither had the courage to tear it down.
Back at home, Everett headed straight for the master bathroom to shower.
Dorothy knew that even he himself couldn''t stand that smell of smoke!
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She checked on the kids upstairs; the hired chef had already prepared their dinner, and they were
now scattered, each absorbed in their own activities.
Upon returning to the bedroom, she noticed Everett hadn''t turned on the lights.
As she reached for the switch, her hand was suddenly enveloped, and in a swift motion, she was
lifted into the air and pressed onto the bed.
"Everett¡"
"Don''t talk just yet."
His voice was as husky as ever, his Adam''s apple bobbing as he spoke. The smoky scent was
gone, reced by his own unique fragrance.
Dorothy instinctively reached for his clothes, only to find he wasn''t wearing any, her fingers grazing
his cool skin fresh from the shower.
Everett was eager, almost like a teenager experiencing his first taste of passion.
Before she could adjust, he began to move with a fervor that left her wincing in pain, but she bit her
lip, neither pushing him away nor protesting.
He devoured her with a desperate intensity, sealing her lips with his, again and again¡
She felt like a small boat adrift on the sea, pushed by relentless waves, unsure of where to anchor
or when the tumult would end.
All she could do was rx as best she could, meeting his ferocity to spare herself greater
difort.
"Mmm¡"
Eventually, Dorothy sensed this wasn''t about pleasure for him; he was desperately trying to prove
something.
It was about proving she was his, affirming that he was the only man who could touch her, possess
her like this.
So, she reached out, embracing his narrow waist, silently conceding to his im.
"Dorothy, say you won''t leave me," Everett''s voice was raw as he felt her touch.
But Dorothy only pursed her lips, refusing to echo his words.
"Say it, you won''t leave me, you never will!"
Dorothy remained silent.
"Dorothy!"
She brought her hand to his neck, her voice tender with emotion, "Everett, I will be yours only."
Everett''s body tensed.
"In this life, my heart has no room for another man."
No matter how wonderful Keh was, no matter how much he moved her, he could never
prate her heart.
It was filled to the brim, not an inch to spare.
"Then say you won''t leave me."
Dorothy fell silent once again.
"Say it!" Everett''s eyes were fierce, his demand a low growl in her ear, "Say it, and I''ll believe you."
Dorothy shook her head, drawing him closer, "Everett, I want you to weigh down on me more."
There was no response from Everett.
"Come in to mepletely, will you?"
He frowned, beads of sweat rolling from his temple, spattering on her skin, "It will hurt."
"But that''s what I want, please."
Chapter 646
Chapter 646
After uttering those words, Dorothy closed her eyes, her body starting to tremble ever so slightly as
if bracing for the agony that was imminent.
But the pain didn''te.
Instead, what arrived was him propping himself up and withdrawing from her.
"I don''t want you topensate me in this way," he said, dropping the words like a stone before
turning and walking into the bathroom.
Dorothy remained lying on the bed, her hair syed out around her like strands of seaweed.
With his weight lifted, the air rushed back into her lungs in greedy gulps, and a bitter smile flickered
across her lips.
Was thispensation?
Not really.
She just wanted to feel Everett. Truly feel him intimately.
Even if it meant pain, it was something real.
The sound of water from the bathroom started up again, a gentle patter.
Dorothy sat up in bed, didn''t bother with the lights, and just sat on the edge, waiting for him.
When Everett emerged with a towel wrapped around his waist, she was there to meet him with an
embrace.
"Just this once, no questions, okay, Everett?"
"About your mom?"
Dorothy nodded.
"Alright, I won''t ask."
He was always the one to give in, and he was used to it by now.
Everett stroked her hair. "Were you scared today?"
"Yeah, I thought something happened to you."
He never willingly cut contact with her, and she worried¡ªwas it an infection, had his condition
worsened, was he in a hospital somewhere, or had there been an ident...
Countless possibilities had flitted through Dorothy''s mind, but she never imagined he''d gone to the
cemetery.
"I''m tough as nails, nothing''s going to happen."
"Well, if you don''t take care of yourself, who knows?"
Everett chuckled, pulling her into hisp.
"If I died, Keh would be over the moon."
"Why bring him up again?"
"Didn''t Keh unt in front of you that he could go to the cemetery, and I couldn''t? That''s just
showing off."
Everett was too smart not to understand.
Dorothy paused, instinctively wanting to exin, "I didn''t tell Keh I was going today. He didn''t
know! It was a coincidence we met there, and then... we walked down together."
"As far as I know, he doesn''t have any family buried there."
This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
That was true.
"And I overheard a staff member saying he was visiting his mother-inw."
Dorothy was surprised. "Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Keh wouldn''t do that. Look, we brought our kids back, and although he was reluctant, he didn''t
stop us! We''ve talked privately many times, and he''s agreed to start dating and find a girlfriend.
Can''t you stop being hostile towards him, please?"
"We''ll see when he actually finds a girlfriend."
Everett didn''t believe Keh would follow through.
Dorothy sighed softly, "I don''t want to argue about this, make it seem like I''m defending Keh,
and then you get jealous again. All I know is Keh and I can only be friends, nothing more."
In the darkness, Everett''s gaze locked onto Dorothy''s eyes.
They looked at each other for a long while before he finally exhaled deeply.
"I can never seem to win with you."
It felt like he was the only one ever caught in a bind.
"How could that be? You''re the big boss, after all."
"With you in the way, how can I be?"
If it weren''t for Dorothy, Keh would have been sent far from the country long ago, never to
return! He could give Keh money, a ce to stay, a house, a car, but he had to keep him away
from Dorothy!
Chapter 647
Chapter 647
"Quitying down thew with Keh, will ya?"
This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
Everett lifted his hand, pinching her cheek yfully. "If you need a reference on how that goes, just
take a look at what happened to Lane."
Dorothy fell silent, genuinely considering it.
Yeah, he could be quite the dictator.
"Tired? Let''s hit the sack," he said, wrapping his arms around Dorothy, who by now felt as limp as
overcooked spaghetti in his embrace.
But today, Dorothy had a stubborn streak.
She reached out with her delicate hand, tracing circles on Everett''s chest, igniting sparks
everywhere.
"You didn''t... finish it before..."
She vaguely remembered something Karen had once told her ¨C that it''s super ufortable for a
guy if things get interrupted.
Sure enough, as soon as she mentioned it, Dorothy could feel the heat rising off his skin, his breath
staggering slightly out of sync.
"Do you even know what you''re talking about?"
"Take a wild guess?"
Dorothy chuckled, wrapping her arms around his neck, deliberately breathing onto his chest in
quick, ticklish bursts. "Am I not attractive to you anymore?"
Everett could almost hear his self-control shattering.
"Dorothy."
"Yeah?"
"No regrets."
Before she could utter another word, all her protests were muffled by a kiss.
This time the intensity surpassed the earlier moment, Dorothy''s soft moans breaking into shards.
In the thick of passion, she responded fervently, as if granting him unspoken permission to explore
without end.
Until her stamina was spent, and still the man wouldn''t quit.
"Everett... you''re crushing me... I can''t take it anymore!"
"Endure it. You started this."
He had intended to let her go!
After a night of tangles, Dorothy finally conceded.
Some things should not be said carelessly and some responsibilities were just too heavy to bear!
...
The next day, the sun was high in the sky by the time Dorothy stirred.
The man beside her had vanished.
Propping herself up, she remembered the events ofst night and immediately got out of bed to
look for Everett.
After searching high and low with no sign of him, she worried he might have gone to the cemetery
again.
Dorothy quickly dialed his number, and Everett promptly answered, his deep voice resonating,
"Awake?"
"Where did you go?" she asked, a hint of urgency in her voice.
"I''m at the office. Had to postpone a meeting yesterday; couldn''t skip it today."
Hearing his voice sounding somewhat normal, Dorothy felt a bit relieved.
"So, when are you free?"
"Missing me?"
"Yeah, missing you," Dorothy admitted, her cheeks flushing.
There was a pause on the other end, "The meeting should wrap up in about half an hour."
Dorothy blinked. "So, you mean you''re in a meeting right now?!"
"Yes, as we speak."
"And you''re asking me if I miss you!" She could vividly picture that in the vast conference room,
Everett seated at the head of the table, casually posing the question over the phone, while
everyone else would have been utterly baffled!
They must have thought they were hallucinating!
Especially because Everett was known in the industry for his icy demeanor.
"Yeah, why?"
Dorothy''s patience was wearing thin, "Just hang up already!"
And he had the nerve to ask why! She didn''t dare entertain the thought any longer.
Everett chuckled, "Why don''t youe over to the office, Ms. Sanchez?"
It slipped her mind she was still on the payroll of Lopez Corporation.
"Alright, you carry on with your meeting. I''ll get ready and head over."
"Sounds good."
After hanging up, Dorothy quickly touched her burning cheeks.
Everett was really not caring one bit about maintaining his cool and aloof public image!
Chapter 648
Chapter 648
In the hushed conference room of the Lopez Corporation, managers and shareholders maintained
tense silence, cautious not to disturb Mr. Lopez, who engaged in yful banter over the phone.
When the call ended, Kevin dared to clear his throat softly and spoke, ¡°Mr. Lopez, next up is the
report from Team Four.¡±
¡°Alright.¡±
Everett nodded, leaning back slightly in his chair, the cold, serious expression returning to his
handsome face. ¡°Go ahead.¡±
¡
Dorothy freshened up, slipping into a set of neutral-colored clothes, not wanting to stand out too
much on her first day back at the office.
It was as if she was itching for everyone to know who she was.
Grabbing her car keys, she was about to step out when her phone buzzed with a call from Karen.
¡°Hey, Karen.¡±
¡°Jeffrey said he wants to get together for dinner before you two head off to Swevia Country! Thest
couple of times were... well, a bit eventful, so this time, no kids, just the four of us. I''d love to catch
up.¡±
Dorothy nced at the time. ¡°I¡¯m on my way to the Lopez Corporation now. Everett¡¯s still tied up in a
meeting. Once he wraps up, I¡¯ll check with him and get back to you. Not sure what his ns are for
the rest of the day.¡±N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.
¡°Cool, just let me know!¡± Karen chuckled, ¡°Jeffrey''s stuck at his office too.¡±
¡°In a meeting?¡±
¡°Yep! Got called in first thing in the morning.¡±
Dorothy¡¯s mouth twitched slightly.
When she had been on the phone with Everett earlier, Jeffrey surely wasn¡¯t part of the same
meeting, was he?
The very thought made her scalp tingle!
Upon reaching the Lopez Corporation, Dorothy was stopped at the entrance. Since she wasn''t
driving Everett''s Maybach today, the security guard needed to verify her identity before nodding her
through.
It was peak office hours, and the underground parking was full.
After circling around with no luck, Dorothy boldly decided to park in the CEO''s reserved spot - the
most spacious, conveniently located near the executive elevator.
With no one in sight, she felt free to indulge in this breach without the fear of being seen.
Dorothy made her way straight to the CEO¡¯s office once upstairs.
She keyed in the security code with practiced ease and had barely stepped in when a message
from Everett pinged on her phone.
[Wait for me in my office. Wrapping up soon.]
[How did you know I wasing to your office?]
Yesterday, he had heard the door, which wasn''t strange, but today, she hadn''t alerted anyone!
[There are cameras in the elevator.]
Well, that exined it!
The man was even checking the elevator cameras during a meeting!
[Mr. Lopez cks off at work too, huh?]
She sent the teasing message and soon got a reply from Everett.
[Only for you.]
Her cheeks flushed instantly!
Scenes from the previous night, not suitable for the faint-hearted, began to intrude into her
thoughts, impossible to shake off.
Dorothy cracked open the office window, letting the cool breeze in to temper the heat on her face.
From this vantage point, the view of Eldorria City was breathtaking, making everything else seem
insignificant byparison.
To think that she, of all people, could stand here and be intimately involved with the CEO of the
Lopez Corporation¡ªit was a dream too big to even dream!
Before long, Everett concluded his meeting.
He returned to his office, and the moment he opened the door, he saw the small figure by the
window, his lips curving in an involuntary smile.
Dorothy heard him and turned around, smiling back. ¡°Meeting¡¯s over?¡±
¡°Yeah.¡± He shed his suit jacket and strode over to her, wrapping his arms around her from behind.
¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡±
¡°It feels like I¡¯m dreaming.¡± Dorothy answered honestly, nestled in his embrace.
Chapter 649
Chapter 649
"Hah." Everett chuckled above her head, "Seems like I''m the one dreaming."
How could it be her?
He''d been harboring this dream for more than a decade. The longer it persisted, the more he
dreaded waking up.
"Hmm? What?" Dorothy didn''t quite catch that.
Everett, of course, wasn''t about to repeat himself. He already felt low enough in front of Dorothy.
This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
"It''s nothing. Just wrapped up at work. Where do you wanna go?"
"Is Jeffrey at the office?"
Everett''s thick brows furrowed. "Why do you ask about him?"
Dorothy blinked, "Karen mentioned grabbing dinner together, that''s why I asked."
"He''s there."
"Oh." Dorothy nodded, leaning in closer to Everett with a teasing arch of her eyebrow. "Don''t tell me
you''re getting jealous just because I asked about Jeffrey? He''s your buddy!"
"I don''t like you snooping around other men."
Dorothy couldn''t help butugh.
She had no idea Everett had such a possessive streak. She used to think he was cool and
somewhat detached, not paying her much mind and even giving her plenty of space. Turns out, the
aloof act was just an act.
It was convincing, sure, but it must''ve been exhausting!
"When did you get so sour?"
"If you knew about it earlier, would you have bolted?"
Dorothy thought for a moment, smiling guiltily, "Probably."
Thest thing she wanted was someone''s overbearing affection or someone trying too hard to make
an impression. It felt like being forced to amodate a stranger in her world, and her first instinct
would be to push back.
"See? That''s why." Everett spoke as if it all made perfect sense.
Dorothy pouted, "Why do you know me so well? You didn''t go and do homework on me, did you?"
"Do I need to? For someone who sat next to me for years and never even borrowed a pen, I think I
got the gist."
Back in school, her mantra was to owe nothing to anyone, and to have no one owe her.
It wasn''t about avoiding a loss, but more that she wasn''t good at socializing or handling people''s
kindness and affection.
"Was I really like that?"
The words slipped out before Dorothy could stop them. Reflecting on it, she realized she really was
like that.
"You were always by the book. If I even helped you with your backpack, you''d be sure to say thanks
with utmost politeness."
Dorothy was at a loss for words.
"So, when you returned that letter to me back then, I thought you were rejecting me."
Everett still remembered how nervous he was cing that letter on Dorothy''s desk. Unable to bear
sitting down afterward, he made up an excuse about the ssroom being stuffy and went out to
shoot hoops with ssmates.
His mind wasn''t in the game. He lost miserably, consumed with thoughts of what she would say
when he got back. Would she reject him or ept him?
When the bell rang and he returned to the ssroom, basketball in hand, seeing Dorothy with the
letter was like a punch to the gut.
The remaining hope chilled instantly.
As he approached his desk, Dorothy''s voice came softly, "Everett, is this yours?"
"Yeah."
"Here."
He hesitated before taking the unopened letter back.
He knew then he was out of luck. Dorothy hadn''t even bothered to read what was inside.
"There were lots of love letters for you back then. I thought that one was just another in the pile,"
she said, furrowing her brows and pouting slightly. "Besides, I asked you if it was yours, and you
said yeah."
Chapter 650
Chapter 650
"I wasn¡¯t wrong."
"Absolutely not."
Dorothy and Everett exchanged a knowing nce and broke intoughter, their shared amusement
an unspoken bond.
His arm tightened around her slightly as he leaned in, his voice a low whisper. "What if you knew
back then that I was the one writing you those love notes? Would you have read them?"
Caught off guard by the question, Dorothy paused, pondering over an answer that deserved more
than a cursory thought.
After all, back in the day, the thought of Everett, the golden boy of the school, harboring a crush on
her seemed downright imusible.
Everett, with his heartthrob looks and top-tier grades, not to mention his family''s clout¡ªheck, even
the principal would bend over backward to please him. That same guy iming to have a crush on
her?
Dorothy could not even entertain the thought!
Especially since Everett was known for his aloofness back then, he was not the warmest person
and probably had stronger boundaries than she did. Aside from the strictly necessary interactions
between desk mates, he would not say much else.
"I''d probably think you were pulling my leg, but then again, you never struck me as the joking type,"
Dorothy finally admitted, still struggling to imagine how she would have reacted.
One thing was for sure - she would not have agreed to date him.
Her middle school days were when Be was undergoing her second surgery. Back then, Dorothy
was so desperate to earn money that she spent every spare moment working, and any free time left
was devoted to studying.
Dating? That was thest thing on her mind.
"So, maybe it''s for the best you never read them."
Everett used to think that writing those love notes to Dorothy was the most foolish and
embarrassing thing he had ever done.
But now, he felt relieved she had not read them.
Back then, he was just a kid; his thoughts were not nearly as well-rounded as they were now. Even
if she had said yes, their rtionship might have faltered due to her sensitivities.
It was better that they both had the chance to grow up and mature. He felt more confident now.
"Everett, was I really the only one you had a crush on?" Dorothy asked, the question burning in her
throat despite her reservations.
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She feared it mighte off as self-indulgent and annoy him, but she genuinely wanted to know.
After all, they had spent years apart with absolutely no contact.
"You were more than enough. I''m not a masochist," he quipped.
"But what if I got a boyfriend in all our years apart? What if I got married? You can¡¯t keep waiting!"
He reached up and yfully tapped her forehead.
"You''re the only one who thinks we had no contact."
"Huh?"
"I was always in the ss group chat. After you left that night you sent the wrong message, I left
because you did."
Dorothy thought it over and realized he was right. She had rejoined the chatter to find him gone.
"Also, do you remember when you got hired by the Prosperity Consortium?"
"I applied like everyone else! I went for the interview and waited for HR to get back to me."
"Dorothy, that job fair at the Prosperity Consortium? They only hired you."
She froze, her mouth agape.
Everett let out a soft sigh. "Didn''t you ever wonder why they held a job fair and only hired one
assistant? Didn''t you find it odd that no one else was starting at thepany with you?"
Dorothy shook her head. "I... I''m not great at socializing, so I never asked."
"If I had known, I would¡¯ve just brought you straight into the main office."
Maybe that way their story could have started a year and a half earlier.
He had been afraid of raising her suspicions, so he had the Prosperity Consortium organize that job
fair instead of having the main office do it directly.
Everett was concerned that Dorothy might doubt the legitimacy of an offer from the Lopez
Corporation.
Chapter 651
Chapter 651
Dorothy pressed her lips together, feeling their dryness as she searched for the right words¡ªfinally,
a sentence squeezed through.
"Capitalism is so terrifying. I can''t shake the feeling I''m caught in some grand scheme!"
Everett spread his arms wide, a mischievous grin on his face. "Guilty as charged. I''ve been
scheming to win you over for years."
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.
She could not help butugh. "And to think you''ve been waiting all this time, Mr. Lopez. It must¡¯ve
been exhausting."
"Not really. The chase makes the victory all the sweeter."
Dorothy yfully smacked his arm. "You should go find Jeffrey! I need to call Karen back, and then
let''s all have dinner together. Jeffrey''s been to Swevia Country and practically kidnapped my best
friend. He definitely owes us a meal."
Everett nodded with a chuckle. "Sounds like a n."
...
Jeffrey was in his office, animatedly recounting the day''s conference room drama to Karen.
His expressions were over the top, spittle flying with every word!
"I always knew Everett had a soft spot for Dorothy, but I never expected him to throw away all his
principles!"
Karen was equally surprised and itching to witness the scene herself¡ªthe top brass at Lopez
Corporation, ck-jawed and wide-eyed, probably wondering if Mr. Lopez had been possessed. It
would have been quite the spectacle.
"Would you answer my call during a meeting like that?"
"Like today?" Jeffrey asked.
Karen nodded.
Jeffrey pondered for a moment. "I''d probably stand up and step out to take it. I mean, with everyone
there and Everett chairing the meeting, answering right there wouldn¡¯t look great."
Seeing her silence, Jeffrey quickly added, "Don''t be mad. How about this? I promise I''ll do the same
next time, okay?"
Karen could not help but feel exasperated at his jittery reaction.
"Why would I be mad? I fully support your dedication to work, and I think your approach is right!
Jeffrey, you and Everett are different."
If Everett did something outrageous, it would simply prove his deep love, putting Dorothy above all
else.
But if Jeffrey did the same, it would bebeled as irresponsible, frivolous, and neglectful of his
duties.
"Why do I feel like you''re not exactly praising me?" Jeffrey murmured, a hint of annoyance in his
tone. "Do you think I''m less because I work under Everett and am not the CEO?"
"Where is thising from?" She asked.
"Because you said we''re not the same."
Karen shook her head. "Of course, you''re not. Just focus on doing well at Lopez Corporation.
Everett''s already given you plenty of freedom."
Jeffrey stood up from his office chair and walked over to take Karen''s hand. "If you want to be a
CEO''s wife, I can start my ownpany!"
He was justzy, enjoying the easy life under Everett''s wing, but that did not mean hecked the
ability.
Karen quickly waved the idea away. "Do you think being a CEO is easy? Look how busy Everett is!
If you had to handle all that, could you manage?"
Jeffrey puckered his lips, squinting with a yful smile. "I could, but then I''d have no time for you."
"So, stay with Lopez Corporation."
"Karen," Jeffrey suddenly called her name softly, "How about youe work at Lopez Corporation?
Be my secretary. We could stick together all day, and you could keep an eye on me every minute!"
Work at Lopez Corporation?
Karen paused, then declined gracefully.
"Let''s not. I''m not qualified enough."
"Be my secretary. I¡¯ll be the one who decides if you''re qualified. And I think you''re perfect for it."
At the Lopez Corporation, choosing his secretary was indeed within his freedom.
"Let''s talk about itter."
Right now, Karen definitely could not join the Lopez Corporation.
Chapter 652
Chapter 652
It would not be long before her dear friend would find herself at odds with the Lopez Corporation.
The very thought of working there was awkward enough to churn her stomach.
Right on cue, Dorothy''s call came through, breaking the tension. They quickly set a lunch date.
After hanging up, Karen faced Jeffrey, who was still wearing a look of utter confusion.
"I just want some time to find myself, not to get a job at the Lopez Corporation by batting my
eyshes," Karen stated firmly.
"Excuses, all excuses!" Jeffrey retorted.
"Then why even ask?" She shot back.
Jeffrey was taken aback, speechless for a moment.
Karen tossed him his car keys and said, "Let''s go. Dorothy and the others are heading to the diner."
...
After their meal, Everett and Dorothy nned to head back to Swevia Country.
First, Everett needed rest to heal, and a check-up from Dr. Quincy was in order. Second, Dorothy
had decided that when it was time to leave, she would depart directly from Swevia Country.
She could not bear the thought of another goodbye with Everett in Eldorria City.
Unbeknownst to Everett, their friend Kevin had already booked their flights, including Abigail and
Langston''s.
The night before their departure, Everett received a call from Jonathan.
"I''ve seen the children''s names¡ªAbigail Sanchez, Langston Sanchez? What a mess! Change their
names immediately! They carry the Lopez blood. How can they have the Sanchez surname?"
"Why can''t Dorothy''s children have her surname?" Everett countered calmly.
"You! Are you trying to drive me to an early grave?" Jonathan''s voice was steeped in displeasure.
"You used to be such a good kid, obedient and sensible. What''s gotten into you now?"
Everett nced upstairs, where Dorothy wasughing and ying with the kids, frowning slightly.
"If you want the children to change their surname, fine. But I have a condition."
"They''re Lopez children by birth, and you dare set conditions to change their surnames to the
rightful one?" Jonathan scoffed. "It''s that Dorothy putting words in your mouth!"
"She didn¡¯t say anything. This is my decision."
Jonathan paused, then said, "Let''s hear it then. What condition do you have for your father?"
Everett sat back on the sofa, legs crossed, his voice steady and deep. "Hand over Heather to me,
and let me deal with her however I see fit."
There was a silence on the other end.
N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.
"If you don¡¯t agree, my son and daughter will forever bear the surname Sanchez, and without this
father''s consent, not even your most influential connections can change that."
Jonathan had not expected such a demand.
He thought his son would ask for something along the lines of a lifetime with Dorothy or for the
Lopez family''s blessing to marry her.
"This matter is for your mother to decide, not me."
"My mother protects Heather simply because she once saved her life. I''ve repaid Heather; we''re
even."
"So why go after her?"
"Heather and the Lopez family may be square, but she''s not done with what she did to Dorothy''s
mother."
At the mention of Dorothy''s mother, Jonathan''s voice noticeably dropped.
Still, he feigned calm. "I''ve looked into it. Dorothy''s mother died of a heart attack. How can you
me Heather for that? At most, she said something that upset her. Even if you go to court with her,
she won¡¯t get the death sentence.¡±
"Whether Heather''s crime is punishable by death is for Dorothy to decide."
Chapter 653
Chapter 653
Everett mulled over it for what felt like hours, trying to understand why Dorothy was adamant about
him not attending her mother''s memorial. Surely, it was not just because her mom appreciated
peace and quiet, as she had imed.
Keh was wee while he was not, and the only logical exnation Everett coulde up
with was the bitter truth surrounding Dorothy''s mother''s passing.
After much contemtion, he figured that the crux of the matter must lie with Heather. Dorothy
probably believed that if it were not for his presence, Heather would not have been green with envy
andsh out in a fit of jealousy, and her mother would still be alive.
Everett was indirectly responsible for the tragedy. That must be why Dorothy could not bear the
thought of him paying his respects.
After all, he had never hurt Be. In fact, he was the one to arrange for her top-notch surgery with a
renowned doctor from abroad.
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Now that he thought he had pinpointed the cause, he was determined to unearth the real culprit. He
wanted Dorothy to be able to settle her scores and release the pent-up anger in her heart.
Plus, it would also prevent Keh from exploiting the situation.
"I can''t just say ''yes'' to this. I need to talk it over with your mother." Jonathan sighed heavily into the
phone. "You''ve got to understand the tough spot I''m in here! When Heather stabbed you, and your
life was hanging by a thread, I had someone deal with her already. But your mother insisted on
stopping it. Otherwise, Heather would have been long gone."
Jonathan was not one to mince words; a menace like Heather needed to be dealt with once and for
all.
He disagreed with his wife''s constant talk of gratitude and repaying kindness.
In fact, Heather''s boldness was bolstered by the very backing of the Lopez family. She grew more
audacious over time, even daring to dabble in murderous plots.
"When you''ve settled things with Mom, I''ll talk to Dorothy about changing my children¡¯s surname,"
Everett said, setting his terms.
"Changing their surnames needs her approval?¡±
¡°And does Heather paying for her crimes need my mother''s approval, too?"
Jonathan was at a loss for words, then finally conceded. "Alright, I''ll talk to your mother. I''m tired of
arguing over someone like Heather to the point of father and son falling out."
Everett knew his father wasn''t just giving in; he was in a bind and had no choice but to give in.
The true power within the Lopez family had already shifted to him, and no one else was suitable to
take over the reins.
Regardless of the oue, neither of them wanted a rift between father and son.
Just as Jonathan was about to hang up, Everett asked coldly, "Did my mother have a hand in what
Heather did to Dorothy''s mother?"
"What are you implying?" Jonathan''s voice rose sharply.
"I mean just what I said."
"Of course not! Your mother was just propping Heather up, that''s all. She never liked Dorothy, and
you knew that. Your mother thought she could break you up if she kept opposing you two. And even
if Heather had those murderous intentions, do you think she''d dare to confess them to your mother?
Heather has yed the timid and gentle woman before your mother and me all these years. Even I
was fooled."
Everett''s brow furrowed deeper. "I hope what you''re saying is true."
"Dorothy didn¡¯t tell you anything, did she?" Jonathan quickly asked.
"No, it''s just something I wanted to ask."
"Everett, do you really see your mother as cold-hearted and cruel like Heather? Don''t forget, you''re
her flesh and blood! If it wasn¡¯t for her carrying you for nine months, enduringbor to bring you into
this world, Dorothy wouldn¡¯t have had the fortune of being connected to the Lopez family in any
way!"
Chapter 654
Chapter 654
Everett pressed his lips, then hung up the phone.
Shortly after, Dorothy descended the stairs to find him deep in thought, his handsome face tense,
looking rather unhappy. She approached him cautiously.
"What''s wrong?"
Everett reached out and naturally pulled her into his embrace. "Just thinking about when we''ll head
back to Bay Residence after this trip."
"Once your injury is all healed up."
He looked up at her. "You mean ''we'' are going back together, right?"
"Everett, why do you always ask that?" Dorothy did not want to lie to him, so she simply smiled and
took his hand. "Please don''t, I don''t like it."
Her disapproval was enough to silence any remaining words Everett had.
If Dorothy did not like something, he would not do it.
"Let''s get some sleep, okay? We have a flight to catch tomorrow, and I''m pretty wiped out."
"Okay."
...
The next day, Everett and Dorothy boarded the ne to Swevia Country.
He booked the entire first-ss cabin thanks to Abigail and Langston''s presence, thinking it would
give the kids some space to y.
"You''ve got money, but you don''t have to waste it like this."
Dorothy felt the pinch!
Even though she knew Everett''s wealth was vast and such expenses were trivial to him, Dorothy,
who had climbed up from humble beginnings, had thriftiness etched into her very bones.
After all, the cost of this flight could cover what she made during all three years of junior high.
Maybe even more.
"Feeling the pinch?"
"Yeah."
Dorothy nodded honestly.
Everett thought momentarily, then said, "How about this: I let you manage all my finances? That
way, you''d know whenever I''m about to buy something or spend money, and you could always
remind me to save."
"Never mind. Your money is too much for me to manage.¡±
Even Karen would not dare to take over Jeffrey''s assets, let alone Everett''s! Being a core figure of
the Lopez Corporation, the amount of money he had was a number Dorothy could not even fathom.
"If it''s too much, you could hire someone to manage it."
"No, thanks. I''ll pass and leave your money to your own! I don''t have the head for finances."
Seeing her head shake like a bobblehead, Everett did not press the issue.
After all, his money was her money.
The ten-hour flight swiftly passed, and the ne smoothlynded at Memo Airport.
The people who hade to pick them up were waiting, bowing respectfully upon seeing Everett.
"Sir."
"Mhm."
Everett handed off the luggage to them, and then, with one hand holding Abigail and the other
holding Dorothy''s, they headed to the car.
No sooner had they settled in than Dorothy''s phone began to ring.
He nced over instinctively, his gaze darkening.
It was Keh.
Why could he not just leave them be?
Knowing Everett was upset, Dorothy did not answer immediately but instead smiled. "He''s probably
just concerned about whether we arrived safely. Don''t be like that!"
"My girl doesn''t need his concern."
"Everett, don''t be so childish."
Abigail turned around from the front seat, looked at her dad, and stuck out her tongue. "Langston,
Mommy says daddy''s childish! Haha!"
"Daddy''s just jealous of Keh." Langston always had a knack for hitting the nail on the head.
Dorothy didn''t know what to say in response.
Everett, however, nodded in agreement, openly admitting, "That''s right, how can I not be when your
mommy is so charming? Keh always tries to take my ce."
Dorothy sighed in exasperation. "Everett, don''t teach the kids wrong things!"This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.
Chapter 655
Chapter 655
"Langston could tell. Are you saying I taught him that?"
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Even the kid had caught on to Keh''s ulterior motive!
Dorothy knew she could not outtalk Everett with his businessman''s silver tongue, so she simply
closed her eyes and pretended to sleep.
Luckily, Keh only called once.
Back at the Lopez Private Hospital, Quincy was already in ce, just waiting for Everett to return.
She arranged a battery of tests, fearing any missed detail could pose a hidden threat.
Perhaps because Quincy was aware of Everett''s germophobia, she had another male doctor assist
with any examinations that required physical contact.
As the test results came in one by one, all looking good, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"Mr. Lopez, you''ve got the constitution of an ox! I won''t lie. I was worried sick while you were out of
the country."
After all, a through-and-through wound was no joke. Forget infection at the wound site; even a tiny
blood clot could spell disaster.
"Much obliged, Dr. Quincy." Dorothy finally exhaled in relief.
"Just doing my duty," Quincy replied with a smile, looking at her. "You go be with Mr. Lopez now. I''ll
change his dressing and remove the stitches tomorrow morning. You''ve both had a long day; you
must be exhausted."
Dorothy nodded. "Thank you, Dr. Quincy."
All Dorothy could muster was thanks, leaving Quincy at a loss for how tomunicate with her.
Walking out of the doctor''s office, Dorothy suddenly remembered the missed call from Keh.
With Everett not around, she quickly returned the call.
After a few rings, Keh picked up.
"Dorothy."
"Keh, did you need something?"
"Did Everett stop you from taking my call earlier?" Keh''s direct question caught Dorothy off
guard.
She hesitated, then said, "No, I just did not see it. There was a lot to sort outing back to Swevia
Country. I had to apany Everett for his check-up, too."
"Oh, I thought he was stopping you." Keh''s tone was noticeably different,cking its previous
warmth and filled with a hint of sarcasm, "Did you know Everett sealed off Be''s cemetery? Only
direct kins can visit now."
Dorothy was stunned. "What?"
This was rather typical of Everett!
Had he been plotting this while standing at the cemetery gate that day?
"Dorothy, Everett better not overstep. I''ve stoppedpeting with him. Does he really need to drive
the point home? Am I not even allowed to be your friend?"
Dorothy could tell Keh was genuinely angry and rushed to soothe him.
"Keh, he''s just a bit jealous, alright? Don''t take it to heart. I''ll talk to him when I get back. And
about the cemetery, if it reallyes to it, I''ll have a word with the manager, im you''re direct kin
to my mother."
"I don''t want to put you in a tough spot, but he''s really crossing the line! It''s totally justified that you
don''t want him visiting your mother''s grave. No one could argue with that! He''s just clueless, yet he
has the nerve to seal off the cemetery."
Even if Everett sealed it, he had no right to be there!
"Right now, Everett is still in the dark. If he knew the truth, he''d naturally stay away."
"Dorothy, I''m sorry, I''ve lost myposure. I shouldn¡¯t have brought up painful memories."
Chapter 656
Chapter 656
"No worries," Dorothy said, tugging at the corner of her lips. "Keh, there¡¯s less than two weeks
left. I don''t want to have any regrets."
"I get it."
"Thanks for understanding."
Dorothy chuckled. "There''s a stir over at Byte 7. You''ll still need to keep me posted, okay? I
appreciate it."
"Sure, no problem at all. I''m happy to keep an eye on things for you."
After hanging up the phone, Dorothy took a deep breath before heading into the ward.
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Hospitals were not exactly ygrounds for kids, so Everett had practically cleared out the local toy
stores, all so his children could have a little joy.
As Dorothy pushed the door open, she saw Everett meticulously stacking blocks, with Abigail
pping happily beside him, eximing, "Daddy, you''re amazing! It''s so tall!"
Langston snorted, cookie in hand, ncing over briefly before returning his gaze to theputer
screen.
Sighing, Dorothy moved theputer further away.
"Langston, do you not care about your eyesight? Abigail, no more sweets for you today!"
Both kids pouted, then turned their puppy-dog eyes to Everett.
Everett shrugged his shoulders. "I''m no match for her."
Dorothy walked back to her bed and sat down.
Everett stood up and approached her, raising an eyebrow. "You called Keh back, didn''t you?"
"How did you know..."
She cut herself off, realizing she had been baited.
"You don''t have to hide it from me. I''m not stopping you."
He might not have said anything, but the topic was out there now, so she might as well clear the air.
"Why did you seal off the cemetery? Keh often helps me by cleaning the gravestone, showing
respect on my behalf."
"That''s your mother''s grave, not his. How does that count as showing respect?
It should be me doing it if anyone. What business does Keh have with it?"
Dorothy did not want to argue, so she took a deep breath and said softly, "Don''t be as stubborn as
Jeffrey, it puts me in a tough spot."
"Don''t worry. Your mother''s gravestone will always be the cleanest."
Dorothy was speechless. It was not about how clean the gravestone was!
She should have known she could not reason with a jealous Everett.
The next morning arrived, and it was time for Everett to get his stitches removed.
Dorothy got up early to draw a bath for him, knowing he needed to soak before the procedure since
he had to avoid getting the wound wet for a few days.
When Quincy walked in, Everett had just finished bathing, wearing a dark silk robe,zily leaning
against the headboard while Dorothy dried his hair.
Truth be told, he was strikingly handsome.
Even Quincy could not help but take a few extra nces at his features.
"Dr. Quincy, d you could make it."
Dorothy set down the hairdryer when she saw her and got up to make room for Quincy.
"Yeah."
Quincy slipped on disposable medical gloves and began to disinfect Everett''s wound.
Suddenly, she looked up at Dorothy and said, "Ms. Sanchez, could you fetch me the medicine from
my desk in my office? I need it."
"Of course!" Dorothy nodded and left the room promptly.
Once she was gone, Quincy started the delicate task of removing the stitches.
The room was filled with the sound of her scissors snipping until she paused and said in a low
voice, "Did Jonathan tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
"He''s thinking of having me marry you."
Chapter 657
Chapter 657
Thest time Quincy was dragged back home, she thought it was just another tedious blind date set
up by her folks. To her shock, they dropped a bombshell: she was expected to marry Everett!
Of course, she was dead against it.
While at the hospital, Quincy saw how much Everett loved Dorothy with her own eyes!
To agree to marry Everett would be like ying the other woman.
She was not about to stoop that low.
But in the cutthroat world of business, only the strong could survive. Quincy''s family simply did not
have the muscle to stand up to the Lopez family, leaving them without a choice. Though Quincy''s
dad and Jonathan were old college buddies, the marriage proposal was offered in such a high-and-
mighty way that turning it down would be a p in the face¡ªand could flip their friendly rtions to
sour in the blink of an eye.
Besides the crux of the matter was that Quincy was the underdog in her family.
They favored sons over daughters.
She had made peace with it; she did not hanker after the family fortune. In fact, she felt somewhat
liberated, knowing her brother would take over the family business, leaving her free to pursue her
passion for medicine.
But who would have thought there would still be a way for her to be of use to her family?
"Absolutely no way," Everett stated tly, his tone leaving no room for negotiation, not even
bothering to look her in the eye.
"I know," Quincy murmured, pressing her lips together, finding it hard to speak up. "So, could you
convince Jonathan to voluntarily back off this business marriage? My family... we''re practically
voiceless against the Lopez Corporation."
She had wanted to have this very conversation with Everett before he and Dorothy flew home, but
she held back, hoping the Lopez family would change their minds once they were back.
But just before she came to change his dressings, Quincy''s father had called her again.
The gist was to use any means necessary to make Everett agree to the marriage. That way,
Quincy''s family could hitch their wagon to a star and climb the socialdder by joining forces with
the Lopez Corporation! He even warned her not to screw it up, reminding her of the years of care
and upbringing they had invested in her, suggesting she owed it to the Quincy family to make this
contribution.
Desperate and cornered, she had maneuvered Dorothy out of the room to speak to Everett alone.
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Seeing Everett''s unresponsive demeanor, Quincy bit her lower lip and mustered her courage,
saying, "I did save your life, after all. All I''m asking is for you to help me out of a tight spot. Is that
really too much to ask?"
Everett finally met her gaze, though his expression remained unreadable.
"I''ve told you. I''m not going to marry you."
This marriage was dead in the water, so Quincy had nothing to fear.
"Could you at least talk to Jonathan and my dad?" She pleaded.
She knew Everett would not marry her, but she could not withstand the pressure from home. All her
hopes were pinned on him now.
"After Dorothy and I remarry, he''ll drop the idea," Everett stated, aware that talking to his father
would be futile.
Just like the time they tried to impose Heather upon him.
He could refuse and ignore but could not control his parents'' actions.
Quincy got the hint and nodded reluctantly. "Then you and Dorothy should get remarried quickly,
maybe even get your marriage license this month."
Everett''s lips twitched into a semnce of a smile.
That was also his wish.
When Dorothy returned, their conversation had ended, and the ward regained its previous quiet.
"Dr. Quincy, is this the right medication?" Dorothy asked, holding up a vial.
Quincy took it, nodding. "Yes, that''s the one. Thanks for fetching it."
"No problem at all." Dorothy smiled, and then her eyes fell on Everett''s wound. The sight of the
fresh stitches, like a centipede creeping across the skin, was disturbing.
A pang of pain shot through Dorothy''s heart, knowing he had suffered this wound for her.
Observing Dorothy''s expression, Quincy gently advised, "Ms. Sanchez, Mr. Lopez cares so much
for you. You two really should remarry soon."
Chapter 658
Chapter 658
Dorothy was caught off guard by Quincy''s sudden nudge towards marriage. The idea of Quincy
rushing them into tying the knot surprised her.
She chuckled. "Let''s wait until Everett''s all healed up."
"But he''s getting his stitches out soon, and a little scar isn''t going to stop you two from heading
down to the city hall and making it official," Quincy insisted.
Dorothy nced at Everett, sensing they might have had a conversation she was not privy to. It was
unlike Quincy to be so forward; she had often admired her rtionship with Everett, but they were
not close enough for her to meddle in their marriage ns.
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Everett met her gaze with an open, honest expression, not giving away any signs of a secret pact
with Quincy.
"We want to take things slowly, Dr. Quincy. But thanks anyway," Dorothy interceded quickly, hoping
to avoid any further pressure.
"Sure, no problem," Quincy replied with a smile, stuffing her hands into herb coat pockets and
turning to leave.
As she walked away, Dorothy realized that Quincy had taken the medicine she had just retrieved
from her office back with her. What was the point of asking her to fetch it if it was just going back to
her office? She had thought it was for Everett''s use.
While she pondered the oddity, Everett reached out and pulled her into his embrace, holding her
tight to prevent any chance of escape.
"How exactly do you n on taking things ''slowly''? Let''s hear it," Everett prodded.
"We can''t just rush into getting a certificate," Dorothy countered.
Everett was not ready to drop the subject, especially after Quincy''s remark. "We already have kids;
how can you call that rushing?" Everett had been plotting for over a decade, and this was anything
but hasty to him.
The word ''rush'' seemed out of ce at this moment.
Concerned about touching his fresh wound, Dorothy did not dare to struggle too much. She softly
called out, "Everett... Everett, let me go first."
"Agree to marry me, and I''ll let you go."
"Stop being childish." Dorothy sighed, exasperated. "We''ve both been through a divorce already. I
need to think this through properly. When I have my answer, I''ll tell you. Don''t push me to decide."
Feeling Everett''s grip rx, Dorothy managed to step away from his arms. She quickly changed the
subject. "Are you hungry? I don''t feel like having toast this morning. I wonder if the chef knows how
to make corn chowder. I''ll go ask."
She made her excuse to leave, but Everett was not fooled.
Recalling Quincy''s earlier words, he grabbed his phone and texted his father Jonathan.
[I won''t marry anyone but Dorothy.]
Jonathan replied quickly.
[Did Quincy''s girle after you? Everett, I won''t pressure you like your mom, but Quincy is a good
catch. Skilled doctor, caring, easy-going. Lock it down while you can; Quincy''s family owes me, and
they''ll dly give up their daughter.]
In the business world, daughters were often treated asmodities, bargaining chips for
cooperation and contracts. Their parents spoke of them as treasured jewels, yet in reality, they did
not care who their daughters married or what kind of life awaited them after the wedding.
Everett found the message meaningless, so he did not reply.
His father''s words hinted at an acknowledgment that Dorothy might eventually leave. So, he
suggested to ''lock it down'' but did not press for an immediate rtionship.
Perhaps to avoid further souring their rtionship, Jonathan quickly followed up with another
message. [About getting revenge for Dorothy, your mother and I have discussed it. She''s agreed to
let you deal with Heather as you see fit.]
Chapter 659
Chapter 659
Everett finally replied to Jonathan, [I''ll send an escort.]
[Change the children¡¯s surname first!] Jonathan was all about business, not acting unless he was
sure about the deal¡¯s sess.
Everett snorted dismissively and did not bother replying.
It was a battle of endurance now¡ªa waiting game to see who would lose their cool first.
He knew his parents were all about keeping up appearances. If the press got wind that their
grandchildren bore the surname Sanchez instead of Lopez, they would consider it a massive
humiliation.
Not that Everett cared much for such vanities.
When Dorothy returned with a bowl of corn chowder, Everett was already buried in work.
His stitches had just been removed, and he really should not have been moving around so much.
He needed rest, but Dorothy knew all too well he was not a man who could rest easy.
The man on a video call with Everett was briefing him on a project, Everett''s biggest venture for the
following year: breaking into the electronics market with a new smartphone brand.
This was not Dorothy''s area of expertise. She was so out of her depth that she would not even
qualify as a due diligence assistant on this project.
Thus, she pondered momentarily before booting up herptop and diving into an online tech forum.
The forum was a haven for experts, and despite the casual ''haha''s'' peppering the posts, the more
nonchnt someone seemed, the more likely they were an expert in disguise.
And when it came to these experts, Dorothy''s mind went straight to Byte 7.
That was what everyone called him ¨C it seemed no one knew his real name. He was ghostly pale
and spoke English fluently, so he most likely was a fellow countryman.
Momentster, Everett finally noticed her.
Pushing hisptop aside, his voice was deep with a nasal edge as he said, "That sh drive you
asked Byte 7 to fix, is it done?"
"Not yet."
"What''s so important on it that you had to go to him?"
Everett had some insight into tech matters. After all, men are often inexplicably drawn to high-tech
gadgets.
"Some documents. It''ll be a hassle if they''re lost."
Her answer was as vague as it could be.
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Of course, Everett knew the contents must be crucial, or else why would she pay top dor for Byte
7''s services? He also remembered how desperate she had been to meet Byte 7, willing to spend
the night at Bay Residence if needed.
"Someone rmended him to me for this newpany project."
Dorothy blinked. "You''re thinking of bringing Byte 7 into the Lopez Corporation?"
"Just a coboration. He may not have what it takes to join the Lopez Corporation."
"Oh... I heard he''s quite something."
She had been casually browsing the forum and had already stumbled upon numerous posts singing
Byte 7''s praises.
Clearly, Byte 7 was a legend in the tech world.
"I might discuss the coboration with him in person. Want me to nudge him about the sh drive?"
"No need." Dorothy shook her head. "He''ll contact me when it''s fixed."
Everett narrowed his eyes, recalling the night at Bay Residence when Byte 7 had called Dorothy
out...
"Are you two close?"
"Not really," Dorothy answered honestly. "Met him twice, and he was pretty rude both times, very
impatient."
Byte 7 had an air about him, casual yet sharp, as if nothing mattered but also as if he could not
stand anyone getting too close.
Whenever he spoke, it was with a tone so cutting and elusive that no one could truly guess what he
was thinking.
Chapter 660
Chapter 660
"Get me that sh drive, and I''ll take care of it for you."
"I''ve already paid Byte 7. Let''s not make a fuss about it," Dorothy said. She did not want to keep
circling back to the topic of the sh drive. In fact,tely, she could not quite figure out what was up
with Everett. He seemed to keep touching on topics that were hard to tackle.
Sometimes, Dorothy wondered if he had gotten wind of something!
Everett just nced up at her and crooked a finger. "Come here."
Not wanting to trigger him to get up, she obediently set aside herptop and snuggled into Everett''s
embrace.
"Are youing down with something? Your voice sounds off."
"Maybe. You''re probably the cause of it."
Dorothy rolled her eyes. "Mr. Lopez, always so stoic, now you''re getting upset over everything? I
must be quite the force, then."
He huffed lightly. "You''ve always been quite the force."
"Thanks for thepliment."
With a sudden flex of his arm, Everett pulled her entire body onto the bed.
Dorothy was so startled she did not dare move. "Are you out of your mind? You just had stitches
removed, and you''re still bleeding!"
"When I just had surgery, it did not stop me from making you feel good, did it? What''s a little blood?"
Dorothy really wanted to kick him!
She thought Everett was in the mood again, but he did not try to undress her this time. He just held
her, entwined with her, savoring her scent.
When he was too close, his breath tickled her neck.
"What''s wrong?"
She sensed something off about him.
"Nothing, just want to hold you for a bit."
Dorothy frowned and reached up to check his forehead.
"Everett, you have a fever!"
No wonder his voice was so nasal; he was clearly powering through.
"Don''t overreact, a little cuddle, and I''ll be fine."
"I''m not a fever reducer." Dorothy worried that his fever could lead toplications. After all, fever
was just a symptom; what if it was caused by an infection in his organs or at the wound site?
"Let go. I''ll get Dr. Quincy to take a look at you."
At the mention of that name, Everett''s eyebrows knitted together.
"Don''t let here."
"You''re being picky about doctors now?" Dorothy thought his germaphobia was acting up, not
wanting a female doctor to examine him. "Come on, let''s get that fever down. Dr. Quincy performed
your surgery; she knows your condition best! Fevers can be serious or not, but I''ll only be able to
rx if everything checks out okay."
"It''s not that serious. Just get me some fever reducer. I just got a cold."
Everett nestled into her neck, his eyelids growing heavy, verging on sleep.
Unable to persuade him, Dorothy reached out to shove him gently.
"Then let me go. I''ll get your medicine."
"If I let go, you''ll definitely go find that Quincy."
He did not want to see her.
"Everett, when did you be so stubborn? You''re the patient, she''s the doctor!"
Everett loosened his grip and turned his body away, giving his back to Dorothy.
She thought he tacitly allowed her to seek out Dr. Quincy, so she got up to leave the bed.
But then, from behind, Everett suddenly spoke in a muffled, heavy tone.
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"My dad wants me to marry her."
"Who?" Dorothy asked instinctively.
"Who else?"
At this moment, Dorothy remembered something Jonathan had mentioned before and realized it
was not surprising.
She pressed her lips, understanding now why Everett did not want Dr. Quincy toe.
"Oh."
Everett suddenly turned around, sitting up on the bed. "That¡¯s it? Oh?"
Chapter 661
Chapter 661
Seeing the thinly veiled annoyance in his gaze, Dorothy realized her response had been a bit too
nonchnt.
She chuckled. "Well, it''s not like you ever listened to your dad anyway."
Everett flopped back onto the bed, lifting a hand to rub his temples. "Looks like between us, I''m the
only one who gets jealous."
"What''s that supposed to mean? Do you expect me to storm over to Dr. Quincy''s office, crying,
making a scene, threatening to do something drastic?"
Everett was speechless.
He was, of course, not thinking about something so extreme. He just hoped her reaction would have
a bit more emotion.
But clearly, Dorothy was more concerned about his wound.
"Never mind." Everett settled back in bed and spoke again, his voice soft, "I''ll have someone else
come in as the doctor."
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With him saying that, Dorothy was not foolish enough to insist on Dr. Quincy if it was going to upset
him.
Everett nced over at her, frowning. "Dorothy, are you not at all afraid I''ll fall for someone else?"
She was stunned for a moment.
Honestly, she had thought about it, and then again, she had not.
Her main concern was not to hold Everett back for life. When she was no longer around, she hoped
Everett would find someone who truly cared for him to spend the rest of his days with.
Dorothy had not really considered the possibility of him falling out of love with her.
"Would you?" Instead of an answer, she questioned him.
Everett''s voice was peculiar due to his congested nose, a trembling, low, and bubbling, his words
slightly muffled as if spoken through gritted teeth, carrying an almost coy undertone.
"You really know how to take advantage of the fact I''ll always be biased towards you."
"Otherwise, I would not be here."
Who was she, after all, but a speck in the vast sea of life?
Toiling through her days, bustling about her job, how could she possibly end up in Swevia Country,
lying in the bed of the illustrious CEO of the Lopez Corporation?
Everett did not feel like bickering with her, so he simply pulled the covers over his head, letting his
eyelids grow heavy.
At first, Dorothy thought he was just worn out from travel, maybe a minor cold, but Everett''s fever
fluctuated, persistently high for several days.
At its worst, his temperature spiked to 104¡ãF, and he was out cold for the better half of a day before
coming to.
Dorothy could not worry about whether Everett was willing anymore; she had to call Quincy back.
"What''s going on? Why wait until it got this bad to tell me?"
Quincy frowned, flipping through Everett''sb results.
Dorothy pressed her lips, silent for a long while.
Turning her face, Quincy paused, then seemed to understand. "Mr. Lopez told you?"
"Yeah." Dorothy nodded. "But it wasn¡¯t that I didn¡¯t want to call you. It''s just..."
"I get it. Mr. Lopez is trying to avoid suspicion, worried about you getting jealous, right?" Quincy
smiled, jotting down notes for the nurse to fetch the injection. "Don''t worry, I have no designs on Mr.
Lopez. It''s purely my parents'' wish."
"It''s not me. Everett''s the worried one."
"He really is head over heels for you." Quincy dropped thatment and went out to prepare the IV
supplies for Everett.
Dorothy approached the bed where Everetty. His eyes closed, his handsome face faintly flushed,
his chest rising and falling rapidly, signaling his struggle to breathefortably.
She reached out and took Everett''s hand.
Perhaps sensing her warmth, his eyes slowly opened. "Dorothy..."
"Yeah, I''m here."
"You can''t leave without saying anything."
Dorothy managed a bitter smile.
Even now, this was what he was holding onto!
Chapter 662
Chapter 662
"Okay, I won''t leave. How could I bear to go?"
Leaving him alone with a raging fever was something Dorothy just could not bring herself to do.
Only after she promised to stay could Everett finally close his eyes, his consciousness fading again.
Yet, in thosest moments of awareness, he grasped her hand tightly, refusing to let go for a long
time.
Dorothy knew he was living in a constant state of unease.
She had not given him a definite departure date nor yed her part convincingly enough to make
him truly believe she was here to stay.
Fortunately, there were only a few days left. Soon, his ordeal would be over.
It took Everett five days in Swevia Country to start feeling better.
Quincy said it was a mix of worry and old wounds that had red up.
¡°But he was always fine back home.¡±
¡°When you¡¯re tense, you can keep going on sheer willpower. Maybe once he got to Swevia Country,
without the need to keep going, the illness caught up with him."
It was only when Dorothy heard this that she realized how much Keh was on Everett''s mind.
He was like a constant thorn in his side.
Looking back, the signs were all there.
Back home, whenever she answered a phone call, she would look up to see him leaning against a
wall, smoking a cigarette. If she went out at night, he would be waiting in the living room. Even
when she visited her mother''s grave, he would sneak along.
Everett was really afraid of Keh snatching her away from him.
After all, those four years without Dorothy had been unbearably hard.
Returning to the ward, a somewhat recovered Everett found his schedule jam-packed with work and
meetings.
Knowing how driven he was, Dorothy did not mind that his work took up their time together. In fact,
she found him most attractive when he was immersed in his work.
She would often sneak pictures of him to keep in her album.
After one long meeting, the sky outside had darkened.
Curled on the couch, she drifted into a light sleep without realizing it.
It was not until she was lifted into the air that she sleepily opened her eyes.
"The meeting''s over?" She mumbled.
"Yeah. Next time, just lie on the bed. It won''t disrupt the meeting."
Dorothy chuckled and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I toss and turn in my sleep. The bed''s so
close to your desk. Wouldn''t it be awkward if I identally got on camera?"
Those who faced Everett directly in meetings were surely executives from otherpanies or
international partners.
She did not want to embarrass him.
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"They know I''m not single," Everett said as he settled her into the bed, tucking her under the covers.
"But not everyone needs to know, right?"
"They also know I''m recovering in the hospital."
So, even if Dorothy identally appeared on camera, it would seem normal to others. Who didn''t
have someone to take care of them when they were sick?
But the main point was that Everett wanted people to see Dorothy by his side.
She snuggled into Everett''s embrace, wanting to chat.
However, Everett was hardly in the mood for conversation.
After Dorothy had bathed, she lounged around in her nightgown, her long, slender legs carrying her
to slumber on the couch. It was enough to distract Everettpletely from his work.
Finally, with the meeting over and theputer off, he had more pressing matters to attend to.
Dorothy only realized something was amiss when he started to undress her without a word.
She quickly covered her nightgown with her hands. "What are you doing?"
"I''ve been sick for five days."
"And?"
"And you''ve had five days of rest from doing it."
Chapter 663
Chapter 663
Dorothy was at a loss for words.
Five days of rest? Since when did missed timee with a rain check?
But before she could voice her protest, he was already inside, thrusting into her with a whirlwind of
urgency.
At first, he was gentle, mindful of his size, but as passion took over, his control slipped. His hands
gripped her waist, causing Dorothy to wince and instinctively try to escape the difort, only to be
relentlessly pulled back beneath him.
Exhausted to begin with, Dorothy found herself breathless and powerless under his relentless
pursuit until, in a fit of frustration, she sank her teeth into the flesh of his corbone.
The pain seemed to spur him on even more, his vigor unwaning.
After a night tangled in the sheets, Dorothy spent the better part of the following day in bed, only to
be roused in the evening by a call from Karen.
"Hello?" Dorothy croaked, her voice a raspy shadow of its usual self.
Karen paused for a good half minute before saying, "Everett really did a number on you, huh? Are
you sure he''s supposed to be recuperating in Swevia Country?"
Dorothy was speechless.
"Dorothy, you need to put your foot down! If this keeps up, you''ll be weak as hell by the time you get
back."
Dorothy massaged her temples, feeling a throbbing headache brewing. "And when you try to stop
Jeffrey, does he listen?"
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"No, not really."
Taking a deep breath, Dorothy nced around the hospital room. Everett was nowhere in sight.
"Did you call for a reason?" She asked.
"Yeah! You know how Jeffrey keeps bringing up marriage; his folks have been asking me about it a
lot. They''re so earnest... it''s making me seriously consider saying yes."
Karen was aware of the risks of a sh wedding, yet she could not help being swayed by the
sincere and heartfelt look in his eyes every time he brought it up.
It was getting harder and harder for her to say no.
"Do you want to marry him?"
"s, I''ve been wrestling with it myself for days. I just can''t seem toe to a decision, so I thought
I''d get your take. Jeffrey''s got aundry list of ws; he''s not who I pictured myself marrying. But at
the same time, he''s unique, and I feel like he really cares about me."
Jeffrey had promised not to mess around, and he stuck to it.
Every day, after returning from the Lopez Corporation, he would stay home with her, watching
movies and ying video games. Karen noticed how his friends would invite him out for dinner or a
night on the town, but he would tly refuse, saying he needed to be with his girlfriend. There was
not a hint of reluctance or embarrassment in his voice.
It struck a chord with Karen.
"It''s not just about how he treats you; it''s about what you feel in your heart. Do you want to spend
your life with him, day in, day out, for decades?"
"Well... if he stays true, then yes, I do."
Karen did not need to sugarcoat things with Dorothy. She could speak her mind freely.
Dorothy understood Karen''s hesitation and anxiety, the fear that Jeffrey''s feelings might be fleeting.
"Karen, then say yes! Marriage isn''t just about signing a document. Life is long and unpredictable. If
you both are thrilled at the thought of being together, take the leap. What''s the worst that can
happen? Divorce is the bottom line, but at least you''ll have loved. No regrets! But if you turn him
down now and it affects your rtionship, years down the line, you might wish you had said yes."
Chapter 664
Chapter 664
"Are you really cool with me doing this?"
Dorothy chuckled. "Why wouldn¡¯t I be? Marriage is a wonderful thing, a celebration of love! Why
would I want to rain on your parade?"
Karen hesitated, her voice dropping to a whisper, "Dorothy, do you hate Jeffrey?"
"Only if he''s mean to you."
"Keh thinks you''d be mad. He even gave me a piece of his mind, using me of betraying you
¡ªhooking up with a guy who used to side with Heather of all people!"
Dorothy paused, a little taken aback.
That sure sounded like something Keh would do.
"I''m not upset, really. I don''t exactly hate Jeffrey. I don''t particrly like him either. I just think he''s
Everett''s faithful buddy who genuinely has Everett''s best interests at heart. Even when he''s chewed
me out, looking back, it was only because he thought I was not good enough for Everett."
Viewed from another angle, Dorothy figured Karen might do the same.
"As long as you''re okay, that''s what matters. I''ve been worried sick about it."
"Karen, neither you nor Keh owes me anything. If anything, I owe you both. Don''t worry about
my feelings."
"What do you mean ''owe''? Aren''t we all family here?" Karenughed softly, then said, "Alright, I got
the answer I was looking for. I''ll let you get back to your rest. You need to conserve your energy
for... well, night''s about to fall over there."
Dorothy propped herself up on her elbow, sluggishly sitting up in bed.
"If he wants it again today, I''m ready to go to the mat with him."
If she was going to go down, she would do it with dignity!
No sooner had she spoken than Everett stepped into the room, his tall frame cloaked in a dark coat,
his eyes on her.
"Who are you nning to go to the mat with?"
Great timing to overhear that!
This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.
She exchanged a few more words with Karen before hanging up, then nced at Everett.
"Where have you been?"
"Got you a cinnamon roll." He produced a paper bag as if by magic and handed it over, "It''s a
specialty from Swevia Country. Give it a try."
Dorothy was surprised as she took the bag. "A specialty, huh? Was it really worth a trip?"
Everett smiled, his eyes drifting to the marks he had left on her neck, satisfied as he lifted her chin
and kissed her once, twice...
"I just couldn¡¯t trust myself to stay put in the room without wanting to do it. Dig in. I got you the
cinnamon rolls, Swevia meatballs, and their version of pancakes. I picked up a bit of everything."
He was clearly trying to restrain himself, having driven around Swevia Country for a good while,
resisting the urge to return to the ward.
Perfect timing. Dorothy was starving.
She sampled each, deciding that the Swevia Country pancakes were the best. The meatballs had
an unusual vor¡ªnot bad, but not exactly to her taste. The cinnamon roll was a traditional food
she had heard about before, but she never really liked cinnamon.
Everett watched her nibble away, her cheeks puffing out now and then, making him want to pinch
them.
"What are you doing?"
"I can''t help myself."
Dorothy was speechless.
Everett''s smile faded, and he leaned back against the couch, crossing his long legs.
After a moment''s hesitation, he finally spoke up.
"Dorothy, what do you n to do about Heather?"
At the mention of that name, Dorothy''s hand twitched. She shook her head. "I haven''t decided. It''s
up to the court."
"You could skip that step and just tell me what you want. Whether you want to make her suffer or
give her a quick out, I''ll back you up."
Chapter 665
Chapter 665
Everett thought Dorothy was out for some old-fashioned vignte justice, so he went out of his way
to drag the culprit into the light, ready for her to take her revenge however she saw fit.
But Dorothy was surprisingly calm.
After a long silence, she lifted her gaze to meet Everett''s steady eyes.
"Having power doesn''t give you the right to decide someone''s fate outside thew."
"So, what do you want? Just tell me."
"I want an honest trial. I want to gather evidence and present it to the court. Let thew decide the
punishment for the person who killed my mother."
She did not need to y the long game if she only wanted Heather''s head.
Everett reached out and took her hand.
"Then I''ll get you the evidence, okay?"
Getting a confession from Heather? Piece of cake.
"You''d do that for me?" Dorothy''s eyes searched his, filled with raw sincerity and trust.
"Of course."
"Then get to it."
She figured she did not have much time left anyway. Might as well give Everett a heads-up.
He was bound to learn the truth sooner orter.
...
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Karen had always admired Jeffrey''s get-up-and-go attitude.
A mere whisper of agreement to marriage during a cozy evening together, and by the next day,
Jeffrey''s folks were already knee-deep in wedding preparations!
Watching his parents rush around as if Jeffrey was a hot potato they needed to pass off at the
earliest was amusing and telling.
Initially, Karen¡¯s parents, Derek and Serena, were not on board.
After all, the couple''s previous antics had left a poor impression on the older folks. But Jeffrey''s
relentless charm and premature adoption of "mom and dad" when addressing Karen''s parents,
coupled with his earnest vows on knee, eventually won them over. They agreed on an engagement
but insisted on a slow nning process for the wedding.
Their darling daughter was not someone they were willing to just rush out the door.
"Alright, an engagement first works for me!" Jeffrey agreed cheerily, his goal achieved.
Now, in the eyes of Karen''s circle, he was the acknowledged future son-inw. Hence, he was no
longer worried about any rivals for Karen''s affections.
On their way back to his ce, Jeffrey''s phone was ringing off the hook.
Once or twice, Karen did not mind, but the constant buzzing was getting on her nerves.
"Why aren''t you answering your phone?"
"It''s just the guys calling me out for drinks. If I answer, I''ll have toe up with excuses. Better to
pretend I didn¡¯t see it." Jeffrey was in high spirits, driving and even humming a few bars of a song.
Karen nced at him and murmured, "You haven''t been out for a while. Is that okay?"
"No worries! There are other people in thepany who handle the socializing. I used to entertain
myself with it, but now that I have you, there''s so much more I''d rather be doing. No time for that."
"Actually... you don''t have to quit cold turkey. I''m not that petty! Just don''t go chasing skirts, that''s
all. I can''t keep you locked up at home without any friends."
Karen was not one to sweat the small stuff.
"It''s a buddy''s birthday today, so they''re all hounding me. I''ve been dodging them since this
afternoon at your ce."
"Why don¡¯t you pick up the call and join them for some fun? Or else, we head back to your ce,
and you''ll be bored out of your mind."
Jeffrey raised an eyebrow at her and suddenly asked, "Or... you coulde with me?"
Chapter 666
Chapter 666
"Me? I don''t think that''s a great idea." Karen hesitated. "I mean, none of them even know who I am.
You guys go have fun without me."
"You''re my fianc¨¦e. They''re bound to meet you sooner orter. Might as well make today the day,"
Jeffrey insisted. Deep down, he feared any hups before the engagement party. Hence, he felt it
was always safer to have Karen by his side to keep the doubts at bay.
What Jeffrey did not realize, however, was that this decision would be his biggest mistake.
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.
Because Jeffrey did not anticipate running into his ex-girlfriend at this little gathering.
And sure enough, the moment he walked in, there she was, locking eyes with him.
But it was toote to turn around and leave without raising my suspicions.
"Is this the future Mrs. Turner? Wow, she''s a stunner!"
Jeffrey''s buddies caught sight of Karen and started ribbing them with grins.
This was a rite of passage in their group; everyone had been through it with a new girl on their arm.
Even though Karen was not a fan of suchments, she let it slide. Everyone had been drinking,
and since she was the one who had pushed Jeffrey toe, she had to ensure he kept his dignity.
"Hello, everyone."
She smiled and nodded, letting Jeffrey usher her to a seat at the side of the booth.
It did not take long for the gang to sense that Jeffrey was serious this time, and the jokes at Karen¡¯s
expense quickly subsided.
As the guys bantered andughed, Jeffrey suddenly raised his ss and announced loudly, "I''ve
got news for you all¡ªI''m getting engaged to mydy here."
"No way!"
"Look at you, Mr. Turner! Decisive man!"
"Congrattions!"
Amid the chorus of cheers, Karen noticed the girl across the table had turned pale.
She was not alone; a man, probably her boyfriend, kept passing her bites of food.
Karen did not dwell on it, figuring maybe she just felt unwell.
After a few rounds of drinks, she excused herself to the restroom.
It was getting dark outside, and she wanted to wash off her makeup and freshen up. Since she did
not wear much makeup, washing her face would not make much difference.
As she closed her eyes to ssh water on her face, she heard the click of high heels entering the
restroom.
Another visitor¡ªnothing unusual for thedies'' room.
Finishing up, she looked in the mirror to find the woman from the table standing right behind her.
It was the woman who had looked unwell.
Caught off guard, Karen offered her a friendly smile. "Hey, how are you doing?"
"Not well," she replied sharply. "So, you''re marrying Jeffrey?"
Karen¡¯s inner rm bells rang loud and clear, sensing trouble. "Yes, what about it?"
She scoffed. "Funny, isn''t it? Jeffrey told me he''d never get married when I was with him and that I
shouldn¡¯t wait for him. And now, just two yearster, he''s announcing an engagement."
Oh, great. Another ex of Jeffrey''s.
Karen took a deep breath, maintaining herposure. "People change; it''s normal."
Like her, she never nned on marrying Jeffrey either.
"Normal?" The woman crossed her arms andughed bitterly. "Do you think I''m just another one of
Jeffrey''s conquests?"
"Aren''t you?"
"I was with him for nearly three years. Sure, he had his flings, but his buddies all knew me as his
girlfriend."
Karen was stunned.
Chapter 667
Chapter 667
The woman spoke with an air of arrogance, but Karen was not one to be trifled with.
Competing with other women was not her thing, but she most certainly was not about to let anyone
walk all over her.
"If I''m not mistaken, that guy sitting next to you ¨C he your current boyfriend? Or just a... friend with
benefits?"
The woman''s face paled. "I don''t love him! He''s the one chasing after me! I only came because I
thought Jeffrey might show up tonight."
"Ah, better to have a stand-in than an empty seat, huh?" Karen chuckled. "I think I''m starting to see
why Jeffrey never made you official."
Karen had a way with words that cut deep without resorting to vulgarity.
"You!" The woman was left red-faced and clearly outmatched by Karen¡¯s sharp tongue.
Karen nonchntly shook the water off her hands, standing beside the woman. Though she was
shorter, she carried herself with the stature of someone over six feet tall. "If you''re not the chosen
one, maybe you should do some self-reflection! Bragging to me about your fling with Jeffrey only
proves you''re yesterday''s news. I knew right away what kind of man Jeffrey was when he chased
me. If you think you can make me jealous with that, you''re sorely mistaken.¡±
It would be a lie to say Karen was not bothered at all, but to make a scene with Jeffrey over it? To
break up with him? That was out of the question.
Karen had left the restroom and was heading back to the party when the woman called out from
behind, "Jeffrey''s just ying with you, too! You won''t end up any better than me! I bet you two
won''t even make it to the altar!"
Her voice was loud, but Karen did not even pause in her stride.
Some people are just not worth the energy.
Back in the private room, Jeffrey was being grilled by his buddies about engagement rumors as
Karen walked in. He immediately reached out and pulled her into his embrace. "You upset?"
Jeffrey was perceptive enough to pick up on her mood.
"No, just a bit light-headed from the drinks, I guess."
"Should we head home then?"
"Sounds good."
As Jeffrey stood up, their friends teased, ¡°Mr. Turner, when did you be so whipped?¡±
"Come on, Karen, keep this guy in line for us! We love seeing him taken down a peg!"
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Karen offered a polite smile and walked out.
Behind her, Jeffrey shrugged at his friends. "No trash talk, okay? If mydy gets mad, I''lle after
you guys!"
Laughter filled the room again.
Outside the restaurant, Jeffrey caught up to Karen with his long strides and naturally took her hand.
"Feeling really bad? Want me to grab some hangover medicine?"
"No, it''s not that serious. Just standing out here in the fresh air is helping a lot." Karen looked up at
him.
The restaurant''s sign cast a light over Jeffrey''s head, highlighting his chiseled jaw and making his
profile look like a finely crafted sculpture.
He had all the makings of a heartbreaker in every aspect.
Karen knew that past issues needed to be left in the past. Dwelling on them only hurt herself.
"Are you getting lost in my looks?" Jeffrey noticed her gaze and yfully leaned in closer. "Here,
take a closer look!"
Karenughed and gently pushed him away. "Let''s go home."
He shed an ''okay'' sign and pressed the car key fob.
She opened the passenger door and settled in, catching a glimpse of Jeffrey''s ex rushing out of the
restaurant in her peripheral vision.
Chapter 668
Chapter 668
She could not believe Jeffrey had missed it, but there he went, starting the car and driving off
without the slightest hesitation.
Cold, that was what Karen thought of Jeffrey at that moment.
A nearly inaudible sigh escaped her lips, sending Jeffrey into an immediate panic.
Especially since he remembered that his ex had left the diner when Karen had excused herself to
the restroom.
Could they have run into each other?
"Ahem, um, about when you went to the restroom..."
"I bumped into your ex," Karen finished for him.
There it was. He knew it!
Damn it, they should not havee here!
"She mentioned you two were together for three years, right?" Karen recalled the pride in the other
woman''s voice.
"Don''t listen to her crap! It was a fling, a few months tops. She''s my buddy''s cousin. We kept
running into each other after the split. She insisted on ying the girlfriend card, and I had no way
to stop it!"
Karen clicked her tongue. "Hold on, don''t think you can gloss over the details."
"What details?"
Leaning back in her seat, she smirked. "Let me guess, you two hooked up again after breaking up,
didn¡¯t you? Despite saying you''ve been avoiding her."
Jeffrey felt like Karen had missed her calling as a detective. "Did she tell you that?"
"Not exactly, but when she says three years, and you say a few months, it''s obvious that you ended
up back in bed at some point during those three years. And in a girl''s mind, that means you were
together the whole time, just ''on a break'' during the fights."
"I was drunk that night! Woke up, saw her, and nearly died of fright." That was no lie; Jeffrey had
thought he had snagged a new girl at the bar, what with the dim lights and all. When he woke up
and saw her, he ran out so fast his head spun!
He had been dreading her clinginess, and now it was worse than ever.
He tried to give her money afterward, but she would not take it, acting like she would wait for him
forever. Jeffrey was terrified, avoiding his regr bar for weeks.
Karen tilted her head, observing him, making him squirm.
"I''m not lying, for real!"
This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
"I''m not saying you are. I''m just wondering when you were drunk and ended up with her, you wore a
rubber, right?"
Jeffrey paused, then nodded. "Yeah."
Right?
He must have. That was his rule when ying the field ¨C no risks.
Karen let out a breath and closed her eyes in the passenger seat. "I''m gonna take a quick nap.
Wake me when we get there."
"Sure."
At a red light, Jeffrey stole a nce at Karen. He wanted to ask if she was mad or genuinely
indifferent. He could not tell.
But if she said she was angry, he would have to sweet-talk her, and if she said she did not care, he
would be upset. Would that not mean she did not care about him at all?
It was best not to ask, then. That was the safest bet.
Pulling into the mansion''s garage, Jeffrey was about to wake Karen when his phone lit up ¨C a
WhatsApp message.
It was from the friend whose birthday party they had left.
[Jeffrey, Paige was looking for you and said it was important to talk in person. Saw your fianc¨¦e
there, so didn¡¯t mention it.]
Paige Taylor, his ex from earlier that evening.
Chapter 669
Chapter 669
What good could possiblye from Paige?
Jeffrey meeting up with her? Fat chance!
He swiftly deleted the message on WhatsApp, and after a moment''s contemtion, he decided to
erase the entire conversation.
Out of sight, out of mind.
"Ugh... are we home?"
Karen stirred from her light doze as she felt the care to a stop.
"Yeah! I''ll carry you inside."
Jeffrey seized every opportunity to show off these days.
Karen did not resist, her eyes sparkling with joy. "Mr. Turner, aren''t you being a bit too attentive? If
your ex finds out, she''ll be green with envy!"
"Can we... not talk about her, please?"
Jeffrey silently vowed never to attend any social gatherings again. They were nothing but trouble.
In the end, Jeffrey carried Karen into the bedroom.
Before she could even kick off her shoes, he was already on her, tugging at her clothes impatiently.
"What are you doing?"
"After dinner at your folks'', I''ve been thinking about how we''d celebrate tonight!" Jeffrey cradled
Karen''s face in his hands and smirked. "This is the first day your parents acknowledged me. It''s got
to bememorated, right?"
"Just hopping into bed counts asmemoration?"
Jeffrey paused, then dropped his voice to a whisper by her ear. "From now on, I won''t have to use
protection."
Karen''s face flushed with rm. "Absolutely no way!"
"We''re getting engaged anyway. If you get pregnant before that, we can just do the engagement
and wedding together!"
"No, you''re putting it on!" Her tone was firm.
But Jeffrey was stronger, and, in this matter, he called the shots.
As they tumbled into bed, Karen pinched his arm in frustration.
"I don''t want kids this soon!"
"But I do. I want a kid like little Langston running around me all day! Beats coveting the Everett''s
kid."
Just seeing Abigail and Langston with Everett made Jeffrey envious.
"Karen, just give me a kid! Boy or girl, I don''t care. I want to be a dad!"
She clenched her teeth, adjusting to his intensity. Though she did not nod in agreement, she did not
refuse him either.
Perhaps her parents'' approval that day gave Karen a sense of reality about spending her life with
Jeffrey. Otherwise, she would not have held much hope for their rtionship.
Half-dressed on the bed, the two of them began their bedroom activities.
In the heat of the moment, Jeffrey seemed almost possessed, beyond reason.
Karen winced in pain and tried to escape, but his firm arms pulled her back.
"Be gentle!"
"No, it has to be intense! The deeper, the better, so you can get pregnant sooner!"
Karen did not know how to refute.
After their passionate dance, both were drenched in sweat.
Jeffrey held Karen close, refusing to let go, which led to her biting his arm in frustration.
"Let go, I need to shower!"
She was still in her coat, sticky and ufortable.
Jeffrey grunted but did not move.
"Jeffrey!"
"Just wait a bit. I read online that it''s better to stay put for a while after. It helps with getting
pregnant."
"Get lost!" Karen tried to kick him away, but he caught her ankle, grinning triumphantly.
"Karen..."
She huffed, refusing to engage.
"Karen!"
"If you have something to say, just spit it out. I''m not deaf."
Jeffrey pressed his lips, inching closer to her ear, hesitating before finally speaking, "Your ex-
boyfriends... they all used protection, right?"
Karen took a moment to grasp his meaning.
"Nobody''s been as much of a jerk as you are!"
"I just thought that would mean I¡¯m the first to fully have you."This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.
Chapter 670
Chapter 670
"You''re insane! If you''re hung up on being someone''s first night, why on earth did youe after
me?"
Jeffrey could see that Karen was getting ticked off, so he scrambled to exin, ¡°No, no, that¡¯s not
what I meant! What right do I have to be hung up on anything like that? I¡¯m just... I¡¯m just jealous
that they had you before I did! Karen, sometimes I can¡¯t even bear to picture it.¡±
Karen remained silent,
¡°If only I¡¯d met you earlier, like when we were in our teens? Then it would¡¯ve been just you and me.¡±
Karen snorted. ¡°As if you could give up all your exes with their model figures, curves for days, and
those sweet, sultry looks.¡±
The words ''exes'' hit Jeffrey like a sucker punch, second only to the blow Heather had dealt him.
¡°Can we not talk about this anymore?¡±
¡°You¡¯re the one who brought up ex-boyfriends.¡±
¡°I''m sorry, okay?¡± Jeffrey shed a sheepish grin, trying to lighten the mood. ¡°How about I carry you
off to the shower?¡±
Karen pushed him away. ¡°I can shower on my own, thank you very much. I¡¯m not paralyzed.¡±
¡°Still got some fight in you, huh? Then...¡±
¡°Get lost!¡±
...
After two days of stubborn silence, Jonathan was the first to crack.
With the one-month deadline he had given to Dorothy fast approaching and the grandchildren on
the cusp of being inducted into the Lopez family, it was crucial to change their surnames to avoid
any snickers or side-eye.
He reached out to Everett, but when the call went unanswered, he was left to send a message.
[Send someone to escort Heather over, and let¡¯s keep this between us, alright? Don''t tell your
mother!]
Jonathan had not actually consulted his wife because he figured it would only lead to more hassle.
It was simpler to ask forgiveness than permission, especially since Heather was currently under his
control.
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If his son ended up offing her, his wife would probably throw a fit, sure, but it would not amount to
much.
Everett saw the message and immediately had Kevin arrange for someone to handle it.
Dorothy just wanted evidence, right? She wanted to go through the proper legal channels to ensure
Heather faced justice.
He understood and was willing to make it happen.
¡°Karen says that Jeffrey is now officially the future son-inw of her family.¡±
Dorothy was beaming as she looked at her phone, a rare sight.
¡°It looks like wedding bells are in the air?¡±
¡°Seems like it.¡± Dorothy nodded, genuinely happy for Karen. It was heartwarming to see her friend
about to settle down, especially with a guy as drool-worthy as Jeffrey. ¡°She said they''re getting
engaged first, then married. Her folks aren''t ready to let their baby girl go just yet.¡±
Everett reached out and gently tousled her hair. ¡°By the time they get engaged, I should be able to
leave Swevia Country for good.¡±
He would not miss Jeffrey''s engagement party for the world.
Dorothy was momentarily taken aback, looking up at him.
Counting the days, there was not much time left. Unless Karen was nning to get engaged within
the next few days.
Sensing her unease, Everett stayed calm for once and simply smiled.
¡°Dorothy, just go for it. Chase the justice you¡¯re after. I¡¯ve got your back.¡±
Dorothy did not reply.
¡°Smooth out that frown. I like it when you smile.¡± Everett thought she was worried about gathering
evidence, fearing that his mother might interfere and protect Heather from prosecution.
¡°Everett...¡±
¡°Whatever you need, I''ll make sure you have it.¡±
He twirled a lock of her hair around his finger, an intimate and suggestive gesture.
Dorothy furrowed her brow slightly. ¡°Have you... been meddling in the investigation into my mother¡¯s
death?¡±
¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve got the death certificate. It says your mother died from a sudden heart attack.¡±
¡°There must have been something that set her off, something that someone said!¡±
Everett took her suddenly cold hand and warmed it in his. ¡°Do you trust me, Dorothy?¡±
Chapter 671
Chapter 671
Her gaze flickered with a tremor as his eyes burned with an intensity and sincerity that was almost
too much to bear.
"Everett."
"I''m here."
"Your mother..."
Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.
"Don¡¯t worry about her," Everett interjected with a soothing voice, "My mom and dad have always
been put on a pedestal. They can''t stand anyone singing out of tune with them. Whatever they do or
say, you don¡¯t need to think twice about it! As their son, I can''t control their thoughts, but I know
exactly what I want, and they certainly can''t control me either."
He treated what he didn¡¯t want to hear like water off a duck''s back.
He could not silence them, but he could cover his ears.
Dorothy''s lips parted slightly, but she could not bring herself to voice the remaining thoughts.
She looked down and offered a wry smile, saying, "Everett, is this your first act of rebellion? No
wonder your parents are taken aback."
"Not really." Everett¡¯s arms firmly encircled her slender waist as he exhaled deeply. "My mom had
some rough times before and ended up with severe mental health issues on top of a heart
condition. So, over the years, ourmunication has been simple¡ªif I agree with them, I listen; if I
don¡¯t, I won¡¯t argue, but I won¡¯t follow through either."
"Your parents do love you deeply."
"Yeah." Everett had to admit that much.
As the only son of the Lopez family, he was the apple of their eye.
Dorothy¡¯s grip loosened a bit, but Everett immediately tightened his hold.
"Don''t be afraid, Dorothy. You''re the only Mrs. Lopez I approve of."
She looked up, meeting Everett''s gaze.
The exact words, again.
"Let¡¯s talk about the future when ites, shall we?"
"Dorothy!"
There was a hint of urgency in Everett''s voice.
Dorothy knew he was on the verge of anger, so she hastily wrapped her arms around his neck and
pressed her lips to his.
"But for now, I¡¯m all yours."
With her making the first move, it was certain she would not escape his affection.
Dorothy realized that Everett could be negotiated with on any matter except this one¡ªwhere his
tenderness vanished, and restraint was nowhere to be found!
By the end, if Dorothy had any strength left, he would make sure to drain itpletely.
It was as though only in this way he could stake his im over her to reassure himself that he still
had a path to her heart.
...
Kevin was always quick on his feet. The moment he received the order, he dispatched people to
escort Heather.
Everett had Heather initially sent back to the country to prevent mishaps, then secretly relocated to
Swevia Country.
This way, even if Amanda caught wind of it halfway, she would have to turn the country upside down
looking for Heather.
"Where the hell are you taking me? I won''t go!"
Heather was now worn to the bone; her voice never recovered after being hoarse from shouting,
and she looked frailpared to the well-dressed Heather of the past.
But in this ce, no one pampered her. The guard gave her a cold nce and said, "You don¡¯t have
a say; just shut up."
"This is illegal! Holding me captive is a crime, and now you¡¯re smuggling me?"
Despite being blindfolded earlier, Heather felt certain she had been put on a ne!
"Ha! Talking about thew in the hands of the Lopez family?"
The menughed dismissively, paying her no heed.
Heather panicked.
She knew Amanda could save her life, even after what she did to her son. Theirst encounter
made Heather believe that Amanda still had a soft spot for her! But if she left Amanda''s sphere of
influence, it was a different story.
If Dorothy convinced Everett to get rid of her, it was certainly within the realm of possibility.
Chapter 672
Chapter 672
Heather had no idea what the outside world looked like now. The more she did not know, the more
her panic spiraled. She felt utterly powerless, unable to do anything.
During the flight, there was a rough patch that had Heather, who was blindfolded, convinced they
were about to throw her out of the ne.
"I need to see Everett. I have something urgent to discuss with him!"
It was herst card to y. If she did not, who knew if she would even make it off this ne alive?
But Heather''s plea did not seem to catch anyone''s attention.
The flight attendants, acting as her escorts, thought she had lost her marbles.
The Lopez family''s golden boy, Everett? He was not someone one could just summon. They had no
clue who to contact, even if they wanted to convey her message.
"You tell Everett I have information about Dorothy! And I need to tell him face to face!"
Heather always knew how to y her cards right.
Just shouting for Everett would not bring him to her, but if it was about Dorothy, she was sure it
would get his attention.
...
Dorothy was oblivious to Heather''s predicament.
Her mind was upied with Byte 7, hoping to secure the restored sh drive before Everett caught
wind of the truth.
If the Lopez family had intercepted her before that, all her efforts would have been for naught.
Taking advantage of Everett being tied up with corporate affairs, Dorothy snuck to a secluded bench
behind the hospital to call Byte 7.
She did not have much hope he would answer; the guy was an enigma with a notoriously quirky
personality.
To her surprise, after just two rings, he picked up.
"What''s up?"
His voice was as indifferent and impatient as usual, clearly recognizing the caller.
Dorothy did not beat around the bush. "How''s the sh drive recovery going? You said a month..."
"Almost done." Byte 7 was terse, answering her question before adding, "Have you prepared the
rest of the payment?"
"Yeah." Dorothy gripped her phone, constantly scanning her surroundings in case Everett showed
up. "You send me the video of the sh drive recovery, and I''ll transfer the money to you."
Byte 7 chuckled softly on the other end.
"Are you sure you don''t want to be my girlfriend for a week?"
"I have the final payment ready."
"Just a week, seven days." Byte 7 did not care for her response, sticking to his script. "I won''t do
anything to you."
Dorothy frowned.
Thest thing she wanted to do was negotiate terms of affection with Byte 7.
"Our initial deal was that if I could not pay, I''d agree to be your girlfriend for a week. But now, I have
the money!"
"So typical of Everett''s girl, looking down on me, right?"
Speechless, Dorothy wanted tosh out, but she could not afford to antagonize Byte 7 at this
moment. "I just hope you''ll honor the spirit of our agreement."
Byte 7ughed again, his voice deepening, losing the carefree tone of youth. "I''ve already checked
your ount; I know you''ve gathered the final payment."
"Then why ask?"
"If I can get into your ount, I can freeze or transfer that money, preventing you from making the
payment."
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Dorothy''s hand clenched into a fist. "What do you really want?"
"I want to date you."
Chapter 673
Chapter 673
"I don¡¯t!"
Dorothy had reached her breaking point.
He was clearly trying to exploit the situation!
"So, do you think I''m not as handsome as Everett, not as wealthy?" The abrupt change in his
demeanor threw her off.
"Um... shouldn¡¯t we be avoiding this topic? Byte 7, I asked for your help to retrieve data from my
sh drive. This is a transaction between us. I don''t want to drag personal matters into it."
Byte 7 seemed to straighten up a bit, his voice regaining some of its usual tone.
"I''ve recovered most of the footage on the sh drive, but let me tell you straight. If you think you
can use this to take down the Lopez Corporation, you''re dreaming."
"That''s my concern to handle."
"But if I decide to help you, that changes everything." Byte 7''s words came out slowly, deliberately,
"This footage is just part of the story. The data on the sh drive isn''tprehensive. If I''m not
mistaken, there should be other sh drives out there, which you haven''t gotten your hands on,
right?"
"They''ve all been destroyed. This is myst hope."
Dorothy''s eyes dimmed with despair.
She had not seen the footage from the drive yet, so she had no idea if it was enough to turn the
tables and win her case!
"Destroyed doesn''t mean it can''t be recovered."
Dorothy''s heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean? Even without the original, it''s possible?"
"Once surveince footage like this is recorded, it leaves traces online. I took your sh drive, found
the code for that camera, hacked into thepany that manages the surveince, and essed
their core database. They''re at my mercy now."
Dorothy stood up so fast her chair nearly toppled over!
"So, you got all the footage?"
"Mhm." Byte 7 chuckled, "So, do you want to date me now?"
"No."
"Then you don''t want to see the full footage?"
Byte 7 was clearlyying a trap, just waiting for Dorothy to take the bait. This was not a choice; it
was coercion.
But he did not understand Dorothy.
Too much pressure, and she would never cave.
"If you don''t want to give it to me, then fine. I''ll just take what''s on my drive."
"Stubborn, aren''t you?" Byte 7 was taken aback by her refusal.
He just could not grasp it.
Mostly because he never believed in undying love!
"I hope you''ll send me the videos from the drive when the timees. I''ll give you the final
payment, and we''ll be even."
As soon as Dorothy finished her sentence, her phone pinged with a notification from her bank.
In a second, her ount was drained.
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Not even a penny remained.
"See? I''m not joking around."
Dorothy pressed her lips and took a deep breath, "Well, it''s all yours now. You''ve saved me the
trouble of transferring it."
"Dorothy! My patience is wearing thin!" Byte 7 was on the edge of madness. "All I''m asking is for
you to date me for a week. What''s the big deal?"
"Then tell me, why are you so insistent on dating me for a week?"
Dorothy did not believe it was due to her charm.
There was a significant age gap between her and Byte 7, and standing together, it was pretty
noticeable. Surely, Byte 7 did not have some sort of Oedipusplex?
After a few grunts on the other end of the line, Byte 7ughed. "Because I want to legitimately y
the role of Langston''s dad for a few days!"
Langston?
Dorothy was stunned. "How did you..."
"Your son''s skills, I taught him everything he knows, so don''t be surprised."
Chapter 674
Chapter 674
Hearing the tone of Byte 7''s voice, it seemed that he''d known Langston was her son for a while.
So seeing Langston''s face, Byte 7 must have recognized the kid had Everett''s genes too. And yet,
here he was, pretending to be clueless about why Langston was at Bay Residence.
"Your excuse is pretty childish," Though it sounded exactly like something Byte 7 would pull.
The guy was impulsive, did whatever he wanted, as if he didn''t have a care in the world.
"There''s another reason, too."
"What is it?"
"You''re beautiful."
Dorothy thought he was aplete nutcase and definitely not in his right mind.
"I''m working on enhancing the video quality for you. Take a few more days to think it over and let
me know," Byte 7 said, before suddenly changing the subject. "And by the way, Everett reached out
to me. He didn''t tell you, did he?"
Dorothy¡¯s heart sank. "What did he want?"
"Just checking in to see what kind of content I''m recovering from your USB for you."
"And you¡ª"
"Don''t worry, I''m a professional. I don''t kiss and tell."
Dorothy rolled her eyes.
If Byte 7 had professional integrity, then no one else in the world could be a scoundrel.
After hanging up, Dorothy didn''t rush back. Instead; she just sat on the park bench.
ording to Byte 7, the video would be fully restored in a few days. Dorothy¡¯s final days with
Everett wereing to an end.
It wasughably ironic.
Everett was busy nning their future, while Dorothy was gathering evidence to send his mother to
jail. Talk about a plot twist.
Sometimes, in front of him, Dorothy felt like a traitor.
Facing his intense affection, all Dorothy could offer were empty gestures and lies.
Dorothy wished he would just stop loving her, maybe even hate her. It would be better than
continuing to pour his heart and soul into a lie.
"Ms. Sanchez?"
Quincy appeared out of nowhere, standing in front of Dorothy.
This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.
Dorothy looked up, startled. "Dr. Quincy."
"What are you doing sitting here all by yourself? Please don''t tell me you and Mr. Lopez had a
falling out?" Quincy was rooting for their marriage, unable to stomach the idea of them fighting.
"No, just needed some fresh air. Everett''s busy working; I didn''t want to disturb him."
Quincy paused before sitting down at the other end of the bench.
"Ms. Sanchez, I''m nning to leave Swevia Country in a few days."
"Why?"
"Mr. Lopez wants to avoid suspicion, and he has already reced the lead physician. There''s not
much point in me staying here. I might as well go back to my hospital and my patients¡ªthat''s where
I belong." Quincy smiled. "I hope to hear wedding bells for you two soon."
That would mean she could stop hiding.
Her parents'' calls were blowing up her phone, and she had resorted to not answering.
As Quincy stood to leave, Dorothy¡¯s lips moved but no sound came out. It wasn''t until she was
almost gone that Dorothy finally spoke up. "Dr. Quincy, Everett and I, we''re not getting married."
Quincy stiffened. "Why?"
"I might be leaving Swevia Country even sooner than you."
"I knew it. You and Mr. Lopez had a fight." Quincy sat back down. "He''s so in love with you, Ms.
Sanchez. If I may speak frankly as an outsider, you should be grateful."
All of Everett''s moves were real. That kind of love couldn''t be feigned.
Quincy believed Dorothy shouldn''t be fighting with Everett. Having a man like him behind her was
more than most women could even dream of.
"Dr. Quincy," Dorothy said, "would you marry into a family where the mother-inw is the murderer
of your own mother?"
Chapter 675
Chapter 675
Quincy stood frozen in ce for several minutes before she finally found her voice.
"You mean..."
"I can only stay with him in Swevia Country for a month, and time''s almost up."
Quincy still couldn''t wrap her head around this sudden news.
"Could there be some kind of mistake?"
"I wish there was." Dorothy stood up, offering Quincy a wistful smile, "His folks are really hoping
you''ll marry him. Honestly, if you could make Everett fall for you, I''d want you two to be together."
At least Quincy wasn''t like Heather, always scheming and with an ulterior motive.
Quincy was kind, innocent, with a positive attitude and a strong moralpass. More importantly,
the Lopez family was open to acknowledging her.
"You want to entrust him to me?"
"That''s if Everett can ept you."
The rest was up to Quincy''s capabilities.
"He can''t." Quincy could give Dorothy that answer right away, "Ms. Sanchez, when Mr. Lopez was
hanging by a thread, he was only calling out your name. You could say that if it wasn''t for you, he
might not have made it through the surgery. That kind of love, I don''t have the guts to challenge, nor
do I think I can rece."
Even though Everett embodied every fantasy Quincy had of love, his devotion to Dorothy made her
step back.
After all, Quincy would only be a stand-in if she married him.
Maybe not even a stand-in, Quincy felt like Everett wouldn''t even notice her.
After pouring out her heart, Quincy walked away with determined strides.
Leaving Dorothy alone on the chair, her eyes gradually reddening until she covered her face and
began to sob softly.
...
Everett realized Dorothy was gone rather quickly.
He had just disconnected from a video conference when he immediately called her.
No answer.
A wave of panic hit him, and without even taking the time to put on a coat, he bolted out of the ward
room.
She hadn''t left, had she?
He had already told Dorothy that he would find a way to get the evidence they needed, that she
didn''t need to worry.
Not finding Dorothy anywhere in the hospital building, Everett tried calling again, only to be greeted
once more by her voicemail.
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A sudden pain clutched his chest, and he instinctively covered his heart.
Just as he was about to call security to track her down, Everett finally saw Dorothy walking in
through the front door, head hung low.
Dorothy felt his gaze and instinctively looked up to meet his eyes.
"Everett¡ª"
She didn''t even get to finish his name before he pulled her fiercely into his embrace.
Because of their height difference, Dorothy could only lean against his chest, listening to his heart
pounding furiously.
He was scared.
It was a palpable panic.
"Everett, I didn''t leave."
"Shut up."
That was the harshest tone he had ever used with Dorothy.
All she could do was wait for his heartbeat to slow down a bit before wrapping her arms around him.
"I promise you, if I were to leave, I''d tell you, okay?"
Just so Everett wouldn''t have to live in constant fear.
Seeing panic on the usually cool and arrogant Everett''s face was rare, buttely, it was bing a
moremon sight.
Whether Dorothy was in the hospital room, the bathroom, or just sitting on the couch opening her
laptop to check some documents, his gaze would always follow her intently.
"You''re leaving?" Everett caught the implication in her words.
"No, I mean, if..."
"There are no ifs." Everett cut her off sharply, "Dorothy, you might as well take my life, I''d give it to
you."
Chapter 676
Chapter 676
Everett suddenly slumped, his entire frame leaning on Dorothy''s shoulder, his six-foot-three stature
making it hard for her to breathe.
He was silent, simply resting against her.
Dorothy tried to speak several times but held back, deciding to let him catch his breath first.
Then, abruptly, she felt a dampness on her neck. The tears trailed down her corbone, slowly
slipping away.
Everett was crying, soundlessly.
Thest time he cried, he med it on the whiskey, but this time, he was sober.
"Everett."
"Dorothy, you can''t keep leaving me," his voice was hoarse, his chest trembled with each word,
"Once is enough."
He couldn''t bear it happening again.
...
This belongs to N?velDrama.Org - ?.
Karen hadnded a job.
She was working remotely as an event nner, no need to clock in at an office; she could work from
home.
Even though Jeffrey suggested countless times that she should drop the idea of working and just
enjoy being taken care of, Karen didn''t want to be anyone''s appendage.
"One grand a month for your sry?"
"There''s benefits too, you know, health, dental, and retirement ns. It all adds up to more than two
grand." Karen was quite content.
Jeffrey smirked and slumped back into the couch, "If you ask me, you should juste work at
Lopez Corporation as my secretary. We could even... you know, during lunch breaks."
"Don''t you think about anything else?"
Karen leaned back into the couch and gave him a yful kick.
Jeffrey wasn''t bothered; he caught her ankle and pulled her towards him,"When I look at you, that is
the only thing I can think of."
"Why don''t you go find some other women? You''ve got too much energy; I can''t handle it alone."
"Nope, I only want you."
Seeing him gearing up for more, Karen quickly put up her hand to block him.
"I just called my folks, and I told them I got a job. They want me toe over for dinner tonight. So
cut it out."
Every time she tangled with him, she was left without any energy, certainly not enough to visit her
parents.
As soon as Jeffrey heard she was leaving, he quickly cozied up, "I''m free tonight. I''lle with you
to see the folks."
"Those are my parents."
"Sooner orter I''ll have to call them mine, right? Might as well get familiar now." Jeffrey got up and
started calling his secretary to order gifts to bring along.
Every time he visited Karen''s parents, he''de bearing armfuls of presents.
You can''t fault someone for being too generous.
"I haven''t agreed to go with you yet."
"If you don''t agree, then you''re not going anywhere either."
Jeffrey had be a pro at handling her.
In the evening, they drove to her parents'' ce together.
Derek was just returning from the market, hands full of groceries. When he got home, he
immediately spotted Jeffrey''s shy car¡ªa sight no one could miss.
"Dad, I''ve got this." Jeffrey jumped out of the car, not even bothering to lock it, and rushed over to
help Derek with the bags.
His calling Derek ''Dad'' with such warmth and eagerness almost put Karen to shame.
Derek was clearly delighted. His son-inw might not have impressed him at first, but he had grown
on him.
"Your mom''s upstairs getting ready to make some pies. We didn''t expect you''d be back so soon."
"We had nothing going on, so we thought we''de early and spend some time with you guys."
Jeffrey, holding the groceries, stood next to Karen with a goofy grin.
Karen rolled her eyes. Just as she was about to say something, she caught a glimpse of a familiar
figure.
It was Jeffrey¡¯s ex-girlfriend. Her appearance was quite a surprise.
Jeffrey noticed the shift in the atmosphere and followed Karen''s gaze.
He froze.
"Jeffrey, how long are you going to hide from me?"
Chapter 677
Chapter 677
"Holy smokes."
Jeffrey had to stifle the curse before it slipped past his lips.
Well, Derek was still there now. His desperate gaze flicked to Karen.
Karen reached over, taking the grocery bags from Jeffrey''s hand, and said to Derek, "Dad, Jeffrey''s
got a call from work. Let''s head upstairs."
"Well, sure," Derek wasn''t born yesterday, but if his daughter didn''t make a fuss, neither would he.
He followed her up the stairs.
Only when they were out of earshot did Jeffrey turn his re on Paige.
"Are you nuts? I''ve been avoiding you like the gue, isn''t that clear enough?"
He had never met such a clingy ex. To think she''d actually show up outside Karen''s parents'' ce.
"I tried reaching out through friends, but you wouldn''t answer. I had no choice but to look up that
woman you''re with." Paige''s voice wavered, unable to say ''fianc¨¦e'', her vision blurring with tears.
"Jeffrey, you said you''d never marry. You lied to me."
This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration, grabbed a pack from his car, and tapped out a
cigarette. "Met someone who changed my mind. What, I need your approval now?"
"When you broke up with me, wasn''t it because I wanted to get married and you didn''t? All this time,
I convinced myself that we split because we were different. You were a bachelor for life. I told
myself to let go, to stop thinking about you, and then you turn around and propose to her?"
Jeffrey wasn''t interested in her roundaboutints. He focused on his smoke, and when she
finally stopped talking, he said nonchntly, "Yeah, I''m marrying her."
"And what about me?"
"An ex, what else?"
"Jeffrey! Are you blind? Am I not prettier, don''t I have a better figure? Look at the dump her parents
live in. She''s not even in the same league as the Turners. She doesn''t deserve you."
"Shut your trap," Jeffrey''s already irritated gaze turned to disgust. He stepped up to Paige, towering
over her, "Even if Karen is not the best, it''s still none of your business. And as far as I''m concerned,
she''s better than you in every way."
"I''ve been polite because you''re my friend''s cousin. Don''t push it." Jeffrey straightened his ck
bomber jacket, leaning against his car, and finished hisst drag, stamping out the butt. "Get lost
before my woman gets the wrong idea. If your drama causes us trouble, I am gonna give you a
piece of my mind."
He started to walk away, but Paige ran after him, blocking his path.
"Then go ahead, because I can''t stand to watch you marry someone else."
Jeffrey raised an eyebrow, his eyes darkening, "Paige, I''m no gentleman. I don''t have a code
against hitting women."
"Ha. Then kill me. It''s better than watching you marry another woman."
"I''ll be damned¡ª"
"Jeffrey, thatst time in the hotel, you didn''t use protection."
He stopped mid-sentence.
Paige forced a smile, "You were in such a hurry, and even though I reminded you, you didn''t listen.
So a monthter, I found out I was pregnant."
"But that''s... that was two years ago."
"Right, so¡ª"
Paige didn''t finish her sentence, and Jeffrey clenched his jaw, realization dawning.
"Damn it! You had the kid?!"
Chapter 678
Chapter 678
"Hmm."
The news hit Jeffrey like a ton of bricks - he waspletely gobsmacked.
Paige was still murmuring, her voice barely above a whisper, "Back then you said you didn''t want to
get hitched and you''d never want kids, so I didn''t dare tell you. I was scared you''d drag me to get an
abortion. This is your child; I can''t bear to part with it."
"Hold up, just wait a sec." Jeffrey''s eyes darted upstairs before he grabbed Paige, practically
shoving her into his car. "Let''s not talk about this here."
He floored the elerator, zooming away before he could even nce at his phone.
Upstairs, Karen had been glued to her window, watching the scene unfold below.
To say she didn''t care would be a lie.
This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
At first, she expected Jeffrey''s words to be harsh - the guy was notorious for never sugarcoating
anything, and his reputation as a scoundrel was well-deserved. The girl''s face was getting paler by
the second, tears starting to cascade down her cheeks.
As a woman, Karen''s heart went out to Paige. She considered calling Jeffrey to tell him not to be
too harsh and to break it off gently. But just as she got through, she saw Jeffrey yanking Paige by
the arm and pulling her into his car before speeding off.
Where on earth was he taking her?
Was he dropping her off somewhere?
Karen watched his car disappear into the neighborhood before she finally moved away from the
window.
Her hunch was tingling. Something was off.
But she couldn''t quite put her finger on it since Jeffrey hadn''t shown any affection. He just whisked
Paige away.
Karen remembered Jeffrey mentioning that Paige was his buddy''s cousin. Perhaps it was out of
obligation that he had to personally see his ex off.
Knock, knock
Outside, Derek knocked on the door.
"Your mom¡¯s starting to make pies. Youing to join?"
"Oh, sure," Karen snapped back to reality and opened the door, "Is the filling ready?"
"Yep." Derek grinned, "Do you know if Jeffrey prefers his food savory or mild? Your mom and I tend
to go light on the salt, but if he likes it vorful. I can add a bit more."
"He''s not picky."
Karen pulled up a chair, washed her hands, and sat down at the table.
Serena nced at her daughter, sensing something was amiss. "Hey, where''s Jeffrey?"
She had been busy in the kitchen and hadn''t noticed who hade and gone.
"He''s got some work stuff to handle," Karen didn''t want to tarnish the image of Jeffrey she''d
carefully curated for her parents, "He''s been really buckling down at worktely. Barely has time for
me."
Derek joined at the table, his tone serious, "A man should focus on his career and take on more
responsibility. You''re not to throw a tantrum, got it? You two are in it for the long haul. Jeffrey''s been
bending over backwards for you."
"Dad, switching sides so soon?" Karen pouted, "You were totally against us at first. Now everything
you say takes his side."
"Your dad was just worried ''cause Jeffrey''s a catch; thought he might not be serious about you."
Serena spilled her thoughts, "But then we saw how good he is to you. A guy like Jeffrey could have
his pick of girls, but he chooses to orbit around you - that''s proof enough of his sincerity."
Karen felt a wave of reassurance listening to her parents sing Jeffrey''s praises.
Despite the annoyance of dealing with his ex, Jeffrey''s response had left her quite satisfied.
He had a past, and so did she - no point dwelling on that.
Chapter 679
Chapter 679
"Mom, don''t build up his ego at the expense of our own pride."
"What do you mean ''his''? Jeffrey''s practically family now, with the engagement around the corner."
Karen chuckled so hard she had to lean back to catch her breath, musing to herself that Jeffrey
really had a way with people. He''d managed to turn his image around in such a short time; the guy
was seriouslymitted.
She shouldn''t have doubted his intentions.
At that moment, Karen felt an unexpected flutter of pre-wedding bashfulness, the kind that sneaks
up on you without any clear reason.
...
In the car, Jeffrey''s lips were pressed into a tight line, his silence deafening.
Paige, sensing the mood, didn''t dare make a sound. She sat shrunken in the back seat, stealing
nces at Jeffrey''s profile.
After driving for miles, far from the city center, Paige finally mustered the courage to speak up.
"Do you want to see the baby? It''s a girl."
"What the hell are you thinking!" Jeffrey''s temper red, his patience finally snapping. He mmed
on the brakes and pulled over to the roadside.
This remote area was naturally quiet, with few people around, especially in the dark of night.
"Get out," he said, his tone far from friendly.
Paige didn''t hesitate, quickly opening the door and stepping out.
Jeffrey lit a cigarette, his profile illuminated by the flicker of his lighter, his jawline sharp and striking
in the dim light.
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That was part of the reason Paige couldn''t let go.
Aside from being a cad and a heartbreaker, he had so much going for him ¨C looks, height, family
background, career, and his prowess in bed.
They sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity until Jeffrey, on his third cigarette, finally spoke
in a deep voice, "How much do you want?"
"Do you think I''m only here for the money?"
"Do you expect me to marry you? Don''t be delusional."
"My family isn''t short of money either." Paige retorted. Though her family''s wealth didn''t hold a
candle to Jeffrey''s, they were well-off by any standard.
"Paige."Jeffrey calmed himself down as much as he could and said to her, in a smooth tone. "Are
you sure the baby is mine?"
She trembled, disbelief etched on her face. "You know I was a virgin before we slept together. And
I''ve given you everything. Do you have any idea how hard it was to hide the pregnancy? I was
terrified my parents would make me abort, or that one of your friends would see me and tell you. I
only breathed a sigh of relief when our daughter was born."
Jeffrey wanted to explode at her absurdity.
He wished the situation were different, that maybe she was still pregnant so he could use some
leverage to make the problem go away.
But a child already born? What was he supposed to do, wish her dead?
"I don''t want to hear it. Just tell me what you want to do." His mind was racing towards a standstill.
"I want you to marry me. I want us to be a family," Paige stated her terms outright.
"That''s impossible!" Jeffrey raised his voice, ring at her. "I''m getting engaged. What you''re asking
for is out of the question."
Paige looked at him, dumbfounded. "So you''re nning to keep our child a secret from your
fianc¨¦e?"
"That''s my business. It has nothing to do with you."
"Jeffrey, you''re such a jerk. If she finds out¡ª"
Suddenly, Jeffrey turned and strode toward her, his hand shooting out to clutch her throat. He
snarled menacingly, "If you let her find out, I''ll make sure your family can''t show their face in Eldorria
City ever again."
Chapter 680
Chapter 680
Paige''s gaze locked onto his eyes, and what she saw there chilled her to the bone. There was an
unmistakable intent to kill, a fervor that was both intense and clear.
He hadn''t considered her feelings, not for a second, and the plight of their child didn''t seem to cross
his mind either.
Feeling as if her brain was suffocating, the instinct to survive kicked in, and she began to struggle
with all her might. "Jeffrey!"
It wasn''t until her face turned an rming shade of white that Jeffrey finally loosened his grip, his
teeth clenched tightly.
"Don''t think that by having a kid, you can get a hold on me. There''s no way in hell I''d marry you.
Dream on. If you know what''s good for you, name your price and then get the heck out of Eldorria
City. And don''t you evere back."
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"Cough, cough, cough."
Air rushed back into Paige''s lungs, and she coughed violently, unustomed to the sudden influx.
Her legs gave way, and she began to slide to the ground.
"Think it over and text me," Jeffrey said curtly as he walked back to his car.
Paige called out to him in desperation, "Jeffrey! Where are you going?"
"To have dinner with my wife."
Paige could never have imagined that he would actually leave her stranded on the roadside.
They were far from downtown, in the outskirts where not even a taxi could be hailed.
"Jeffrey, I underestimated just how cold-hearted you could be."
When Karen called Jeffrey for the second time, he finally picked up. His voice was hoarse, as if he
had been shouting.
"Mom and Dad are asking if you''reing home for dinner?"
"Of course. I''m already on my way," Jeffrey replied, his voice lightening with a chuckle. "Wait for
me."
"Yeah. Did you send her packing?" Karen couldn''t help but ask.
He knew exactly who ''her'' referred to. "Yeah, don''t get mad, I¡ª"
"I''m not mad, really." Karenughed. "I''ve gotten over your past. Don''t worry, I won''t make a fuss
over your ex. But let''s not let my parents find out. They''re just starting to see you in a new light."
"Karen, I am so lucky to have you."
Caught off guard by thepliment, Karen was momentarily speechless. "Why the sudden
sentimentality?"
"No reason."
"Hurry up, then. The pies will be ready soon, and they''re best when they''re fresh out of the oven."
"Alright."
After hanging up, Karen stepped out to see her father cing a tray of pies on the table.
"Where''s Jeffrey?"
"He''s on his way back. He said there was some trouble at the office, and he had to go back to the
Lopez Corporation to get some documents."
Derek nodded, not thinking much of it. "I saw that woman looking for him earlier and thought..."
"She''s just a colleague. Jeffrey was avoiding her because he didn''t want to deal with the paperwork,
so he dodged her. To think she''d follow him all the way to our doorstep. Can you believe that?"
"It was a bit surprising. So he''s finished with work now?"
Karen nodded. "Yes, don''t worry. I''m keeping an eye on him."
"I just hope you''re not distracting him from his work."
Karen stuck out her tongue and made a yful face, Derek shook his head and said helplessly,
"You''re about to get married and still acting like a kid."
"I''ll always be a kid to you guys. Mom said no matter how old I get, I''ll always be your little girl."
When Jeffrey knocked on the door, they were still chatting animatedly inside.
Hearing the sound, Karen rushed to open it.
Jeffrey stood at the doorway, his pilot''s uniform crisp and proper, his tall frame nearly filling the
entrance. A polite smile graced his handsome face, a far cry from his usual nonchnt demeanor.
"Karen, I''m back."
"Great,e in and get ready for the pies." Karen bent down to fetch his slippers, then took his
hand and led him inside.
Chapter 681
Chapter 681
"Jeffrey, does it hit the spot?" Serena asked eagerly, nudging a te of pies towards him across the
table.
Jeffrey nodded vigorously, "Mom, they''re delicious."
By now, everyone had gotten used to him addressing them as mom and dad.
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After the meal, Jeffrey and Karen stayed a bit longer to catch a couple of episodes of a TV series
with the old couple.
Afraid of dying Jeffrey''s work tomorrow, it was Derek who suggested they go back.
On the drive home, Karen was dozing off, fighting sleep the entire way.
Jeffrey was unusually quiet, just focused on driving.
It wasn''t until they pulled up at the base of their vi that Karen opened her eyes and, peering at his
profile, she raised an eyebrow, "Huh? Your ex-girlfriend was in your car today."
Jeffrey''s grip on the steering wheel tightened for a moment, "She was in the back seat."
"So from now on, only I can sit shotgun, okay?" Karen leaned in, hoping to yfully tease him.
Jeffrey was taken aback, turning to look at her, "Are you jealous?"
"To be honest, not really jealous, but it''s definitely ufortable. But I understand, you''ve had your
fair share of flings in the past and there''s always something to deal with. I knew what I was getting
into when I agreed to be your girlfriend," she said.
"Karen, I..." Jeffrey''s lips parted slightly, but the words seemed to get stuck in his throat.
She raised an eyebrow, "Well?"
"Nothing, let''s get out," Jeffrey said, parking the car neatly and getting out.
Karen was surprised by his behavior.
He wasn''t usually like this, usually all talkative and never shutting up. Today, it seemed like he was
weighed down with something heavy on his mind.
Could it be about his ex-girlfriend?
Karen followed him into the vi, wrapping her coat around herself. She thought he wouldn''t be in
the mood for intimacy tonight, but no sooner had she taken off her shoes than Jeffrey swept her into
his arms, spinning her around and pinning her to the bed.
"Jeffrey, can you be a bit gentler?" she protested.
"Alright, I''ll be gentle tonight," Jeffrey replied, surprisingly not arguing back and instead leaning in to
kiss her.
Karen couldn''t tell what was up with him, but she felt that he was a bit off today.
He was careful and considerate as they made love.
But as the fit was a bit tight, Karen still furrowed her brows and clutched his arms tightly.
"Jeffrey. Jeffrey."
"Karen, I want to have a child with you," he said, propping himself on his elbow and locking eyes
with her.
Karen found herself unable to look away, her face flushed with a deep crimson, "You didn''t wear a
condom, and I... I didn''t stop you, so why bring it up again."
"I want to hear you say that you''d have a child with me," he insisted, his gaze unyielding.
Karen tried to push him away, but his chest was as immovable as a rock, "If you keep this up, I''ll be
out of breath."
"Say it. I want to hear it."
"I will, okay?" she relented.
The moment her words fell, Jeffrey thrust deeper.
Karen wanted to recoil, but she was no match for his strength.
"Say it again."
"No. Are you trying to kill me?!"
Jeffrey lowered his head to her ear, his voice deep and husky, "If you don''t say it, I''ll take this week''s
quota tonight."
Once a day, that was the rule Karen had set.
"I''ll say it. Jeffrey, I want to have your child, and I want to marry you."
Chapter 682
Chapter 682
Heather was ushered into the confines of Swevia County under the cover of night.
Though blindfolded, she could sense the inky ckness enveloping her.
"Did you get my message through? I need to see Everett."
"We did. Whether Everett decides to see you, well, you can just wait and see."
The guards were clearly impatient, shoving her roughly into the vehicle without a word more.
That was all she needed.
Heather''s only fear was that her message wouldn''t reach him, that Everett would remain oblivious
and she would meet her end without him ever knowing. But if he heard even a whisper about
Dorothy, he woulde. She was certain.
She braced herself for a long wait, but to her surprise, just a few hourster, at the crack of dawn,
Everett appeared before her.
He was draped in a ck trench coat, his towering 6''3" frame exuding a natural elegance with his
lean waist and long legs. Though leaner than before, his aristocratic aura remained as imposing as
ever.
Heather knew why he hade at such an hour. She diverted her gaze and offered a wry smile. "Is
Dorothy asleep?"
"What''s the story about Dorothy?"
Everett was blunt, dispensing with pleasantries, focused solely on the matter at hand.
Huddled in the corner, Heather peered through the iron bars that caged her. "Everett, tell me, if
Dorothy didn''t exist, could there be a chance for you to like me?"
He didn''t answer, his eyes betraying a thinning patience.
It was always about Dorothy.
"Everett, answer me, and I''ll tell you what you need to know."
"Without Dorothy, there is no Everett. Your question has no answer."
He wouldn''t entertain the hypothetical, nor spare Heather a sliver of his attention.
"Ha, so I was doomed from the start, wasn''t I? Back when we could be friends abroad, I actually
believed that if I kept up with you, I could stand by your side." Heather realized how foolish she had
been to think that Everett''s affection for Dorothy was a mere youthful fancy, something that would
falter with the slightest storm. That was why she had caused a scene, thinking there was an
opening for her.
But during this time, Heather had reflected a great deal.
Most importantly, she understood that Everett''s intentions had always been clear-cut. Dorothy was
the only one he wanted; there had never been room for anyone else.
"Why didn''t you make it clear sooner. Why keep your feelings hidden for so many years? Why did
you make me believe there was a chance!"
Heather was clueless about the extent of Everett''s machinations at home, unaware that he had
never given up on Dorothy, and his ns for her had never wavered.
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"You''re the one with ulterior motives. You can''t me anyone else."
Everett had never offered her hope or promises.
"Yeah, I''m the viin." Heather''sugh turned into a bitter cackle. "In your eyes, I''m the worst, aren''t
I?"
Slowly, she rose from the ground and approached him, her fingers curling around the rusted iron
bars.
"Even though I can''t have you, don''t think you can have Dorothy. Ha-ha, you two will never be
together."
A chill shed in Everett''s eyes. "What do you mean?"
"Dorothy''s mother died of a heart condition. You must have looked into it."
At the mention of Dorothy''s mother, Everett''s expression grew gloomy.
"Does Dorothy also think her mother passed away from a heart attack triggered by some distressing
news?"
Chapter 683
Chapter 683
Everett clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white, and the tension in his jaw
sharpened its contours.
Heather burst into an unrestrained, almost maniacalughter.
The sight was horrifying to watch.
"The truth is, Everett, it was your own mother who instructed the doctors at the hospital to
administer the fatal dose of Digoxin to her mother. Just 10mg could kill an adult, and she got a
whopping 50mg injection¡ªof course, her heart gave out instantly. No miracle could''ve saved her."
A buzzing filled Everett''s ears, drowning out all other sounds.
He could only watch as Heather''s lips moved, her hystericalughter piercing the silence.
"This can''t be happening. It''s impossible."
He had asked his father before, who had assured him his mother wasn''t involved.
"And another thing. Everett, you might as well give up trying to hide the truth from Dorothy. She
knows about your mother''s masterpiece. Why do you think she left you? Why do you think she told
you she was in love with Keh? Have you ever thought about that?
The hospital''s surveince was supposed to be destroyed, but I made copies ahead of time, spread
across several USB drives. I had the security room staff y dumb, selling one of the drives with
the incriminating content to Dorothy for a pretty penny. And that footage? It was of your mother
giving the order."
USB drives.
Everett found it increasingly difficult to breathe as if someone''s invisible grip was squeezing his
heart mercilessly.
Yes, the USB drive.
The one Dorothy had Byte 7 recover.
On it was the evidence of his mother''s crime against Dorothy''s mother.
"Heather, you''d better not be lying," Everett ground out through clenched teeth, each word heavy
with venom.
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"Why would I lie now? Go ahead, ask Dorothy if I''m telling the truth. Ask her if she can spend her
life with you, or if she can stand having Amanda as her mother-inw, and marry the son of the
woman who murdered her own mother."
Everett''s bnce faltered, hisrge frame staggering backwards.
Suddenly, a sweet, metallic taste rose in his throat.
He reached to cover his mouth, but it was toote. A bright red gush spewed forth, running down
his well-defined fingers. His pale hand was instantly stained with the spreading crimson.
Seeing him like this, Heather panicked, "Everett! Don''t scare me, Everett! Somebody help, hurry!"
Soon, a swarm of guards rushed in, freezing at the sight.
"Mr. Lopez."
"Don''t."
He raised his hand, signaling them to stay back, then turned and walked away, one unsteady step
at a time.
His ck coat concealed the blood, but not the scent that wafted through the air.
Behind him, Heather''sughter turned to inconsble sobs. She slid to the ground,cking the
strength to stand again.
"Everett, I truly love you. I''d die with you if you asked. Dorothy can''t give you her whole heart, but I
can. Even if you asked me to kill my own parents, I would, but Dorothy couldn''t."
The door of the detention room closed, and silence reimed the space.
Only the blood spattered on the floor remained, drying slowly.
"Everett, just turn back and look at me. I beg you. I love you more than Dorothy ever could. She
doesn''t deserve you, and she doesn''t deserve to be by your side."
"Please."
"I''m begging you."
Chapter 684
Chapter 684
Dorothy awoke with a start, the familiar warmth of another person conspicuously absent from her
side.
ncing at the clock, it read 7 AM ¨C a time when Everett would normally be hunched over his desk,
sifting through a mountain of paperwork. But now, he was nowhere to be found in the hospital room.
Concern knitting her brows, Dorothy rose to search for him. She checked the doctor''s office, and the
long, sterile corridors ¨C no sign of him.
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Returning to the room to grab her phone, she dialed Everett''s number, only to hear his ringtone
echo from within the room.
His phone was left behind.
Odd.
Very odd.
"Dr. Quincy. Have you seen Everett around?" Dorothy inquired, her voice tinged with worry as she
ventured out again.
The doctor shook her head. "No, he''s not in his room?"
"Nope. He was gone when I woke up."
"Well, perhaps you should check the security room? If he left the hospital, he would have had to go
through the main or back door," suggested Dr. Quincy.
Dorothy nodded, a bit resigned. "Guess that''s the only option I have."
In Swevia Country, she was out of her element. Other than calling Everett, she was at a loss for
what to do.
As Dorothy made her way to the security room, Quincy called out from behind, "Ms. Sanchez. Mr.
Lopez is at the front entrance."
Whirling around and peering down from the upper floor, Dorothy''s eyes indeed caught the sight of
Everett''s figure at the hospital''s entrance.
"Thanks." she called back, taking the stairs two at a time. She needed to find out what was going
on, and why Everett had left the hospital so early in the morning.
From above, details were blurry.
Reaching the downstairs, Dorothy was taken aback at the sight of Everett up close ¨C hisplexion
was ashen, and his lips drained of color, looking as if he were on the brink of copse.
"Everett, what... what happened to you?" she gasped, instinctively rushing towards him, only to see
him step back.
"I''m fine," he rasped, his voice a hoarse shadow of itself.
Dorothy frowned, her worry deepening. "Did you leave at dawn?"
If he had only left the room in the morning, a mere hour or two would not have reduced Everett to
such a state.
"I''m tired. I just want to go rest for a while," he said, his gaze avoiding hers, an unusual behavior for
him. With long strides, he began to walk past her, further into the hospital.
This was not like him at all.
Dorothy took a deep breath, catching up to him and tugging at his sleeve. "Everett, wait."
Despite his haste, he stopped at her touch, not wanting to risk pulling her along.
"What''s going on? Talk to me," she implored, her lips pressed together, a knot of anxiety forming in
her stomach.
She tried to look into his eyes for answers, but to no avail ¨C he wouldn''t meet her gaze.
"Nothing. I just felt like taking a walk, that''s all."
"From dawn till now?" Dorothy stepped closer, reaching out to embrace him, when suddenly she
caught a metallic scent.
Blood.
But the dark coat he wore masked the source.
"Yes, I lost track of time."
His answers were short, his voice heavy.
"That''s not it. You have blood on you," Dorothy said, gripping his coat more firmly. The dried, king
bloodstains marred her palm, a dark crimson.
Everett pressed his lips together tightly, pulling his coat away swiftly, then hastened his steps even
more.
Confused and concerned, Dorothy had no choice but to run after him. "Everett! You promised you''d
never lie to me. What did you do? Why is there blood on your clothes?"
He stopped, his silhouette halting as he half-turned towards her. "Dorothy, don''t touch me, I''m filthy."
Chapter 685
Chapter 685
Everett was a mess¡ªa walking disaster area, so filthy that it seemed even he couldn''t stand his
own reflection.
"Everett, when have I everined about that?" Dorothy tried to grab his hand with a stubborn
determination, but he jerked away, only for her to reach for him again.
Suddenly, Everett''s towering figure pinned her against the wall, his grip on her hand unyielding. His
long legs aggressively wedged themselves between hers, trapping her in ce.
"Everett."
Before Dorothy could protest, his lips crashed down on hers.
It was wild and frantic.
As if this kiss was theirst, he devoured her mouth, iming it, unwilling to let go.
"Umm. Umm!" Dorothy felt the air being sucked from her lungs, her body going numb with
confusion.
She tasted it¡ªthe metallic tang of blood from Everett''s mouth, the same scent that clung to his
clothes.
Was Everett hurt?
Dorothy wasn''t struggling to escape him but rather to check where he was injured.
But her strength was no match for his, and she was left helpless under his fervent kiss.
Finally, feeling as though she was about to pass out, she bit his lip in a desperate attempt to make
him stop.
Everett froze as if his senses had snapped back into ce, and then he released her, striding away
quickly.
Dorothy took a long moment topose herself before she chased after him.
Back in the hospital room, Everett headed straight for the bathroom.
He didn''t bother to remove his coat; instead, he stood under the shower fully clothed, letting the icy
water soak through the fabric, a sobering chill against his skin.
Everett knew what he should be doing¡ªinvestigating, confirming whether Heather''s words were
true or false.
That woman, always spewing lies, he thought. But this time, for some reason, he believed her.
"Everett,e out of there."
Dorothy banged on the bathroom door, "Are you trying to freeze to death? Who takes a cold shower
in your state?"
She had assumed Everett was just in a rush to cleanse himself, given his notorious obsession with
cleanliness. But seeing no steam on the door, Dorothy realized he hadn''t turned on any hot water.
"You''re still injured, for heaven''s sake! Are you out of your mind? Everett, get out!"
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Grinding her teeth, she pounded harder on the door. When there was still no response, she spun
around to grab a chair from the room.
The bathroom door was ss, not solid wood¡ªit should shatter easily.
Before she could swing, she yelled inside, "Everett, move away from the door! If you''re not opening
it, I''m breaking it down!"
At that, Everett''s voice finally pierced through the cold air, trembling and hoarse.
"Leave me alone for a bit."
"Then tell me what happened first. Once you tell me, I''ll leave."
"Dorothy, just ten minutes, okay? Let me be alone for a while."
Dorothy pursed her lips and slowly set the chair down, "Fine, ten minutes. One second more, and
I''m smashing the door."
She left the hospital room and headed straight for Quincy''s office.
"I need some cold medicine, fever reducers, and something for bruises and bleeding."
Quincy was taken aback, "Who''s sick and injured? Mr. Lopez?"
"Maybe." Dorothy wasn''t sure.
Quincy stood up immediately, "Then I''lle with you."
"No need, he won''t let you in. Just give them to me, I''ll handle it."
Chapter 686
Chapter 686
Panting, Dorothy retraced her steps to the hospital room door, timing herself perfectly to arrive at
the ten-minute mark. She pushed the door open.
True to his word, Everett hadn''t locked it from the inside.
He emerged from the bathroom, drenched from head to toe, leaving puddles in his wake.
Dorothy knew he wasn''t in the mood to talk, so she briskly went to the wardrobe, grabbed a change
of clothes, and without waiting for his consent, began peeling off his soaked garments.
Everett didn''t say a word, passively letting her strip away his wet clothes and dress him in fresh
ones.
Once she was done, Dorothy felt nearly spent.
She wrapped her arms around Everett''s waist and whispered, "How about you lie down for a bit,
huh?"
"You''re not gonna ask?"
"I''m not asking." She rested her cheek against his chest. "Whatever you found out there, I won''t pry.
Just tell me if you''re hurt, let me put some ointment on, okay?"
He shook his head, hisrge hand pressing hers firmly against his heart.
"It hurts here."
"Should I call Dr. Quincy to check on you?"
"Only you can fix me."
Dorothy had a sinking feeling that his troubles had something to do with her, but she dared not ask.
With only a few days left in her one-month agreement with Jonathan, she didn''t want to tear open
wounds to peek into the future. She wanted to savor thesest days with Everett.
She led him back to the bed and tucked him under a thickforter, then clung to him tightly,
sharing her warmth.
"Try to get some sleep, okay?"
She didn''t insist on applying medicine, just wanted him to get some rest.
It was unclear when Everett had left that dawn, but one thing was sure: something had happened to
him.
Suddenly, the hand he hadid on her waist tightened, pulling her entirely into his embrace.
"If I fall asleep, will you leave?"
"I won''t. I''ll stay right here with you."
"And afterward?"
Her lips quivered, eyes cast downward, "Everett, stop hurting yourself. Abigail and Langston are still
waiting in Swevia Country. If you wear yourself out, they''ll be left without a dad."
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Abigail and Langston.
Yes, they had two kids together.
Their lives were intertwined in countless ways; it wouldn''t all just end so easily.
"Dorothy, don''t leave me alone."
"I won''t." She freed a hand to stroke his hair. "Sleep, and I promise when you wake up, I''ll still be
here."
Despair clouded Everett''s eyes, void of their usual spark.
He gazed at Dorothy, then leaned in for a kiss.
She didn''t dodge, tilting her head to meet his lips.
She embraced the kiss, no matter how fierce and wild.
Everett''s body was chilled from the cold shower, causing him to shiver uncontrobly. Dorothy shed
her own clothes, using her body to warm him.
When the kiss ended, and she thought he might take things further, he simplyy there panting,
moving no more.
"Everett, you..."
"I''m going to sleep."
He closed his eyes, but hisshes still fluttered.
Dorothy reached out to touch Everett''s face, but he caught her wrist.
"I''m sorry."
"What?"
"Dorothy, I''m sorry."
He thought he could be Dorothy''s salvation, leading her out of darkness.
Instead, he became the source of all her disasters.
Chapter 687
Chapter 687
Everett mumbled an apologetic "I''m sorry" as he drifted off to sleep.
He must have been exhausted. Clutching Dorothy¡¯s hand seemed to be the only thing that gave him
a moment''s peace.
The eerie calm before the storm set his nerves on edge, but at least they could hold hands,
wrapped in each other''s arms, sharing a bed and pillow ¨C that in itself was a blessing.
...
In the morning, Jeffrey woke up, cuddled with Karen for a while, and then went to brush his teeth
and freshen up, shirtless.
She had nagged him several times about wearing pajamas or a robe, but Jeffrey just wouldn¡¯t listen.
Sure, he''d had his fair share of girlfriends, but he''d never cohabited. Dates were for hotels. At
home, it had always been just him, so wearing clothes to bed wasn¡¯t his thing.
Now that he knew Karen liked his abs, he was even less inclined to cover up.
"Got a lot on at the office today?"
"Two meetings. Tech stuff. Everett doesn¡¯t trust anyone else with it, so I¡¯ve got to step in," Jeffrey
said with a grimace, electric toothbrush in hand as he turned to look at her. "What about you? Any
ns?"
Karen shook her head, "Nope, just wondering when you¡¯ll be home."
"Should be back around two or three. Then I¡¯ll pick you up, and we¡¯ll go for some grub."
"You sound like you''re bribing a kid," Karen muttered, following him into the bathroom.
Seeing her enter, Jeffrey, with his toothbrush mped between his teeth, hurried to squeeze out
some toothpaste for her.
"Being extra sweet, huh?"
"You know it." Jeffrey grinned, almost dropping his toothbrush in the process.
"I read online that men are at their kindest and most tender when they feel guilty. You hiding
something?"
Thud¡ª
Jeffrey''s toothbrush finally fell.
He bent down quickly to pick it up, his mind racing with how to exin his panic.
Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.
But standing up, he saw Karen was just joking, not pressing him on why his toothbrush had taken a
dive.
Jeffrey let out a sigh of relief.
After freshening up, Karen grabbed herptop and settled into the living room.
Her job didn¡¯t require her to clock in at an office, so she made herselffortable in the spacious
living room of Jeffrey¡¯s vi, with a small desk in ce. Working there gave her the feeling of being
the boss of her own time.
That day, Jeffrey donned a suit, all in ck, tailored to perfection, making him look tall and lean.
Karen ran over, barefoot, to help him with his tie.
"Bend down a bit. You''re too tall, I can''t reach."
Jeffreyughed, both helplessly and fondly, squatting slightly and leaning against the back of the
sofa to let her fiddle with his tie.
Her hands were small, soft, and fair, like those of an infant.
Fumbling over his chest, it was hard for him to focus.
"Done yet, Karen?"
"Almost there."
Jeffrey clenched his teeth, "If you don''t hurry up, I''m going to be distracted by other thoughts."
Karen let go immediately, "You do it. I can¡¯t."
"Why didn¡¯t you say so sooner."
Jeffrey took a few deep breaths, then grabbed his car keys, "I''m off. Call me if you need anything."
"Sure. Bye." Karen waved at him, then watched as Jeffrey walked to the entrance and closed the
door behind him.
She was about to settle back on the sofa when the doorbell rang.
Huh?
Was that Jeffrey forgetting something?
Chapter 688
Chapter 688
"Coming." Karen couldn''t be bothered to put on her shoes and ran straight to the door.
But she was cautious, peering through the peephole before swinging it open.
It wasn''t Jeffrey. It was his ex.
Suddenly, Karen felt a twinge of annoyance. This one was nothing like the woman she''d bumped
into at the mall, who had at least the ability to read the room. But this one was clingy, like chewing
gum stuck to the sole of your favorite sneakers.
Karen toyed with the idea of pretending she wasn''t home, but the woman outside had already
started shouting.
"I know you''re there, open up. We need to talk."
This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
Silence.
She even knew Karen was home. Had she bugged the ce?
With a sigh, Karen draped a cardigan over her shoulders and slipped into a pair of loafers before
opening the door. If she was going to face her romantic rival, she wasn''t about to do it looking like
she''d just rolled out of bed.
Paige''s eyes widened at the sight of Karen.
"What are you doing here?"
Quick as a whip, Karen realized thement had been intended for Jeffrey. She scoffed internally
at the thought that she''d been worried about this woman''s ''powers.''
"In Jeffrey''s house, seeing his fianc¨¦e, what''s so surprising? But bumping into his ex, now that''s
unexpected."
Karen''s sharp tongue was no stranger to Paige.
And Paige knew better than to expect any concessions in a war of words.
"Where''s Jeffrey?" she asked, masking her irritation.
"You''re looking for him?" Karen feigned ignorance.
Paige''s cheeks flushed with anger. "Of course, who else?"
Karen feigned augh. "Well, if you''re looking for him, why ask me? Don''t tell me you''ve lost his
number. Or maybe you called and he''s not picking up?"
"You¡ª"
"Me what?" Karen stepped back, appraising her with a snort. "You thought I wouldn''t be at Jeffrey''s
ce, and you could just swoop in for a sleepover, huh? Is that why you are dressing so slutty?"
At a loss for words, Paige could only retort weakly, "I am not."
"Please, it''s barely 50 degrees out, and I''m shivering under the covers while you''re knocking on a
man''s door in shorts and a tight sweater, telling me you''re not here to seduce my fianc¨¦? That''s
rich. You might as well p me with your intentions."
"I...I always dress like this. Jeffrey loves my legs," Paige blurted out defensively.
Karen nced down at Paige''s legs¡ªfair and long. Jeffrey did have good taste.
"I see. Well then, why don''t you just cut them off and leave them here? I''ll make sure to pass them
to Jeffrey when he gets back."
Silence.
"Going to do it? No? Then I''m closing the door. It''s freezing."
She had work to do, after all.
Paige backed down, frustration evident on her face.
Paige wanted to spill the beans about the baby to the woman in front of her, and to wipe that smug
look off her face. But just thinking about Jeffrey''s viciousness thest time he grabbed her by the
neck and warned her not to talk about it, she was truly afraid.
"Don''t think that just because you''ve moved into this mansion, you''ll end up marrying Jeffrey."
"Have you ever lived here?" Karen was genuinely curious.
But seeing Paige''s reaction, Karen felt satisfied.
It seemed Jeffrey had been telling the truth.
He''d never brought another woman home.
"I''m going to be Jeffrey''s wife sooner orter. Karen, you shouldn''t be too smug about it, because
you''re no match for me."
In any aspect, there was noparison.
Karen smacked her lips, arms crossed over her chest as she stared down her adversary, "You
should save that speech for Jeffrey because, unlike you, I''m the one he''s been begging to marry
him. You? You''re the one he wouldn''t take back even if you came gift-wrapped."
Chapter 689
Chapter 689
"He''ll have to choose me. Because we''re bound by ties that can''t be broken in this lifetime." Paige''s
voice carried a peculiar certainty, as if she possessed some sort of leverage over Jeffrey.
It was as though she held a trump card in this twisted game of hearts.
Could it be simply because she was the cousin of Jeffrey''s buddy? Did she think that Jeffrey owed
his friend enough to spare some consideration for his cousin''s feelings?
"Well then, why don''t you go ahead and discuss this little situation with Jeffrey? Let''s see if he''s
willing to swap his bride-to-be for you," Karen said, not bothering to sugarcoat her words as she
shut the door in Paige''s face.
Karen was not one to be threatened or intimidated. Not by anyone.
Even when Heather stood there with a knife at her throat, Karen didn''t bow her head. So why would
she ever concede to a romantic rival?
Paige was obviously trying to stir up trouble between Karen and Jeffrey, hoping to benefit from their
fallout.
But Karen wouldn''t give her the satisfaction.
Outside the door, Paige''s face turned ashen with rage, yet she was powerless against Karen''s
resolve.
Gritting her teeth, Paige pulled out her phone and dialed Jeffrey''s number.
No answer.
Predictable.
She thought for a moment, then snapped a photo of his vi and sent it to him.
This prompted a swift response. Jeffrey called back immediately, his voiceced with urgency.
"Paige, don''t push your luck."
"Me, push my luck?" Paige retorted, stung by the insult. "Think carefully about how you speak to
me, Jeffrey. I am standing right outside your ce. Do you want me to tell that woman inside about
your daughter?"
A moment of charged silence.
"You looking for trouble?" Jeffrey''s voice was tight with anger.
"Better than the hell I''m living right now."
The sound of Jeffrey grinding his teeth was almost audible through the phone.
"Get away from my house. Now."
"Thene and see me." Paigeid down her terms.
"I''m at work. How am I supposed toe see you?"
"You would if it were her asking. If she can, so can I." Paige paused, her voice chilling. "Half an
hour, Jeffrey. If you don''t show up, I''ll tell her everything."
Jeffrey had underestimated Paige''s audacity. But with Paige literally outside his house, and Karen
inside, he was caught in a bind.
"Fine,e to Lopez Corporation, I''ll meet you downstairs. Happy?"
"You''re trying to lure me away from here?"
"Paige, don''t push it. Even if you tell Karen, the worst I get is an argument, maybe a breakup, but I''ll
never marry you."
Paige clenched her fists, knowing she couldn''t afford to spill the beans to Karen. On one hand, she
feared Jeffrey could retaliate against her family''s business, and on the other, revealing her secret
would strip her of any leverage over Jeffrey.
At least for now, she could negotiate and have a chance to see him face to face.
"Alright, I''lle to Lopez Corporation," Paige conceded, adding a warning, "And don''t you dare
ignore my calls again."
"Cut the crap."
The line went dead.
Not a shred of patience was afforded to her.
Paige took a deep breath and nced back at Jeffrey''s vi one more time.
Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!
One day, she vowed, she would live there, as Jeffrey''s wife.
What was this temporary strugglepared to that? Once Jeffrey saw their child, and the Turners
acknowledged the little one, there would be no reason left to shut her out.
On the other end, Jeffrey hung up on Paige and immediately called Karen.
His fingers trembled as he held the phone.
Chapter 690
Chapter 690
Karen picked up the phone quickly, the clickety-ck of her keyboard humming in the background.
"What¡¯s up?" She paused her typing.
"Just now..."
"Oh, right. Your ex dropped by," Karen said nonchntly, her eyes glued to theputer screen,
"Said something about recing me. What, she reach out to you?"
"Karen, don''t listen to her crap."
Jeffrey''s tone was fierce enough to chew nails, which only made Karen chuckle.
"Jeez, Mr. Turner, watch yournguage, will ya? Chill out, I''m not mad. Go finish up your work and
come pick me upter, I''m in the mood for some BBQ tonight."
"Deal. I''ll swing by after work."
Hanging up, Jeffrey felt a weight lift off his shoulders.
But he knew that if Paige kept this up, the truth woulde out sooner rather thanter.
N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.
He had to deal with this mess, and fast.
Jeffrey even thought, if only Karen were pregnant right now, maybe for the baby''s sake, she might
cut him some more ck?
...
Paige''s call came soon after.
Jeffrey''s vi was just a stone''s throw from the Lopez Corporation.
He hurried downstairs, donning a face mask to avoid any paparazzi.
Spotting Paige, he pulled her aside into a secluded corner with such force there was nothing tender
about it, causing her to stumble.
"Jeffrey, I..."
"Didn''t you get what I told you?" Jeffrey rolled his tongue in his cheek, his eyes seething, "You had
the nerve to show up at my ce?"
Paige looked wronged, waving her hands, "I came looking for you. I didn''t expect Karen to be at
your vi. Didn''t you say that you''d never bring a woman over?"
"She''s my fianc¨¦e. Where else would she stay?"
Irritated, Jeffrey started patting his pockets for a cigarette, but he''d left in such a hurry he forgot
them.
Hands on his hips, he paced back and forth before fixing his gaze on Paige, "That kid you''re talking
about, let''s find time to do a DNA test."
Paige went pale, her eyes welling up with tears.
"You''re doubting me?"
"Shouldn''t I?" Jeffrey retorted, "Paige, we broke up years ago. It was a fluke we slept together
again, and now you im we have a child. I need proof, for all I know I could be an unwitting dad."
Before he could finish, Paige raised her hand to p him.
But Jeffrey was taller, and she had to jump to reach him.
He grabbed her wrist before she could touch him and pushed her back into the corner.
"Want to get physical? I''ve said it before, I don''t discriminate when ites to throwing punches."
"Jeffrey, I''ve only ever been with you, and now you doubt my integrity?"
"I don''t have a tracker on you, how should I know how many you''ve had?" Jeffrey was anything but
chivalrous, "Even if we go to court, you''ll need evidence to im the kid is mine."
"Fine." Paige bit her lip, "You want a DNA test? I''ll bring my daughter. I''m not afraid of the results.
And when she grows up, I''ll make sure she knows just what kind of lowlife her father is, doubting
even her existence."
Chapter 691
Chapter 691
"Whatever, I don''t care,"Jefferey said with a dismissive wave.
All that mattered was that Karen''s kids didn''t hold a grudge against him. Everything else was trivial.
Jeffrey, a fixture in high society, knew the drill about out-of-wedlock children¡ªit was moremon
than not. People hardly batted an eye anymore.
He had just one; heck, there were families out there with seven or eight. Was he expected to
painstakingly raise every single love child?
"You seriously don''t give a damn about our daughter? She''s your own flesh and blood."
"You had her without my consent, and now you''re trying to force me to give her fatherly love? What
a joke," Jeffrey said with frustration. Just the thought of this unexpected child was enough to give
him a headache, let alone any feelings of affection.
Ever since he found out, Jeffrey couldn¡¯t help but think about Karen''s reaction.
"You can deny her all you want, but she''s still your daughter. Jeffrey, I want you entangled with me
for life. I want that woman to feel the thorn in her side forever."
"Do I look like a pushover to you, Paige?" Jeffrey¡¯s voice was cold as he stepped closer to her.
"What are you going to do to me?"
"Don''t test my limits. If Karen leaves me because of this, I don''t know what I''ll do. Maybe I can make
sure you and the kid disappear."
Paige trembled, her skin breaking out in goosebumps.
"You would disown your own daughter for a woman?"
"With a mother so desperate, I can''t expect much from the kid. I couldn''t care less."
"Jeffrey, you''ve lost your mind."
He scoffed, straightening his suit jacket. "I''ll let you know when to get the DNA test. Don''t try any
tricks. Think about it¡ªif this gets out, we both lose. But at worst, I lose a fianc¨¦e. You, on the other
hand, stand to lose much more."
Silence.
Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!
"If the test proves she''s mine, hand her over. I''ll pay you off, and you can take the money and never
come back to Eldorria City." he paused, "If she''s not..."
He had made it clear. He''d show no mercy to a liar.
"She''s yours. I''ve never been with another man. You could kill me, and my story won''t change. I just
underestimated how cold you are. I thought you''d be kinder for our child''s sake. Instead, you want
to take her away."
"Take her away?" Jeffreyughed bitterly. "Wasn''t it you who came to me, desperate? Don¡¯t tter
yourself, thinking I want to bring her into the Turner family. She doesn''t deserve it. I just don''t want
to be controlled, that''s all."
Paige couldn¡¯t imagine her daughter taken away from her, and what might happen.
"Your fianc¨¦e is no saint. She''d never treat my child right."
"You¡¯re worrying about the wrong things," Jeffrey said sternly, looking down on her. "Think about it¡ª
your family''s chain of hotels could copse overnight because of this. Your Taylor family will pay
dearly for stealing my seed."
"This has nothing to do with my parents. They don''t even know about the child."
"So, stay away from Karen. If she breaks up with me, I''ll make sure the Taylor family regrets it as
much as I do."
Chapter 692
Chapter 692
Jeffrey had always been a free spirit, a daredevil with little regard for the rules that seemed to bind
everyone else. His parents had long given up on trying to rein him in.
But there was one person who could keep him in line¡ªKaren. And for everyone''s sake, it was
crucial that she stuck around.
...
When Everett came to, Dorothy was sitting by his bedside, her grip on his hand just as tight as it
had been when he''d drifted off. His body had finally returned to a normal temperature.
"You''re awake," Dorothy breathed out, the weight of her worry lifting as she saw his eyes open.
If he hadn''te around soon, she was ready to call for Dr. Quincy to take a look at him.
"Mmhmm." Everett''s gaze fell as he gently withdrew his hand, then propped himself up and swung
his legs off the bed.
His cold demeanor left Dorothy feeling out of sorts.
"Everett! Abigail and Langston are waiting for you, are you up for it?"
"I''ll go."
He paused, his silhouette framed by the doorway, then added, "I''ve got a confidential meeting for
mypany."
Dorothy''s face flickered with confusion before understanding dawned, and she rose from her seat, "I
see. I''ll go to see them for now. Just catch up with me when you''re done."
"Will do."
Everett didn''t dare look at her again.
Waking up meant the dream was over. It was time to get back to business.
After Dorothy left, Everett stood motionless for a long time before finally reaching for his phone and
dialing a number.
The call connected quickly.
"Mr. Lopez calling me. That''s a first." Byte 7''s voice was unusually sharp, devoid of its typical
laziness butced with sarcasm that grated on the nerves.
"The USB that Dorothy asked you to recover, is it done?"
"Client confidentiality, Everett," Byte 7 teased.
"Send it to me."
Byte 7 was taken aback by Everett''s abrupt and direct demand.
"How could I possibly hand that over to you?"
"Name your price."
"It''s not about the money." Byte 7 shot back. "Everett, you know what''s on that video, don''t you?
Have you figured out the content? That''s impossible."
Everett pursed his lips, his brows furrowing as he repeated firmly, "Give it to me. I''d rather not get
my hands dirty."
"You want to destroy the video?"
"If you don''t want your precious core system, years in the making, to go up in smoke, you''llply."
Byte 7ughed mockingly, "Do you even know where my server is? Good luck trying to destroy¡ª"
"Azure Bay. Need me to send you the coordinates?"
"Dang it!" Byte 7 exploded, his usual nonchnce evaporating as his voice pitched higher, "Everett,
you y dirty! Have you been watching me all this time?"
He thought his server was hidden well enough, but Everett had found it.
"One hour. Send me the recovered video. I''ll have someone pick up the USB."
This wasn''t a negotiation¡ªit was an order.
"No way. That''s Dorothy''s property. I can''t give it to you. If you want it, tell Dorothy toe and get
it herself. I''ll hand it over to her."
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But then Byte 7 screamed in panic.
"Don''t you dare touch my server!"
Everett''s voice was emotionless, "You have 59 minutes before your system disappears from this
world."
"Everett! You im to love Dorothy, right? Seems like a facade now. In the end, you''re just trying to
destroy evidence Dorothy worked so hard to find, all to protect your mother from her crimes. She''s
only seeking justice, an eye for an eye. What''s wrong with that?"
Everett didn''t respond to Byte 7''s usation. Instead, he simply said, "58 minutes left."
Chapter 693
Chapter 693
On the other end of the line, Byte 7 watched helplessly as his screen initiated the system''s self-
destruct sequence, ticking up from 1% to 2%.
Each increment represented a night''s worth of his hard work.
"It''s over," Everett said, his voice detached, as chilly as a winter breeze.
"Wait a second." Byte 7 shouted desperately. "I''ll give it to you, just stop."
Satisfied with the response, Everett pressed the pause button on his ownputer.
Byte 7 thought he was the king of the cyber world, but he was about to learn a tough lesson ¡ª
there''s always a bigger fish.
"Everett, can you tell me how you managed to track down my server?"
"You want to mentor my son, Langston. That requires my approval."
"Theptop I gave Langston might have beenpromised by your virus, but at the end of the day,
it''s myptop."
And his son, Langston, was ultimately his own.
After hanging up, Everett opened hisputer''s main screen.
Byte 7 sent over a video file shortly after.
Just from the blurred figure on the thumbnail, Everett didn''t need to watch the video to know the
content.
Heather hadn''t lied.
She, and indeed they, were all involved.
Everett closed his eyes and sat in silence for a long while before slowly opening them again.
Byte 7 sent another message. [The fairness Dorothy asks for isn''t unreasonable. You can''t do what
you want to do just because the culprit is your mother.]
He raised his hand and lightly tapped the keyboard.
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[My family, my business. Not yours.]
Everett''s fingers hesitated over the keyboard for a moment before a pop-up window appeared on
the screen.
[Are you sure you want to permanently delete this file?]
He looked down and without a moment''s hesitation, clicked confirm.
...
"Mummy! Langston took me to the backyard to y this morning and identally made me fall. He
didn''t even say sorry." Abigailined, her cute demeanor belying her stubborn nature.
Sometimes Dorothy wondered if her daughter took after Everett or herself.
"You said it was an ident."
"So he just needs to apologize, and I''ll forgive him. But if he doesn''t, I''ll stay mad."
Dorothy sighed and nced at Langston, who was still engrossed in hisputer.
"Did you hear that?"
"She''s the one who wanted to run. She didn''t tell you that when she fell, she dragged me down with
her." Langston set aside hisptop and showed his knee to his mom. "See, now you know why I
didn''t apologize."
Dorothy frowned and pulled Abigail to her side.
"Abigail, you can''t abuse your favoritism to wrong others. Understand?"
"But I apologized to Langston right away. He''s the one who didn''t say sorry." Abigail''s big eyes
blinked back tears, her face the picture of innocence.
"Girls always making a fuss," Langston scoffed as he stood up and approached her. "Sorry, okay?
Are we good now?"
Immediately, Abigail nodded, her tears turning toughter. "I forgive you, Langston."
Dorothy truly understood the meaning of ''a judge at home faces the hardest cases.''
Suddenly, theptop Langston had left on the couch went dark.
Instinctively, he dashed back to hit the restore keys, but it was no use.
"Mummy, where''s Daddy? I need him to look at this."
"Daddy''s in a meeting, very busy. You can''t disturb him."
"But myptop''s broken." Langston clutched her hand, about to plead further.
That was when Dorothy''s phone rang.
Chapter 694
Chapter 694
"Go y for a bit, kids, Mommy''s got to take a call. Langston, Daddy will join you soon after he
wraps up his work, be a good boy."
Despite his impatience, Langston managed only a nod.
"Alright."
Dorothy stepped out of the children''s room, cell phone in hand, and answered the call.
"Hello? Byte 7."
"Everett''s got hold of the video from your sh drive. He hacked into myputer. If I''m not
mistaken, he''s destroyed the evidence."
"What?!"
Dorothy felt her mind go nk.
A buzzing noise filled her ears.
"You need to confront Everett. He''s probably trying to protect his mom, ensuring your evidence is
gone for good."
"Dorothy, hello? Dorothy! Are you listening?"
"I... I''m here." She steadied herself against the wall to remain upright. "Are you sure he knew what
was on the sh drive, and it wasn''t just out of jealousy that he took it from you?"
She didn''t want to wrongfully use Everett.
So she needed to be certain.
"He knew. Dorothy, he knew everything."
Those words echoed in Dorothy''s head, ying over and over.
Suddenly, she ended the call and hurried toward the hospital room.
It all made sense now.
No wonder Everett had been acting so odd, repeatedly apologizing.
No wonder Everett, who never used to hold meetings without her, suddenly imed today''s was
confidential.
Too many things added up.
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Dorothy pushed on the hospital room door, which was locked from the inside.
She knocked forcefully, "Everett, open up!"
He wasn''t hiding; he quickly came and unlocked the door.
Their eyes met in an instant.
Everett was wearing the silk robe she had picked out for him, the sash tied casually at his waist,
lending a touch of indolence to his usual stoic demeanor.
The day they had reunited after years apart, he had stood before her just like this, his eyes heavy
with unspoken thoughts.
But things were different now.
"Everett, where''s the video?"
Dorothy felt her voice didn''t sound like her own as she asked the question.
His lips parted slightly, and he stepped aside, as if to let her in first to talk.
But Dorothy wouldn''t budge an inch.
"I''m asking you, where''s the video you took from Byte 7? Everett!"
"It''s gone."
Dorothy''s gaze snapped up to meet his. "Say that again!"
"Were you nning to use that video to send my mom and Heather to jail?"
Everett''s voice was a hoarse whisper, as ifing from deep within his chest, trembling slightly.
"Yes!" Now that it was all out in the open, Dorothy didn''t hold back. "I''ve long suspected that your
mother was the mastermind behind my own mother''s death. You saw that video, you should know
¡ª"
"I should know what?" Everett cut her off harshly. "I should know that while I''ve been carefully
nning our future, you''ve been plotting how to leave me? Counting the days until you can walk
away, is that it? Dorothy, have you ever considered me? Even just a little bit?"
Her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles shook.
"No, I only want the truth." Dorothy gritted her teeth. "Give me the video."
Everett closed his eyes, forcing down the surge of emotions.
"I told you, it''s destroyed."
Chapter 695
Chapter 695
"No, Everett! That was myst shot. Do you want me to die?!"
She clutched at Everett''s shirt cor with a manic desperation, biting down hard and pounding at
him with her fists.
Everett didn''t flinch, not so much as a furrow in his brow, as he let her vent her fury.
Gradually, Dorothy''s strength ebbed away.
"Everett, my mom didn''t do anything wrong. Why was she the one to get killed. It should have been
me. Why didn''t your mom just finish the job and take me out too. Everett, since you could erase the
video, can you just erase me too? I''m so tired, I''m really just so tired."
Tears brimmed and spilled over, streaking down her cheeks.
Everett lifted a hand, gently wiping them away.
But the tears wouldn''t stop, so he kept wiping them one by one, as if this simple act could make her
stop crying.
"Dorothy, have you ever actually trusted me? You had your mind made up, didn''t you? Ready to
stand against me the moment you got the evidence, to raise your banner in defiance and cast me
as your enemy."
Everett couldn''t understand.
Why could he never earn Dorothy''s trust.
"I¡ª"
"Dorothy," Everett interrupted softly, "How many days left of your appointment with my dad?"
"Three days."
"Okay." He let out a sigh, stepping back to put some distance between them, "After thesest three
days, I''ll let you go."
Everett had epted it.
He couldn''t hold on, or maybe he never really had a grip to begin with.
"But the video..."
"Byte 7 only recovered a fragment, and I bet he made demands in exchange for the full thing, right?
In three days, I''ll give you the whole video." Everett''sshes lowered, concealing all his emotions,
"Including Heather''s confession."
Dorothy stared at him in shock.
"You said you destroyed it?"
"My mom is no fool. The video Byte 7 recovered has a self-destruct code andes with a virus
that infects the restorer''sputer. Heather and my mom set it up that way on purpose, so there''s
no way it would survive until you got it to court."
By then, Dorothy would be aughing stock.
Every shred of evidence would vanish in an instant, leaving her with nothing to present in court.
Everett had copied the video earlier and then deeply destroyed it, wiping out the tracing code as
well, which meant the virus-infectedputer belonging to Langston also went dark, and Byte 7''s
wasn''t spared either.
Dorothy never dreamed it would be like this.
But why didn''t Everett just say so from the start?
He was deliberately testing her.
He wanted to know how she would handle this situation, and he wanted to see where she would
ce him once the dust settled.
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"You said Abigail and Langston wanted me to y with them, right? I should go."
Everett''s voice was hoarse as he spoke, then turned to leave.
Dorothy reached out instinctively to grab his robe, but the silky fabric slipped right through her
fingers.
Everett''s silhouette was still tall and imposing, yet tinged with a profound loneliness.
Dorothy''s phone continued to ring. It must be Byte 7, because hisputer, just like Langston''s,
had crashedpletely.
It was absurd, really. She had allowed herself to be swayed by the words of Byte 7, a person she
hardly knew, to confront Everett.
Everett had every right to be heartbroken.
Chapter 696
Chapter 696
After wrapping up a grueling meeting, Jeffrey snatched his car keys and hurried downstairs, intent
on picking up Karen.
As he neared the vi, his cell phone rang.
A quick nce, a curse under his breath.
"Damn it!"
The woman was like a bad penny.
He pulled over to the curb and answered the call.
"What now?"
"Jeffrey." Paige''s voice was a choked sob, her throat raw, "Our girl, she''s in the hospital, you need
toe, now."
Jeffrey''s brow furrowed, "I''m not going."
"I didn''t tell you before, but she has a congenital heart defect. She could die at any time. Please,
juste see her. The doctors say it''s serious, they''re afraid she won''t make it through the
surgery."
"I said, I''m noting."
With that, Jeffrey hung up.
But he didn''t start the car right away. Instead, he grabbed his pack of cigarettes, tapped it, pulled
one out, and lit it with a flick of his lighter.
What a day from hell.
He finished his cigarette, flicking it out the car window.
Turning the ignition, he continued toward the vi, but then mmed on the brakes, grabbed his
phone, and called Karen.
"Hey?"
Karen''s end was quiet, just the sound of keyboard cking.
"I, uh, got caught up with an unexpected meeting at work, no clue when it''ll wrap up. Order
something for yourself; don''t wait up for me."
"What?" Karen grumbled, "I''ve been waiting for you since morning. I''m starving."
"Sorry, babe, it''s out of my hands. Everett''s not around, so I have to step up. Just eat something, or
I can order for you, and have it delivered. How about seafood?"
"No way. I''m watching my figure. Just something simple will do. You focus on work. I was just
teasing. I''ll finish up here and pop over to the supermarket. I won''t starve."
Jeffrey bit his lip, his voice tinged with guilt, "Alright."
Karen added, "Wait! Any idea when you might be back? If it''ste, I might swing by my cousin''s.
You know how he''s been stewing. Mom says he''s been holed up in his room, and she told me to
check on him."
"Because of us?"
"Of course not!"
"Because of Dorothy?"
"Ugh, he knows he can''tpete with Everett, and he''s just being stubborn."
"Okay, then go. You can take any car from the garage. Don''t bother with cabs; they''re not safe."
"Got it."
With that, Karen ended the call.
Jeffrey ran his fingers through his hair in frustration before texting Paige.
[Which hospital?]
¡
Karen tidied up and headed straight for Keh''s ce.
Surely he''d have food, and she couldn''t be bothered to shop.
She parked at the downstairs of Keh''s building and dashed up the stairs.
Knock after knock, but no answer.
"Keh, open up. It''s me, Karen."
With no response, she wondered if Keh had stepped out.
As she reached for her phone, faint footsteps echoed from within.
The door swung open, revealing Keh''s ghostly pale face, his lips drained of color.
"Bro! What''s wrong with you?!"
Keh tried to brush it off as nothing, then copsed.
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Karen quickly dialed 911.
Chapter 697
Chapter 697
Afraid of being too busy alone at the hospital, after notifying the hospital, Karen called her parents.
The ambnce arrived in no time.
Paramedics jumped out and swiftly loaded Keh onto a stretcher.
"Bro, you better not scare me like this!" Karen''s voice quivered, her hands trembling uncontrobly.
To Karen, Keh was more than a cousin; he was her brother.
Once at the hospital, doctors whisked him away into the ER for a battery of tests.
Karen settled the bills but couldn''t follow him in; she was left to wait on a hard stic bench for her
parents to arrive. In the tense interim, she shot a text to Jeffrey.
[Hey, you busy?]
Suddenly, she yearned for Jeffrey''sforting presence.
The image of Keh''s pallid face had sent her into a panic, her heart still pounding in her chest.
Jeffrey texted back quickly: [Yeah, swamped at the office. Hang tight, babe. I''ll try to head out soon
and be there for you.]
Karen bit her lip, deciding against spilling her fears.
Jeffrey was buried in work, and she shouldn''t always disrupt him, especially with the Lopez
Corporation''s multi-million, sometimes billion-dor deals on the line. She wouldn''t let her crisis
hinder his career.
"Karen!"
It was her dad, Derek, who arrived first. He scanned the room and hurried over upon spotting his
daughter.
"Dad."
"How''s Keh? I just got off the phone with your aunt and uncle. They''re on their way from
Eldorria City, but it might take them a while to get here."
Karen looked up, her eyes brimming with tears, "They took him straight into the ER as soon as we
got here. I have no idea what''s going on. But he looked so scary just now."
"There, there, it''s gonna be okay. Dad''s here." Derek soothed her, patting her back. "Keh''s
gonna be fine, I promise."
She nodded vigorously, tears flowing freely once she was in her father''s embrace.
"Where''s Jeffrey? Didn''t hee with you?"
"He''s got a lot on his te at work today, so I didn''t tell him."
"Right. Don''t make him skip work for every little thing. It''s not easy working at a big corporation like
that; must be exhausting."
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Karen nodded, "Don''t worry, Dad. I''m grown up now."
"Stop crying, kiddo." Derek handed her a tissue. "I''m here now, and your mom will be here any
minute. She was picking up groceries at the market. I couldn''t wait for her; I was afraid you''d be
here all alone, so I took a cab."
"I''m gonna step outside for some air. I''ll be right back."
Karen needed a break; her eyes were sore from crying, and she felt a tightness in her chest that
made it hard to breathe.
Luckily, the ER was on the ground floor, just a few steps from the fresh air she craved.
"Go on, then. Wipe your eyes," Derek said, passing her the tissues.
Karen rose and walked out, the breeze bringing some relief.
She pulled out her phone, considering a quick reply to Jeffrey to avoid his usualints about
her slow responses.
Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, Karen spotted a car that seemed oddly familiar.
She squinted for a closer look.
Truth be told, mistaking Jeffrey''s car was a tall order. It was a limited edition sports model, the kind
only someone as shy as Jeffrey would fancy.
But why would it be here at the hospital?
Shouldn''t it be parked at the Lopez Corporation parking lot?
Karen paused, snapped a photo with her phone, and sent it to Jeffrey on WhatsApp.
[I see your car. Are you at the hospital?]
After nearly a minute, there was still no response from Jeffrey.
Chapter 698
Chapter 698
Was it really so crazy busy that there wasn''t even a second to check a text message?
Karen''s gut reaction was that Jeffrey must''ve lent his car out to someone else.
Truth be told, she had a lot of trust in this guy.
Sure, they''d had their share of squabbles, and before they got together, even their bickering could
get as sharp as needles, but Jeffrey was always upfront about his messes¡ªnever one to hide his
tracks. So thest thing she wanted was to be the paranoid type.
Thinking her cousin might have some news by now, she quickly pocketed her phone and turned
back to the ER.
Serena had shown up too. Since she was getting on in years, hospitals gave her the creeps.
"Karen, your cousin still got a thing for your friend or what?"
"Umm."
"He''s beating himself up over her, isn''t he?" Serena had a knack for reading between the lines, and
the situation was as clear as day to her.
Dorothy had just returned from abroad and then left again, taking both her kids with her. It was only
natural for Keh to be acting this way.
"Mom, Dorothy never gave Keh an inch. It''s always been Everett for her. It''s Keh who
couldn''t let go."
Karen still can''t help but put in a good word for her bestie, lest when Aunt and Unclee byter
and see their son like this, they might me it all on Dorothy.
"Ah, Keh''s always been head over heels. His folks have been on his case, but to no avail. Blind
dates? He''d bail. Work? He''d just hover around your friend. And now? She''s off living the dream,
and Keh''s left in the dust."
"Mom."
"Alright, alright, I''m not ming anyone. Just stating the facts."
Karen bit her lip; she was in quite the awkward spot.
When she''d introduced Keh to Dorothy, how could she have known Dorothy was already with
Everett? And that Everett had been biding his time.
Seeing Keh like this cut her deep too.
Soon enough, a doctor emerged from the ER. "Family of Keh?"
"Here, doctor, over here."
Karen, quick on her feet, dashed over. "How''s Keh?"
"Just weak from not eating and staying cooped up; low blood sugar and blood pressure. He can''t go
on like this; it''s taking a toll on his body. We''ll move him to a regr room. Give him a talking to, will
you? Starvation is no solution to problems." After giving details on the room, the doctor left.
Before long, Keh was wheeled out.
"Bro, thank god you''re okay."
Keh, looking a tad embarrassed, just tugged at his chapped lips. "Sorry for worrying you."
"Don¡¯t say that. We are family."
As two nurses began to wheel Keh to his room for observation, Karen reached out to help, but
her phone rang.
It was Jeffrey.
Talk about timing.
After a moment''s hesitation, she didn''t reach out to push the gurney but instead took a step back
and answered the call.
"Hello?"
"How could you see my car? Are you at the hospital?" Jeffrey sounded frantic.
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Karen frowned. "You''re here too?"
His immediate question made it clear: he hadn''t lent his car out; he''d driven it himself.
"Yeah, a friend''s sick. Just stopped by to check."
"Jeffrey, I thought you said you were swamped at the office?" Karen''s tone was less than pleased.
Here she was, not even wanting to bother him, and there he was, at the hospital for someone else.
"Don''t get mad. I''m heading back soon."
"Just tell me, this friend of yours ¨C a guy or a girl?" Karen paused, then huffed, "It''s a girl, isn''t it?"
Chapter 699
Chapter 699
Karen wasn''t one for wild theories, but if a guy had been admitted to the hospital, there was no way
Jeffrey would''ve kept it a secret from her.
Typically, Jeffrey was the kind who''d give her a y-by-y of his day, down to his bathroom
breaks. But today, he''d darted off to the hospital without a peep. Heck, just earlier, she couldn''t
reach him at all.
That could only mean one thing: he was there with a woman.
A woman?
Her brows knit together in sudden concern. "It''s not your ex, is it?"
"No! It''s not her." Jeffrey blurted out so fast it was as if he didn''t even pause to think. Worried he
might spill more beans, he quickly added, "I''ll be back at the office soon. I''ll exin everything when
I get home tonight, promise. Gotta run, sweetheart."
"But, you¡ª"
Before Karen could finish, the call ended, leaving her staring at her phone, a mixture of annoyance
and confusion stirring within.
Just then, Serena called out, breaking her reverie. "Karen, what are you zoning out for? Come on,
we need your help with your brother."
"On my way."
...
Jeffrey caught a glimpse of the little girl.
She was just over a year old, slender and pale, sleeping peacefully in her hospital bed.
He didn''t dare look too long¡ªjust one nce and he stepped out of the room.
Paige was there, her eyes red and puffy from crying, her breathsing in short, jagged pulls.
"How much does her treatment cost?" Jeffrey asked, his voice low, not even wanting to look at
Paige.
"It''s not much. But I''m afraid that she might not make it."
He paused, then pulled out a card and handed it to her. "There should be over five million on this.
Use it for her treatment; I''ll cover the cost."
Paige was stunned, a flicker of surprise in her eyes as she looked up at him.
"You''re acknowledging her as yours?"
"I''m not," Jeffrey said coldly, pushing the card into her hand. "I need to leave. Karen suspects I''m at
the hospital. I have to get back."
He turned to go, but Paige caught his arm. "Jeffrey, have you no heart? Your daughter is fighting for
her life, and you''re just going to leave?"
"I said I''d pay for the treatment; what more do you want?"
"At least stay with her through this tough time," Paige retorted, uncharacteristically firm. "You
showing up today proves you care about your child, even if just a little. So why do you rush back
when that woman calls? Is she more important than your own daughter?"
"We haven''t done a DNA test yet. I can''t be sure she''s mine."
"Jeffrey! You bastard. How can you say such things?" Paige yelled, hysteria edging into her voice.
"If you never cared about me, why did you get involved with me in the first ce? Why did you
deceive me, and make me fall for you? You think you''re innocent? Am I not innocent too?"
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Jeffrey had no idea that one night with her would lead to all this mess.
If he had known, he would''ve never gotten entangled with her, not in the slightest.
"Just one day, okay?" Paige''s voice softened as she pleaded with him. "The doctor says we''ll know
by today whether she can go through with the surgery. I can''t handle this alone. Just stay with me in
the hospital for one day."
Jeffrey would''ve preferred her yelling, making a scene.
But this kind of humble begging was hard for him to outright refuse.
"I told her I''d be home."
"Just say you''re out ying pool or grabbing a drink with the guys. Isn''t that what you used to tell
me? You never hesitated to blow me off."
"If you want a DNA test, let''s do it. We''re in the hospital right now. Let''s get it over with."
Chapter 700
Chapter 700
Her certainty threw Jeffrey for a loop.
¡°Looks like she really is mine.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t need you to believe me, just go get a paternity test,¡± Paige said, her eyes slightly downcast.
¡°Since you¡¯re worried I¡¯m scamming you, just get the test. I was angry back then not because I had
something to hide, but because it¡¯s so unfair to our daughter.¡±
¡°You should¡¯ve told me when you were pregnant.¡±
Waiting until after the baby was born, who can handle that?
¡°If I had told you, would you have stuck around?¡±
¡°But you¡¯re hurting her now. By having her born into a world where she can''t grow up in aplete
family, it¡¯s irresponsible to her, and to you.¡±
And it put him in a bind.
If he had never met the child, maybe things would be different.
But once he saw her, indifference was no longer an option.
Jeffrey had always liked Abigail and Langston. And he wanted his own child. Now suddenly he had
a daughter over a year old. What was he supposed to do?
¡°But I love you, Jeffrey. If you hadn¡¯t told me you were a bachelor for life, and you didn¡¯t want kids,
maybe I would have spoken up. But I was afraid you¡¯d force me to get an abortion.
Just spend one day with your daughter, okay? That way, if she doesn¡¯t make it, and she passes
away, then you and I cany this to rest. I won¡¯t bother you anymore, I¡¯m tired too.¡±
Jeffrey clenched his jaw, finally grunting an affirmative.
The messy bond between him and Paige could be debated and scrutinized, but in the end, the child
was innocent.
¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Paige reached out to the wall for support, her walkbored.
¡°Where to?¡±
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¡°Paternity test,¡± she answered. ¡°I checked. If we pay extra for a rush, we can get the results in three
hours.¡±
¡°Let¡¯s just do it, so I can prove my innocence.¡±
This wasn¡¯t just about the bloodline of the child anymore, it was about proving her sincerity and the
years of waiting.
Jeffrey watched her struggle, then strode over and took her arm, ¡°No need.¡±
Paige looked up at him.
¡°No need for the test. Let¡¯s go back to the child.¡±
As for Karen, he needed to think carefully about what to do next.
¡
Langston¡¯sputer was a no-go.
So Everett had a new one delivered.
Kids being kids. Langston lit up with a new toy, ¡°Thanks, Dad, I¡¯ll go show off my newptop to my
mentor.¡±
¡°You might not be able to reach him for a while.¡±
Because while Everett could rece Langston¡¯sputer, the one from Byte 7 was another story.
¡°Huh?¡±
¡°If you want to learn something, just tell me, I¡¯ll teach you.¡±
Langston raised an eyebrow, skeptical, ¡°You¡¯re better than my mentor?¡±
Everett, resigned, ¡°You can give it a shot.¡±
¡°Then why couldn¡¯t you fix the oldptop? If my mentor were here¡ª¡±
¡°Why do you think he¡¯s unreachable now?¡±
Langston was confused, but he sensed an underlying message in his father¡¯s words.
Everett stayed with them until it got dark and Abigail and Langston were exhausted. Only then did
he leave.
But Everett didn¡¯t head straight back to the hospital room; instead, he took a walk outside.
It wasn¡¯t that Everett didn¡¯t want to see Dorothy, it was just that he was afraid to face her.
In the span of one evening, all the ns for a bright future had copsed, and that was something
no one could easily ept.
Chapter 701
Chapter 701
Everett finally understood why Dorothy wouldn''t allow him to attend her mother''s memorial.
Indeed. He had no right to be there.
That ce was forever beyond his worth.
He knew what he needed to do now was to help Dorothy leave the confines of Swevia County, and
pursue the life she was meant to lead, but there were only three days left. The final three days.
Call him selfish or hypocritical, Everett had given himself thisst deadline.
When Dorothy found him, he was sitting on the hospital steps, lost in thought.
The evening air was still crisp, and a gentle breeze yed with the hem of his silk pajama top,
which glinted in the pale moonlight.
She didn''t disturb him, just quietly took a seat on a nearby bench.
Perhaps, they both needed this moment of calm.
Time ticked slowly by until Dorothy felt the chill, rubbing her arms for warmth.
That was when Everett spoke without even looking back, "You should go inside."
"I''ll sit for a while longer, then I''ll head back in."
He knew she was there? But he hadn''t nced her way, not once.
Dorothy pressed her lips together, remaining seated on the cold marble bench.
As the night grew darker and colder, the stone beneath her seemed to freeze.
Usually, by this time, Everett would have stood up and urged her toe inside, nagging her a little
in the process.
But now, he remained motionless.
A minuteter, Everett finally got up.
Just as Dorothy thought he wasing over to escort her inside, he walked straight past her
without a second''s nce.
She didn''t get even a half-second of eye contact.
Dorothy hadn''t anticipated things turning out this way, nor had she expected Everett to use a video
as a test.
He must be disappointed now.
But the truth he had uncovered was indisputable, and she had nothing to argue against it.
She followed him back to the ward, keeping a not-too-close, not-too-distant gap between them, but
they did not walk side by side.
As they neared the room, Everett pushed the door open and entered without looking back to see if
she was following.
Dorothy paused, her phone ringing at that moment.
Looking down, she saw it was Karen.
"Hey, Dorothy, Keh''s in the hospital."
"What happened to Keh?"
"After you and Everett left, he locked himself up at home and refused to eat. If I hadn''t shown up
today, he might have starved himself." Karen sighed heavily. "I know I shouldn''t be calling you about
this, but can you talk some sense into him? My aunt and uncle are beside themselves with worry,
and I¡ª"
Karen was clearly at her wit''s end.
Dorothy frowned slightly and took a deep breath, "Pass him the phone."
Before she could say more, she heard Keh''s voice through the speaker.
"Didn''t I say not to call her. She''s got enough on her te, and if she''s bothered by my problems,
she''ll hate me. Mom, Dad, can you please not meddle in my affairs?"
"Bro, Dorothy wants to talk to you."
"Hang up. I want you to hang up now. Otherwise, I''ll pull out these IVs and go home."
Soon after, Karen''s voice came through again, "Dorothy, I''m really at my wit''s end with him."
Dorothy sighed, "Tell him I could never hate him, not to overthink things."
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"Alright. You take care of yourself. We''ll talk when you get back."
"Okay."
After ending the call, Dorothy pocketed her phone and turned to walk away, but then she noticed
the door to the ward seemed to move slightly.
As she approached, however, there was no one there.
Inside, Everett was already seated at his desk, head lowered, scrutinizing a contract.
Chapter 702
Chapter 702
Dorothy stepped into the room, clutching her clothes, and headed for the bathroom to change.
She had felt a sudden awkwardness, wanting to say something to him, yet uncertain about what
words would be fitting.
Emerging from the bathroom, she found Everett still engrossed in his work.
Resuming her usual routine, Dorothy settled onto the couch to quietly observe Everett at his office
tasks.
The ping of a WhatsApp notification interrupted her gaze.
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Looking down, she saw a message from Keh.
[Sorry Dorothy, I''m just not in the mood to eat. It has nothing to do with you! I didn''t expect my
parents to hassle Karen into calling you, sorry for the disturbance. Don''t be mad.]
Dorothy could almost see the anxious expression on Keh''s face as he typed.
But she wasn''t mad.
In fact, she could even understand why Keh''s parents had pushed Karen to call her. Everyone
loves their children, and seeing their son like this, his parents must be hurting too.
She texted back: [Keh, don¡¯t be so hard on yourself. I¡¯m not upset, just focus on getting better.]
This time, Keh didn''t reply with text but with a voice message.
Dorothy nced at Everett and chose to convert the voice to text.
[They insist that I''m fasting because of you, but no matter what I say, they won¡¯t listen! I know the
truth; it was because I missed the kids.]
Dorothy grasped this even more profoundly. She was fully aware of Keh¡¯s deepmitment to
the two kids.
Just as she was about to reply, he sent another voice message, this one only a second long.
In an attempt to convert it, she identally hit y due to its brevity.
Keh''s voice, a bit hoarse but still tender, filled the spacious room.
"I miss you too."
Dorothy wished she could throw her phone away.
Without even looking up, she could feel Everett''s gaze piercing through her, as if her head was
about to start smoking.
Keh''s words, "I miss you too," carried an unexpectedly intimate undertone. It almost implied
that her prior message must have been, "I miss you," prompting his response of, "I miss you too."
"Uh, I¡"
Before Dorothy could get the words out, Everett had already risen from his desk.
Just as she thought he wasing over to her, Everett abruptly turned and entered the bathroom,
shutting the door behind him.
In less than half a minute, the sound of the shower began.
He was taking a shower!
But he hadn''t even heard her exnation!
Dorothy quickly slipped on her slippers and approached the bathroom door, calling out, "Everett,
that voice message isn''t what you think!"
The sound of water continued unabated, and after a long pause, his voice finally responded.
"It''s none of my business. I don''t want to hear it."
Dorothy was at a loss for words, his aloof tone making her feel somewhat snubbed.
"Fine, if you don''t want to listen, then don''t."
She didn''t feel like exining anyway!
Returning to the bed, Dorothy shoved her phone under her pillow and forced her eyes shut,
attempting to coerce herself to sleep.
She had thought she''d be too agitated to drift off, but the day¡¯s emotional highs and lows had
sapped her strength. As she listened to the sound of the shower, Dorothy unexpectedly slipped into
slumber.
When Everett came out, Dorothy was already in a deep slumber.
He approached the bedside, pausing for nearly a minute, then waved his hand in front of her face.
No reaction.
Once he was sure she was really asleep, Everett''s gaze deepened as he scanned over to her side.
Where had Dorothy put her phone?
Chapter 703
Chapter 703
With the sun, Dorothy arose the next day, her eyes fluttering open before Everett¡¯s for a change.
Propping herself up on her elbow, she gazed adoringly at his sleeping face. Even in slumber, he
radiated a chiseled tranquility, the usual frost of aloofness melting away to unveil a softer side.
Tousled hair added a boyish charm, reminiscent of a high school jock ready to hit the field for a
game of hoops at a moment¡¯s notice.
Not wanting to let this rare moment slip by, Dorothy instinctively reached under her pillow for her
phone to capture the scene. But after fumbling around, her phone was nowhere to be found. She
could have sworn she ced it there before drifting off to sleep.
Frustrated with her unsessful search, she flipped the pillow entirely, only toe up empty-
handed. Themotion was enough to stir Everett from his dreams.
When she looked back at him, his eyes were already open, watching her.
"What are you looking for?" he asked, his voice husky with the remnants of sleep, a deep and
enticing timbre to his morning rasp.
"My phone''s gone missing."
There was silence as Everett didn''t respond but instead got out of bed. Dorothy''s eyes fell upon her
phone as he walked away, charging on the desk.
Oh? Had she plugged it inst night before going to bed?
She pped her forehead, unable to recall, and decided to let it go.
Expecting Everett to still be in no mood for conversation, Dorothy was surprised to find him fresh
from the shower, dressed and ready, waiting at the door as she finished getting dressed.
"Let''s go," he said.
"Where?"
"I promised Abigail and Langston we''d take them to the amusement park today."
Dorothy blinked in surprise, unaware of these ns.
"I''ll pick up the kids. Meet me downstairs," he said, leaving the room without waiting for her
agreement.
She paused, reflecting on Everett¡¯s words from the day before, "After these three days, you''re free
to go."
It seemed Everett had shifted from nning a future to nning these three days.
...
Karen never imagined that Jeffrey wouldn''te home for the night. It was one thing not to return,
but his phone was off too, unreachable!
After waiting at home for a while and finding no sign of him as darkness fell, she reluctantly drove
back to the hospital parking lot, finding his car gone.
It appeared he had left the hospital.
Initially, Karen was furious ¨C his disappearing act without a word was maddening! But as time ticked
by, anger turned to fear.
Her mind raced with dreadful possibilities!
What if Jeffrey, driving that shy sports car, had been kidnapped? Or worse, what if he had been in
an ident on his way back to the office?
It just wasn''t like Jeffrey to drop off the radar!
As the clock struck midnight, Karen couldn¡¯t sit still any longer. She grabbed her phone and started
driving along the stretch between the hospital and the Lopez Corporation, stopping at every police
station en route.
"Excuse me, were there any idents reported on this road yesterday afternoon?"
"No, ma''am! Are you looking for someone?"
"No, no, thank you!"
Street by street, Karen searched, but to no avail ¨C no useful clues surfaced.
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She thought about calling Jeffrey''s parents, but it was far toote. It wouldn''t be right to disturb them
in the middle of the night.
Chapter 704
Chapter 704
It made no sense for Jeffrey to shut off his phone if he was just visiting his folks. At the very least,
he would have dropped her a text. And even if by some unlikely disaster his phone broke, he would
have borrowed someone¡¯s to give her a call!
Finally, on her way back to Jeffrey''s ce, Karen''s phone lit up with his number, and the ringtone
echoed through the car.
She mmed on the brakes and pulled over with a screech.
"Hello?"
"Karen."
Hearing his voice, Karen¡¯s eyes immediately welled up with tears. "Where the hell have you been,
Jeffrey? Do you have any idea how scared I was?"
There was a pause on the other end, a dry gulp followed. "My phone died. I forgot to charge it."
"And there wasn''t a soul around to borrow a phone from to call me?" Her tone was sharp, each
word she yelled out making her heart race. "Jeffrey, stop lying. You just didn''t want to reach out, did
you?"
His excuses sounded like nothing but fabricated lies.
Strangely, Jeffrey didn''t argue.
She could hear him lighting a cigarette, the flick of a lighter clear in the background.
Before she could say another word, he broke the silence.
"Karen, there''s something I need to be honest about."
Her heart sank at his words. "What, you''re back with your ex? You went to the hospital for her, didn''t
you?"
Silence fell on the other end of the phone.
"Talk to me!"
His silence felt like a heavy weight on her chest. She couldn''t have guessed it... could she?
"I haven''t, I''m not back with her."
A momentary relief crossed her mind, but it was quickly shattered by his next sentence.
"Butst night, I was indeed at her ce."
Karen was too shocked to speak.
"Where are you? Let''s meet up and talk, okay?" His voice wavered, whether from guilt or something
else, she couldn''t tell.
But all Karen felt was disgust.
So, he had been with his ex, and here she was, running around like a fool all night.
"Jeffrey, I never should''ve believed your crap about changing your ways!"
With that, she hung up and drove straight to his house.
Her stuff was still there. She needed to get it and get him out of her life for good.
The sleepless night had taken its toll, making it hard for Karen to concentrate on anything but one
thought:
Get to his house, pack up her things, and cut Jeffrey out for good.
She didn''t even know how she managed to drive there, her hands trembling the whole way.
She didn''t hesitate. She parked the car, burst through the door, and started grabbing her
belongings.
Jeffrey wasn''t a fool. The moment the call ended, he knew Karen¡¯s fiery spirit would have her
packing her things.
Hastening back to the house, the haphazardly parked car confirmed she was inside.
True to expectation, upon swing the door open, he was greeted by two suitcases, unmistakably
Karen¡¯s. However, she was nowhere in sight.
The sounds from the master bedroom indicated she was gathering her clothes.
Jeffrey, without bothering to take off his shoes, strode directly toward the bedroom.This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
Chapter 705
Chapter 705
Karen could hear the noise, recognizing that Jeffrey was back. However, she didn''t pause in what
she was doing, not even for a second.
With only one box left ¨C her clothes - she had to take them with her. Everything else essential for
her daily life, including towels, PJs, and kitchenware, was already packed.
"Karen, wait a sec!" Jeffrey hurried over, trying to stop her from reaching for the clothes on the high
shelf.
But Karen just pushed him away and continued stuffing her belongings into the suitcase with an
impassive face.
"Karen! Can you just listen to me for one minute? I was with Paigest night, sure, but nothing
happened, I swear. I just spent the night at the hospital, that''s all! What do you think we could''ve
done there?"
"Back off. Don''t touch me."
Karen wasn¡¯t having any of it, just kept on packing her clothes.
Left with no choice, Jeffrey tried to pull out the clothes as fast as she could pack them in.
Suddenly, she took a step back, looked up at him and said, "Fine, I don''t want them."
With that, Karen stormed out the door, while Jeffrey was still wrestling with the clothes.
"Hey! Wait!"
He was at his wit''s end!This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
Jeffrey quickly stretched his long legs to catch up with her and managed to intercept her at the front
gate of the vi.
"Karen, believe me, nothing happened with Paigest night! You see, I''m still wearing the same
clothes I left in yesterday!"
He hadn¡¯t expected her reaction to be so vtile. If he had known, he''d have steadied her first, not
blurted out about being at the hospital with Paige, and then eased into the events of the previous
night.
"Don''ty a finger on me, you disgust me," Karen red at him, stillpletely not receptive to his
exnations.
"What can I do to make you believe me? Should we go to the hospital and check the security
tapes?"
"No need." Karen dropped the words coldly, then whipped out her phone.
Before Jeffrey could even react, she had already dialed Derek.
"Dad, can you pick me up from Jeffrey''s ce? He didn''te homest night because he was
with another woman. We''re breaking up."
"What¡?" Derek was confused but quickly agreed, "Okay, Karen, I''lle get you. Wait for me!"
Jeffrey was dumbstruck and couldn''t help but curse under his breath, "Damn it, Karen, why wouldn¡¯t
you leave me any way out?"
Just like that, all his efforts were in vain!
"Why should I leave you a way out? I''m breaking up with you, whether you exin or not!"
She felt she had been more than generous.
That Paige kepting around, constantly challenging her. Karen thought Jeffrey was a good
catch, and since he hadn''t lied to her, she had held back - no scenes or fights. However, that didn''t
mean she didn''t care at all!
What woman could deal with her boyfriend driving off with his ex, and then just ept ame
excuse and move on as if nothing happened?
Karen believed she had been more than fair!
"So even if nothing happened with Paigest night, we''re done?"
"Yes! I''ve had enough." Karen''s trust was a one-time offer.
He had taken it lightly, so there was no second chance needed.
"Do you even love me, Karen? How could you call your dad?" Jeffrey had braced himself for
anything on the way back, even if it meant getting on his knees for Karen.
But he hadn''t expected this ¨C she really wasn''t going to leave any room for their rtionship to
survive.
Chapter 706
Chapter 706
"Call your dad, Karen," Jeffrey pleaded, his voice strained with desperation. "Tell him it''s all a big
misunderstanding, and I''ll exin everything, okay?"
What was gnawing at Jeffrey more than anything was the thought of losing the good graces of his
future inws, whom he had worked so hard to win over. And this wasn''t just any setback¡ªit was
the kind that you couldn''t bounce back from.
But Karen was unyielding.
She just stood there, waiting for her father toe and take her away.
"Karen! For heaven''s sake, I''m begging you! Just call your dad and ask him to hold off for a bit! Let''s
talk this through, and then I''ll drive you back myself, alright?"
Instead of responding, Karen turned her face away, refusing tomunicate with him at all.
Out of options, Jeffrey reluctantly pulled out his cell phone to call Derek, but he couldn¡¯t bring
himself to press the buttons.
He knew Derek wouldn¡¯t listen to him anyway. The more he¡¯d try to exin, the more tangled the
web would be.
¡°Just make the call, okay? Give me a chance to exin,¡± he implored again.
¡°It takes my dad at least fifteen, twenty minutes to get here. If you have something to say, say it,"
she responded without looking at him.
Jeffrey raked his fingers through his hair in frustration, marched back to his car to grab a pack of
cigarettes, and returned. "Here''s the thing, Karen. Paige''s daughter got sick, and she asked me to
help out yesterday. That''s all it was! Nothing happened between us, I swear. Just wait and I''ll show
you the surveince footage if I have to. I didn''ty a finger on her!"
Finally, Karen reacted.
She turned to look at him and snorted withughter. "Your ex''s kid, and you''re all concerned?
What''s the deal, Jeffrey? Is the kid yours or something?"
Jeffrey was speechless.
"Jeffrey, it''s not like I haven''t given you chances! When have I ever not trusted you? Even when I
saw your car at the hospital, I only asked why it was there. I thought maybe you''d lent it to someone
because you said you were busy at work. I never doubted you!" As she said this, Karen realized
how foolish she''d been.
Why would Jeffrey ever lend his car to someone else? He was probably off joyriding with his ex,
unting their reunion, thinking about old mes!
"I really was busy at work, I didn''t lie! Paige called me..."
"And you answered?" Karen''s voice was sharp. "What about all those promises you made? You
said you wouldn''t contact any exes, that you''d pretend not to know them if you bumped into them!
So what, now that we''re engaged, you think you can push my limits with your wandering eye?"
Jeffrey had seriously misunderstood Karen. Her tolerance had limits - he''d crossed them.
This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.
"I was wrong, okay? I won''t take her call again."
He had initially intended to tell Karen about his daughter, but considering the situation now,
revealing that truth seemed like it would mark the end of everything.
"Take your calls or don''t¡ªit''s got nothing to do with me anymore."
"How can you say that? You''re my fianc¨¦e! Karen, please don''t scare me. Be mad, yell, hit me if you
have to, but don''t throw the word ''break-up'' around lightly!"
"Lightly?" Karen scoffed andughed bitterly. "You think I''m being light about this? How would you
feel if I did the same with Levi¡ªstayed out all night and turned off my phone? Would you be
understanding then?"
Jeffrey had no answer.
"I''m not saying this because I want to be entangled with you again. I just don''t want to hear any
more of your excuses! I could tolerate your past flings, but I can''t stand you fooling around after
you''ve got me!"
Jeffrey chain-smoked one cigarette after another, still at a loss for what to do next when Derek''s car
pulled up.
Chapter 707
Chapter 707
Derek, fueled by a father¡¯s protective instinct, didn¡¯t even bother to grab his coat. In just a tee he
usually lounged in at home, he dashed out the door.
Spotting his daughter, he strode towards her with determination.
¡°Karen, Daddy¡¯s here.¡±
The moment Jeffrey caught sight of Derek, his stomach twisted with anxiety.
¡°Dad¡¡±
¡°Hold on,¡± Derek cut him off, his voice as chilly as the winter air, as he positioned himself between
Karen and Jeffrey, ¡°What Karen just said¡ Is it true?¡±
Jeffrey scrambled to rify, ¡°There¡¯s a reason for it! It¡¯s not what Karen thinks!¡±
¡°I¡¯m asking you straight. Did you spend the night with another woman?¡±
Jeffrey hesitated before replying, ¡°Yes.¡±
¡°That¡¯s all I need to know. I¡¯m taking my daughter home.¡± Derek was even less willing to hear
excuses than Karen was. He merely looked down at his daughter and asked, ¡°Are those two
suitcases yours?¡±
Karen nodded, her eyes welling up, ¡°Yeah.¡±
¡°I¡¯ll grab them. You go wait in the car.¡±
The gentle care and unconditional support from her father brought tears to Karen¡¯s eyes, tears she
had been holding back until then.
She turned and walked towards her father¡¯s car.
Jeffrey rushed over, grabbing her wrist in a desperate grip. ¡°Does it have to be so cutthroat? After all
we¡¯ve been through, you''re just going to cut ties like this?¡±
¡°Let go.¡±
¡°I won¡¯t!¡± Jeffrey clung on, as if he¡¯d rather die than release her hand. ¡°We were about to get
engaged. How can you treat this like child¡¯s y? Karen, haven¡¯t I been good to you?¡±
¡°You have,¡± Karen admitted, ¡°but it wasn¡¯t a one-of-a-kind good, which is what I need.¡±
¡°What do you mean not one-of-a-kind? I¡¯ve never bared my soul to anyone like I have to you,
Karen!¡± Jeffrey turned her to face him, his eyes pleading, ¡°I swear, I don¡¯t have any feelings for
Paige! My phone diedst night, I was exhausted, and I just crashed on the hospital cot. As soon as
I woke up, I called you!¡±
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His words sounded reasonable enough, but Karen didn¡¯t believe a single one.
¡°So, your phone was deadst night and magically had power this morning?¡±
¡°I borrowed a charger.¡±
¡°Jeffrey, can you just stop lying? At least leave me with some good memories! Let''s part on good
terms.¡± Karen pushed his hand away, stepping back. ¡°You clearly didn¡¯t want to contact me,
whatever the reason. If you wanted to, you could¡¯ve made it happen. But you didn¡¯t. You left me to
worry and search for you in the middle of the night, only to find out you were with another woman.¡±
That was something Karen could never ept!
He could have been a yboy before, juggling countless ex-girlfriends, and she could have
overlooked it all. However, once they were together, he had to be all in for her, and her alone.
Jeffrey felt as if his heart had been stung, the pain so severe he instinctively clutched his chest.
The night before, he¡¯d been so torn, unsure of how to tell Karen about the situation with the child, so
he had chosen to escape, shutting his phone off.
He had thought that Paige just wanted him to stay at the hospital for one night, that going off the
grid for a few hours would be forgivable, and he would take whatever came his way the next day.
But Jeffrey hadn¡¯t expected that a single night of absence would be his undoing.
Now, any exnation seemed dry and lifeless. To speak was to make excuses.
¡°Give me one chance, onest chance.¡±
¡°When I first agreed to be with you, that was your one chance, but you didn''t cherish it.¡± Karen
forced a smile, ncing at Derek, who stood nearby with luggage in hand, ready and waiting. ¡°Dad,
let¡¯s go.¡±
¡°Sure thing,¡± Derek replied with a nod, ready to take his daughter away from the heartbreak.
Chapter 708
Chapter 708
Jeffrey took a step forward, itching to chase after Karen, but at that very moment, his phone jangled
to life.
He didn''t want to check who it was; he just wanted Karen to stay.
But the ringtone grew louder and louder, to the point that even Karen could hear it now.
Before she got in the car, she paused and looked back at him. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to answer that? Is it
Paige?¡±
¡°I won¡¯t answer it, Karen. What if I block her, would that make you stay?¡± Jeffrey''s limbs were long,
and in a few strides, he was by her side again, gripping her arm.
Seeing this, Derek stepped over, personally prying Jeffrey''s hand away.
"Jeffrey, my wife and I were worried about this very thing, which is why we hesitated to give you our
blessing. But when we saw you doting on Karen, we were convinced of your sincerity and agreed to
the engagement. And now, you''ve let her down like this. I think it''s best if we don''t climb this social
ladder after all."
"Dad, there''s a good exnation for all this!"
"You might have one! As a man myself, I understand there are obligations and intricacies in life that
can''t be aired out in the open, including workmitments. I''m not angry about that. But you
betrayed Karen''s trust in you, left her scared and worried all night long. As her father, I simply can''t
ept that."
Seeing his daughter so worn and disappointed, Derek''s heart was breaking.
Jeffrey frowned, at a loss for words.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.
All the way there, he had been rehearsing how to tell Karen about the child, how toe clean, but
now that they were face to face, she hadn''t even begun to question him about the child!
If he had known it would turn out like this, he would never have stayed at the hospital the night
before.
"I didn''t think she woulde after me."
Jeffrey had figured that with Karen''s temperament, she''d be furious or simply storm back to her
parents'' house. But he hadn''t expected her to be out looking for him all night long because she was
worried.
"Think it over, Jeffrey, and don''t block the way. Let''s part on good terms."
Derek escorted his daughter into the car and circled back to the driver''s seat.
Jeffrey watched the car pull away, feeling a hollow ache in his chest as the cold air seeped through.
Suddenly, he dashed forward, trying to chase after the car, but how can a man outrun a vehicle?
In his pocket, the phone was still ringing insistently.
Frustrated, Jeffrey pulled out the phone and answered it.
"Paige, are you happy now? Karen and I are done!"
"Jeffrey, you need toe to the hospital... the baby, she''s not doing well!" Paige was too
distressed to listen to his reproach, sobbing uncontrobly. "After you left, she cried and then
suddenly passed out. The doctor says she''s not going to make it!"
Jeffrey clenched his fists, grinding his teeth.
"It''s got nothing to do with me if she''s dead! You were the one who insisted on having her, don''t try
to guilt-trip me!"
"I swear, she''s really in a bad way! Jeffrey, please, juste back one more time, for ast look at
her, okay? I''m begging you, I''ll get down on my knees if I have to."
The veins on the back of his hand stood out fiercely.
Jeffrey had never imagined he''d see such a day of utter desperation.
"I''m noting. Just give it up."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the image of the little girl shed through Jeffrey''s mind.
She was thin, curled up in a corner of the bed, always sleeping, rarely opening her eyes.
Last night, he had sat by her side the whole time, just watching her.
Chapter 709
Chapter 709
On the phone, Paige was still sobbing, but Jeffrey was in such agony he couldn''t even straighten his
back.
It felt like his heart had been ripped out, and someone was torturing him with slow, methodical cuts.
The irony was, he was utterly helpless.
As Derek drove away, Karen''s sobs finally broke into a loud cry.
"Dad, I trusted him so much. I thought he wouldn''t let me down!"
Derek nced at his daughter with concern. At a red light, he reached out and patted her shoulder.
"Karen, I''ve lived a long life and still can''t always see people for who they really are. How could
you? When two people have had good times together, that¡¯s not nothing. If it ends, don''t dwell on
the bad. You''re the only one who suffers that way."
Karen nodded, "I''m sorry, Dad, for disappointing you."
Looking back, she realized she shouldn''t have called her father in such haste.
Derek was getting on in years, with the usual heart and circtory concerns. He didn''t need the
stress. But at the time, all Karen could think about was breaking up, ensuring there was no way
back for Jeffrey.
Or for herself.
Perhaps she was afraid she''d soften, choose to trust him again.
"Silly girl, you were born deserving all the love your mother and I could give. Of course, we''d protect
you. I''m not disappointed. My daughter is a good girl. You''ll find the right boyfriend in time, no rush!"
Karen nodded again, dabbing at her tears with a tissue.
Her time with Jeffrey had been brief, so forgetting him should be swift.
Suddenly, Karen tensed.
She remembered she and Jeffrey hadn''t been careful. Thest thing she needed was a pregnancy
scare. Sneaking a nce at her father, she decided to slip away to the clinic the next day, to avoid
the anxiety of waiting for her period.
...
For Abigail and Langston, a day at the amusement park was pure joy.
Despite Langston''s usual mature demeanor, at heart, he was still a kid.
Today, to be with his children, Everett ditched his business attire for casual ck clothes, shedding
his corporate air. He appeared more like a big brother, a mere decade older than his kids, rather
than their father.
"Mommy! I want to go on the merry-go-round! Over there, over there!" Abigail tugged excitedly at
Dorothy''s pant leg, pointing ahead.
Dorothy bent down to lift her. "Alright, I''lle with you."
As she was about to walk away, she heard Everett''s low voice asking Langston, "Do you want to
join your sister?"
"No."
"Come on, let''s go together."
Langston frowned, "Dad, I don''t want to."
"You should."
"Then why ask me?"
Everett smiled slightly, tapping his son''s head. "It''s just good manners."
Looking up, Dorothy was already walking away with Abigail in her arms. Everett''s gaze deepened,
and he quickly followed.
Truth be told, Dorothy was terrified of those spinning amusement rides.
They made her dizzy.
But she couldn''t say no to her daughter''s wishes.
Strapped into the merry-go-round with Abigail, it hadn''t even made three rotations before Dorothy
felt unsteady, lurching back and forth, losing her bnce.
Instinctively, she reached out to grab something, but to no avail¡ªthe carousel''s poles moved up
and down.
Just as Dorothy feared she would fall, she felt a pair of strong hands encircle her waist from behind.
In her ear was Everett''s deep, steady voice.
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"Stop the ride! Let her off."
Chapter 710
Chapter 710
The merry-go-round finally juddered to a halt.
Dorothy was gently helped down by Everett, his voice cool as he pointed to a nearby bench, "Sit
there. I''ll watch the kids."
"Okay, sure." She nodded and took a seat on the bench.
After taking a moment to gather herself, she noticed a drinks vendor off to the right. Standing up,
she went over and bought a bottle of water. By the time she got back, the bench had been taken.
Lucky for her, Everett had been quick to spot her difort, and she was off the ride before she felt
too bad. Now it didn¡¯t really matter whether she sat or stood.
Twisting off the bottle cap, she had just taken a sip when she overheard two girls gossiping about
Everett.
"I haven''t seen a guy that hot in ages! And he''s ying with his little brother and sister, so sweet!"
"Yeah, totally. Snap a pic on the sly, will you? I need to show the girls so we can all swoon together!"
"Swooning is overrated. You should go get his digits after."
"Why don''t you go?"
"You''re the pretty one! You''ve got a better shot at snagging his number!"
Dorothy hadn''t intended to eavesdrop, but their voices were loud enough that she could hear them
clearly from where she stood.
N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.
After the merry-go-round stopped, the first to actually make a move wasn''t them but a shy-
dressed girl.
Dorothy couldn''t hear their exchange, but she saw Everett give a cold nce and barely move his
lips before the girl walked away, a picture of disappointment.
The next second, she saw Everett scanning the crowd for her.
She was about to wave at him when the two girls in front of her got more excited.
"Oh my god! He''s looking this way. Do you think he''s looking at you?"
"It seems like it. Hold my stuff, I''m going in for the kill!"
"Wait, he''s actually walking over here!"
The pretty girl stood up and started towards him, her face flushed with a mix of excitement and
shyness, "Hi¡"
"Taken."
The girl was speechless.
Now Dorothy heard what he''d been saying to the others, exining the girl from earlier''s letdown.
"Mommy!" Abigail spotted Dorothy and ran towards her with open arms.
Langston just stood beside Everett, chuckling, "Daddy, do you think Mommy''s gonna get jealous?
You''ve been hit on by a bunch of girls!"
"She won''t."
He kind of wished she would though.
After a few more rides, only the go-karts had Dorothy paired with Abigail and Everett with Langston;
Everett took care of the kids on all the other attractions.
Despite a few more attempts at flirting, his response was consistently the same. In fact, one
persistent girl went as far as asking him if his wife was prettier than she was.
Dorothy half-expected him to point her out, but he didn''t even nce her way; instead, he
completely ignored the girl.
ssic Everett. He was always reserved with others, hardly the type for a friendly chat.
"Daddy, I''m hungry!"
At times like this, Abigail never clung to Dorothy¡¯s legs; she went straight to Everett.
He bent down to pick up his daughter, smoothing her hair, "What do you want to eat?"
"Candy!"
Asking Abigail what she wanted to eat was a bit of a loaded question - candy was always at the top
of her list.
Dorothy sighed and approached softly, "Since when does candy fill you up?"
Abigail pouted, "Mommy, I''m talking to Daddy! He''ll say yes, won''t you?"
Everett''s eyebrows knitted together slightly as he nced at Dorothy before saying, "I listen to her,
too."
Chapter 711
Chapter 711
Dorothy nced at Everett, who had already shifted his gaze and was walking ahead, cradling their
daughter in his arms.
She let her eyshes flutter downwards for a brief moment before taking hold of her son''s hand and
hurrying to catch up.
Despite Everett having spent the majority of the day looking after the kids, Dorothy still found herself
exhausted, dozing off on the car ride back home.
She had no recollection of how they got back to their room, but she was certain of one thing¡ª
Everett must have carried her.
N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.
When she woke up again, it was two in the morning.
As she slowly opened her eyes, she could hear the sound of Everett''s steady breathing behind her.
He was sleeping deeply, lying there properly without a hand draped over her waist like before when
he seemed to fear she would run away.
Sneaking her phone off the nightstand, Dorothy tiptoed to the couch before noticing an unread text
message.
It was a flight confirmation from the airline: first-ss seats from Swevia Country to Eldorria City,
scheduled for the following afternoon.
It was the deadline she and Jonathan had set.
Instinctively, her eyes returned to Everett, lying on the bed. She knew he was the one who booked
the flight.
He had said, "After these three days, I''ll let you go."
Everett never lied to her, and this time was no different.
Dorothy bit her lower lip hard, trying to keep her emotions from spilling out.
With Everett handing over the USB stick with the video intact was more than enough; it would be
unfair to expect anything more from him.
After all, Everett was facing his own struggles with his birth mother, and Dorothy was well aware of
how difficult his situation was.
Fearing she wouldn''t be able to hold back her tears, Dorothy decided to leave the room.
But as her hand touched the doorknob, she felt a warm palm grip her arm.
Surprised, she looked up into Everett''s eyes.
"Where do you think you''re going?"
Dorothy hadn''t expected him to wake up; he had seemed so soundly asleep just moments ago.
"I¡I was just going to check on the kids."
"Dorothy, you''re not very good at lying."
Even in the unlit room, his eyes seemed to urately pin her under the sparse moonlight.
It wasn''t that Dorothy intended to lie; she just couldn''t tell him she was nning to go out and cry.
In the end, she stuttered without offering any reasonable exnation.
Suddenly, Everett''s arms tightened, pulling her firmly into his embrace.
Before Dorothy could utter a word, his lips had already begun their conquest.
Today''s Everett was entirely different from before.
He picked Dorothy up as if possessed, tossing her onto the bed.
"Everett¡"
"Shut up, I don''t want to hear you talk."
His kisses never ceased, as if intentionally sealing her mouth, regardless of whether she was close
to suffocation.
At first, Dorothy struggled instinctively because this version of Everett scared her.
But gradually, her arms wrapped around his waist, silently consenting to his every impulsive action.
Together, they sank into a fervent, drenched mess, her insistent whimpers mingling with his sweat,
as if to strip away all his reason and keep her trapped forever.
After what felt like an eternity of tumultuous passion, with Dorothy being manipted beneath and
atop him, she finally felt a gentle nibble on her earlobe and a low growl that signaled release. Then,
all was calm, save for their breathing.
"Everett, I want to take a shower."
After a while, she gently pushed against the weight above her.
But Everett tightened his grip on her waist, rolling over and pinning her against his chest.
"Wait."
There was still plenty of time before dawn.
Chapter 712
Chapter 712
Jeffrey hadn''t set foot in the hospital, so he had no idea if the child was dead or alive. He also didn¡¯t
know if Paige had tried to call again because his phoney in pieces.
The grand living room of his vi was a disaster zone - shattered vases and trinkets littered the
floor, mingling with stters of blood. It was a scene straight out of a horror flick.
When Huxley and Paloma arrived, they were greeted by this chaos.
Karen couldn''t find Jeffrey the night before and hadn''t called them but had shot them a text instead,
thinking they''d call back if they saw it upon waking.
But when Paloma tried returning the call in the morning, Karen didn''t pick up.
Sensing something was amiss, Paloma quickly grabbed her husband, and they rushed to check on
their son.
"Jeffrey, what in the world happened?" Paloma gasped, rushing over to clutch his wounded hand.
"Did you and Karen have a fight? This... this is extreme, honey! Turner, call the doctor, now!
Jeffrey''s hand is still bleeding, and it looks serious!"
Huxley, usually the lecturer, knew this wasn''t the time for sermons. He simply nodded and reached
for his phone.
"Mom, just leave it," Jeffrey pulled his hand away, acting as if the wound wasn''t his own.
The blood, barely clotted, began to seep out once more.
"How can I just leave it, Jeffrey? I''m your mother!" Paloma guessed it had to do with Karen,
especially since Karen was nowhere to be seen. It must have been a fight, but this was beyond any
normal quarrel. "Tell me what happened. Why didn''t youe homest night? Karen''s message
said she was worried sick about you."
"I didn''t know she''d be out all night looking for me..."
"So, she got mad at you?"
Jeffrey shook his head.
Paloma was about to breathe a sigh of relief when he said, "Karen broke up with me."
Paloma was at a loss for words.
"Mom, she said I was disgusting."
Paloma frowned slightly, "What on earth did you do? Sweetheart, people say mean things when
they argue. I''ll talk to Karen, and everything will be fine. She justshed out, that''s all."
Jeffrey offered a pained smile and, using his battered hand, he pushed himself shakily to his feet.
"But I am disgusting, Mom. She''s right."
Truly disgusting!
If the roles were reversed, Jeffrey thought he would be repulsed too.
That''s why he couldn''t muster the courage to chase after Karen, to beg her to take him back.
"Jeffrey, what exactly happened between you two? At least tell me, so I can help you figure it out.
Karen is a good girl, and she''s reasonable. She wouldn''t really break up with you, it''s probably
just¡"
"Paige had a daughter. My daughter."
Paloma was speechless.
"What!"
"Two years ago, I got wasted. I never expected it would be Paige. Afterward, she got pregnant and
didn''t tell me. She hid away and gave birth."
Paloma''s jaw dropped and stayed that way, frozen in shock.
"The baby has a congenital heart defect, a serious one. Last night, I was at the hospital with her,
didn''t tell Karen."
"You! You!"
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Paloma scrambled for words but couldn''t form a single sentence.
Jeffrey looked at her with bloodshot eyes, "Mom, are you out of options too?"
"Does Karen know about the child?"
He shook his head, "I didn''t get the chance to tell her. She wanted to break up before I could say
anything."
"Then maybe..."
"Mom, I can''t lie to her. She trusted me so much, I can''t deceive her."
Chapter 713
Chapter 713
Jeffrey knew that if he yed his cards right, he could''ve kept the whole mess under wraps¡ª
absolute power has its perks. But every time he looked into Karen''s eyes, guilt gnawed at him like a
hungry rat.
He wanted toe clean to Karen; he really did. But how could he now when everything had fallen
apart?
"Jeffrey, are you really going to break it off with Karen? You two were practically engaged!" Paloma
adored Karen and could see that her son had been serious this time.
But the current predicament seemed insurmountable.
Soon after, Huxley returned with the doctor. Upon seeing his wife in tears clutching their son, he
was clueless about the upheaval.
As the doctor tended to Jeffrey''s hand, Paloma filled in her husband, hoping he might have a
solution to salvage the situation.
But Huxley wasn''t looking to salvage anything. "Jeffrey, bring that Paige girl over," hemanded
without preamble.
"What are you nning?" Paloma was taken aback.
"She''s given birth to your child; you have to own up to it! A Turner child cannot be left to fend for
themselves out there," Huxley stated firmly, his temper barely in check. "But before that, we''re
getting a paternity test done."
He wouldn''t acknowledge a child without certainty.
"I''m not marrying her," Jeffrey said, his silhouette rigid against the window light, not even flinching
as the doctor applied antiseptic to his wounds.
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"Then why the hell did you mess around with her? Why give her a chance to get pregnant?" Huxley
mmed his hand on the table, no longer caring about the doctor''s presence, and scolded, "Jeffrey,
I''ve warned you before about your reckless ways. No one in the Turner family has ever
embarrassed us like this! Did you listen? Now look at the mess you''ve made, throwing tantrums at
home. What does that prove?"
"Enough, Huxley," Paloma interjected, worried about her son''s fragile state.
Huxley rounded on his wife too. "And you! You were nning to help Jeffrey keep this from that girl.
What were you thinking? Is your son the only one who matters? Their daughter doesn''t count? I
think you''re half to me for this mess! You''ve spoiled him rotten!"
"It''s not my mom''s fault, stop it," Jeffrey''s voice was hoarse, "I won''t marry Paige, and I''ll leave
Karen alone. Everett''s got a new project abroad; I''m leaving Eldorria City."
He had made up his mind. No one else was to me but him.
Thankfully, he hadn¡¯t obtained the marriage certificate with Karen yet, so things weren¡¯t too bad for
her.
Paloma wasn''t ready to give up. "Now hold on, things haven''t reached a dead end yet. Jeffrey, I''ll go
to the Miller family right now and try to smooth things over. Karen''s a sweetheart; she might just
soften up and forgive you. Besides, the child was from two years ago, and you didn''t even know
about it!"
She couldn''t bear to see her son suffer over a mistake.
"Let him go!" Huxley dered, "Stop babying him!"
"Jeffrey..."
"Mom, leave it. I brought this on myself. I deserve it."
Paloma was about to speak when her cellphone chimed. It was Karen.
"Karen''s calling me!" Paloma eximed before answering the phone.
Karen''s voice was raspy on the other end. "I''m sorry. I thought I should at least tell you, Mrs. Turner.
Jeffrey and I... we''ve broken up."
Chapter 714
Chapter 714
"Karen, honey, listen to me. Could you pop over and see Jeffrey? He''s in a bad way- covered in
cuts and bruises, with blood all over the house. I''m scared he won''t be able to handle the breakup!"
Karen fell silent on the other end of the phone.
"He mentioned he might follow the newpany project and leave Eldorria City. He said that
without you, he can''t bear to stay in the country!" Paloma''s voice cracked with emotion, tears
streaming down her face. "I''m begging you, think it over, okay? Don''t be so hasty, both of you think
it over!"
Jeffrey frowned, tempted to snatch the phone away. "Mom! Don''t pressure her!"
"I''ll think it over. Thanks for your care these past days."
With that, Karen hung up.
Huxley sprung up from the couch. "First things first, give me Paige''s number. I need to make sure
her kid is part of the Turner bloodline!"
"Ah, right! Jeffrey, have you done a paternity test?" Paloma, suddenly hopeful, clung to her son''s
arm. "We should get that done, you never know..."
"I haven''t, but I''m pretty sure the child is mine."
When he was with Paige, she was just neen, and it was her first time.
"Nonsense! We have to get that test done. You might be sure, but I''m not settling for just your
word."
Jeffrey, seeing his father about to leave, called out firmly.
"At least don''t go after her for it now."
"And why''s that?"
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"Her daughter''s in the hospital, and they''ve issued several critical condition notices." It would be
cruel to demand a paternity test from Paige at such a time.
Huxley understood his son''s point, and that only fueled his anger!
His wayward son, stubborn as a mule when chastised, yet notpletely heartless. The boy was
just too frivolous and irresponsible.
"I feel like I''ve utterly failed at parenting! Let''s go."
"Ah?" Paloma was stunned. "But his hand¡"
"Let''s go! Maybe this lesson will give him some time to reflect on what he should and shouldn''t do in
the future!"
...
The intense passion of the night left Dorothy feeling as though her spine might shatter when she
woke the next morning.
Blinking her eyes open, she propped herself up to find Everett already sitting cross-legged on the
sofa, waiting for her.
He still wore his usual icy demeanor, a single lift of his gaze exuding an air of haughty arrogance,
utterly incongruous with the wild man of the previous night.
"You''re awake."
"Yeah."
Dorothy instinctively straightened her clothes, puzzled by Everett''s intentions.
"Freshen up ande with me."
"Where to?"
"To sell you."
Dorothy was dumbfounded.
When she saw Everett stand and walk away, Dorothy guessed he must be off to spend time with the
kids.
As for where he was taking her, she had no clue.
Still, she obediently got ready and dressed, waiting for Everett.
Feeling it was about time, Everett returned, gave her a nce, and led the way with long strides.
Dorothy was curious about their destination but decided not to ask.
She would find out soon enough.
The moment sheid eyes on Heather, Dorothy instantly grasped Everett''s n.
"Dorothy! What are you doing here?" Heather was visibly shocked.
She had thought Everett wouldn''t dare to bring Dorothy along, especially since Heather could spill
the beans about his mother being the mastermind behind their troubles.
She had figured Everett would keep Dorothy hidden away.
The next second, Heather''s shock turned to astonishment as her gaze shifted to Everett. "You told
her!"
Chapter 715
Chapter 715
"Everett, have you lost your mind?" Heather''s voice thundered through the air, her disbelief
palpable.
Everett, however, simply stepped back, an unreadable calm washing over his features.
"Dorothy, I kept my promise to you. I did everything I said I would."
His hopes hadn''t been met, but he was letting go.
Without another word, Everett turned on his heel and climbed back into his car, driving away without
a moment''s hesitation.
Dorothy watched the car until Heather''s loud, mockingughter echoed from within.
"Oh Everett, my whole life''s been wrecked because of you, and to think you too have someone you
can''t have! How perfect, how just, what sweet karma! I thought I was the only one going mad, but
you- you''re even crazier than I am!"
A dark shadow of hatred flickered in Dorothy¡¯s eyes as she turned her face away.
"Heather, Everett left you in my hands, along with all the video evidence. This time, you''re not
escaping the consequences!"
Heather sneered. "What can you do with some videos? I might as well tell you, I gave them to you
on purpose! Let¡¯s see if they help you overturn that olddy¡¯s case, if you can use them to topple
the might of the Lopez Corporation!"
"So, your n was to make the videos disappear, right?"
Heather''s expression faltered. "How did you..."
"Everett gave me a copy, one that he had secured."
Her legs went weak, and she had to clutch the wrought iron railing to keep upright. "Impossible,
Everett would never do that! The mastermind is his mother, his own flesh and blood! He must know
this is murder, a capital offense!"
This could bring the whole Lopez Corporation down- an impact immeasurable!
Everett''s actions were akin to self-destruction.
"Who else but him would have the means?"
Heather was left speechless.
Dorothy closed her eyes, steadying her emotions before speaking in a hoarse whisper, "When you
all thought power could trample life, you never foresaw this day. So why should I care about the
consequences you face? My mother has been bedridden for years, never even met Everett¡¯s
mother, and yet she was murdered by you two!"
She couldn¡¯t bear to imagine her mother''s despair and helplessness in her final moments- dying
without a loved one by her side, her daughter not even there to say goodbye.
"I don''t believe you. You''re bluffing, lying!" Heather refused to ept this truth.
Heather had thought Everett would go to any length to protect his mother, which meant he would
also keep her safe, minimizing the scandal.
It was just a matter of not being able to have Everett, but she could still ensure her own survival, no
matter what happened.
"That''s what you think. The truth wille out in court," Dorothy said, turning to leave.
But Heather called out, "Dorothy, I really want to know, do you even love Everett?"
Dorothy stiffened, her lips sealed in silence.
"If he knew about your mental illness, that you''re incapable of loving anyone, would he have ever
cared for you in the first ce?"
"Even if he didn''t care for me, he wouldn''t care for you," Dorothy retorted.
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"He would! Everett just loved the wrong person! You''ll never understand what he wants, Dorothy. He
wants yourplete trust, your unconditional love - something you can''t give, something you''ll
never be able to give. The only person who truly gets him is me!"
Chapter 716
Chapter 716
Dorothy''s mind raced back to the look in Everett''s eyes that day.
His gaze, red and raw, bore into her as he asked whether she had ever considered him, even just a
little.
At the time, Dorothy thought he was pleading for her to forgive his mother for his sake, to spare him
from being stuck in the middle. But now, it struck her that he was actually questioning the trust she
had never given him.
Yes.
Dorothy was at a loss for words.
She truly hadn''t trusted Everett. Right from the start, she was wary of letting him get involved,
fearing he might show favoritism or shield his mother.
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There was no excuse she could make for that.
...
After returning home, Karen locked herself in her room, refusing toe out.
This had Derek and Serena beside themselves with worry.
But they didn''t dare push too hard, pacing anxiously outside her door like a sentinel.
Suddenly, her bedroom door swung open.
Serena leapt from her chair, "Karen, are you..."
"Mom, I''m fine! I want to visit the hospital to check on Keh, to see if he''s been eating well, and
find out if he can be discharged today."
"Oh, yes! Keh might be discharged today. It''s good for you to go see him!" Serena had been
fretting over her daughter stewing in her room, so Karen wanting to step out was a wee relief.
"I''ll have your dad drive you!"
"No need, I''ll just grab a taxi," Karen said with a smile, taking her mother''s hand. "Mom, it''s just a
breakup. It''s not my first rodeo with boyfriends. You don''t have to fear I''ll do anything rash! Sure, it
hurts, but life can''t stop for Jeffrey, can it?"
"It''s good to hear you''re dealing with it. That eases my mind!" Serena sighed in relief. "Go ahead.
Do you have money? Let me give you some."
Karen waved her off, "No need, I''ve got some. I''ve made a bit from a recent job."
"Good, good! Text me when you get to the hospital."
"Will do."
Karen descended the stairs and hailed a cab.
"Hi, to City Hospital, please."
As she sat in her bedroom earlier, her anxiety had mounted.
She and Jeffrey had been reckless for a few days, and in the heat of the moment, he''d insisted she
not immediately shower afterward.
Back then, she had thought that if she got pregnant, she''d keep the baby, given how much he loved
kids. But she hadn''t anticipated the breakup happening so suddenly.
Karen counted the days; her period was indeed a dayte, though it wasn''t unusual for her cycle to
be irregr.
Still, it was best to get checked at the hospital, just to be safe.
On the way, her mind churned with possibilities.
What if she was pregnant?
Despite wracking her brain, she couldn''t find an answer by the time the taxi arrived at the hospital
entrance.
After paying the fare, Karen got out, her mask and hat in ce, and made her way to the obstetrics
and gynecology department.
The area was lively with expectant mothers, some in the early stages, while others appeared visibly
ready to deliver. Typically, they were apanied by their husbands, or sometimes their own
mothers or mothers-inw- all faces alight with the anticipation of new life.
Influenced by the atmosphere, Karen suddenly felt the urge to touch her still-t belly.
The answer that had eluded her in the taxi suddenly became clear.
If she was indeed carrying a child.
Perhaps she should give Jeffrey another chance?
He had assured her so earnestly that nothing had happened between him and Paige that night, that
he had only apanied her to the hospital. He even offered to review the security footage with
her. That had to mean something, right?
Chapter 717
Chapter 717
But what Karen couldn''t shake was why he had deliberately turned off his phone!
Truth be told, if he had just been upfront about Paige being in a bind and needing his help, Karen
would''ve nodded her approval for him to go openly. But some things, once done on the sly, take on
a different nature.
Even if nothing untoward had happened, she found it hard to understand him.
Forget it, for all she knew, she might not even be pregnant. Why bother with these thoughts?
"Karen, please proceed to Exam Room Three."
The automated announcement echoed through the maternity ward''s waiting area.
Karen quickly stood up, adjusting her beanie, and made her way to Exam Room Three.
Most expectant mothers came to the hospital with their partners or family members, but there she
was, alone and heavily cloaked, a sight so unusual it drew curious nces from passersby.
She quickened her pace and entered the exam room, even the doctor pausing at her appearance.
"Is it chilly outside?"
"No."
"Did youe alone?" The doctor quickly masked her surprise, looking down to inquire about
Karen''s basic information.
"Yes."
"If the testes back positive for pregnancy, do you n on keeping it?"
The doctor''s tone was neutral, devoid of inflection¡ªa question she must have asked hundreds of
times a day.
Karen, a neer to these proceedings, was momentarily bewildered, "Do I have to decide now?"
She had thought she would find out first and then have some time to think!
The doctor pursed her lips, looking up at her. "That''s how it works. If you decide to keep it, there are
certain tests we can''t perform. If you decide against it, we can do a sonogram to confirm whether or
not you''re pregnant, determine how far along you are, the size of the embryo, and discuss your
options."
Karen didn¡¯t know what to say.
There was so much more to consider than she had thought!
"If you can''t decide, we''ll start with the tests for keeping the baby."
"Okay," Karen nodded.
"Go and pay the fees, ande back here after you''re done with all the tests."
"Alright."
Karen rose and left the exam room, her heart racing with an indescribable unease.
It felt as if something was perpetually hanging over her, a constant source of anxiety.
Hesitating for a moment, she suddenly had the urge to call someone - anyone who coulde and
keep herpany, or at least lend her a listening ear.
But scrolling through her contacts, involving her parents was not an option, Keh was out of the
question, and Jeffrey... it wasn''t the right time to call him. That only left Dorothy.
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And she was still abroad.
After a moment of hesitation, Karen dialed Dorothy''s number anyway.
"Dorothy..."
"What''s up?"
"Jeffrey and I broke up." Karen''s lips trembled, but she held back from sharing her current situation
at the maternity clinic, "Just wanted to let you know."
"Why?" Dorothy sounded just as shocked on the other end.
"I''ll tell you when you get back. When will you be here?"
"I shouldnd in Eldorria City tomorrow."
Karen fell silent for a moment before responding, "Alright, I''ll pick you up."
After hanging up, she nced once more at her phone, confirming there was no one else to talk to,
before heading off to undergo the tests with the form in hand.
Several hours passed with blood drawn,b work, and an ultrasound.
Derek had called in the meantime, wondering why she hadn''t arrived at Keh''s yet. Karen told
him she was grabbing a bite to eat and would be there shortly.
Returning to the vicinity of the exam room, she waited for the announcement.
After about five minutes, it came again, "Karen, please proceed to Exam Room Three."
Chapter 718
Chapter 718
Karen pushed herself up from the chair, her legs trembling beneath her like overcooked spaghetti.
She thought, this must be what a convict feels like, walking to their own execution.
She carefully nudged the door open to find the same doctor inside.
"Karen, right?"
"Uh-huh." She nodded rapidly, a bashful schoolgirl in that instant.
The doctor nced at theputer screen, pulling up Karen''s test results and scrutinizing them for
what felt to Karen like an eternity, though it was really only seconds.
Then the doctor spoke, "You might be pregnant."
Karen froze in ce.
"At the moment, it''s quite early. Your HCG levels aren''t high, but they''re increasing." The doctor
looked up at her. "Go home, talk it over with your partner, and then decide what you''ll do next."
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Karen was too shocked to speak.
"Karen?" Noticing her silence, the doctor called out her name again.
Snapped out of her trance, Karen hurriedly responded, "Sorry, just spaced out for a second there.
Did you say I''m pregnant?"
"Yes, ording to your blood test, you are. The ultrasound doesn''t show much yet, which means it''s
early days. Take some time to think it over."
"Okay, I got it."
As Karen stood up, she was so nervous that she banged her shin against the edge of the table.
A sharp pain made her wince.
"Are you alright?" The doctor stood up, concerned.
Karen waved it off, "I''m fine! Thanks, doc."
She quickly left the examination room, only to find herself rooted to the spot outside, legs like jelly.
What kind of soap opera was this?
Broken up and now pregnant? It was just too melodramatic!
Karen had never imagined she''d star in such a scenario. Despite having considered the possibility
on her way over, thoughts remained just thoughts. When reality hits, it''s a whole different game.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed in her bag.
Looking down, she saw it was Jeffrey calling.
His timing was impable.
Karen took a deep breath, but before she could decide, the ringing stopped.
Jeffrey was probably just as conflicted, thinking she didn''t want to answer his call.
Hesitant, she was about to redial when Jeffrey called again.
This time, she answered immediately.
Jeffrey seemed taken aback by her swift response, momentarily speechless.
"Well? You call and don''t speak up?"
"Um, Karen, I need to talk to you. Can we meet onest time?"
Jeffrey felt there were things he needed to clear up.
Even if they were no longer a couple, he wanted to be transparent, especially since she was still
friends with Dorothy. There was a chance they''d bump into each other in the future, and he just
couldn''t stand the feeling of lying and running away, the weight heavy on his conscience.
"Sure." Karen''s response was quick, "I actually have something to tell you too."
"On what?" Jeffrey asked instinctively.
"Let''s talk face to face. Where are you?"
"I''m at the City Hospital."
Karen pursed her lips, her gaze catching the City Hospital logo on the door. "I''m here too. Let''s
meet at the outpatient department."
"Okay."
After hanging up, Karen pped her forehead in frustration.
She wondered, if she just forgave Jeffrey like that, would he even learn to appreciate her? Despite
her firm resolve during their breakup, now she was...
Chapter 719
Chapter 719
Karen truly detested flip-flopping on decisions.
Besides, bringing up the matter with her dad...
Well, if it ever came to that, initiating such a tough conversation would be challenging.
She found herself second-guessing. Agreeing to meet up with Jeffrey had been too hasty,cking
the deep thought it deserved. Perhaps the best course of action was to discreetly schedule an
appointment for abortion, and then let bygones be bygones.
However, now that she had promised to see him, backing out wasn¡¯t an option! Might as well hear
him out and see what Jeffrey had on his mind. Then, she''d decide.
As Karen walked toward the clinic, a nagging thought kept prodding her. Jeffrey had set their
meeting at the hospital¡ªwas it to show her some security footage, to prove his innocence?
Considering his attitude towards Paige before, it didn''t seem like he was keen on rekindling
anything with her. Maybe it was just his buddy asking for a favor to check on her? And Jeffrey,
probably not wanting to say no and anxious about upsetting her, simply turned off his phone?
Endless possibilities swirled in her head, leaving her in a chaotic mess. No matter what, it seemed
none of the options were what she desired.
A few short hourster, when they met, Jeffrey seemed to have aged prematurely, the vitality that
was once present in his eyes now diminished. His tall frame slouched slightly against the car, a
cigarette dangling from his fingers, adding a touch of defeat to his posture.
Despite this, he still managed to catch the eye of a few passing girls.
Karen had to hand it to him; his charm was something the women around him cultivated¡ªa steady
stream of them, never-ending, so no wonder he took it all for granted.
Paloma hadn''t lied; Jeffrey''s hands were bandaged with traces of blood seeping through, likely from
his post-breakup rampage.
The man was a walking emotional roller coaster!
Spotting Karen, Jeffrey straightened up and tossed his cigarette to the ground, crushing it beneath
his shoe.
The awkwardness of breaking up in the morning and meeting again in the afternoon wasn''t lost on
Karen.
"You... you''re here to see Keh?" he asked, trying to cut through the tension.
"How did you know?"
"I called Dad¡I mean, your dad. He told me." Jeffrey''s eyes flickered away, unable to meet hers.
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Karen frowned slightly but didn''t respond, tacitly acknowledging his statement.
They stood in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
Impatient with his muteness, Karen eventually prodded, "Didn''t you want to talk about something?
Why so quiet now?"
Jeffrey''s head hung lower. "I don''t know how to start..."
"If it''s that hard to say, maybe you shouldn''t say it at all." Until now, she still believed he wanted to
reconcile, which exined his hesitance.
His struggle irritated her for no clear reason.
Why seek her out if he hadn''t made up his mind?
Karen turned to leave, but Jeffrey, quick on his feet, caught her wrist. "Karen, wait! Just give me a
moment to find the right words!"
"You don''t need to. If you can''t even be honest, I don''t think we should even be friends, let alone
see each other again."
"I came here to be honest!" Jeffrey was clearly anxious, his words catching in his throat, "Look,
didn''t you say you had something to tell me too? You go first."
"It was you who wanted to meet. You go first." Karen couldn''t possibly reveal her pregnancy first!
She wanted to gauge Jeffrey''s attitude.
"Alright, I''ll say it," he said, his voice dry and tense, his whole demeanor restless. "Uh, it''s about
Paige."
Paige again!
Karen had assumed he was going to talk about reconciliation!
"Why does she always have to be a wedge between us!" Karen''s brows knitted in frustration, "Are
you sure she''s your ex-girlfriend?"
Chapter 720
Chapter 720
"Seriously, we haven''t been in touch for over two years!" Jeffrey couldn''t help but subconsciously
start to exin.
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Even though he knew that once he spoke his piece, none of it would matter anymore.
"So what, old me rekindled?"
"No."
Karen lifted a hand to massage her temples, "Alright, spit it out then. What''s this bombshell about
Paige?"
"I..."
"Yeah?"
Jeffrey''s lips parted, but no words came out. His hand reached into his pocket for his cigarettes.
Only to have Karen p them away, "Don''t you dare smoke in front of me!"
Jeffrey was at a loss for words.
"Just say it, I can''t stand the smell of smoke."
Jeffrey clenched his jaw, lowering his voice to a barely audible whisper. "I...I have a daughter with
Paige."
Karen frowned, her impatience clear, "You speaking for the mosquitoes?"
His voice was so soft that she felt like handing him a megaphone. Who was he trying to challenge
with that whisper?
Having said it once, it seemed less difficult to say it again.
Jeffrey cleared his throat and raised his voice a notch. "I said, Paige and I have a daughter, she''s
over a year old now."
This time Karen was genuinely stunned.
"Paige kept it a secret, I only found out recently! The child has a congenital heart defect, and she
begged me to stay with the child in the hospital for one night. I...I couldn''t bring myself to refuse, but
I was afraid to face you, so I turned off my phone."
Jeffrey had his eyes closed as he confessed, feeling like he was throwing caution to the wind.
He forced himself to face it, as a sign of respect for his rtionship with Karen. He knew he had to
speak up!
After all, their breakup was a foregone conclusion. After all, he was leaving.
Karen stood rigid for a full three to five minutes, almost forgetting to breathe.
In her wildest dreams, she didn''t imagine Jeffrey had this to tell her!
He had a child with Paige!
They had a child!
No wonder Paige had said in the restaurant that she couldn''t possibly marry Jeffrey. So that was the
confidence she had.
"Karen?" Jeffrey opened his eyes when he didn''t hear her voice.
The person before him stood still as a statue,pletely motionless.
Jeffrey''s heart sank to the pit of his stomach, "I''m sorry. I really didn''t know!"
Karen finally spoke, her tone eerily calm. "You said you always took precautions. How could she get
pregnant?"
"I was drunk that time, and I thought I took precautions, but..."
"The truth is you couldn''t be certain you used protection with every woman. Paige''s child was an
ident. And who knows how many more ''idents'' there could be."
Jeffrey panicked and quickly gestured with his hands, "I swear, this is the only one, just this once!
Definitely not a second!"
"Stop swearing." Karen''s voice dropped as she took a step back. "My ears are practically calloused
from it."
Jeffrey didn¡¯t know how to respond.
"Thanks for your honesty today. At least I can die knowing the truth." Karen could even thank him
for the grace of not marrying her. "Done? Then I''m leaving."
She took a few steps back and turned to leave, but Jeffrey couldn''t control his urge to follow her.
"Karen! I''m sorry..."
"Yeah, great, I ept your apology."
She was tooposed, which made Jeffrey even more nervous. He wished Karen would hit him,
anything but this indifferent demeanor.
"Karen, just wait a second!" He ran in front of her, forcibly turning her to face him, "You said you had
something to tell me too, right?"
Chapter 721
Chapter 721
"Nothing left to say." Karen no longer wanted to speak to him.
"Come on, Karen, you were about to spill the beans! Tell me, I''m dying to know."
Karen shrugged off his touch with a cold detachment, keeping him at arm''s length, her eyes tinted
with revulsion.
"Don''t touch me."
Silence fell.
"A minute ago, I had something to say, but now? It''s gone."
All Karen wanted was to get away from this ce, to nevery eyes on Jeffrey again!
He was repulsive.
Absolutely repulsive.
"Karen, please, I''m begging you. Just let me know, okay?" Jeffrey''s dyed realization dawned on
him - maybe she was considering forgiveness. His heart clenched in anticipation!
What did this mean?
It meant Karen had feelings for him, she couldn''t bear to let him go!
"Is there really any need to know?"
Silence again.
"Jeffrey, go home to your daughter. Don''t make me despise you more."
Karen knew this was the end of the road for them.
And the child...
Well, was there even a question?
"Karen, believe it or not, I''m crazy about you. I wanted a lifetime with you!" Jeffrey reached out,
hoping to pull her back, but his hand hovered in the air before falling back in despair. "I''m sorry for
hurting you. If I''d known about Paige and me, I would''ve never pursued you. Can you believe me? I
really didn''t know!"
"Yeah, I believe you."
Deep down, Karen didn''t think Jeffrey was all that terrible, which is why some of the disgust faded.
She didn''t want a breakup to turn ugly.
His confession today proved that he was just a mess before. Even if he had considered keeping it
from her, in the end, he chose honesty. So, she didn''t me Jeffrey and believed he had just found
out about the child.
But the existence of her own child would likely remain unknown to him.
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Karen wouldn''t follow in Paige''s footsteps; having Dorothy as an example was more than enough.
Besides, Dorothy dared to have two kids for Everett because he was her one and only, forever
closed to anyone else. But Karen was different.
She wasn''t in love with Jeffrey. Not to that extent.
Cutting losses now was the best oue for both of them.
"I..." Jeffrey wanted to say more, but Karen cut him off.
"Go, I don''t me you. We''re adults, and we have to live with the choices we make. I agreed to be
with you, so I can''t me anyone else for the oue. And you, you chose your moments of
pleasure with Paige, so now it''s only right that you take responsibility for her and your child."
"Karen, I''m nning to leave Eldorria City. You don''t have to worry about me bothering you again."
"Good." Her response was merely a nod, her face void of emotion.
It was this kind of reaction that hurt the most.
"So, there''s really nothing else you want to say to me?" Jeffrey couldn''t bear the thought of her
walking away, each nce feeling like thest, wishing he could savor the sight without blinking.
"Nothing."
"Then tell me the truth, what you were about to say? Were you thinking of getting back together with
me?" Jeffrey had to ask.
Karen lowered her gaze, pulling at the corners of her mouth. "Does it matter?"
"It matters! I need to know."
She paused for a moment before being honest, "Yes and no. I hadn''t really made up my mind."
But it didn''t matter now. She had made up her mind.
"You still care about me, don''t you?"
"Jeffrey, I have no intention of ying stepmom."
Chapter 722
Chapter 722
It was as if a single sentence had be an insurmountable chasm between two people. They
could only look at each other, but they could never be together again.
"I understand now."
"Goodbye."
Karen lowered her head and walked away, not even sure where to go. She just waved for a taxi and
got in.
She didn''t dare to look back at Jeffrey as the cab pulled away.
"Where to, miss?" asked the cabbie.
"Just drive," Karen said. "Take a spin around the roundabout at Unity Avenue, then circle back
here."
The driver nced at Karen in the rear-view mirror, sighed, and stepped on the gas.
As they left the hospital entrance, that''s when Karen''s tears started to fall. One tear led to another
until she couldn''t hold them back anymore.
With no one else around, she allowed herself cry freely.
Seeing her distress, the cabbie handed her a tissue. "Here, wipe your tears."
"Thanks," she muttered, her breathing hitched with sobs.
The taxi drove on for over ten minutes, looping around the roundabout, then making its way back to
City Hospital.
Jeffrey was gone. Karen even checked to see if his car was still there - it wasn''t. He must have left.
Before she got out, the driver kindly offered her a few more tissues.
"Darling, don''t cry over a guy. It''s not worth it!"
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"Okay, thank you," she said.
Karen took the tissues, turned around, and walked back to the maternity ward at City Hospital.
"Hi, I''d like to schedule an abortion surgery."
...
Keh had arranged a few reputablewyers for Dorothy, thinking this time things would go
smoothly.
But as soon as they heard it was against the Lopez family, they instantly refused!
"Ms. Sanchez, our firm is small-time; we can''t afford to twist arms with giants," they said.
The legal prowess of the Lopez Corporation was infamous in the industry.
When they put it like that, Dorothy knew she couldn''t insist. They had clearly made up their minds
not to take the case.
"I''m sorry for the intrusion."
"No, we''re the ones who should apologize! Ms. Sanchez, you seem reasonable, so let me give you
a piece of advice - don''t sue the Lopez family. The chances of winning are slim. Based on what I''ve
seen of your evidence, you could easily negotiate a settlement with the Lopez Corporation and live
comfortably."
"I appreciate your concern."
But afortable life wasn''t what she was after.
Dorothy hung up the phone and began to pack her bags.
She was leaving Swevia Country tomorrow. Although her flight wasn''t until noon, she wanted to get
an early start.
Since returning to her room, she hadn''t seen Everett.
She assumed he must be busy, perhaps with nothing left to say to her. But on her way out, she
bumped into Quincy.
"He returned to Elysian Country," Quincy said. "Just left, went back to his parents. I''m leaving
tomorrow myself."
"He left?" Dorothy asked, surprised.
"Yeah. Didn''t he tell you?" Quincy looked puzzled.
Dorothy pursed her lips, feeling awkward no matter how she might respond.
Luckily, Quincy was quick to catch on to the unspoken tension.
After a moment of silence, Quincy said, "You''ve made your choice, no regrets."
"Yeah."
"Honestly, I envy you to have had Mr. Lopez''s passionate love, but I also pity you, caught between
such choices. Even I would struggle to decide."
Even without deep affections for her own parents, Quincy knew if they were murdered, she''d fight
for justice too.
Chapter 723
Chapter 723
"There''s really nothing tough to choose," Dorothy mused aloud, her voice steady even as the weight
of the world seemed to press upon her shoulders. "If I waver now, my mother''s death will truly be
forgotten."
Hesitation was a luxury she couldn''t afford.
"You have my number," Quincy offered, genuine concern in her voice. "If you need help with
anything, just give me a call."
She could feel Quincy''s kindness wrapping around her like a warm nket.
"Thanks, I appreciate it," Dorothy replied with a nod before turning to leave.
But then she stopped and called out, "Dr. Quincy!"
"Yeah?"
"If the Lopez family insists on having you as part of their n..."
"Do you want me to refuse them?"
Dorothy shook her head. "I want you to ept, and then give Everett a chance to earn your trust."
What she couldn''t provide, she hoped someone else might.
Quincy chuckled and waved her off. "I''m still rooting for you two to patch things up until your
mother''s name is cleared, and you let go of your bitterness."
...
The day Dorothy returned to Eldorria City, the skies opened up and wept with her.
No weing party awaited her, just Karen.
"Dorothy!"
Upon spotting her, Karen dashed through the rain, enveloping Dorothy in a tight embrace.
At the airport, where most reunions were marked by smiles, there stood Karen, her sobs cutting
through the air, drawing curious nces from passersby.
"Seeing me gets you this worked up?"
Karen nodded vigorously, her eyes brimming with tears.
With a sigh, Dorothy took her hand and they made their way out. "Or is it that you''ve got some pent-
up grievances and needed a good cry?"
Karen was caught off guard, her face a mix of emotions. "How do you always get me so well?"
"After all these years, when have I seen you cry like this?" Dorothy''s voice softened as she patted
Karen''s hand. "Have you made up your mind?"
"Mhm," came Karen''s muffled response.
The rain was relentless, but fortunately, Karen had driven Derek''s car, sparing them from the
downpour.
Once inside the vehicle, Dorothy noticed Karen''s reddened eyes and frowned slightly.
"Karen, if it''s too hard to let go, you know... you could still talk it out."
She thought to herself that no matter what, it couldn''t be as irreparable as her own situation with
Everett.
"Let''s not go there. It''s over between us," Karen said as she started the car, taking a deep breath
before continuing. "And you can''t tell Keh about this ¨C that''s why I came alone."
Dorothy was puzzled.
"Jeffrey has a daughter, with his ex-girlfriend."
The revtion hit Dorothy like a ton of bricks.
"Right? Shocking, isn''t it? How can I stay with Jeffrey now? Marry him and be a stepmom? I''m
not that open."
Dorothy was stunned, her mind racing to catch up with the sudden turn of events.
"Did he tell you himself? Because he never mentioned it when he was courting you! Even Everett
didn''t spill the beans about Jeffrey having a kid!"
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"It''s also news to Jeffrey. His ex kept it a secret from him."
As Karen spoke, it seemed as if she was recounting someone else''s story, not her own.
She had cried enough; any more and it would just seem like she couldn''t move on.
"So that''s what happened. I was wondering you two were talking about getting engaged, and then
suddenly you split."
"It''s not just that." Karen seized the moment at a red light to turn to Dorothy, taking her hand firmly.
"Dorothy, I have something important to do. Will you be there for me? And don''t tell a soul!"
Looking into her eyes, an idea dawned on Dorothy.
"You''re... pregnant, aren''t you?"
Chapter 724
Chapter 724
"How on earth do you always figure things out?"
Dorothy''s eyes widened in disbelief, her gaze shifting from Karen¡¯s face to the subtle swell of her
belly, leaving her at a loss for words.
"I''ve already scheduled the surgery. It''s at nine in the morning, three days from now. You''lle
with me, right?" Karen pondered and decided that Dorothy was the only one she could ask for
support.
Just treat it as if this child had never been here.
She couldn''t sacrifice her entire life for Jeffrey, nor could she muster Paige''s reckless abandon in
love, or enjoy the kind of undivided affection Dorothy received from Everett. She had her own life to
live.
Being a single mom wasn''t fair, not to her, nor to the child.
"Well, I can''t let you go through that alone!" Dorothy sighed, her voice tinged with resignation. "Does
anyone else know? What about your parents?"
"I can''t tell them. They''re already upset over my split with Jeffrey. If they knew, they''d storm over to
the Turners and make a scene! If Jeffrey finds out about the pregnancy, he''d never let me go
through with the abortion."
Karen was frighteningly lucid.
She knew exactly what she wanted and what she didn''t, analyzing the pros and cons with terrifying
rity, even predicting the future fallout.
Dorothy admired that about her. She herself was rather indecisive, especially in matters of the
heart, not nearly as resolute as Karen.
"I think Jeffrey has a right to know," Dorothy said after a moment''s thought, sharing her genuine
opinion. "His ex never told him and look at the mess that caused. You''re pregnant and if you keep it
from him... Poor Jeffrey."
"Poor him? The one going under the knife is me!" Karen fumed at the thought. "I never wanted this
child. It was Jeffrey who pushed, saying we were getting engaged, that we could stop being careful.
He said he wanted a baby, just like Abigail and Langston."
Dorothy pursed her lips, mulling over Karen''s words.
She had a point.
"Look, I''ve made up my mind. The hospital bill is already paid! Just keep mepany, and let''s not
tell a soul," Karen paused, "including Everett."
Dorothy smiled bitterly, "He''s back with his folks."
"nning to gang up on you with them?"
"He wouldn''t." Dorothy frowned, exhaling softly. "Besides, no matter what he does or how he does
it, he''s fulfilled his duty to me."
Karen only sighed.
They drove in silence to Karen''s modest apartment.
With the kids gone, it was just Dorothy now, and the ce was perfect for her alone.
"Karen, I''ll transfer the rent to you."
"Don''t be ridiculous! You''re making me angry," Karen attempted to help with the luggage.
Dorothy quickly intervened, "No, let me! Be careful."
Karen was still pregnant, after all.
Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!
Karen scoffed, "What''s there to be afraid of? I''m not nning on keeping it."
"Karen, don''t say that. I know you''re just trying to strengthen your resolve, to prevent a change of
heart, but doesn''t it hurt?"
Karen struggled for a response.
Dorothy walked over and patted her shoulder. "I''m always on your side, and I''ll support you through
everything."
"Yeah, you''re the best, Dorothy."
...
Paige never expected Huxley and Paloma toe looking for her.
In the hospital room, she had just lulled her daughter to sleep when she saw the couple standing at
the doorway.
There was no need to question their identity, as Jeffrey''s refined features werergely inherited from
his mother''s beauty.
Chapter 725
Chapter 725
The height of the man was also a dead giveaway; Jeffrey was the spitting image of his father.
"Is the kiddo down for the night?"
Paige nodded, her voice soft with a mother¡¯s weariness, "Yeah, wanna take a peek? I can bring her
over¡"
"No need." Huxley waved off the offer, his face a mask of stern resolve. "We heard from Jeffrey. The
kid''s his?"
"Yes!" Paige''s gaze was steady, devoid of evasion or guilt. "You can always go for a paternity test."
"That''s exactly why I''m here," Huxley''s impression of Paige was far from favorable, and it showed in
his unsmiling demeanor. "If the test confirms she''s a Turner, we''re willing to take the child in and
raise her, and we''ll give you a lump sum for your trouble."
Paige blinked, the redness returning to her already tear-swollen eyes. "So, even if I bore a Turner
child, there''s no chance of marrying Jeffrey?"
"It''s not that I don''t want you joining the family¡ªit''s Jeffrey who doesn''t want to marry you."
That was something Huxley couldn''t force.
He couldy out the pros and cons, but when it came to his son''s marriage, he couldn''t demand it.
He''d spoken in anger before, but seeing his son so adamantly refuse, Huxley wouldn''t coerce him
into marriage.
After all, what was the point of going through all that trouble just to end in divorce?N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.
"I knew it¡" Paige muttered, her voice breaking as she wiped away fresh tears with the back of her
hand. "Forget the marriage. I didn''t tell him about the baby for money! This child is my flesh and
blood¡ªI won''t let you take her away, and I don''t want your money."
"Jeffrey mentioned a congenital heart defect?"
"Yes."
"Well, congenital heart defects don''t run in the Turner family."
Paige looked up sharply, her brow furrowed. "I''ve agreed to the paternity test. We don''t need to
discuss this further. As soon as my daughter wakes up, we can go. She''s just fallen asleep, so you''ll
need to wait."
"I¡¯m not doubting the child''s lineage. It''s about responsibility. If your family has a history of
congenital heart defects, you shouldn''t keep the child."
Paige was at a loss for words.
"Look, I know I shouldn''t be saying this, but since it involves the Turners, I have to speak up. Paige
Taylor, you im to love my son, but you secretly have a child who might carry a gic illness.
And now, in this predicament, don''t pretend like you want nothing in return."
Paige bit her lip, silent, while Paloma, feeling her husband had gone too far, subtly tugged at his
sleeve.
However, Huxley, being a stubborn man who didn¡¯t mince words, had little patience for Paige''s
ims of selfless devotion.
"You and I both know, you''re keeping this child to tie my son down, holding on to some hope of
marrying him one day! Am I wrong?"
"I love him. Is that so wrong?"
"Mutual love is love. What you''re doing is selfish."
"Enough." Paloma, empathizing with another woman whose child was seriously ill, interrupted,
"Let''s do this¡ªsince the child is asleep, we''lle back tomorrow. Or leave us your number, and
we''ll coordinate a time for the test."
Paige agreed without objection, reciting her number.
Huxley and Paloma left the hospital without so much as a nce at the child.
Once they were in the car, Paloma let out a heavy sigh.
"Judging by Paige''s demeanor, the kid is most likely Jeffrey''s. Honey, maybe we should pay the
Miller family another visit. I could talk to Karen''s parents, promise them anything as long as they
don''t break up. Who knows... it might just give our son another shot."
Chapter 726
Chapter 726
"If you want to go, feel free to do so. I can''t bear the embarrassment that woulde with it."
Huxley had been tossing and turning for days, unable to sleep or eat over the mess his son had
stirred up. Despite his harsh words and reproaches, how could he not ache for his only child?
The trouble was monumental, and Huxley wanted to help, but it seemed there was no way for him
to get a grip on the situation.
Once the car engine started, Huxley said in a deep voice, "We''ll wait for the paternity test results.
We can only hope the kid isn''t Jeffrey''s. If she''s not, then I''ll approach the Miller family."
If it turned out otherwise, he knew he wouldn''t have the face to show up.
...
When Everett called Jeffrey, he was in a drunken stupor, barely able to hold his phone steady.
"Everett..."
"You''re drinking?" Everett''s voice was always crisp and cold with others.
"Yeah, I''ve had a few. No one to stop me now, I can drink all I want! Everett, I''m single now!
Hahaha... Single!"
"I heard about the breakup."
"Dorothy told you?"
"No."
Jeffrey chuckled self-deprecatingly, plopping down on the floor with his bottle in hand. "Doesn''t
matter who told you. What matters is I''m single now! Everett, I used to crave the single life, to y
around, shirk responsibility. And now, when I want to settle down, to be responsible for a woman, it
all falls through."
Everett frowned on the other end of the line. He disliked talking to drunks, and if it weren''t for the
pressing matter at hand, he would''ve hung up.
"Clear your head, I need to talk to you about something."
"Work-rted?" Jeffrey took another swig and wiped his mouth. "Mr. Lopez, I''m off duty today. I''ve
had a heartbreak, I''m on leave!"
"It''s about Karen. Do you want to hear it?"
Karen.
The name hit Jeffrey like a punch.
His grip on the bottle hesitated for a moment. "You have news about Karen?"
"Dorothy flew back home today. Karen went to pick her up alone."
"Huh, trust you to always be the knight in shining armor for Dorothy! If I had been like you, none of
this would''ve happened."
The other end of the phone was running out of patience. Everett cut to the chase, "I had someone
tail their car, just in case my mother tried something on them."
"Oh? Then what?"
"I guessed the breakup from there because Karen started crying right at the airport."
"Smart as always."
Everett continued, "Then my guy sent me a video clip. You should take a look."
With that, he hung up.
Jeffrey''s WhatsApp quickly pinged with an iing video.
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It showed Dorothy and Karen arriving at the apartment.
Jeffrey pped his face to sober up a bit and yed the video.
Dorothy''s voice came first. "Karen, I''ll transfer the rent to you."
Then Karen, " Don''t be ridiculous! You''re making me angry."
Jeffrey furrowed his brows, watching the three-minute video until the two of them disappeared
upstairs. He didn''t see Everett''s point.
Wasn''t it just idle chit-chat?
He got up and sshed his face with cold water in the bathroom before sending Everett a voice
message.
[What''s this supposed to mean? I don''t get it.]
It wasn''t long before Everett replied.
[Listen closely to the part where Karen offers to help Dorothy with her luggage.]
"What about it?"
Jeffrey yed the clip again, listening intently.
All the talk about being careful, not keeping something¡ªso what?
Then it hit him.
Jeffrey frantically scrolled to the part where Karen spoke.
She had said, " What''s there to be afraid of? I''m not nning on keeping it."
Chapter 727
Chapter 727
Karen wasn''t nning on keeping what?
The answer seemed to be screaming in Jeffrey¡¯s face.
Thinking back, he and Karen had taken no precautions whatsoever. Hell, he even lingered
intentionally after their tryst, hoping to increase the odds of pregnancy, despite Karen''s evident
frustration before she rushed off to shower.
It would make perfect sense if she was pregnant!
But if Karen meant what she implied, that she wasn''t nning on keeping it...
Karen was nning to get an abortion!
This realization hit Jeffrey like a ssh of cold water, sobering him up instantly.
He grabbed his car keys, intent on confronting Karen for rity. But as he stepped outside, it
dawned on him¡ªhe had no clue where she was. Should he just show up at her ce?
He tried calling Karen, but her phone was off.
He feared he''d been blocked. Desperate, Jeffrey gged down a passerby to try calling her from a
different number, but again, it went straight to voicemail.
It seemed she''d likely changed her number altogether.
Jeffrey clutched his chest, feeling a sting as if something had viciously stung him, hisplexion
turning ashen.
N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.
Suddenly, he remembered that Karen had been at the City Hospital thest time they agreed to
meet. He had assumed she was visiting Keh and hadn''t given it much thought.
But thinking it over, Karen had been resolute about breaking up that day, yet after her hospital visit,
she''d said she had something to tell him.
Without hesitation, Jeffrey hopped into his car, heading for the City Hospital.
As he turned the engine on, the alcohol he''d consumed earlier crossed his mind. Fearing an
ident, he promptly called his secretary toe and drive him.
It wasn''t fear of the ident itself that bothered him; it was the possibility of being unconscious for
days and waking up when it might be toote.
Upon arriving at the hospital with his secretary, Jeffrey went straight to the maternity ward.
"I need to see Karen''s medical records!" he demanded.
The doctor didn''t recognize him and was puzzled by the handsome, yet seemingly confused, man
before him.
"Sorry, sir, that''s confidential. We can''t disclose patient information," the doctor informed him.
"Damn," Jeffrey cursed under his breath, frustrated by his own impulsiveness.
He stepped aside to make a quick call, and in moments, the doctor''s phone buzzed in his pocket.
After a brief conversation, the doctor''s attitude toward Jeffrey changed dramatically.
"Sir, you''re Mrs. Karen''s husband, correct?"
"Uh... yes, that''s right!"
"You should''ve said so earlier! Follow me, please; I''ll look it up for you."
Jeffrey nced at his secretary, whose face registered shock, and ordered in a stern voice, "Wait
here for me."
"Of course, Mr. Turner."
He strode after the doctor into the office.
"Which ''Karen''? With what spelling?"
"Karen Miller, K-A-R-E-N M-I-L-L-E-R."
"Ah, let me check." The doctor typed into theputer, then leaned in to read the screen.
Impatient, Jeffrey peered over the doctor''s shoulder.
Luckily, they spot her file quickly among the others.
"Ms. Karen did have a check-up in our maternity ward."
Jeffrey''s heart, which had felt like it had stopped, suddenly seemed toe back to life, thumping
vigorously once more.
"I had a quick look," the doctor began slowly, "She is indeed pregnant, but it''s very early, not visible
on the ultrasound yet. However, it was confirmed through blood tests."
"And the baby, is it healthy?" Jeffrey asked urgently.
"At this stage, it''s too early to see much, but there don''t seem to be any issues."
"That''s good. That''s good."
"But..."
The doctor hesitated, frowning slightly, "She didn¡¯t seem so happy about the baby. She didn¡¯t
schedule any further check-ups, and I heard her murmuring about getting rid of the baby."
Chapter 728
Chapter 728
Typical Karen, indeed!
Her style was unmistakable: assertive, independent, and bold as brass.
Jeffrey pondered what her reaction might have been when she first heard the news of her
pregnancy, and how she must have felt receiving his call. Deep down, Karen probably hoped for a
reconciliation; that''s the only reason she would agree to meet so easily.
But what did he bring to her but a storm.
It''s no wonder Karen decided to go through with the abortion.
"Sir?"
The doctor''s voice snapped him out of his reverie, noticing his prolonged silence.
Jeffrey cleared his throat and said, "Sorry, would you mind canceling the procedure for her?"
"But she''s already paid, non-refundable, and all the preliminary checks are done¡ª"
"It''s fine. I''ll cover the costs for her."
He''d give his life for her, if only she''d take it!
...
Keh knew Dorothy was back in town and was hell-bent on seeing her.
Fresh from the hospital, his parents weren''t thrilled about him getting mixed up with Dorothy again.
But what could they do? Their son was grown and had a mind of his own.
"Mom, if you don''t want me back in the hospital, let me go see her!"
"She''s already got someone else, Ken. Two kids, too. Why can''t you let go?" his mothermented.
"It''s been years, and you''ve been keeping an eye on her, fine. But she left without a word, took the
kids, and that shows she''s just not into you."
Keh''s gaze dropped, and his brow furrowed. "She told me a long time ago she didn''t have
feelings for me. I know that."
"And yet you still¡ª"
"It''s my choice."
"You are so stubborn!"
He sighed, "Just let me go, Mom. This time around, I just want to see her more, and be closer to
her. If you can''t stand the sight of me, pretend I''m dead."
...
He pushed past his mother''s objections and left the house.
Keh wasn''t going to see Dorothy to win her back; he just wanted to be there for her, to make
sure she was alright.
Standing outside her apartment building, he considered calling Dorothy but ended up dialing
Karen''s number instead. Finding her phone turned off, he reluctantly dug up Dorothy''s contact.
"Where''s Karen?"
"She''s here, asleep. Cried herself out just a while ago, exhausted."
"Cried?"
It dawned on Dorothy that Keh might not know about the breakup.
"Yeah, she and Jeffrey broke up. It was pretty ugly."
"I''lle up and check on her."
Dorothy paused. "You''re at the apartment?"
"Yeah, I just... wanted to see Karen."
"Oh, okay! Come on up, I''ll let you in." Dorothy was staying at Karen''s ce, so she had no qualms
about Kehing to visit his sister.
The apartment was a gift from Keh to Karen, after all.
Soon, Keh arrived upstairs, dressed in a ck overcoat.
At first nce, Dorothy was taken aback.
Keh had wasted away to almost nothing!
It had only been a month since she''d seen himst, but he looked like he was all skin and bones
now.
No wonder he had been admitted to the hospital.
"Keh, how long have you been skipping meals?"
"Not long, just lost my appetite is all."
"Come on in."
Nodding, Keh stepped into the apartment.
Meanwhile, in a ck car not far from the building, a man watched for a while before taking out his
phone and sending a picture.
[Mr. Lopez, some guy just went upstairs.]
It took a while, but the reply finally came, [Leave him be. He''s of no concern.]Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.
Chapter 729
Chapter 729
In the serene Willow Manor stood majestically, an oasis of tranquility far from the bustling
marketce. Its peacefulness was asionally punctuated by the cheerful chirping of birds, making
it an ideal ce for rest and recuperation.
But today was different. Today, theughter of children echoed through the calm air, for Everett had
brought Abigail and Langston home, and with them came joyous noise.
Jonathan had been eagerly awaiting their arrival in the courtyard ever since he heard that his son
was bringing his grandchildren home. Age had softened the once formidable man, and now, the
sight of his offspring''s offspring brought a gentleness and patience to his face that was rarely seen.
"He''s the spitting image of you, Everett! Just look at him!" Jonathan eximed, unable to resist the
urge to scoop his grandson into his arms.
But young Langston was not keen on this grandfather, clutching his sister with one hand and
gripping Everett''s pant leg with the other, refusing to let go.
Everett understood their shyness and didn''t force them to warm up to the Lopez family too quickly.
"Where''s Mom?" Everett asked.
"Ah, she''s in a huff, refusing to see anyone. She''s been in quite the mood these past few days!"
Jonathan said, rubbing his temple at the thought.
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"It''s because you gave Heather to me, isn''t it?"
Everett was sharp, quickly guessing at the root of the problem.
"Yep, it''s just Heather for heaven''s sake. I can''t fathom why she''s making such a fuss! She mes
me for not consulting her!" Jonathan said, lowering his voice, trying to gauge his son''s reaction. "But
your mother has her reasons to worry. She''s afraid Heather might start talking, and that woman is
capable of anything. In her desperation, she might try to drag your mother into it!"
Everett''s lips thinned, and he looked down, deep in thought. "Is it dragging... or is it the truth?"
"See? What has Heather been telling you?" Jonathan''s voice rose with concern. "You can''t believe
her! That''s your mother we''re talking about. She gave birth to you. If even you doubt her, it will
break her heart!"
"I don''t care about the rest. I''m used to Mom''s domineering ways, but she should never haveid a
hand on Dorothy''s mother."
"Your mother, she¡ª"
"You and I both know whether she did or didn''t."
Everett didn''t believe his father waspletely in the dark.
But judging by his mother''s character, she probably wouldn''t have let Jonathan know everything. At
most, she would have given him a curated version of the truth.
"What are you implying?" Jonathan''s brows furrowed as he realized the implications. "Did you bring
the kids here today to confront me?"
"I have nothing to confront you about. I''ve seen the evidence Dorothy has, and I''ve verified
Heather''s words. As for the rest, we''ll see what the court decides."
Jonathan grabbed Everett''s arm before he could leave, looking him in the eye. "What evidence
does Dorothy have? Is she trying to frame your mother? Don''t forget who brought you into this
world, Everett!"
"I haven''t forgotten." That''s why he was standing here today.
"Then tell me, what does Dorothy want?"
Jonathan sensed something was amiss, that things were not as simple as his wife had made them
seem. "Your mother already told me; she just condoned Heather doing it. She wasn''t directly
involved! I''ve reprimanded her for spoiling Heather!"
Everett raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure Mom told you the truth?"
Jonathan was silent; he wasn''t sure.
"Dorothy is filing charges against my mother and Heather for murder. As for the court''s decision, I
won''t interfere. If Mom is indeed innocent, she''ll have to prove it," Everett said, his voice firm and
resolute. "But if she tries to harm Dorothy to cover this up, I won''t stand by and y dumb like you."
Chapter 730
Chapter 730
Everett''s stance was as firm as the ancient oak that towered in the family''s sprawling estate; when it
came to justice, evidence was king, and he wouldn''t lift a finger to tip the scales. Nor would he allow
anyone else to tamper with the fairness he had promised to Dorothy.
He remembered her plea - all she wanted was fairness, to clear her mother''s name, and to see the
guilty face theireuppance. It was a fair ask, nothing more.
So, Everett handed over the most elusive evidence and key witnesses to Dorothy, doing his utmost
to ensure she had a fighting chance. Beyond that, he refused to dwell on the messy tangles of
what-ifs.
"Murder?" The word hit Jonathan like a bolt of lightning, shaking theposure he was known for.
He staggered back, his voice barely above a whisper, "Your mother... she couldn''t have..."
"Heather and Dorothy''s mom had bad blood for ages. If she was going to act, she wouldn''t have
waited this long."
Silence hung heavy between them.
"No one wishes more than I do that it wasn''t my mother involved."
If only that were true...
How perfect that would be.
Everett bent down and scooped his son and daughter into his arms. "I''m here to keep my word, that
is, to change theirst names."
"Everett, you can''t just ignore what''s happening with your mother!" Jonathan''s mind was far from
the matter of name changes. He stepped closer to Everett, his eyes pleading. "If your mother ends
up in jail, it''ll be the death of her!"
"She should''ve thought about that before sheid a hand on Dorothy''s mother, instead of leaving
the problem at my doorstep."
Jonathan''s face darkened. "Are you really going to turn your back on your mother for Dorothy?"
"If she can prove her innocence with evidence, that''s what I want to see."
More than Jonathan, more than anyone else wanted to see.
Everett had wanted to confront his mother as soon as he''d heard the news. But he refrained,
foreseeing the excuses they''d muster - denial, evasion. It was all so meaningless.
"I''ll have a word with your mother today and find out what really happened!" Jonathan''s temper
red, but he held back, asking once more, "Everett, if... if your mother got involved in Heather''s
mess in a moment of folly, you can''t just do nothing, right?"
"I wasn''t there to stop my mother from harming Dorothy''s mother back then, and I have no ce
now to interfere with Dorothy seeking justice."
"Even if she wronged Dorothy, your mother¡ªshe''s always been good to you!"
A sardonic smile yed on Everett''s lips.
"She gave birth to me, and raised me; I can''t argue with that. If she hadn''t caused this trouble,
caring for her would be my duty. But pushing me to marry Heather, just to ease her own
conscience? I can''t ept that."
The Lopez family had indulged Heather enough over the years, granting her status, wealth, and
influence tofortably live out her days. But Heather''s greed knew no bounds - and who could be
med for that?
Even if he owed Heather a life debt, Everett had paid it in full!
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"You''re bewitched by that Dorothy!" Jonathan used. "You''re even abandoning your own mother."
"Don''t you dare talk about Mommy that way!" Langston bristled with indignation, rushing to defend,
"My mommy is the best person in the whole world!"
Abigail, frowning, clung to her father''s neck and said, "Daddy, let''s go. I hate it here."
Everett looked at his son and daughter, nodding slightly, "Alright, we''ll leave."
He had said all there was to say.
Because of his parents, he had already lost Dorothy. That punishment was cruel enough.
Chapter 731
Chapter 731
Karen couldn''t tell if it was the pregnancy, but she sure was sleepy these days.
She slept like a log until the evening shadows stretched long and dark.
Opening her eyes, she caught snippets of conversation outside, and a man¡¯s voice at that!
Instinctively, she furrowed her brow, straining to listen, half worried it might be her dad. But
thankfully, it was just Keh.
Dorothy had flown back from abroad; it was a no-brainer that Keh would swing by. Karen
could''ve bet on it.
"Hey, Keh, you made it."
Stepping into the living room, Karen clocked the off look in Keh¡¯s eyes.
She nced at Dorothy and asked, "Did you tell Keh?"
Dorothy nodded. "Yeah, I told him about the breakup."
So, the pregnancy was still under wraps.
Karen shed a knowing smile and plopped down beside Dorothy. "Keh, I would have told you
myself, but you''ve been downtely. I figured this news might just make things worse."
"I knew it!" Keh scowled, his thick brows knitting together. "I always said that Jeffrey was bad
news, but you wouldn''t listen. Now you''ve had a good cry and seen the light?"
Karen stuck out her tongue. "I thought I''d give it a shot! He was sweet to me at first, but I guess..."
"There''s a lot you didn''t seeing!" Keh¡¯s tone was stern. "Lucky for you, you didn''t get
engaged. Do you have any idea how that would''ve affected your future?"
The difference between being a first-time bride and a second-time bride could scare off plenty of
guys!
She could date freely before marriage, have as many boyfriends as she liked. As long as she wasn''t
married, she was still ''Miss''. But once it''s on paper, everything changes.
Keh had been so mad when he found out Karen was thinking of getting engaged to Jeffrey that
he wanted to give Jeffrey a piece of his mind, and Karen too, while he was at it!
"I get it, Keh. Lay off, will you? Dorothy''s here, save me some face," Karen pleaded, knowing
he could go on a lecture marathon as a schoolteacher. She quickly nudged Dorothy to exit stage
left.
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Dorothy, catching Karen¡¯s drift, chimed in, "Okay, Keh, she gets it. She broke up with Jeffrey,
didn''t she? Her spirits are already down, so no need to scold her anymore."
"You''re always such a handful," Keh sighed, then turned to Dorothy, "About thewyer thing..."
"I''ll find someone myself, see who can help. If it reallyes down to it, I''ll apply for legal aid."
Dorothy had reached out to severalw firms, but none wanted to cross the Lopez Corporation.
She knew the road ahead was tough, but she didn''t expect to hit a roadblock right at the start.
"I''ll keep looking too. We''re bound to find someone."
Dorothy nodded, her resolve unshaken.
The evidence Everett had given her was damning, so awyer was just a formality.
Worstes to worst, she''d take the evidence to the police, and get the press involved!
There had to be a way out.
Keh rose from the couch and said, "It''s gettingte. I should head out. Karen, take care of
Dorothy, will you? Call me if you need anything."
"Sure, bye, Keh!"
Karen and Dorothy walked him out to the gate, watching his car fade into the night before heading
back.
"Phew! Lucky you didn''t mention the baby, or I¡¯d have an earful!"
Dorothy gave a helpless smile. "You hadn''t said anything, so how could I?"
The breakup was bound toe out sooner orter. It didn''t matter much if she brought it up now
or not.
Karen squinted into a smile, turning to head back in, when she spotted a vaguely familiar figure in
the distance.
Chapter 732
Chapter 732
Jeffrey!
Why on earth was he here?
Without a second thought, Karen grabbed Dorothy by the arm and dragged Dorothy inside.
She didn''t want to see Jeffrey, not for any reason, not at all!
But how could Karen outrun Jeffrey, a man towering six-foot-three frame?
Within moments, she felt a firm grip on her wrist from behind.
"Karen, stop running!"
Hearing Jeffrey''s voice, Dorothy finally understood why Karen had suddenly bolted.
She had been utterly clueless just seconds ago.
"Let go of me!" Karen snapped, whirling around to shove him away.
Jeffrey quickly released her, saying, "Okay, okay, I''m letting go! Just don''t freak out, please!"
In her fury, Karen hardly heard his words, but Dorothy caught on quickly.
"Jeffrey, you shouldn''t be here. You two are done," she pointed out, testing the waters.
"I... I was just checking up on her from downstairs. Didn''t mean to intrude," Jeffrey stammered, his
words faltering.
He had been at his wit''s end trying to find Karen and had ultimately sought help from Everett.
But Everett had warned him not to let on about the protection detail he''d arranged for her, especially
not to Dorothy.
"You''re intruding right now!" Karen red at him, tugging Dorothy to leave.
For every step they took towards the stairs, Jeffrey followed suit.
Dorothy knew some things had to be settled between the two, and as a third party, no matter how
close, she had no say. So, she said frankly, "Karen, I''m going to head back. I think Jeffrey has
something he wants to say to you."
"Don''t you ditch me! I have nothing to say to him!"
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"Karen! Didn''t you say it yourself? Parting on good terms," Dorothy gently patted her hand, urging
her to cool down.
After all, there had been real affection between them.
Even though the revtion of his ex''s child was a tough pill to swallow, Dorothy felt Karen should at
least inform Jeffrey about her decision to terminate the pregnancy. If anything went wrong, he, as
the father, had a responsibility.
Karen''s situation was different from her own; there was no deep-seated vendetta, no maternal
murder to avenge.
"Dorothy!"
"Karen, just... can we talk for a minute?" Jeffrey''s voice faltered when it mattered most.
He had been pacing downstairs for what seemed like an eternity, wanting a cigarette but worried
about Karen disliking the smell, so he had resisted.
Now, after hours of waiting and not smoking, he still hadn''t figured out how to knock on her door or
what to say to her.
He feared his own words might only exacerbate things.
"I have nothing to say to you, Jeffrey. We broke up. That''s it. Now leave."
Seeing Karen''s rising temper, Jeffrey hurriedly said, "Don''t get mad. I''ll go. I''ll just wait downstairs. If
you decide you want to talk, I''lle back up, okay?"
"I¡ª"
"Just have a chat. I''ll head back," Dorothy coaxed, giving Jeffrey a look. "Make sure she gets home
safe after you''re done. It''s gettingte, and we wouldn''t want any idents."
"Trust me! I''ll take care of her."
Dorothy, now convinced that he knew about the pregnancy, nodded and headed upstairs.
With Dorothy gone, Karen''s attitude towards Jeffrey grew even colder.
"What do you want, Jeffrey? Can''t you handle a breakup?"
Jeffrey''s eyes locked onto her face, and they stood in a tense standoff for a few moments before he
let out a resigned sigh.
"I admit it. I can''t handle it."
Chapter 733
Chapter 733
Jeffrey had prepared an outpouring of confessions, heartfelt truths, but at that moment, Karen had
cornered him into silence, leaving him with just one line.
"So what now?"
Karen didn''t want to drag all those issues out into the open, but he kept pressing, leaving her no
choice.
"As long as we don''t break up, I''ll agree to anything you say, okay?"
"But all I want is to break up with you, cleanly andpletely." Karen didn''t look at him, her back
turned to Jeffrey.
"Karen, ever since I''ve been with you, I stopped going out, and I haven''t been involved with anyone
else. Paige was just... someone I didn''t know about! If I had known, I would''ve never let that child be
born."
Karen scoffed.
"What''s the use in saying that now? The child is already here. She''s your daughter!"
"I can deny her. I can give Paige a sum of money, and have her take the child and leave, okay?"
Jeffrey raised his hand in an oath. "I, Jeffrey, swear on everything that I will never see them again!
From now on, you are the only one in my eyes and in my heart."
Once, such words might have touched Karen, but now they left her unmoved.
"This is so pointless, Jeffrey." She frowned, steadying her emotions before looking him in the eyes,
"By doing this, I end up being the viin! I''m the one keeping you from seeing your child, the one
breaking up a father and his daughter. Have you thought about that? Your daughter will grow up!
Then what? How is she going to see me?"
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"I... I just won''t let her know who her father is!"
"Stop joking. Secrets have a way ofing out." Karen had no desire to y the viin.
She might not have experienced a life without parents, but empathy was enough to understand the
hardships of such a life.
The harder the life, the deeper the resentment, and that could lead to troubleter on.
Karen didn''t want any part of that.
"So tell me, what do you want to do? I''ll listen to you! I could even take the child from Paige and
have my parents raise her, so she wouldn''t resent you! Or maybe... maybe... she actually..." has a
serious congenital heart condition.
But Jeffrey couldn''t bring himself to finish the thought.
He couldn''t wish death upon his daughter, not when he had just learned of her existence.
"Jeffrey, I''ve said it before, I won''t be a stepmother." Karen''s stance was firm, "And my parents
wouldn''t agree either. I''ll admit, that day outside the hospital, I was willing to give us a chance to get
back together, but that was before I knew about your daughter! These past few days, I''ve thought a
lot, and I even considered epting the reality, but in the end, I couldn''t convince myself."
Karen took love seriously.
Even if it wasn''t about ''till death do us part,'' at the very least, she didn''t want a third party always in
the picture!
Paige would always be a special existence.
And as their daughter grew older, that special existence would be even more pronounced.
What would she do then?
Like before, if the child needed her father because of a serious illness, could she really keep
stopping him from going?
Karen couldn''t be that heartless, but it would make her feel ufortable.
Call her selfish, say sheckedpassion, but she just wasn''t willing.
"Please go. Let''s pretend we never met."
Karen turned to leave.
Suddenly, Jeffrey grabbed her sleeve, his eyes reddening as he looked at her and asked, "What
about our child then?"
Chapter 734
Chapter 734
Karen spun around with a look of utter shock on her face.
"You¡ª"
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"I went to City Hospital and checked your medical record."
Karen froze in ce.
Jeffrey clenched his jaw, fighting to hold back tears that threatened to fall before Karen.
"The child I''ve been longing for... are you really going to end it?"
Karen didn¡¯t respond.
"Say something! Do you really not want our baby?"
Karen dug her nails into her flesh, avoiding his gaze. She feared that looking into his eyes would
soften her resolve.
"It''s over; it should never have been in the first ce."
"Karen, you promised me. You said you''d have my child! You told me you loved me! How can the
incident from two years ago make you take back everything you ever offered me overnight?" Jeffrey
stood before her, half-shrouded in darkness, exuding a silent, forlorn air. "I know I messed up
before, big time, thinking nothing mattered more than a good time, and feelings were thest thing I
wanted. But after I met you, I really wanted to change!"
Despite their short time together, Jeffrey had truly made an effort to revolve his world around Karen,
aside from his hours at the office.
When she worked, he was there. When she went home, he''d grab his car keys and follow eagerly.
To get the blessing of Derek and Serena, he''d knelt without a second thought, offering the sincerest
promise he could make.
But why did it all vanish so suddenly?
Now, back in that vi, Karen''s presence lingered everywhere¡ªthem brushing their teeth together,
yfully wrestling on the couch, and even in the bedroom, her scent filled the air. He was on the
brink of madness, and that''s why he decided to leave Eldorria City.
Karen''s lips moved, but no sound came out at first.
Finally, the words she spoke were the ones he dreaded most.
"Just go, and don''te back."
"Can we keep the child, please? Dorothy, too, after leaving Everett, still had their child."
Karen suddenly looked up at him and said, "You think you''re anything like Everett? He neverid a
finger on any other woman! His separation from Dorothy was because of his mother, not because
he did anything wrong! And you? Can you even count how many women you''ve been with?"
Jeffrey was speechless.
"Today it''s Paige, tomorrow who knows? Jeffrey, do you even understand what I''m saying? I can''t
ept any of this! Once trust copses, I''d live in constant fear, always dreading another incident.
We''d argue, every single day, until we''re both exhausted, sick of it all. If that''s the case, why bother
staying together?"
Jeffrey was at a loss for words.
He couldn''t promise there wouldn''t be more ex-girlfriends showing up, or old mes to extinguish.
"Jeffrey, if you''re a man, you''ll go back to Paige. She needs you more than I do right now, and so
does your daughter."
"But I don''t love her..."
"Does it matter who you love at this point?" Karen moved away slightly, her voice heavy, "You love
me, but we can''t be together."
"Karen..."
"Jeffrey, please, give me a chance to live my life. I''m still young; I don''t want to be a single mom or
fight over a man with other women. Just go, I''m begging you, okay?"
Chapter 735
Chapter 735
Karen had finally had enough of Jeffrey''s silence and decided to leave on her own.
With every step she took, he followed closely behind.
Annoyance red within her.
"Can''t you take a hint?"
"Yeah, I can." His voice was low, his eyshes casting shadows over his cheeks. Thank goodness
the evening was dim, the stairwell light barely punctuating the darkness, hiding the single tear that
threatened to betray him. "I promised Dorothy I''d see you home."
"I can walk by myself."
"Just let me walk you, at least... walk our child home.¡±
Karen''s lips parted, but no harsh words came out. She resigned herself to hispany.
The journey seemed endless, each step weighed down with the gravity of their situation.
It was rare for them to share such a quiet moment together. Jeffrey wished her apartment was
higher, just a few more stairs to climb, and just a little more time for them to spend together.
But the stairs alwayse to an end.
They reached the front door of Karen''s apartment.
When she knocked, the door swung open almost immediately. Dorothy had been waiting.
Seeing Karen, and Jeffrey lingering behind, she knew things were unresolved.
But then, how could they resolve something like this?
Karen couldn''t possibly ask Jeffrey to make that kind of sacrifice.
"Come in," Dorothy said, reaching out to take Karen''s hand. She gave Jeffrey a long, meaningful
look, her lips pressed tight as she closed the door behind them.
"Dorothy, I''m doing the right thing, aren''t I?"
"That''s not for me to say. Whatever you decide, I''m here for you."
Dorothy had her own moment of impulse once, deciding to keep her twins. No regrets, but it hadn''t
been without its hardships, nearly costing her life in the delivery room. How could she now advise
Karen?
She guided Karen to the couch and poured a ss of warm water.
Karen didn''t take it, her eyes lifting to meet Dorothy''s. "Jeffrey knows about the pregnancy."
"Yeah, I figured."
"He wants me to keep the baby."
Dorothy had guessed as much.
Karen''s lips were tight, her throat constricted. "Do you know, the first time I went to the City Hospital
maternity ward, seeing those pregnant women with their huge bellies, looking so tired but so happy.
I thought, being a mother must be such a blissful thing, right?"
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Dorothy pondered for a moment and then nodded. "It is a blissful thing."
"So, I really wanted to give Jeffrey a chance! After confirming the pregnancy, do you know my first
absurd thought? I was wondering, who would our child take after more, me or Jeffrey? Ha, if it''s a
boy, I hope he''s more like me, so he won''t grow up to be a cad like his father. If it''s a girl, I hope she
looks like him, with those strong brows and big eyes, bound to be as beautiful as Abigail."
Dorothy let out a sigh, gripping Karen''s cold hands.
"Karen, so you want to keep the child?"
Karen shook her head. "I can''t keep it. It''s not about what I want."
"You do have feelings for Jeffrey."
"How could I not? What woman wouldn''t be moved by his undivided attention? Even you, with your
cool demeanor, were won over by Everett. And me? I don''t have your beautiful face, so I never
dared to dream that a man like him would chase after me, let alone be devoted."
Dorothy tried to speak several times but each time, the words just wouldn''te out.
It seemed nothing she could say would be right.
"Dorothy, I can''t waver. I can''t keep this child. Tell me I can''t, can I?"
Chapter 736
Chapter 736
Dorothy paused for a few seconds, her nod stiff and awkward. "Yeah, you surely know what''s best
for you."
"That''s right, Dorothy! After all, if I became a stepmom, I''d be the fairy tale kind of stepmother!"
Dorothy watched as Karen forced a smile, entertaining herself with the joke. But it wasn''t funny. Not
one bit.
...
What they didn''t realize was that Jeffrey hadn''t left all night.
He had stood at the doorstep of Karen''s apartment, exhausted, eventually sitting on the steps,
leaning against the wall.
It felt like only by being there, he could be a little closer to her.
Anyway, it was better than going back to that cold mansion.
Come early morning, just as Jeffrey had barely closed his eyes, he sensed someone looming over
him!
He jolted awake, looking up to see the figure.
"Everett! You¡ª"
Everett, with his thick eyebrows furrowed, bent down to shush him.
"Keep it down, man. I can''t let Dorothy see me."
Everett nced at the apartment door with a low voice, "Come downstairs."
"Oh."
Jeffrey got up from the step, his legs numb and almost stumbled, nearly taking a spill.
The two towering figures, one after another, descended the stairs; both strikingly handsome, the
kind that could steal one¡¯s gaze. Luckily, it was early, and the neighborhood was quiet. Otherwise,
there would surely be some sneaky photos taken.
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To avoid drawing attention, Everett had deliberately taken Kevin''s car.
Jeffrey didn''t waste a second. He asked as they got in, "Why are you back, man?"
Everett had shared his situation with Jeffrey, so thetter thought Everett would be out at Elysian
Country for the time being.
"Can''t stop worrying about her."
What else could it be?
"Man, you''ve got it rough," Jeffrey said after thinking for a moment, then added, "Rougher than me."
Everett nced at him through the rear-view mirror, "Not as rough as you think, buddy. I''ve got two
kids. Karen didn''t agree, did she?" He could tell by Jeffrey''s expression.
Jeffrey muttered under his breath, now cozy in thefortable seat, his drowsiness returning full
force.
"She begged me to let her go."
Everett said nothing, and just peered through the car window towards Dorothy''s ce.
"Everett, I''m screwed for life."
With Karen out of the picture, he felt he could never love again.
"Everett, can you just stop looking? Dorothy''s not going to show up, man!"
Finally, Everett pulled his gaze away, shooting Jeffrey a frosty look, "You standing at her door isn''t
going to make Karen want to keep the kid."
"Jeez!" Jeffrey propped himself up, smirking, "Let''s not cut each other down. We''re both in the same
boat of misery here. I won''t call you out on it, but you can¡¯t tell me you didn''t rush back because
Keh was at this apartment yesterday, staying till dark. I won''t expose you, so let''s not go for the
heart, alright?"
Everett''s eyes darkened, his handsome face clouded with displeasure.
"Looks like you''vee to terms with Karen not wanting the kid."
"What choice do I have? She doesn''t want to be a stepmom, can''t ept Paige''s kid. I get it, it''s
tough. Whatever decision she makes, I have no right to me her."
He hated himself for being so utterly powerless.
"So, the whole issue between you two is because of your ex¡¯s kid?"
"Seems so, otherwise she might have forgiven me."
Everett extended his well-defined hand, grabbing ab report from the glovepartment and
tossing it to him.
"What''s this?"
"The blood test results of your ex''s kid."
Chapter 737
Chapter 737
Jeffrey picked up the report and nced at it briefly, noting just two short items on the list.
The first line read: Blood Type ABO ¡ª O
The second line read: Blood Type Rh (D) ¡ª Negative (+)
"What''s this about?"
"The kid''s got Type O blood."
Jeffrey furrowed his brow, his face a picture of exasperation. "Do you really think I''m in the mood to
care about what blood type she is?"
He was on the verge of losing his mind!
Everett, clearly more annoyed than Jeffrey but still patient, continued.
"At thepany''s mandatory health check-up, I remember you''re Type AB."
"Yeah? Can''t remember." Jeffrey tossed theb report aside and leaned back, closing his eyes, "As
long as the check-up didn''t show any serious illness, why should I remember this stuff?"
Everett, frustrated by his friend''s attitude, simply turned away and looked out the car window.
No movement from that window, curtains still drawn. Dorothy must still be sleeping in, she always
did like to lounge in bed.
Jeffrey was nearly dozing off when he suddenly jolted awake.
"Wait a minute, why are you bringing this up all of a sudden?"
Everett wasn''t one to beat around the bush.
He picked up theb report again, scrutinized it, but still couldn''t make heads or tails of it.
Everett spoke in a detached tone, as if discussing the weather, "Grab your phone, hit up Google,
and look up what blood types the parents need to have to produce a Type O child."
"I''m AB, so maybe Paige is O. The kid probably got her blood type."
While Jeffrey spoke, he had already started searching on his phone.
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Everett couldn''t believe he had such a dense friend, whose school knowledge seemed to have gone
with the wind.
"If either parent is Type AB, they can''t possibly have a Type O child."
Jeffrey sharply looked up and asked, "Are you serious?"
"Just kidding." Everett''s phone screen lit up at that moment with a call from Kevin.
"Mr. Lopez, I''ve sent the info you asked for to your phone!"
"Got it."
After hanging up, Everett nced at the image on his phone and forwarded it to Jeffrey.
It was his medical report.
In bold letters, it read: Blood Type: AB.
"Damn!" Jeffrey cursed instinctively as he saw it, and in his haste to stand up, he banged his head
hard against the car roof, "Ouch, that hurts!"
Everett frowned, gave him a stern look. "Did you ept the kid without a paternity test?"
Jeffrey, without thinking, blurted out, "Didn''t you ept Abigail and Langston without a test either?"
"Get out of the car, now."
"No, wait!" Jeffrey quickly pleaded, "My bad, I''m off to the hospital to get it checked right now!"
This revtion felt like a lifeline to Jeffrey, and he was so grateful he could have kissed Everett.
If Paige''s kid wasn''t his...
Well, that would just be fantastic!
Just the thought had Jeffrey''s hands shaking with anticipation.
"Get going."
"Right, right, I''m on it!"
Jeffrey hurried out of the car and sprinted toward his own.
Halfway there, he suddenly turned back and knocked on Everett''s car window.
"Hey, Everett¡"
Without even looking up, Everett said, "I''ll stay here and watch. If Karen leaves, I''ll let you know."
Jeffrey instantly squinted his eyes and smiled. "Everett, how can you be so damn charming! I
absolutely adore you! If I were a woman, I''d marry you in a heartbeat!"
"Get lost."
Chapter 738
Chapter 738
In the hospital, Paige had just coaxed her little girl to sleep when she sent a message to Huxley.
[She should be waking up in a couple of hours. You guys cane over for the paternity test then.]
It wasn¡¯t long before Huxley replied with a sinct [Okay.]
While Iris snoozed, Paige had hoped to catch some shut-eye too, but her phone buzzed to life.
It was Arthur, the guy Karen had seen at thest party, who had been relentlessly pursuing Paige.
¡°Arthur, you don¡¯t need to call me anymore. I never had feelings for you. The only reason I went out
with you was to make Jeffrey jealous.¡±
¡°Where are you now?¡±
¡°That¡¯s none of your business.¡±
¡°I swung by your ce, and your folks said you haven¡¯t been home for days. What the heck are you
up to?¡± Arthur pressed on, undeterred by her frosty tone.
Paige frowned and decided toy it all out, ¡°My daughter has been ill, and I¡¯m at the hospital looking
after her. Yes, I have a daughter! Can you stop bothering me now?¡±
¡°Which hospital are you at? General Hospital or the City Hospital?¡±
¡°It¡¯s none of your business!¡±
She hung up abruptly and when she looked up, she saw a tall figure standing at the entrance of the
ward.
Jeffrey.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!
He hade.
The embers in Paige''s otherwise dull eyes ignited, ¡°Jeffrey! Are you here to see Iris?¡±
¡°I¡¯m here to find out whose kid she really is.¡± Jeffrey''s eyes were filled with rage and scorn, fixed
intently on her.
All because of this woman! She had caused such a rift between him and Karen.
How could he not be furious?
¡°She¡¯s yours, Jeffrey! Even if you don¡¯t want to acknowledge it, don¡¯t nder me!¡± Paige started to
raise her voice but then remembered Iris sleeping; she quickly got up and pulled Jeffrey out of the
ward, ¡°Your parents came looking for me. They want a paternity test. I never refused! You don¡¯t
have to keep doubting me over and over! Once the test is done, everything will be clear.¡±
Jeffrey grabbed her wrist firmly, ¡°Fine, if you¡¯re so sure, let¡¯s do the test now!¡±
¡°The baby is sleeping!¡±
¡°We¡¯re doing it now!¡±
Paige''s brows knitted together, and she pursed her lips and said, ¡°Alright, if now is what you want,
then now it is. I¡¯ll go get Iris!¡±
Soon, she returned with her daughter in her arms, who was wailing loudly.
Jeffrey went straight with Paige to get the paternity test done. They paid extra to expedite the
process, and the results would be out in two hours.
He didn¡¯t leave, opting to wait right there to ensure Paige didn¡¯t pull any tricks.
Iris kept crying but eventually tired herself out and fell asleep in Paige¡¯s arms.
Considering how Paige was acting now, so open and undaunted during the test, she really didn¡¯t
seem to be lying.
This left Jeffrey feeling a bit worried.
During this time, Huxley and Paloma also arrived at the hospital. Seeing that the test had already
beenpleted, they decided to wait for the results together.
¡°You came to the hospital and didn¡¯t tell me?¡± Paloma whispered to her son.
¡°Everett came back from overseas. He told me Iris probably isn¡¯t mine.¡±
¡°Really?¡± Paloma¡¯s face lit up with hope.
Jeffrey nodded and answered, ¡°Yeah, so I came straight here.¡±
¡°If the kid isn¡¯t yours, your father said he¡¯d handle the Miller family for you.¡±
¡°I hope she isn¡¯t.¡±
As the words left Jeffrey¡¯s mouth, they saw the doctoring out of theb with two pieces of paper
in hand.
¡°Jeffrey Turner, are you here?¡±
Chapter 739
Chapter 739
"I''m here!"
At that call, Jeffrey hurried over.
"Here''s the paternity test report. Take a look."
The doctor handed over the document. Huxley and Paloma leaned in to see, but Paige held back.
She felt it was pointless.
Jeffrey''s gaze dropped to thest line of the report where, in bold, ck print, it read:
Based on DNA analysis, Subject 1 (Jeffrey) and Subject 2 (Iris) are not rted as parent and child.
"Not rted! Honey, look! Not rted!"
Jeffrey stood frozen, but Paloma was the first to snap out of it, grabbing Huxley and eximing with
joy.
Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!
At hearing this, Paige immediately came over with the child in arms, snatching the report,
"Impossible... This can''t be! Jeffrey, you''re the only man for me!"
"Who knows now£¿" Jeffrey looked at her with an angry gaze. "Paige, do you have any idea how
much you''ve ruined me?"
He almost lost his own flesh and blood!
But thankfully, thankfully, there was still time to set things right!
"No, this can¡¯t be!" Paige shook her head vehemently, then rushed to the doctor, grabbed his cor
and demanded loudly, "The paternity test is wed! Did the Turners pay you off?"
"Wha¡ªNo, absolutely not! We''re legally ountable for these tests. We wouldn''t dare!"
"This can''t be! Jeffrey, I''ve only ever been with you! After you broke up with me, I never got over
you. I held onto the hope that one day you''d see my true heart ande back to me. How could I
possibly be with another man¡ª"
"I don''t want to hear any of this now."
Jeffrey turned to leave.
Paige blocked him and said, "You can''t go! I suspect there''s something wrong with this child,
maybe... maybe there was a mix-up! I definitely had your child. If you didn''t tamper with the test,
then the child must be mistaken!"
Huxley and Paloma exchanged a look and for the sake of thoroughness, suggested, "Well then,
Paige, why don''t you and the child also get tested to see if there''s a blood rtion? Since we''re all
here, let''s clear this up."
If it really was a mix-up, then it was another false rm.
The possibility made Jeffrey''s face be gloomy. "Yes, you two get tested as well."
"Alright, I will."
Paige went straight into the testing room with the child and the doctor.
Outside, Paloma squeezed Jeffrey''s hand and said, "Jeffrey, there''s hope! You and Karen might
reconcile! It looks like this child really isn''t yours!"
Jeffrey gripped the test report in his hand tightly, as if it were a royal decree absolving him of a
death sentence.
But he didn''t seem entirely sure.
"Mom, if the child isn''t mine, Karen wille back to me, right?"
"Of course! Karen likes you! Don''t worry, your dad and I will talk to her! The only wedge between
you two was Paige and this child. Now that it''s proven you''re unrted, of course, you can start
afresh!"
Jeffrey looked down, his gaze fixed on the line of the report, his brow furrowed.
He thought of what Karen had said to him.
She said, "Today it''s Paige, tomorrow it could be anyone!"
She said she was fed up.
"Mom, you have to bring Karen back!"
"I''ll do everything I can!"
"Not everything you can, you must." Jeffrey''s lips barely moved, his voice deep and hoarse, "She...
she''s pregnant."
Chapter 740
Chapter 740
Paloma''s eyes widened in shock. "What?"
"She''s pregnant, but she doesn¡¯t want the baby."
"No way. That''s not happening!" Paloma blurted out, nearly losing her bnce. "Honey,e on,
we need to head over to the Lopez''s right now! That baby Karen''s carrying is our family''s flesh and
blood; we can''t let anything happen!"
Huxley, too, nodded in rare agreement, although his face was ashen. "Let''s go. Sooner orter,
we''ve got to deal with her family over this."
But Jeffrey grabbed his mother''s arm. "Mom, Everett''s keeping an eye on Karen for me. She won''t
be going to the hospital just yet. We need to wait for Paige''s test results."
He couldn''t bear the thought, but what if they really had the wrong baby? What if there was another
child, his and Paige''s?
Even though the possibility was slim, Jeffrey was scared.
He wanted to have definitive proof before confronting Karen.
"You''re right, son, you''re right! I got all worked up for nothing!"
After Paige provided her sample, she came out of the testing room and looked at Jeffrey, walking
over. "I never lied to you. You''re the only one for me! But I admit... that night two years ago at the
bar, it was me who asked Arthur to get you drunk, then book you a room and hand me the key
card."
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Paige had the hope of carrying Jeffrey''s child, deliberately choosing a day she was most fertile to
seek him out.
She knew she could never have him, but her love was beyond control, so she wanted a keepsake.
"So, I''m positive that the child is yours."
Jeffrey remembered that night vaguely. It was indeed Arthur who had called him out for a drink.
He wasn''t close to Arthur, just an asional drinking buddy, but at that time, Jeffrey was living it up,
and if he hadn''t joined Arthur, it would have been someone else''s party he''d be attending anyway. It
was just drinks, after all, so he went.
And then Arthur had set him up with a woman, quite a stunner, telling him she was his for the
taking, and he happily obliged.
There were gaps in his memory, but he faintly remembered that once in the hotel room, the woman
insisted on keeping the lights off. Thinking she was just shy, Jeffrey let it be. But then...
The next morning, he woke up to find Paige beside him!
Jeffrey had panicked and bolted without a word, then quickly joined Everett on a business trip
abroad, desperate to avoid any entanglement.
"Are you sure the man you slept with was me?"
"Who else could it be? To prevent any mix-ups, I only had Arthur spike your drink, while he drank
iced juice disguised as liquor. So he wasn''t drunk and couldn''t have given me the wrong key card!"
Jeffrey felt a chill down his spine.
At that moment, he understood Karen''s concerns.
In such a ce, with hearts so unpredictable, if all his ex-girlfriends plot like this, would he not be
swamped with children?
"Now you see, this child is definitely yours."
"Let''s just wait for the DNA results."
Jeffrey was confused now, not wanting to sort through this mess.
"How could you, a young woman, do something like this? What were your parents teaching you?"
Paloma was livid to hear her son had been manipted.
But unlike her outrage, Huxley was calm, his focus solely on his son.
"Jeffrey, you remember what I told you before, don''t you?"
"Yes, I remember."
"Now look at the mess you''re in; it''s all your own doing! You used to talk back, saying that living it up
was what life''s about. And now, you''re just a pawn in someone else''s game, aren''t you?"
Chapter 741
Chapter 741
Jeffrey was seething with regret.
"Why didn''t I just listen..." he muttered to himself.
"Dad, I really messed up this time."
Before he met Karen, Jeffrey felt a gaping void within him that he tried to fill with a parade of women
and endless partying. But once Karen came into his life, he realized that all the space inside him
could be perfectly upied by just one person.
How could he undo his past follies?
Was it Karen''s fault for entering his life toote?
Huxley nced over at Paige. "Jeffrey, what others do to you, that''s their business. But if you leave
yourself open to being hurt, that''s on you. Don''t y the victim. Remember this¡ªyou can only
change yourself, not anyone else."
Jeffrey hung his head, speechless.
Over the years, he''d caroused through bars, living it up, ignoring his father''s repeated
chastisements, even believing that his dad, consumed with his business, didn''t love him.
Now, the bitter taste of truth was his to bear.
"I was just too in love with him," Paige wept, tears falling freely. "I was young and reckless.
Pregnant and terrified, I couldn''t bear to tell my family. If I wasn''t trulymitted to him, how could I
have endured?"
"That''s your concern, not the Turners''. I''m dealing with my son, so stay out of it."
...
Leaning against the hospital wall, Jeffrey waited for the DNA test result, not wanting to utter a single
word.
His mind was consumed with thoughts of Karen and their unborn child. How could he possibly make
amends?
Her concerns were valid. If he put himself in her shoes, he''d probably think Jeffrey wasn''t worth a
lifetime of trust either.
"Paige, are you there?"
Silence lingered until finally, the doctor came out with another test result.
Paige, being closest, snatched the document.
Her eyes scanned the page, then widened in shock.
"No way... this can''t be..."
The results confirmed a biological match between her and Iris. But the child wasn''t Jeffrey''s.
"Jeffrey, this is impossible! I was so worried about going to the wrong room that day. I double-
checked the room number before entering. I even called Arthur to make sure you were in there..."
"Then go ask Arthur about it."
Jeffrey had no time to untangle this mess now. He needed to save his child.
As he and his parents hurried out of City Hospital, Jeffrey ran headlong into Arthur, who had just
arrived.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.
The sight of Arthur clenched Jeffrey''s fists in rage.
"Son of a¡ª! You dared to screw me over!"
Grabbing Arthur by the cor, Jeffreynded a fierce punch.
Fortunately, they were in a hospital, surrounded by people. Several onlookers intervened and pulled
Jeffrey back.
But the punch left Arthur bloodied and sprawled on the floor.
"She told you?" Arthur wiped the blood from his face, ring at Jeffrey.
"What do you think? But too bad, the kid''s not mine! Your little scheme failed!"
Arthur smirked, first propping himself up, then copsing back onto the hospital floor, erupting into
laughter.
"Of course, I know that kid isn''t yours! Jeffrey, Paige''s child is mine!"
Chapter 742
Chapter 742
Jeffrey couldn''t have dreamed it would turn out like this!
Chuckling at his own expense, Arthur said, "You only wanted a fling with Paige, but she fell for you
head over heels. Everyone in our circle knows your game, Jeffrey. Only she was naive enough to
take you seriously. But don¡¯t y the victim, man! You were the one who pursued Paige in the first
ce, right?"
Jeffrey had to admit that was true.
At that time, he thought the young woman was quite a catch¡ªonly 19 and already turning heads.
No wonder Jeffrey was interested!
"But you got Paige pregnant, then tried to pin it on me. Don''t think I''ll let that slide!"
"So what are you going to do? Scare me? What¡¯s the big deal? Youe from money, so what? Go
ahead, try to take me down!" Arthur spat disdainfully, his smirk cold. "Paige was not even 20 when
she got involved with you. You dumped her after a few months and now I''m settling the score. It''s
what you deserve! Jeffrey, oh Jeffrey, what goes aroundes around! Aren''t you about to get
engaged? I¡¯ll be waiting for the day you have a daughter, just to see her get yed by some guy
and tossed aside like you did to Paige!"
Arthur''s eyes were filled with loathing, a look that haunted Jeffrey even as his parents dragged him
into the car.
The closer he got to Karen''s apartment, the more he felt a sense of panic and shortness of breath.
Seeing her son''s pale face, Paloma patted his shoulder. "Jeffrey, you know you messed up. Just
make it right from now on. Let the past be the past, and stay away from that Paige girl."
Jeffrey kept his eyes downcast, silent, lost in thought.
As they drove into the neighborhood, he finally spoke up. "Mom, Dad, you guys go on home. I want
to talk to Karen alone."
"Huh? Are you sure you can handle it?" Paloma was worried.
A mother knows her son best, and she knew Jeffrey all too well¡ªquick-tempered and often
thoughtless. Who knew what he might blurt out?
"Mom, if I bring you and Dad with me, it feels like we¡¯re pressuring Karen to agree. She hasn''t done
anything wrong, so whether she forgives me or not should be her choice."
"I''m just afraid you don¡¯t know how to cheer a girl up. Karen¡¯s pregnant, don''t upset her!"
"Let the kid deal with the consequences himself," Huxley suddenly chimed in. "At the end of the day,
it''s his fault. He¡¯s right about one thing: it''s Karen¡¯s decision whether to reconcile or not. We
shouldn''t interfere. It''s good for Jeffrey to reflect on his actions over the years."
Paloma sighed, mainly concerned about the baby Karen was carrying.
What if the talk didn¡¯t go well? Would they really break up?
But seeing the firm stance of father and son, she held back furtherment.
After his parents drove off, Jeffrey walked toward Everett¡¯s car.
Everett was busy with paperwork inside the car.
Noticing a shadow, Everett paused his work and rolled down the window, "You got the results?"
"Yeah, it''s not mine."
"Then why aren¡¯t you upstairs talking to her? What are you doing down here?"N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.
Jeffrey grimaced, "Got a smoke?"
"Karen¡¯s pregnant, and you want to smoke?"
"Just one, to calm my nerves! I¡¯m going crazy here."
As Everett reached over to the glovepartment for a pack of cigarettes, his peripheral vision
caught a figure in the rear-view mirror.
Keh! He was back again.
Chapter 743
Chapter 743
Jeffrey peered at Everett whose expression had soured and instinctively followed his gaze.
"Uh... Your rival, man, he''s reallyying it on thick! His crush on Dorothy is practically neon-sign
obvious."
Everett frowned, dragging his gaze back and shot Jeffrey a look. "Shut up."
Jeffrey grabbed the pack of cigarettes, lit one up, and didn''t bother getting into the car. He just stood
there taking a few drags.
"Seriously though, you throwing in the towel on Dorothy?"
Everett''s fingers paused on hisptop, his voice barely audible.
"Yeah."
"Ha," Jeffrey chuckled, "Everett, buddy, ask yourself, can you really handle it if one day Dorothy falls
for Keh and ends up marrying him?"
Everett''s handsome face tightened, lips pressed into a thin line, "She won''t end up with Keh."
"Then what the hell are you doing here? The Lopez Corporation run out of people?"
A private detective could''ve done the job cheap and easy. Why would Everett, the big boss of the
Lopez Corporation, drop his billion-dor deals to camp out in front of this apartmentplex all
day?
"Jeffrey, you got a death wish?"
"Not really." Jeffrey took onest puff and flicked the cigarette butt away, bending down to Everett''s
level, "I got yed with the whole Paige thing. That kid ain''t mine; she''s Arthur''s! He got me
hammered and set the whole thing up. Lucky for me, Arthur''s got a thing for Paige, or she would''ve
ended up in my bed for real!"
"And then?"
"Aren''t you worried that one day, Keh might pull a simr stunt and get Dorothy drunk?"
With Keh''s stubborn streak, it was clear he wasn''t just any guy.
Who else would willingly look after Dorothy''s kids with another man for years? How many men
could do that?
Now that Dorothy''s back on the market and Everett''s apparently out of the picture, wouldn''t Keh
be over the moon?
Who''s to say he won''t make his move, turn the tables, and if that happens, the one losing his mind
would probably be Everett!
"Jeffrey, what''s between me and Dorothy... it''s not as simple as you and Karen."
"Of course, I know that!" This was a matter of life and death, and Dorothy''s own mother was
involved, "So I''m asking you, can you really handle it if Dorothy ends up with someone else? Okay,
maybe not Keh, but there are plenty of other guys out there. She can''t be expected to live alone
forever, right?"
Everett lowered his eyshes, the reflection of Ken''s figure in the rear-view mirror now gone.
"Then I hope she finds a good man."
"Damn, you''re serious this time?"
"Yeah."
Jeffrey nodded, "Alright, fine!"
With that, he moved to open the car door.
Everett raised an eyebrow, "What are you doing?"
Why was he getting in the car? Shouldn''t he be off wooing Karen?
"Man, Keh just went up! You think I should go after Karen now?"
"You scared of him?"
"Scared! He''s your rival; you can step on him and nobody would bat an eye. But he''s Karen¡¯s
cousin. She treated him like a brother!"
Jeffrey wouldn''t dare cross him!
...
Dorothy had been in touch withwyers all day but with little progress.
One was close to saying yes, but somehow, in the end, backed out.
When Keh knocked on her door, Dorothy was in the kitchen cooking up somefort food for
Karen, who was feeling sleepy with the pregnancy. She didn''t want to disturb her.
Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.
Quickly wiping her hands, Dorothy went to answer the door, and upon seeing Keh, she paused,
"Keh?"
"I tried calling you. You didn''t pick up, and I was worried something happened to you guys."
Chapter 744
Chapter 744
"Ugh, I didn''t hear it over the sizzling in the kitchen."
Dorothy quickly went to check her phone.
Sure enough, there was a missed call, but it was only ten minutes ago.
Ten minutes without answering and Keh showed up?
What, did he ride a rocket?
"Is something up with Karen? Still upset over Jeffrey?" Keh made himself at home on the sofa
as soon as he walked in, his concern for Karen evident in his every word.
He always had a way of keeping just the right distance, never overwhelming Dorothy or stepping
over the line.
After a moment''s thought, Dorothy nodded. "You could say that."
After all, Karen''s lethargy was mostly on ount of Jeffrey.
"When she wakes up, I''ll have a word with her! She shouldn''t have you ving away in the kitchen
for her. If she''s craving something, she could just tell me. You''re... you''ve got enough on your te,
worrying about your mom and all."
"Don''t be hard on her! It''s just cooking, no big deal." Dorothy was cautious not to even mention
Jeffrey''s name around Karen these days!
Pregnancy hormones were a wild ride, and with the recent troubles with Jeffrey, any scolding from
Keh might just push Karen over the edge.
"How about I cook tomorrow then? I can pick up some breakfast on my way over, and I''ll handle
lunch and dinner." Keh offered, then quickly added, "I''ll leave right after cooking, won''t stay to
eat."
"There''s no need, Karen will be fine once this blows over."
Dorothy dared not ept.
Aside from propriety, Karen''s diet was crucial after her procedure, and if Keh took over the
cooking, wouldn''t he notice something was off?
"Alright then." Keh didn''t push it. Seeing Dorothy busy herself in the kitchen again, he rolled up
his sleeves and stood up. "Let me help you out."
Dorothy felt awkward, but this was Karen''s apartment after all, and Keh had paid for it. She
couldn''t very well kick him out.
But his presence did help her make a decision.
She couldn''t stay at Karen''s ce forever. Eldorria City was big enough; she could find her own
ce to rent. At least it would be her own.
By the time Karen woke up, Keh was gone.
She stretched and smiled like a child at the sight of a table full of dishes.
"Dorothy, sometimes I really miss our days back at the Prosperity Consortium! Even though you had
to rush to the hospital after work to take care of your mom, we still had our weekends to binge and
chill, free from all worries!"
A simple rant about a bad day at work used to do the trick.
Not like now, with a tangled mess of problems.
"Karen, we all have to grow up," Dorothy said as she ced the fork next to her, smiling, "Let''s eat."
"Sure."
Karen had just sat down when the doorbell rang.
"Who could that be at this hour?" She got up to answer it, then paused, "It isn''t my brother, is it?"
"It shouldn''t be. He was just here."
"My brother was here?"
Dorothy nodded.
Karen grimaced and shuffled to the door in her slippers. As soon as she peered through the video
inte, her brows furrowed.
Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!
"Who is it?" Dorothy finished setting the table and walked over to see what was wrong.
"It''s Jeffrey." Karen nced at Dorothy and then motioned with her hand across her lips, "Shh, let''s
keep it down and pretend we''re not home! I don''t want to talk to him again."
It was probably just another plea to keep the baby, the kind of talk that drains the spirit.
Chapter 745
Chapter 745
Karen was starting to wonder if Jeffrey had bugged her own home!
Because the next second, she heard Jeffrey''s voice outside, "Karen, I know you''re in there. Stop
pretending you''re not home, will ya?"
Dorothy, lost in thought at Jeffrey''s voice from outside, couldn''t help but reflect on how people differ
from one another.
Everett, she reckoned, would never pull a stunt like that in his life.
In this situation, he''d probably just wait downstairs. And if she didn''t show, he''d just keep waiting.
"Karen, go out and see him, will ya? His knocking is gonna tick off the neighbors sooner orter."
"But I don''t know what to say to him!"
"Say whateveres to mind, and if you got nothing to say, then don''t say a word. He''ll get the
picture eventually and back off."
Karen understood Dorothy''s point. She was just being considerate of the little life growing inside
her.
Urging her to think twice about it, to avoid any future regrets.
But Karen had made up her mind!
Indecision brings chaos, and it was better to have a short misery than a long one. With her
temperament, a year and a half down the line, she might not even remember what Jeffrey looked
like.
"Dorothy, I used to think I could handle a wayward man. As long as he turned over a new leaf, all
would be well. But now, I''m thinking that the whole thing just isn''t realistic. He''s let too many people
down, and who knows when he''ll have to pay the piper. And then, where would that leave me?"
"If you''vee to terms with it, then I''ve got nothing more to say. Let''s eat."
"Mhm."
Karen ignored the persistent knocking and turned to join Dorothy in the dining room.
It wasn''t long before the knocking stopped.
Dorothy shot her a nce and suggested, "Looks like Jeffrey might have left. How about we go for
a walk after dinner, get some fresh air? You''ve been cooped up all day, and I''ve been buried in
lawyer meetings. Could use a breather."
"Sure!" Karen agreed without a second thought.
Dorothy sighed quietly, her gaze flicking towards the door.
Hopefully, he was just tired of knocking and taking a break.
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If Jeffrey really had left, there was nothing more she could do.
Dorothy could see that Karen genuinely liked Jeffrey, and their rtionship didn''t have the obstacles
like Dorothy''s with Everett did.
If Jeffrey could win Karen back, it would be like witnessing a love storye full circle.
After dinner, the night had fully set in.
Dorothy grabbed a teal jacket and stepped out with Karen for a walk.
Once they reached the lobby of the apartment building, she scanned the area.
No sign of anyone.
Had Jeffrey truly left?
"What are you looking at?"
Karen noticed Dorothy''s distraction.
Dorothy waved it off, "Nothing, just thinking how old this building''s gotten. The facilities are showing
their age."
"Tell me about it! Got this ce back when it was all about job convenience. How many years has it
been since we left the Prosperity Consortium!"
Chatting away, they continued their walk.
Suddenly, a dark figure dashed up from behind!
Before Karen could react, Jeffrey had already grabbed her.
"Karen, did youe down to see me?"
"Let go. I''m not here to see you!"
"I won''t let go!" Jeffrey quickly pulled out a folded piece of paper from his pocket, smoothing it out to
show Karen, "This is the paternity test for Paige''s kid. Her child isn''t mine!"
Chapter 746
Chapter 746
The moment the words left Jeffrey¡¯s lips, not only was Karen stunned, but Dorothy was equally
bbergasted.
Subconsciously, Dorothy wondered if this wasn''t some ploy by Jeffrey, cooked up to keep Karen
and the baby tied to him.
But before Dorothy could fully wrap her head around the idea, Karen beat her to it.
"Do you think I''d buy that?"
"It''s true! Everett¡ª"
Jeffrey cut himself off mid-sentence, suddenly remembering Everett''s stern warning not to let
Dorothy know he was back in town. Guiltily lowering his voice and sneaking a nce at Dorothy, he
stammered, "Everett helped me find out my blood type doesn''t match the baby''s..."
So, Everett had a part in this drama too.
Dorothy suddenly felt like she was a third wheel, standing there while they needed to hash things
out. So, with a few discreet coughs, she chimed in, "You know what, you two talk. Since the kid isn''t
yours, you probably have a lot to discuss. I''m going to take a walk. Karen, call me if you need
anything."
"Alright." Karen knew Jeffrey wouldn''t let her off the hook easily and that she wouldn''t be able to
shake him off for a while.
Truth be told, Dorothy really did want some air.
All day long, she had been on edge, waiting for phone calls, her heart hanging by a thread.
Now, as she stepped outside to breathe in some fresh air, she felt a wave of relief wash over her.
There was a quaint little park nearby, which she knew of, so she made her way in that direction.
For some reason, the park was unusually empty that day.
Checking her phone, Dorothy saw it was Tuesday. A chill breeze prompted her to pull her jacket
tighter around her, but she could somewhat understand why there was no one there.
She took a seat on a bench and for some unknown reason, craved a drink.
ncing around, she spotted a convenience store not too far off.
Dorothy walked in, grabbed a six-pack of beer, paid for it, and asked for a stic bag. Bag in hand,
she made her way back to the park.
As the night grew darker, the wind turned colder.
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Cracking open a beer, Dorothy, perhaps truly thirsty, downed a can in several gulps.
Since her apartment wasn''t far, she let herself drink freely, nning to simply head back and sleep it
off.
But her tolerance was low, and it had been a while since shest indulged in alcohol. Barely starting
on the third can, Dorothy felt her head spin and her legs turn to cotton.
She pushed herself to stand, but her gaze caught on a familiar figure.
Could it be Everett?
But when she blinked and looked again, the figure had vanished.
Dorothy bit her lip, sat back down, and pulled out her phone. Fueled by a slight buzz, she found
Everett''s number.
[Are you in Eldorria City?]
Almost a minuteter, he replied: [No.]
Rubbing her temples, she reached for the third beer and began to sip, her eyes never leaving the
phone screen.
Everett hadn''t said anything more than those two words. He didn''t even ask why she was contacting
him sote at night.
That wasn''t like Everett.
So, there was only one exnation¡ªher eyes weren''t ying tricks on her.
Dorothy thought for a moment, then lowered her gaze and continued to message Everett.
[Oh, okay, I''m a bit tipsy. Thought if you were in Eldorria City, you could maybee pick me up.
But since you''re not, never mind."]
After a second''s pause, she added another message.
[I can call Keh to get me. He''s got a spare room, and he can take care of me.]
No sooner had she sent the message than she heard steady footstepsing up behind her,
heading straight for her.
Chapter 747
Chapter 747
Dorothy didn''t need to turn around to know who was approaching. The presence he carried with him
was unmistakable, almost like the thick aroma of a freshly brewed coffee lingering in a quiet
morning cafe.
"Aren''t you supposed to be out of Eldorria City?" she asked, lifting her gaze to meet his. Her eyes
danced with a yful light, perhaps entuated by the wine she''d had, giving her a cheeky charm.
Everett stood before Dorothy wrapped in a ck trench coat, his lips pressed together in silence,
making no move toe any closer. It was as if he was there solely to escort her back to her
apartment, with no intention of striking up a conversation.
Dorothy didn''t press him to speak. Instead, she simply finished the drink in her hand. There was one
last can left in her bag.
As she reached for it, Everett finally broke his silence with a furrowed brow, "Stop drinking. You
know you can''t handle it."
"Since when do you care?" she retorted.
There was a beat of silence before Dorothy smirked and stubbornly attempted to open thest can.
In the next second, both Dorothy and the can were enveloped in Everett''s embrace.
He was so tall that Dorothy, in her t shoes, barely reached his shoulder, her head nestled
perfectly under his chin as his trench coat enveloped her.
"Dorothy, stop being stubborn."
"Is wanting a drink really being stubborn?" she slurred slightly, her footing unsteady. She wrapped
her arms around his waist for bnce, her gaze hazy yet piercing, "Everett, you say I''m not good at
lying, but aren''t you the expert?"
They knew each other too well for lies to carry any weight.
"I came back because of Jeffrey''s situation."
"Oh, I heard about that. His ex-girlfriend''s child isn''t his, right? You found out?" Dorothy nodded, her
eyelids growing heavier.
She tried to keep them open, but the alcohol was numbing her senses, and the strength kept
fighting with her sanity.
Feeling her nodding off in his arms, Everett sighed.
"You''re drunk, I''ll take you home."
"No... they''re still talking! Just leave me on the bench. I''ll be fine!"
Dorothy gestured towards the bench she had been sitting on moments earlier.
Everett, disliking the scent of alcohol on her, frowned and effortlessly lifted her into his arms.
The sudden loss of ground made her instinctively cling to his neck.
"What are you doing?"
"If you''re tired, close your eyes and sleep."
Dorothy furrowed her brows and pushed against him, "I don''t need you to take care of me! Put me
down."
"And who do you need to take care of you?" Everett''s gaze locked on her flushed face, "Keh?"
Silence fell between them.
He hade out because of that text message!
Perhaps it was the alcohol, or maybe it was the sense of safety in his arms, but Dorothy fell asleep
before they had even left the park. She curled up against him like a gentle, pliant kitten.
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Everett could see right through her attempted provocation. But indeed, she was drunk and in a
hurry. With no one else around in the park and Karen tied up with Jeffrey, if she had that fourth
drink, it would be hard for her to make it back on her own. And without showing up himself, she
might have really needed to turn to Keh.
Everett carried her to a nearby hotel and booked a room.
Then he messaged Jeffrey to inform Karen there was no need to worry about Dorothy not returning.
After cing Dorothy on the bed, he intended to remove his coat, but she clung tightly to it.
With no other choice, Everetty down beside her, still in his coat, and held her close.
As he watched Dorothy sleep, unguarded and serene, he couldn''t help but stroke her cheek,
Jeffrey''s words echoing in his mind.
"Dorothy, will you ever... marry Keh?"
Chapter 748
Chapter 748
Dorothy was fast asleep, blissfully unaware of the world around her.
But Keh, as if he had heard her silent slumber, feltpelled to send a message her way. His
text, delivered through WhatsApp, pierced the silence.
Ding!
Even in her deep sleep, Dorothy sensed the disturbance and, groggily, reached for her pocket.
Everett frowned, snatched the phone, and quickly silenced it.
"Go back to sleep. It''s nothing important."
"Mmm."
Dorothy didn''t even open her eyes, just murmured an acknowledgment and drifted back into her
dreams.
Everett lit up her phone screen to find a voice message from Keh.
[Hey, I was thinking... Why don''t I drop off breakfast for you two in the morning? That way you don''t
have to cook for Karen, and you can catch a little extra sleep!]
Even Everett had to admit, Keh was one thoughtful guy. Trying to weasel his way in with a
breakfast offer? If Dorothy nodded along, would lunch and dinner invitations be far behind?
He stared at the screen, almost wishing he could punch through it with his re.
His fingers danced across the keyboard, typing out a response. But just before hitting send, he
paused and deleted everything.
No, that wasn''t right.
Shouldn''t he be d that Dorothy had someone like Keh to take such good care of her?
Otherwise, she might end up with some random Joe, good or bad, who knows?
At least Keh¡¯s intentions were genuine.
...
Karen, on the other hand, was skeptical about the paternity report.
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But that wasn''t the main issue.
"Even if that child isn''t yours, there''s no way we''re getting back together," she stated tly, leaving
no room for argument.
"It''s really because someone set me up, I swear. Even when I''m drunk, I''m not entirely out of it; I''m
sure I took precautions!"
Jeffrey insisted, knowing full well that he was careful with protection, given his wild lifestyle and the
fear of catching something.
Karen scoffed and gave him a cold nce. "If you''re so sure, then why, when Paige imed the
child was yours, did you not even bother with a DNA test before starting to act like a dad?"
Jeffrey didn¡¯t respond.
"In your heart, you must also agree and maybe even feel a little thrilled that Paige has remained
chaste just for you all these years, right?"
"No! It''s just¡ª"
"Just that Paige gave you her first time, and she''s got a thing for you?"
Jeffrey was left speechless, head bowed in defeat.
"I told you, I''m not interested inpeting with any woman. This whole tussle is just pointless."
Karen took a step back, positioning herself for a quick exit if needed, "Thinking about it, I reckon I''m
better off with someone like Levi. He''s uplicated, no exes, no baggage."
Levi!
That name was like a dagger to Jeffrey''s heart.
He looked up sharply, his eyes dark with emotion. "Karen, you''re carrying my child and already
thinking about other men?"
"Are you so sure the child I''m carrying is yours? Unlike Paige, I wasn''t a virgin when we got
together."
"I¡ª"
"I was just using Levi as an example. After the mess you madest time, there''s no chance of us
getting together now! I may not know exactly what I''m looking for in a man to spend my life with, but
I do know it''s not someone like you!"
The thought of dealing with a potential illegitimate child was just too much hassle.
"Karen, I respected your wish not to be a stepmother, and I had nothing to say. But now that it''s
confirmed the kid isn''t mine, can''t you give me a chance?"
Chapter 749
Chapter 749
"No way." Karen''s reply was resolute. "Jeffrey, it''s over between us."
Indeed, what Karen had found most distasteful was the child that Paige had brought into their lives.
Had Jeffrey not dropped the bomb about the pregnancy on the day she discovered her own, she
might have considered a reconciliation.
Otherwise, she wouldn''t have agreed to meet Jeffrey in the first ce.
But after days of cool-headed reflection, she acknowledged the painful truth: Jeffrey was not her Mr.
Right.
They were mismatched in every possible way, hence the Paige situation.
Maybe she held a slightly dearer ce in Jeffrey''s heart than Paige, but she could end up just like
her. If she had a child, the decisions would only get tougher.
Would she divorce and join the ranks of single mothers, or would she hand the child over to the
Turners and spend her days in heartache and worry?
Neither option appealed to Karen.
"So, you''re set on the abortion, huh?" Jeffrey finally understood her stance. "Karen, you''re too
rational. You never loved me!"
His love for Karen had made him realize that love was supposed to be blind, reckless bravery.
Like Everett with Dorothy, willing to trample his pride and status underfoot.
Like him, swollen-faced from rejection, yet still lingering around her!
She was too cool, too calcting, always sorting things out for her best interest.
That wasn''t love.
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"Think whatever you want. As long as you have nothing to do with me anymore," she retorted.
Karen turned to leave.
Jeffrey didn''t speak but clenched his fists and followed her.
She thought he was seeing her home, so she didn''t protest. But as Karen swung her apartment
door open and stepped in, preparing to close it behind her, Jeffrey suddenly wedged his hand in the
door frame!
That was close. She almost crushed his hand!
"Jeffrey, have you lost your mind?"
"I lost it the day I fell for you. I haven''t been myself since!" Jeffrey''s gaze fixed on her delicate face.
"Karen, if you can bear to break my hand, then close the door!"
"You''re insane!"
"Then do it! Close it!" Jeffrey even tried to wrestle the doorknob from her grasp, his body radiating
fury. "Close it! Come on, break it!"
Thankfully, Karen''s grip was strong enough to prevent him from taking over.
She felt the situation spiraling out of control.
"I don''t want to. Let go! Jeffrey, don''t lose it here!"
"Let me feel the pain; maybe it''ll wake me up! I think I''m sick, I''m crazy!"
Jeffrey insisted on helping her close the door, and Karen felt her strength waning fast.
If she let go now, with the force Jeffrey was applying, his fingers in the door frame would surely
snap.
"Let go. Jeffrey, I''m really out of strength!"
Karen was exerting all her might, her face turning tomato red!
Suddenly, Jeffrey''s resistance faltered, and he flung the door open, trapping Karen securely in his
arms.
"You can''t stand to see me hurt, can you?"
She didn''t even have time to process what was happening, a bit dazed.
"Karen, answer me!"
She looked up at Jeffrey''s face, clenching her fists. "I can''t stand to see anyone get hurt. Don''t read
too much into it! If it were Levi doing this, I would have¡ªmmph!"
Chapter 750
Chapter 750
Rather than calling it a forceful kiss, it felt more like a punishment.
Karen felt her lips sting from the bite, she gasped instinctively, only to be overwhelmed as he
invaded her space, iming every part of her.
Pinned against the wall, her hands, still trembling from the force she''d exerted earlier, pounded
against his chest in vain.
Feeling her breath being stolen away, Karen had no choice but to bite down hard on Jeffrey.
Soon, the taste of iron mingled between their mouths, but he refused to back down, not even an
inch!
Karen would be lying if she said she wasn''t scared.
At that moment, Jeffrey seemed possessed, like he''d lost all reason!
"Mi...ugh! Jeffrey..."
Losing strength fromck of air, Karen''s body went limp.
The next second, Jeffrey scooped her up and carried her into the bedroom.
The sound of the door locking was like a final verdict!
"Jeffrey, I-I''m pregnant!"
She tried to back away desperately.
But Jeffrey, gripping Karen''s ankles, pulled her back towards him effortlessly.
"You''re the one who didn''t want the baby, remember?"
"What are you trying to do?"
"Karen, I''m asking you onest time, will you marry me and have this child?"
In the unlit bedroom, the only light in his eyes was the reflection of the moonlight, giving him an
ominous presence.
Karen felt the danger but could not fathom the consequences, so she stubbornly said, "I won¡¯t! Ask
me a hundred times, my answer is still no!"
"Fine, I won''t ask you ever again."
Jeffrey pinned her shoulders and leaned in for another kiss.
She dodged, but she could only avoid him for so long.
When she felt the chill beneath her, panic set in.
"Jeffrey! If you touch me, I''ll never forgive you!"
"Then let''s be entwined in this hate for a lifetime."
After all, her hatred was better than having nothing at all!
She hadn''t imagined Jeffrey could be so ruthlessly insane!
...
The next morning, when Dorothy woke up with a hangover pounding in her head, she frowned
deeply.
It took her a moment to sit up in bed and realize she was in a hotel room.
Looking around, she was alone.
Dorothy recalled drinkingst night, and then Everett had shown up.
No need to think further; it must have been him who brought her here.
After freshening up and gaining some rity, she noticed a note left by Everett on the table.
[I''ve left Eldorria City. Next time you want to drink, call Keh to keep youpany, lest you get
so drunk you can''t even make a call.]
He actually suggested she contact Keh?
Dorothy wasn''t foolish; she understood the implications.
It seemed he had truly given up.
Well, perhaps that was for the best.
Dorothy lowered her gaze, standing motionless until her legs went numb, before finally shaking it off
and moving.
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Thinking of Karen''s situation, Dorothy quickly called her.
After a few rings, to her surprise, it was Jeffrey who answered!
"Hello?"
"Jeffrey? Why do you have Karen''s phone?"
Jeffrey chuckled on the other end, "It took me all night to calm her down. She was quite upset and
probably exhausted; she''s asleep right now. When she wakes up, I''ll have her call you back."
Chapter 751
Chapter 751
Dorothy couldn''t shake the feeling that something was off.
But she knew Karen still had a soft spot for Jeffrey, and now with a baby on the way, a reconciliation
seemed normal.
After all, Karen was safe with Jeffrey.
"Mmm," Dorothy pondered for a moment before advising, "Jeffrey, you better have squared things
away with your ex. Karen''s pretty sensitive, and you know how tough it was for her to take that first
step towards you."
"I get it! Don''t worry. I''ll tie up all loose ends with Paige."
Dorothy furrowed her brows.
She had a nagging suspicion about Jeffrey''s words¡ªthey had a hint of malice, even though he was
smiling as he said them.
"Karen''s pregnant; take extra care of her, especially with her diet. She''s been sleeping a lottely,
eating less because of it. Keep an eye on that."
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"Yeah, I''ll get the best nutritionist for her! She''s carrying my child; how could I neglect her?"
That was reassuring.
Dorothy could see just how well Jeffrey treated Karen. She let out a sigh of relief.
Her own nerves had been frayedtely, what with Karen''s breakup and the threat of getting rid of
the baby. Now that the couple was back together, it was like a weight had been lifted.
"Just don''t fight again. Be patient with her; women can be a bit emotionally unpredictable during
pregnancy."
"As if I''d dare. I''m just grateful she''s back with me! And Dorothy, thanks for taking Karen downstairs
yesterday."
"Don¡¯t mention it. I just thought you two should talk things through before making a decision about
the baby."
Dorothy didn''t probe any further about Everett''s whereabouts and hung up the phone.
She had just checked out of her hotel room to return to her apartment when she received a call from
aw firm.
"Hello, is this Dorothy Sanchez? This is West Legal Services."
West Legal Services?
The most renownedw firm in Eldorria City?
"Hello, this is Dorothy. What can I do for you?"
"We''ve seen your request for representation, and we''re willing to take on your case! When would be
a good time for you toe in so we can meet and discuss the details?"
Dorothy was taken aback by the sudden good news.
After steadying herself, she reminded the caller.
"Have you read my request thoroughly? The defendant is¡ª"
"The Lopez Corporation, right? Yes, we''ve reviewed it and believe your evidence is very substantial.
Plus, the case has significant implications. Winning could be great PR for our firm! After considering
all factors, we''d like to take it on."
Dorothy still felt like she was dreaming.
She quickly asked, "Can Ie to your office today to sign the representation agreement?"
Once the representation agreement was signed, the case would officially be in their hands!
She had had firms willing to take it on before, but they''d all backed out at thest minute.
So Dorothy still wasn''t sure if they would take it on.
"Sure! Ms. Sanchez, are you avable today?"
"Yes! How about in an hour? I''ll bring all my evidence and documents to your office."
"Perfect! We''ll be waiting for you."
After ending the call, Dorothy stood rooted to the spot for several minutes before rushing back to
her apartment.
She had to get that representation agreement signed without dy!
Chapter 752
Chapter 752
Until the very second the West Legal Services'' seal was pressed onto the document, Dorothy''s
heart was in her throat.
But the process went incredibly smoothly, and the other party didn''t hesitate for even a moment
before signing.
"Do you... not want to consider it a bit more?"
"There¡¯s no need for that." The manager looked at Dorothy, a smile ying on his lips, "Ms.
Sanchez, do you doubt our capabilities here at West Legal Services?"
Dorothy quickly waved her hands and said, "No, it''s just that I''m a bit surprised."
"Wewyers shouldn''t be too picky about the cases we take on, or else we betray the very reason
we took up the mantle! Rest assured, Ms. Sanchez, we''ll give it our all."
"Then I''m counting on you, Lawyer Ephraim."
"My pleasure!"
Ephraim stood up personally to see Dorothy out, watching her leave thew firm before returning to
his office.
No sooner had he sat down than he dialed a number, his voice now obsequious and fawning, a
stark contrast to hisposed demeanor with Dorothy.
"Mr. Lopez, everything''s been done as you instructed."
"Good."
...
Karen had no idea where Jeffrey had taken her, but it must still be in Eldorria City given the
temperature felt the same.
He owned so many properties, so she couldn''t tell which one it was.
Waking from her slumber, her instinct was to reach for her phone.
It wasn''t there.
Panicking, she propped herself up, vaguely aware of footsteps outside the room.
Barefoot, Karen walked out to find Jeffrey standing in the vi''s dining area, an austere look on his
face, instructing someone who looked like a housekeeper, who nodded asionally in
understanding.
Jeffrey, catching Karen in the corner of his eye, strode towards her.
"Why aren''t you wearing shoes?"
His brows furrowed, he bent down and scooped her up without another word.
Karen red at him defiantly and asked, "Jeffrey, where''s my phone? And where are we?"
"In our new home." Jeffrey dered as he carried her back to the bedroom, gently cing her on
the bed, "Just wait here, I''ll have the nutritionist bring up breakfast. Be good."
"I don''t want breakfast! Give me my phone!"
"Not just yet. You need to eat something first." His face remained calm in the face of her resistance,
tenderly stroking her hair. "You''re pregnant, remember? No getting upset."
Karen was convinced Jeffrey had lost his mind. He was being irrational!
"Are you trying to imprison me?"
"What are you talking about? Why would I imprison you?" Jeffrey said with a helpless yet indulgent
smile, "I just think you''re not in the right state of mind right now. If I give you your phone, you''ll want
to call your parents or your brother toe get you, right?"
At that moment, Jeffrey seemed terrifying even with his lips curled in a constant smile.
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"I don''t want to be here. I want to go home!"
"This is your home." Jeffrey lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Here, with me, with our
child, this is home!"
"You''re sick. I don''t want to talk to you." Karen pushed him away, intending to flee barefoot.
But Jeffrey''s arms were long, and with a casual grab, he pulled her back onto the bed.
"Karen, I don''t want to fight with you."
"Let me go! Jeffrey, you''re illegally detaining me!"
But Jeffrey''sughter only grew stronger.
"Yesterday you used me of coercion, today it''s illegal detention, doesn''t matter, I don''t care."
Karen was left speechless in anger.
"Eat your meal nicely, and I promise I''ll take you out for a drive, okay?"
Karen sensed something off in his words, so she pressed.
"Where will you take me?"
"How about the City Hall?" Jeffrey suggested, a hint of mischief in his voice. "What do you say?"
Chapter 753
Chapter 753
Karen stared into his eyes, and it was clear this was no joke.
"I can''t possibly marry you!"
"And who do you want to marry?" Jeffrey''s face darkened with a sudden and terrifying shift. "Karen,
I don''t want toy a finger on Levi."
"Don''t you dare touch him!" she blurted out, instantly seeing the mes of rage in his eyes intensify,
so she quickly added, "This whole situation has nothing to do with him! Don''t drag innocent people
into this! I never liked him, okay? You''ve already beaten him up, so just leave him alone."
Never liked him.
Jeffrey clung to those words.
He let his harsh gaze soften, now looking at her with a mix of adoration and warmth. "Alright, I''ll
listen to you! How about I carry you to breakfast, huh?"
"No," Karen shook her head vehemently, "Jeffrey, I want to go back to my parents'' house. Can you
take me there, please?"
"No."
Jeffrey''s response was immediate and unwavering, "I''ll go back with you after our baby is six
months old. Today, we''ll just head to the city hall to get our marriage license, and then I''ll give you
back your phone."
He was so frightening, as if he had turned into someone else entirely!
"Jeffrey, can''t you just stop this, please?"
Karen copsed onto the bed, eyes welling up with fear.
Jeffrey reached out to wipe away the tears that threatened to escape and said, "Darling, as long as
you''re obedient and stay with me, I''ll do anything you want."
"I don''t want to go to city hall, and I don''t want to keep this baby!"
"I know you''re scared of the pain, so whether it''s a boy or a girl, we''ll just have this one," Jeffrey
kissed the corner of her eye. "Don''t reject me. I don''t want to lose my mind with you."
Just like he had the night before.
He didn''t want that.
The nutritionist knocked on the door, breaking the deathly silence of the room.
"Mr. Turner, breakfast is ready."
"Mhm."
Jeffrey turned his face to look at her, smiling gently. "Shall I carry you, or will you walk on your
own?"
"I''ll walk."
Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!
Karen caved. She knew better than to anger Jeffrey now; it wasn''t the smart choice. Anyway, he
would have to leave eventually, for work, or to deal with his parents! Plus, her own parents would
realize she was missing ande looking.
She wouldn''t be trapped for long.
Jeffrey and Karen made their way to the dining room. As soon as they sat down, his phone began to
ring.
Karen nced over instinctively, and Jeffrey casually showed her the caller ID.
"It''s Paige."
He said it outright.
In Karen''s presence, Jeffrey answered the call and put it on speakerphone.
Paige''s hysterical voice came through immediately, "Jeffrey, it was you! You had my parents'' hotels
all sealed off, didn''t you?"
"Yes," he admitted, expressionless.
"And did you have a hand in what happened to Arthur? Someone broke his arms and legs, he''s
facing amputation, and overnight, Arthur''s family''s ounts have been frozen, and they can''t
ess a dime! Do you want him dead?"
Jeffreyughed, leaning back in his chair with azy and roguish air.
"He said he looked down on me for my ''filthy money''; I just wanted to show him what this ''filthy
money'' can do."
"You''re ruthless! Absolutely inhumane!"
"When you and he were conspiring against me, did you not anticipate this oue?" Jeffrey''s
fingers intertwined, his gaze falling on Karen''s shocked face. "You almost made me lose my child;
this is merely a lesson."
Chapter 754
Chapter 754
Listening to Paige''s voice crack and strain on the other end of the line was enough to send shivers
down Karen''s spine.
For the first time, Karen realized just how much power Jeffrey wielded. He could easily ruin a
wealthy family in Eldorria City overnight¡ªapparently without a second thought to thew¡ªand
admit it with such nonchnce!
If Jeffrey could do that, then Everett, with his vast influence, could surely outdo him in madness!
Karen made a mental note that if she ever saw Keh again, she''d warn him to stop stepping on
Everett''s toes.
"Please... let Arthur go! Can you do that? This has nothing to do with him; I begged him to help!"
"You''re begging me?" Jeffrey moved to sit beside Karen, winding a lock of her hair around his finger.
"You better worry about your own family, the Taylors, first."
Paige''s voice cracked even more, "Jeffrey, you''ve already had our family hotel shut down. We''ve
suffered huge losses, and my mother''s had a heart attack. She''s in the hospital. Isn''t that enough?"
"Of course not! Don''t ask stupid questions."
Karen instinctively clutched at Jeffrey''s sleeve.
He looked at her, arching an eyebrow. "Scared?"
"Yeah."
Without a second thought, Jeffrey hung up the call and patted her head. "No need to listen to that
anymore. Let''s have breakfast."
"Breakfast?" Karen thought, "How am I supposed to eat now?"
Sensing her reluctance, Jeffrey frowned at the nutritionist standing nearby and scolded, "This is
terrible. Get out."
"I''m sorry, Mr. Turner!"
"It''s not his fault!" Karen quickly grabbed Jeffrey¡¯s sleeve. "I''m just not hungry, so don''t be hard on
him."
"You need to eat something; you''re pregnant."
The way Jeffrey coaxed her to eat was a far cry from the cold, ruthless man she had just witnessed.
"Shall I feed you?"
Karen shook her head. "No, I can eat by myself."
It was a meal filled with anxiety. Paige''s calls kepting, but Jeffrey had silenced his phone.
After they finished, Jeffrey stood up to put on his coat.
"Do you wanna rest a bit, or should we head to the city hall now?"
"Jeffrey, I''m feeling a bit unwell. Can I lie down for a while?" Karen could only think of this excuse to
stall.
After all, she couldn''t exactly rush out, pregnant and all, could she? And with her short legs, there
was no way she could outrun Jeffrey.
"Then lie down, and I''ll call the doctor," Jeffrey said, although he suspected she was stalling, he
didn''t call her out on it, considering she might truly be feeling unwell.
"No need for a doctor. I''ll just rest a bit."
Jeffrey nodded and escorted her to the bedroom.
If it hadn''t been for Everett''s call, Karen would have thought Jeffrey intended to watch over her until
she fell asleep.
"Everett."
Jeffrey stepped out of the bedroom to take the call away from Karen.
"You made your move?"
"Yeah."
Everett paused and then said, "Take it easy, and don''t make a scene. I''ll send some of my people to
help you."
"It¡¯s okay. I want them to know."
"Jeffrey, don¡¯t be childish."
Jeffrey chuckled, "This way, no woman will think of getting close again. And if things go south, I''ve
got your support."Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!
Chapter 755
Chapter 755
Everett''s voice was a low rumble, "Just make sure you''re in control."
"Yeah, you left Eldorria City?"
"At the airport."
Jeffrey clicked his tongue, "Alright, man, no stopping a lovesick fool, I guess! Since you''ve made up
your mind, go on and do what you''ve gotta do. I''ll keep an eye on Dorothy for you."
"Mm."
After hanging up, Jeffrey turned his gaze towards the bedroom door.
Today, even if he had to drag the city hall over here, Karen was going to be his wife.
...
In the airport''s VIP lounge.
Everett put down his phone and rubbed his temples.
He hadn''t slept a winkst night, just lying there beside Dorothy until dawn.
Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!
So right now, he was feeling pretty worn out.
Kevin, ever the perceptive assistant, quickly brought over a pillow and said, "Mr. Lopez, we''ve got
an hour before boarding. Why don''t you catch some sleep?"
"I¡¯m okay. Someone''s going to call."
His prediction was spot on.
Within five minutes, Jonathan''s number shed on the screen.
"I thought you said you were done interfering with this mess. Why the hell did you get Dorothy a
lawyer?"
Jonathan was furious, his tone full of usation and reproach.
"Trying to make sure now firm will take her case, that''s your strategy for burying this, huh?"
"Everett! Don''t forget whose son you are! With all this happening, instead of helping your mother
make peace with Dorothy, you''re actually supporting Dorothy''s decision to sue her?"
"I said it before, the court will decide the oue. If you don''t interfere, I won''t. But you''re the one
who broke the rules first."
Jonathan growled, "So am I supposed to just let your mother go to jail, or even get the death
sentence over this?"
Everett''s lips barely moved, "An eye for an eye."
"Oh, ''an eye for an eye'', huh? You know damn well Heather is the real troublemaker here. If you
want retribution, take it from Heather; she deserves it! But your mom was just blinded by Heather''s
lies!"
Jonathan knew he was losing ground in the argument with his son and tried to negotiate in a softer
tone, "Everett, give your mom a chance to make amends. I promise she won''ty a finger on
Dorothy again!"
"Go ask Dorothy if she''s willing to forgive. Her mother''s the one who died."
Everett couldn''t make that call.
"Everett, you know your mother''s health is failing!"
"I know."
"And yet you still¡ª"
"I''ve said more than once, ''Don''t touch Dorothy. Stay out of anything to do with Heather.'' No one
listened."
If it weren''t for his own mother, anyone else would''ve beenid to rest by now. How could he still
tolerate her?
"I didn''t realize Heather was that kind of person!"
"It''s toote for that now." Everett''s voice was hoarse from the sleepless night, "Dorothy and I are
already over."
"Actually... if you could just let your mom off¡ª"
"Do you think I have any face left to be with Dorothy?"
Everett''s voice suddenly rose, each word biting and emphatic, silencing Jonathan in an instant.
"Do you have any idea how hard I''ve worked to win her over? More than a decade, cautiously
drawing near, plotting with every ounce of my being, fearing the slightest difort for her! Finally, I
convinced her to be my wife. Do you know how happy I was? For years, I''ve worked diligently for
the Lopez Corporation, not a day of rest, just hoping one day I could bring her home to a family that
would ept her! And what did you all do? You ruined everything!"
Chapter 756
Chapter 756
Sitting beside Everett, Kevin couldn''t help but feel his eyes well up with tears for him.
He had always known that Everett was head over heels for Dorothy, but he never imagined the
depth of his love.
It was as if he had saved all his tenderness and patience for her alone.
Over a decade¡ªthat was a terrifying amount of time.
The long, solitary, unpredictable wait before Dorothy reciprocated his feelings must have been
agonizing.
"If I could do it all over, I wouldn''t want to be born into the Lopez family. So, don''t touch her. Don''t
push me."
Otherwise, he didn''t know what he might do.
...
Karen couldn''t get a wink of sleep.
Jeffrey wished he could install cameras in the bedroom to keep an eye on her every move.
"If you really can''t sleep, I can take you for a stroll around the yard."
Their vi was on the outskirts of Eldorria City, sprawling over a vast area, so the yard was like a
park.
But since Jeffrey seldom stayed there, only a few servants maintained it, and it didn''t have any
exotic flowers, just themon ones you''d see anywhere.
Karen, of course, jumped at the chance to go outside.
At the very least, she wanted to see where she was.
Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.
She got up and followed Jeffrey out the door, only to realize she had been too naive.
The ce was so big that she couldn''t even make out where she was.
"Let''s take a walk, then go with me."
Jeffrey noticed she was shivering in her thin clothing, so he took off his coat and draped it over her
shoulders.
Karen looked up, squinting against the midday sun to see his handsome face.
It was the same face, the same easygoing expression, but it felt so unfamiliar.
"Do you really have to do this?"
"Karen, we''ve talked about this."
He hadn''t started out this way.
"Can''t we hold off on the paperwork? Give me some more time to think, will you?"
Jeffrey looked down at her, his lips curving into a thin smile. "The oue won''t change, so there''s
no point in thinking it over."
"I don''t like this side of you!"
"I told you, after you''re six months pregnant, I''ll do anything you say. Then, your parents can hit me,
curse me, and I''ll take it."
Karen nced at him, the corner of her mouth twitching.
Hit him? Curse him?
Was she supposed to forget all the heartache in that call from Paige earlier?
"You said before that Paige was set up, right? She didn''t mean to deceive you."
"But if she hadn''t set her sights on me to begin with, none of this would have happened."
Why should she suffer like this?
Karen''s fear was evident, and Jeffrey was no blind man.
"That punishment you''re giving out is way too harsh! That guy... what''s his name? He''ll die without
the surgery, right?"
"Doesn''t he deserve to? Karen, they should be grateful I stopped you before you went through with
that procedure! If not¡ªI would have them all pay!"
A cold sweat broke out on Karen''s palms.
Realizing his words were too harsh, Jeffrey smiled, his expression instantly returning to his usual
laid-back, roguish demeanor.
"Don''t be scared. I''ll never treat you that way."
He took her hand in his and rubbed it gently.
Karen pursed her dry lips and whispered, "Can you let them go, please?"
"No." Jeffrey''s pupils contracted fiercely, "That guy named Arthur dared to curse my child, so he
deserves to face the consequences!"
He could be affable and chummy when in a good mood, approachable even, but that didn''t mean he
was always nice.
Nobody except Everett could dare curse at him like that.
Chapter 757
Chapter 757
"Death seems a bit harsh, don''t you think?"
When she heard Arthur had been roughed up to the point of broken limbs, it was already brutal
enough, but to think he couldn''t even get surgery! Wasn''t that basically a death sentence?
"Karen, you told me you were worried about my exes, scared they''de back and stir up trouble! I
figured making an example out of one would send a clear message."
Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.
Paige was somewhat of a name in our social circles, and word of this would undoubtedly spread
like wildfire.
"But I never thought you''d go to such lengths!"
"I can''t go through that kind of drama again, Karen. Do you get that?"
How could she not understand?
"Come on, let''s go get married, sweetheart. Don''t try to stall because it''s pointless."
"But I''m not ready to get married!" Marrying Jeffrey now would be aplete whirlwind, a shotgun
wedding!
And now that she''d seen what he was capable of, Karen was even more terrified of him!
Jeffrey was capable of locking her up, crushing anyone who crossed him into the dirt, never to rise
again. Karen couldn''t begin to imagine what would happen if he grew tired of her, wanted a divorce,
and wanted to throw her away. If all these tactics were turned on her, what would be her fate?
It''s one thing to be caught in the crossfire, but Jeffrey didn''t just take down his targets; he uprooted
thempletely!
And Karen feared the repercussions could eventually reach her parents.
They were old; they couldn''t afford to be dragged into her mess.
But...
Right now, she was trapped here with Jeffrey, and she knew that butting heads with him wouldn''t
help. The only person who could control Jeffrey was Everett, and probably not even his own parents
could manage that. So, she had to find a way to reach out to Dorothy, to ask her to plead with
Everett for help.
"You''re not mentally prepared, I get it. Let''s hold off on the wedding for now, until you''re ready, then
we can n it properly."
Jeffrey''s tone left no room for negotiation.
Although he spoke with a smile, he didn''t leave her any wiggle room.
Seizing an opportunity, Karen quickly said, "I don''t have anything with me right now! I didn''t even
bring my ID! How about you take me back home to grab it?"
"I got that sorted out."
"What?"
"I''ve arranged for everything to be taken care of." Jeffrey''s lips curled slightly. "You don''t even need
to be there in person to register. But I just... felt it would be a regret. I wanted us to go to the city hall
together, get our marriage license."
Good for him!
Why hadn''t she thought of that?
In Eldorria City, Jeffrey, who could cover the sky with one hand, could easily sort out a marriage
license, couldn''t he?
...
At West Legal Services, Ephraim listed and printed out all the necessary preparations for Dorothy.
All she needed to do was follow the checklist.
Dorothy couldn''t help but admire how they managed to run such a prestigious firm in Eldorria City.
They really yed in the big leagues!
Taking on a case involving the Lopez Corporation was something other firms shied away from, but
not West Legal Services!
Dorothy had even considered, if she couldn''t find awyer, she''d just go to the police and request a
public prosecutor.
When Keh called, she was in the midst of drafting evidence descriptions on herputer.
Seeing his name, she paused.
"Keh."
"Are you busy?" Keh''s voice was always so gentle and warm.
"Yeah, I''ve found awyer. A senior partner from West Legal Services took on the case personally."
West Legal Services?
"The firm from Eldorria City?"
"Yes!"
Keh fell silent for a moment before speaking, "Aren''t they afraid of crossing the Lopez
Corporation?"
Chapter 758
Chapter 758
¡°Ephraim said he''s not afraid, that he''s going to do justice! We''ve signed the contract of
engagement, and if he reneges on it, it''s a breach of contract.¡±
Aw firm reneging on a deal? That would be a public rtions disaster.
They¡¯d never risk taking such a step.
¡°Ah, well, at least you¡¯ve got awyer on board,¡± Keh said, his brow furrowing with concern but
ultimately letting the matter be. ¡°Anyway, how about Karen? I¡¯ve been trying her number, but no
answer. Is she still sleeping?¡±
Dorothy hesitated for a moment, clearing her throat before responding.
¡°Well¡ she, uh, she and Jeffrey are back together.¡±
¡°What?¡±
¡°Keh, I get it¡ªyou¡¯re worried Jeffrey might break her heart again. To be honest, I wasn¡¯t his
biggest fan at first either, mainly for that reason. But after everything that''s happened, I think
Jeffrey¡¯s serious this time. And Karen really does like him.¡±
At the end of the day, Karen''s feelings for him were what mattered most.
Even if she tried to hide it, Dorothy could see it clearly.
Otherwise, why would Karen be so emotional? She¡¯d tear up watching TV, get weepy over dinner,
even let a few tears fall in the shower. Sure, hormones yed a part, but it was more than that. She
felt trapped, heartbroken, and couldn¡¯t stand the thought of losing the little one growing inside her.
¡°That Jeffrey¡¯s a yboy, Dorothy. He¡¯s been around the block¡ªtrust me, I¡¯ve asked around. My
buddies say he''s bad news!¡± Keh was, of course, protective of his cousin, and had done his
own digging on Jeffrey.
What he found fueled his desire to see them split up for good!
And now, after all the drama of their breakup, they had reconciled?
¡°She knows all about his past,¡± Dorothy reassured him.
Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!
¡°So, I¡¯m worried she¡¯s been brainwashed! You know Karen¡ªshe melts at the sight of a good-
looking guy, and damn it, Jeffrey is¡ well, he¡¯s got that look.¡±
It pained Keh to admit it.
Whether it was Everett or Jeffrey, both men had looks that were undeniably striking.
¡°Karen isn''t as gullible as you think! Jeffrey really worked to win her over, and she kept him at arm''s
length for ages! They broke up over a misunderstanding, and now that it¡¯s cleared up, it¡¯s only
natural they¡¯d patch things up. Don¡¯t worry so much. Karen can make her own decisions.¡±
Dorothy chose not to delve into the specifics of the misunderstanding. It wasn¡¯t a pleasant topic,
and it would only make Keh more anxious.
¡°Just make sure Karen calls me when you reach her. I want to have a word with her myself,¡±
Keh insisted, still uneasy.
Dorothy chuckled softly, ¡°Will do.¡±
After hanging up, she opened WhatsApp and messaged Karen about Keh¡¯s request for a
callback.
Once she was done, she closed herptop and walked to the window to take in the view below.
The neighborhood was bustling with residents from the nearby apartment buildings. The streets
were lively with groups of people milling about.
She scrutinized the scene below, searching for a particr figure. Confirming his absence, she
reluctantly turned away from the window.
Everett was truly gone. He¡¯d even suggested she should go out for drinks with Keh next time!
This realization left Dorothy feeling as though a part of her heart had been hollowed out, the cold air
whistling through the void.
Though she knew this day woulde, no amount of preparation seemed to ease the pain.
Her phone interrupted her thoughts, its persistent ringing finally pulling her back to reality.
Dorothy answered to find Amanda¡¯s voice, dripping with scorn and arrogance, on the other end.
¡°So, are you really going through with thiswsuit? Dorothy, get real. You don¡¯t stand a chance.¡±
Chapter 759
Chapter 759
¡°If I were a sure loser, you wouldn¡¯t be calling me right now.¡± Dorothy¡¯s voice was even, betraying no
emotion. ¡°Right?¡±
Amanda was caught off guard by herposure and her voice pitched up in response.
¡°Do you think Everett will always protect you? Let me tell you, he is my son!¡±
¡°Yes, I know that.¡±
¡°Dorothy!¡±
¡°The oue of thiswsuit isn¡¯t up to you or me. We¡¯ll just wait for the verdict. No need for any
backchannel chatter.¡±
Without a hint of malice, Dorothy hung up the phone. She wasn¡¯t one for nasty exchanges, finding
them pointless.
If she got Amanda so worked up that she fell ill before the verdict, Dorothy would be the one under
the microscope for me.
Besides, Everett would be caught in the middle, and that would be unfair to him.
It really wasn¡¯t necessary.
¡
Karen agreed to get the marriage license.
It was the only way to get a chance to leave this ce!
Besides, once at the registry office, she might find a better opportunity to escape. Jeffrey couldn¡¯t
possibly keep his eyes on her every second.
Since they were going to get the marriage license, Jeffrey had dressed up ¨C suit and tie, hair
perfectly styled, his handsome features sharp and defined.
Sitting in the car, he seemed excited, holding Karen¡¯s hand a little too tightly.
In contrast to his eagerness, Karen remained silent. Resting her head against the car window, she
didn¡¯t utter a word.
¡°Feeling okay?¡±
Jeffrey sensed something was off.
¡°No.¡±
¡°After we register, I¡¯ll take you wherever you want to go for lunch or shopping.¡±
Karen looked up, meeting his gaze. ¡°Do you really have to do this?¡±
Jeffrey¡¯s face darkened instantly, his eyes turning stormy.
¡°I¡¯ve said it before, marrying me is a done deal. Sooner orter, we have to do this, so why the
resistance?¡±
¡°But we hardly know each other!¡±
¡°We have the rest of our lives for that.¡±
Karen pursed her lips, knowing that arguing was futile.
When they arrived at the city hall, she had hoped for a chance to slip away amid the chaos, but to
her dismay, Jeffrey had the ce cleared out.
It was just the two of them registering.
¡°Mr. Turner, Ms. Miller, do you want to take a photo first?¡±
¡°Sure!¡± Jeffrey said, eager to pull Karen along.
¡°Wait!¡±
She suddenly shouted, then clutched her stomach, ¡°Jeffrey, I need to use the restroom, okay?¡±
She tried to look as urgent as possible, fearing Jeffrey wouldn¡¯t believe her.
Fortunately, Jeffrey didn¡¯t overthink it and nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll take you there.¡±
¡°It¡¯s okay. I can go by myself.¡±
With that, she hurried towards the restroom.
The moment Karen had entered the building, she¡¯d scoped out the restroom''s location.
Jeffrey instinctively started to follow but stopped after a step, letting her go.
Maybe she really did just need to use the restroom.
He didn¡¯t want to press Karen too hard.
With the city hall surrounded by his people, why make her feel overly trapped?
Jeffrey stood still, pulling out his phone to check it.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!
On the screen were missed calls and pleading texts from Paige.
[Jeffrey, please, I¡¯m begging you, leave my family alone! My mother is really on herst legs!]
[Can¡¯t you show some mercy for the few months we were together? Please?]
[Jeffrey! They just issued a critical condition notice for my mom, are you happy now?]
Happy?
His lips curled into a sardonic half-smile.
Of course, he was far from satisfied.
Chapter 760
Chapter 760
If Jeffrey was going to break the rules, he might as well go all the way!
That was the motto of the day for Jeffrey as he pocketed his phone, his face betraying no emotion.
He casually nced towards the restroom, silently keeping track of time.
He craved to give Karen space, to trust herpletely, but he couldn''t shake off the nagging doubt.
As soon as Karen slipped into the restroom, she frantically searched for an escape. The ce was
deserted. She checked the women''s side, then dashed to check the men''s. Her heart sank as she
realized the only exit was the window opposite the entrance.
She clenched her jaw, eyeing the window with determination.
That was her only shot!
Time was running out, and she knew Jeffrey woulde looking if she took too long.
Karen scrambled to find a rickety chair, gave it a shake to ensure it could hold her weight, and
dragged it beneath the window.
Just as she was about to climb, footsteps echoed from outside the restroom!
Her heart leapt into her throat, and she darted into a stall.
After a moment, Karen realized it wasn''t Jeffrey; the neer didn¡¯t call out for her or search
around. Instead, the person headed straight into the restroom.
Tentatively, Karen knocked on the stall door and whispered, "Hello?"
"Who''s there?"
A woman''s voice responded.
Karen hurried over, "Hi, do you work here? Could I maybe borrow your phone for a quick call?"
There was a pause, then the woman said, "Sure, but wait till I''m done."
"Okay!"
It wasn''t like Karen could rush her¡ªthe woman was in the middle of her business, after all.
Anxiously, Karen kept an eye on the door, hoping to get through to Dorothy or her parents, anyone
who could help.
Finally, the woman came out of the stall.
"Here you go."
She handed Karen the phone.
"Thank you so much!"
Grasping it like a lifeline, Karen immediately started dialing Dorothy''s number.
This could be the break she needed; getting Everett to rein in Jeffrey would be a game-changer.
As she was about to hit call, the phone was snatched from her hands.
Her eyes darted up, straight into Jeffrey''s cold stare.
"Who were you trying to call?"
It was silence.
He twirled the phone in his hand, then turned to the woman who lent it, "Yours?"
"Yeah, that''s mine!"
"Take it. And leave."
The woman, visibly shaken, nodded and scurried out of the restroom like a bat out of hell.
Now it was just Karen and Jeffrey. The air thickened with tension.
"I just wanted to let them know I''m okay..."
"Do I look like a fool to you, Karen?"
Her head shook like a tambourine. "Dorothy will worry if I don''t show up! Isn''t it normal for me to call
her?"
N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.
"If I''m not mistaken, you were going to ask for help, and get her to contact Everett to deal with me."
It was silence again.
Jeffrey stepped closer, and Karen instinctively backed away, but she was quickly trapped by the
wall, with nowhere left to go.
"Karen, cut the crap with me! I''ve told you, I don¡¯t want to hurt you. Just marry me, have the baby,
and I''ll do whatever you want after that."
Chapter 761
Chapter 761
"But I don¡¯t want to marry you!"
Jeffrey was clearly holding back a storm of anger.
If he hadn''t thought she was taking too long in the restroom and barged in without considering the
men''s and women''s signs, Karen''s call would have gone through!
God help him if Dorothy found out he had essentially put Karen under house arrest¡ªit''d be worse
than if his own parents knew!
Dorothy was the apple of Everett''s eye; she was untouchable.
Everett would definitely give him hell for this.
"Knock it off. You''ve had your bathroom break. Now let''s go get our marriage license."
Jeffrey''s handnded on her shoulder, pressing gently but firmly.
But Karen wasn''t budging.
"Can''t you be reasonable for once? Jeffrey, the more you push, the less I want to marry you!"
"Then who do you want to marry?"
"That''s not the point! Don''t twist my words!"
Jeffrey clenched his jaw, his towering presence casting a shadow that enveloped Karen.
"You were worried about ying stepmom, so I proved that Paige¡¯s child isn''t mine! You were
scared of the drama from exes. My handling of Paige and Arthur''s situation has sent a clear
message to the scene¡ªif they value their lives, they won''t mess with me. You can rest easy."
Rest easy? What was there to rest easy about? Karen thought.
"Jeffrey, what you did to Paige was heartless; I''m scared you''d do the same to me one day!"
"I won''t!"
Karen peered into his eyes and said, "Then let me go. I don''t want to marry you, and as for the
child, I might reconsider."
"No negotiations on that."
"Well, I''m not going!"
In a sh, Jeffrey hoisted Karen up in his arms. "I''m getting that marriage license today."
...
Dorothy had gathered everything Ephraim had requested and made a special trip to hand it over to
him personally.
He was enthusiastic, eager to hash out the details.
"Looking at it, the court might peg Heather as the mastermind."
After all, it was Heather who had started the trouble; Amanda and Dorothy''s mother had no direct
beef.
"But it wasn''t Heather giving the orders."
"Ms. Sanchez, with this evidence, their conviction is a sure thing. It''s just a matter of sentencing and
the nature of the conviction. I''ll fight for your best interests, whether that''s marypensation
or severe punishment."
Lawyers instinctively prioritize their clients'' rights and interests.
But Dorothy was different.
"I won''t agree to a settlement, nor will I sign any agreement."
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"But... even if both defendants get the death penalty, you won''t get anything! Your mother won''t
come back to life." Ephraim knew such a statement was hard for most clients to swallow, but he had
to say it.
"I''m adamant about an eye for an eye, Ephraim. My greatest hope is that they both get the death
penalty."
Ephraim paused, choosing his words carefully, "That might be difficult... The final verdict might
disappoint you. One might get death, the other¡ª"
"I''ll appeal for a second trial. And if the final verdict remains the same, I''ll ept it."
She was seeking justice, not a vendetta.
Chapter 762
Chapter 762
"Alright, keep that bnce in your mindset, and trust us at West Legal Services. We''ll go all out for
you."
"Much appreciated."
Dorothy stood up and gave Ephraim a very formal nod. "I''m truly grateful that West Legal Services
is willing to take on this case without fearing the bacsh from the Lopez Corporation. Of course, I
have absolute trust in you."
"No need to thank me! Going the extra mile for our clients is what we''re all about."
Ephraim could hardly stand the formality, feeling a chill run down his spine!
After Dorothy left, Ephraim''s assistant sidled up, whispering, "Boss, are we really taking on this
case? You do realize this involves the Lopez Corporation..."
With a nce, Ephraim replied, "If nobody had given the green light, I wouldn''t dare touch it."
"In Eldorria City, who would be bold enough to back you against the Lopez Corporation?" The
assistant was all ears, "Can you let me in on it?"
"Curious?"
"Yeah!"
Ephraim flicked him on the forehead, "Idiot! If you know that nobody in Eldorria City would dare
cross the Lopez Corporation, then you should be able to guess who''s pulling strings behind the
scenes."
Rubbing his sore head, the assistant grumbled, "So, who is it? It can''t possibly be someone from
the Lopez Corporation themselves, backing Ms. Sanchez to sue their ownpany, can it? Are
they testing their legal department or what?"
"Looks like you''re destined to be an assistant a while longer. I''ve got to head to court."
...
After leaving West Legal Services, Dorothy went straight to the supermarket to pick up some
veggies and fruits before heading back to her apartment.
She had been house-hunting earlier, nning to check out some ces once she had all her
evidence lined up and herwsuit filed. She needed to move out of Karen''s ce.
Speaking of Karen, Dorothy realized she hadn''t gotten a response from her all day!
It couldn''t be that she was still asleep, could it?
As Dorothy booted up herputer to organize the data on the Lopez Corporation for Kevin, she
dialed Karen''s number.
No answer after several rings.
Just as she was about to try again, a message from Karen popped up on WhatsApp.
[It''s Jeffrey. She''s in the shower. What''s up?]
Dorothy frowned slightly and texted back: [Why do you always have her phone?]
Jeffrey quickly sent a photo.
She opened it to see Karen fresh out of the shower, her hair still dripping wet.N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.
[She said her hands were wet and it''s hard to use the phone. Plus, she''s carrying my child, what
could I possibly do? You got something to worry about?]
After thinking it over, Dorothy figured it made sense.
The couple was probably enjoying their honeymoon phase, making up after a spat. It was normal
for them not to reply right away. Besides, it wasn''t like she and Karen were constantly in touch, only
messaging when needed.
[Just take good care of her! And remind Karen to call Keh. He''s pretty upset and needs some
smoothing over.]
The reply that came back seemed to be from Karen herself, given the way it started with Dorothy''s
name.
[Dorothy, got it! I''m a bit scared Keh will chew me out. Better let him cool down before tackling it
head-on! Don''t worry about me. I''m doing great here with Jeffrey. He''s treating me well.]
Chapter 763
Chapter 763
Dorothy heaved a sigh of relief and set her phone down on the kitchen counter next to a half-eaten
apple pie.
Jeffrey and Karen getting back together was a smallfort, a tiny slice of good news in what had
been a roller coaster of a month.
She booted up herptop and logged into the backend of Lopez Corporation''swork. Her role as
a supervisor was still listed there.
When her old gig at East Star Enterprises got absorbed into the parentpany, her contract
mandated she couldn''t leave for at least six months. But with one thing and another, her nned
resignation had been put on the back burner.
Chewing on her lip, Dorothy opened a new document and typed out the words "Resignation Letter".
The six-month mark was just around the corner. She figured she could still lend a hand to Everett
when needed. Thewsuit certainly wasn''t going to wrap up quickly; having a verdict after just the
first hearing within six months would be nothing short of miraculous. By the time the dust settled,
she''d be ready to cut ties with Lopez Corporation for good.
It took Dorothy an hour to write her resignation letter, which she promptly emailed to HR.
Not long after, a notification popped up on her screen. It was a message from Kevin.
[Ms. Sanchez, are you there?]
[Right here! What''s up, Kevin?]
[Um... I just got wind from HR. Did you hand in your resignation?]
Dorothy had expected word of her departure to reach Everett eventually, but she hadn''t anticipated
it being quite so swift. No matter.
The decision to quit was genuine.
[Yep, I''m aware of the six-month use. I won''t jump ship immediately. You can assign me tasks as
usual until then.]
[You''re really set on leaving, huh? Mr. Lopez is in a meeting right now, clueless about this. If you
retract now, I won''t breathe a word to him.]
Dorothy cracked a wry smile, appreciating Kevin''s concern. But once the court''s decision came
down, if she was still at Lopez Corporation, the media frenzy would be unpredictable, to say the
least. She had to make a clean break.
[No turning back, Kevin. As of tomorrow, the countdown begins.]
Kevin didn''t reply, and his status soon turned to offline.
Dorothy''s mind wandered back to Kevin''s mention of Everett being in a meeting. If it was an internal
Lopez Corporation meeting, she might have ess to listen in. Sure enough, when she navigated
to the meeting channel, she saw the "Presidential New Project Brainstorm Session" scheduled in
Conference Room One.
Curiosity piqued, she attempted to join, only to be halted by a prompt for a password or an invite.
On a hunch, she typed in "0825", not really expecting entry¡ªafter all, the meeting might have been
initiated by Kevin, and the password set by him too. But to her surprise, the channel opened up, and
a message appeared:
[Project Team Four Supervisor¡ªDorothy Sanchez, has joined Conference Room One.]
Dorothy instinctively clicked to leave, but another message blocked her attempt.
[Exit unavable under five minutes of joining.]
Fantastic. Who had programmed this feature?
On the video feed, she noticed Everett squinting at his screen¡ªno doubt spotting her unexpected
presence.
She clicked the exit button repeatedly, only to be reminded she hadn''t been in the meeting long
enough.
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Resigned to her fate, Dorothy took a deep breath. It was just a video conference; she might as well
treat it as an educational experience.
As Everett returned his focus to the documents in his hands, Dorothy kept a close eye on the time.
Just short of the five-minute mark, Everett''s voice unexpectedly filled the room.
"Ms. Sanchez, did you need something?"
Chapter 764
Chapter 764
Caught off-guard when she was called, Dorothy quickly typed a response on her keyboard.
The Fourth Project Team Director Dorothy: [Nothing, carry on!]
This was totally unexpected. She had never used the listen-in feature during previous meetings; it
was always a direct link to the online conference room or an invitation to join. Now, she found
herself eavesdropping for the first time without an invite!
Had she known it would turn out like this, she would have steered clear at all costs!
But now that Everett had mentioned her by name during the conference, she feared that if she left
the room within five minutes, it would be announced!
Crashing the meeting was already conspicuous enough; leaving now would surely turn her into the
talk of the town among her colleagues.
Left with no other choice, Dorothy leaned back in her chair and decided to brazenly watch Everett
leading the meeting, detailing the new project''s direction.
Everett truly had a knack for business. Many projects, often seen as risky or unfavorable, never lost
money under his watch!
This resulted in numerouspanies secretly taking cues from the Lopez Corporation. Any sign of
movement from Everett, and they would swiftly follow suit, investing in simr ventures.
"In the domestic market, for at least the next five years, growth will revolve around renewable
energy. So, that direction is a safe bet. The main thing is the details. Due diligence must be
thorough, especially in confirming the other party''s financial stability. We don''t want to end up
having to bail them out halfway through the project."
His voice was quite appealing¡ªdeep with a gravelly texture, rich yet not overly mature.
Still, Dorothy preferred the sound of his voice first thing in the morning. Raspy, with a youthful
timbre, like dual tracks running in harmony.
An hourter, the meeting finally ended. Dorothy was automatically booted from the conference
room.
She had just breathed a sigh of relief when her phone began to ring.
Recognizing the number on the screen instantly, she answered, "Hello..."
"You needed me?"
"No, just clicked in by ident."
As soon as she said it, she wanted to bite off her tongue!
Conference room channels were password-protected! idental entry was impossible!
Fortunately, Everett didn''t expose her lie and didn''t say much else.
Dorothy could hear the sound of Everett''s dress shoes, indicating he was probably walking out.
The call should have ended there, but neither of them hung up.
Eventually, Everett broke the silence.
"Want to see the kids?"
"Yes!"
"In twenty minutes, I''ll video call you from the hotel."
"Okay, great!"
After she replied, Everett hung up first.
Dorothy stared at her phone for a long while before focusing on the time.
Twenty minutes!
She took a deep breath, stood up, poured herself a ss of warm water, took a stroll around her
apartment''s living room, and checked the time again.
Only five minutes had passed.
She frowned slightly, returned the ss, changed into a different outfit, freshened up in the
bathroom, and then came back to check the time again.
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Twelve minutes had gone by.
She never realized how endless twenty minutes could feel.
As she pondered this, the video call invitation from Everett popped up.
Dorothy hurriedly epted, and the first thing she saw was a close-up of Everett''s handsome face.
"I''m at the hotel lobby, about to head up."
Chapter 765
Chapter 765
"Okay!"
Dorothy half expected Everett to just say a quick hello and then hang up, but his face stayed on the
screen.
She propped her phone on a stand, adjusted the angle, and kept her eyes glued to the disy.
Soon, Everett used his key card to enter the hotel room, and the yful sounds of Abigail and
Langston followed.
"Mommy wants to FaceTime with you guys."
On the other side of the call, Everett propped his phone on a table and then stepped out of the
frame.
Abigail''s face squeezed into view, waving at Dorothy. "Mommy! I miss you!"
Dorothy quickly responded. "Mommy misses you too!"
"Do you miss Langston?"
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"Of course! I miss both of you!"
Abigail''s big eyes blinked, and she continued, "Do you miss Daddy too?"
Dorothy paused for a moment before answering, "I miss him too."
Abigail giggled. "You gotta finish your work fast, Mommy, ande pick us up!"
"Okay, dear."
Dorothy nodded, her gaze falling on Langston, who was silent.
"Langston, why aren''t you talking to Mommy?"
"I feel like something''s off between you and Dad."
Langston raised an eyebrow, then seemed to look up at Everett. "You guys used to be so lovey-
dovey, always sneaking kisses. Why''s Daddy so far away during the call now?"
"Daddy''s busy with work."
Dorothy didn''t want to burden the kids with the news of their parents'' separation. It wasn''t good for
their growth.
Besides, whatever beef she had with Everett''s mother, she didn''t want it to spill over to Everett.
"But Daddy''s just sitting there, not working."
Everett, apparently hearing his son''sment, got up and walked into the frame.
"Daddy''s thinking."
"Oh!"
Langston''s confusion seemed to clear up. Kids bounce back quick, and a smile spread across his
face.
Dorothy chatted with them for a while until Abigail started to nod off, and then she ended the call.
Putting her phone away, she settled back in front of herputer, and a small smile yed on her
lips.
Crashing that meeting might have been a bit reckless, but today was a good day. Everything went
smoothly; she got to chat with her kids, and she could look at Everett''s face openly without having
to hide. It was a fulfilling day indeed.
...
On Everett''s end, he tucked the kids into bed in the outer room before returning to his suite.
Just as he sat down, he saw a message from Kevin.
A resignation letter from Dorothy.
[Mr. Lopez, this... do we approve it? Should we try to stall a bit longer?] As the CEO''s secretary,
Kevin had plenty of ways to keep Dorothy from leaving if that was what Mr. Lopez wanted.
It all hinged on Everett''s decision.
Everett''s fingers hesitated on the keyboard, then he typed a few words and sent them.
[No need. Approve her resignation.]
[Right away?]
If Everett gave the go-ahead, Dorothy wouldn''t even have to wait the typical six months; she could
sever ties with the Lopez Corporation the very next day.
[Yeah.]
Everett sent the word.
Kevin''s side showed "typing..." several times, but in the end, no further message came.
And then Everett retracted the "Yeah" and sent a new message.
[Put her on a six-month notice period starting tomorrow.]
Chapter 766
Chapter 766
[Okay, I got it, Mr. Lopez.] Kevin replied.
Everett could almost sense the relief that washed over Kevin from the other side of the screen.
He tried to twist his lips into a smile, but it just wouldn''te.
...
Jeffrey had been obsessing over that marriage license, and now he finally had it in his hands.
On the ride back, he kept pulling it out of his pocket, looking at it multiple times, putting it back, then
taking it out again, and back in it went.
At that point, Karen couldn''t help but think he was acting like a three-year-old. But when he got
serious, he was like a crime boss.
She couldn''t shake the memory of being in the restroom, having her phone snatched away, and
when she looked up at him, those cold, piercing eyes staring back at her!
Karen half expected him to smash the phone right then and there.
"You''re finally mine!" Jeffrey dered, pulling Karen close and waving the marriage license in front
of her.
"Give me mine," she said, reaching out for it.
But Jeffrey tucked the certificate away.
"Nope, it''s safer with me."
"Jeffrey, you know I can always go to the city hall and get a copy if I want a divorce."
As if withholding the certificate could actually stop anything.
"If you want a divorce, you''d still need my consent!"
He had worked too hard to bring her back into his life; he wasn''t about to let go.
Karen sighed, not wanting to argue with him.
"Now that we''re married, you can let me go back home, right? My parents are going to be worried
sick if they don''t see me for a few days. You can''t keep me locked away forever."
"Don''t worry, I''ve already messaged them on your WhatsApp. All is good."
"Jeffrey! That''s a vition of my privacy! Give me my phone back."
She couldn''t believe he had gone to such lengths, actually using her WhatsApp without permission!
"Six months, just six months! I talked to the doctor; after that, you can''t have an abortion. Then you
can punish me however you want."
Jeffrey had only one goal in mind¡ªto protect their unborn child. Everything else could wait.
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After all, once the marriage license was signed and the baby was born, her parents would have to
ept him, whether they liked it or not.
Karen was at a loss for words.
"Come on, give me a smile!" Jeffrey grasped her hand, suddenly conspiratorial. "Wait till we get to
the vi. I''ve got a surprise for you."
Karen frowned. "There''s no surprise you could give me that I would want."
All she expected from him were shocks.
"Trust me, it''s gonna be an amazing surprise!"
The car took a turn and, after a long drive, finally stopped in front of the vi.
Karen had never expected any kind of pleasant surprise, but when she saw Paige, she was
genuinely taken aback.
The Paige she knew was always haughty, a high-and-mighty heiress who acted as if she was above
everyone else. But now, there she was, with swollen, red eyes, kneeling at the doorstep of the vi.
"Jeffrey, what is this?" Karen turned to look at Jeffrey.
"Paige was disrespectful to you before, right? How could I let her get away with it? I made her kneel
here to apologize to you!"
Paige saw Karen too, but now there was no arrogance, only a pleading look in her eyes.
"Ms. Miller, I was wrong before! I overstepped. I shouldn''t have spoken to you that way! Please, ask
Jeffrey to spare my parents."
Karen''s brows furrowed as a chill ran through her.
"Paige, get up. I''m not angry."
"No! Let me stay like this. Jeffrey said if I kneel for ten hours, he''ll consider forgiving me!"
Chapter 767
Chapter 767
Jeffrey stepped forward, taking Karen''s hand with an ease that suggested he was blissfully unaware
of the kneeling figure beside them.
"She messed up, and punishment''s fair game. Let''s head back. I can see you''re not keen on this
surprise; I''ll get you another one."
"I don''t want another surprise. Just... let her stand up," Karen said, her voice tinged with sympathy
for Paige.
Despite Paige''s previously haughty demeanor, she truly loved Jeffrey and had given him her all. It
wasn''t fair for her to end like this.
"Today, we got hitched. I don''t want her sobbing away here. Do a good deed, for once,¡± Karen said.
Jeffrey peered into her eyes, gauging her sincerity.
With a smile, he nodded. "Alright, then. She doesn''t have to kneel."
He turned his head, casting a cold nce at Paige. "You can go now."
Paige blinked, stunned. "But... my parents..."
Jeffrey''s arm tightened around Karen''s waist. "My wife said it''s a special day; we got our marriage
license. I''m in a good mood, so I''ll let your family off the hook."
Hand in hand, Jeffrey and Karen moved towards the mansion.
Behind them, Paige, who should have risen, crumpled to the ground instead.
"Jeffrey!"
Karen looked back instinctively.
The emotion in Paige''s eyes was aplex tapestry, too intricate for mere adjectives.
"Did you really... get married?"
Karen pursed her lips, about to speak, but Jeffrey''s grip on her waist tightened.
"Let''s not worry about her. It''s chilly outside."
"Right."
...
Dorothy thought that with her impending resignation, the Lopez Corporation wouldn''t saddle her
with any major projects. After all, if she left before a project''spletion, her sudden departure as a
director could disrupt the workflow.
But then she saw the project files Kevin had sent her. She was gobsmacked. Not only was she still
at the core of the project, but she was also continuing as director!
That meant she would have to return to the office! After all, too many details couldn''t be rified
through online meetings alone.
Dorothy quickly messaged Kevin: [Is this Everett''s doing?]
Kevin''s reply took a while. [It''s a task for the fourth project team, assigned as usual.]
So, it wasn''t a special instruction from Everett, huh?
[I''m about to resign, and this project won''t be done in half a year. Can we switch to something more
feasible? Kevin, I appreciate you wanting me to gain more experience, but I don''t want to be the
team''s dead weight.]
[As long as you''re with Lopez Corporation, you''re part of the team. The higher-ups have their
reasons. Ms. Sanchez, don''t overthink¡ªjust focus on your job.]
Dorothy grimaced, pondering her response before deleting it.
The task was assigned, and Kevin seemed reluctant to change anything. Insisting further would just
seem petnt.
[Understood.]
Kevin didn''t linger for small talk but sent over a schedule for the first project meeting instead.
Dorothy couldn''t help but ask: [Will Everett be there?]
[Mr. Lopez is abroad at a tech symposium.]
In other words, the CEO wouldn''t attend such a minor kickoff meeting.
Dorothy felt her question had been superfluous.
[Sorry, just asking on a whim.]
She quickly exited the chat and forced herself to focus on the documents.
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In the corporate world, Everett was the renowned CEO of the Lopez Corporation, and she was just
a project director. It was crucial not to let personal feelings blur professional lines.
Chapter 768
Chapter 768
Suddenly finding herself diving back into the corporate world, Dorothy had to admit, the transition
felt a bit awkward. But it wasn''t fear holding her back, nor reluctance.
After all, to live is to work, right?
She spent the entire night poring over the documents and project brief Kevin had sent her,
highlighting key sections, scribbling notes, and cross-referencing information until the sky hinted at
dawn. Only a few hours remained before her meeting at Lopez Corporation, and Dorothy finally
allowed herself to copse into bed, setting the rm for a short nap.
It felt like her eyes had only just closed when the rm red to life.
Quickly, she slipped into a sleek business suit, added a touch of makeup to freshen up her look,
grabbed herptop, and bolted for the towering Lopez Corporation building.
Having only spent a brief stint there before, familiar faces were scarce. Scanning the project team,
the sight of Austin still at his desk was an unexpectedfort.
"Ms. Sanchez?" Austin''s surprise was evident, though not overwhelming¡ªhe had seen the project
roster yesterday, after all.
He figured, given Dorothy''s history with Mr. Lopez, she might not be here to actually work¡ªperhaps
just a nominal position.
Dorothy caught the spective, somewhat gossipy look in his eyes and quickly pulled him aside.
"I don''t know many people here, just you. Please, keep my past to yourself, okay?" she implored.
"Don''t worry about it! Why would I say anything?" he chuckled. After all, this was the woman with a
complex history with Everett Lopez himself. Even with liquid courage, he wouldn''t dare to gossip.
"You''re misunderstanding me. My rtionship with Everett isn¡¯t..."
"I get it, I get it! Honestly, Ms. Sanchez, I always thought you were drop-dead gorgeous and super
capable at your job. Just a bit aloof, you know? When Lane was chasing after you, I couldn''t figure
out why you weren''t interested. He''s a catch¡ªhandsome and wealthy! But then I saw you with Mr.
Lopez, and it all clicked. I mean, who wouldn''t choose him over Lane?"
Dorothy was speechless.
"Mr. Lopez is like a Greek god! I get weak-kneed just seeing him from a distance, and you are
dating him..."
Dorothy quickly mped her hand over his mouth.
"Stop, just stop. Everett and I are over."
"What?"
"So, let''s not tie his name to mine anymore, okay? People might get the wrong idea. We''re here to
work, and the projectes first."
Austin stood there, dumbstruck, before finally managing to stammer out, "Ms. Sanchez, is there
someone even better than Mr. Lopez pursuing you?"
She looked at him, torn between amusement and exasperation.
"No, I''m just not focusing on rtionships right now."
"Got it! Is it because Mr. Lopez was too busy for you? You''re upset?" Austin¡¯s eyes practically
sparkled at the mention of Everett.
"Ms. Sanchez, I''m so lucky to work in the same department as you. If I''ve ever been disrespectful, I
didn''t mean it¡ªplease don''t take it to heart!"
Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!
Dorothy forced a smile, feeling the irony of the situation. Austin waspletely oblivious to the
seriousness of her words.
"Let''s just get back to work," she sighed.
"OK, bossdy!"
"Austin!"
Chapter 769
Chapter 769
Austin squinted his eyes and let out a chuckle. "Don''t worry. I''ve been around the block in this
business world, and I know the ropes. It''ll just be our little secret, okay?"
Dorothy could not be bothered to exin further.
Following Austin into the boardroom, she found her seat and settled down, coughing a few times to
clear her throat.
The meeting was an internal team huddle, so the atmosphere was far from formal.
Everyone spoke their minds freely, sharing their thoughts and ideas about the project.
Dorothy had been feeling in sync with her colleagues, which eased her nerves considerably. Having
been mentored by the renowned Everett, her analysis and insights were particrly sharp, earning
her numerous nods of approval from the manager. This, however, didn''t sit well with some of the
female staff on her team.
They had put forth many suggestions, all of which were dismissed, whereas Dorothy''s were
unanimously epted.
The men in the group didn''t shy away from casting admiring nces her way, and how could that
not stir up a bit of jealousy?
As the meeting adjourned and Dorothy returned to her office, there came a knock on her door.
"Come in."
"Ms. Sanchez, hello, I''m Ophelia, the project assistant. I have a question I''d like to ask you."
Her words were polite, but her smile was anything but genuine.
Dorothy didn''t pay much attention to her expression and gestured towards a chair, saying warmly,
"Please, take a seat. I''ll send you the documents right away."
Ophelia took a seat and pped the folder she was carrying onto the desk. That crisp sound
couldn''t have been made without a bit of force.
Dorothy paused and looked over. "What can I help you with? Was there something from the meeting
you didn''t understand?"
"It''s nothing major. It''s just that your analysis was so unique. It''s different from my team''s usual
style. It''s understandable if I didn''t follow, right?"
The implication of ¡°my team¡± was subtle.
Dorothy wasn''t naive. She could detect the challenge in Ophelia¡¯s tone. "Maybe that''s why the
fourth project team has never been at the forefront of winning projects. Poor adaptability and
comprehension skills."
Ophelia clenched her fists in fury. "Aren''t you part of the fourth project team as well?"
"From what I gathered, you don''t seem to fully embrace the idea of me being the team''s director,"
Dorothy said with a smile, holding Ophelia''s gaze.
"I know that to be an assistant at Lopez Corporation, you have to be bright, likely with a master''s
degree. But when those are a dime a dozen, it''s not that impressive. What you should focus on is
honing your skills, not stirring up trouble."
"Ms. Sanchez, you have such a way with words. What did I say? I just mentioned I didn''t grasp your
analysis and hoped you could go over it again. Why do you have to be so harsh? I was actually
looking forward to the director parachuted into the fourth project team to be someone gentle and
patient, but instead..."
Dorothy had finished sending the documents and stood up to pour herself a ss of water before
returning to Ophelia''s side, patting her shoulder.
"If you''re looking for gentle and patient, you might want to try a kindergarten. There, both principals
and teachers are nothing but kind. But this, this is the corporate world."
Being willing to exin things a second time was a courtesy on Dorothy''s part.
If she wasn''t willing, then it was time for some self-reflection on whether it was ack of
comprehension.
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"You! Ms. Sanchez, with your sharp tongue, I bet you wouldn''t dare let the other men in our group
see you like this, would you? Only showing it to the women staff! Too bad, they''re all fools, fools
who only judge by looks!"
Dorothy''s hand stilled, the amusement in her eyes deepening.
She grabbed Ophelia''s arm, yanked open the office door, and raised her voice.
"Everyone, this assistant here just said that all the men on the fourth project team are fools. I''m new
here, so I''m not up to speed¡ªis that so?"
Chapter 770
Chapter 770
The fourth project team''s office suddenly came alive as heads swiveled towards themotion, the
mix of men and women all craning their necks to get a better view.
Even Austin, who rarely left the sanctuary of his private corner office, felt the disturbance and
emerged with a look of concern.
Stepping out, he witnessed Dorothy yanking Ophelia''s arm, his brow furrowing in rm at the
scene. Without missing a beat, hemanded, "Ophelia, my office. Now."
Ophelia, her pride wounded, shrugged off Dorothy''s grip and stormed off to Austin''s office.
Dorothy, not one to make a mountain out of a molehill, simply returned to her desk. With years of
experience in the corporate jungle, she had climbed the ranks from an assistant to a director at East
Star Enterprises, navigating abyrinth of obstacles. She wasn''t about to be rattled by the likes of
Ophelia.
As lunchtime approached, Dorothy finalized the day''s schedule and distributed the printouts. She
was about to head to the employee cafeteria for a bite to eat when Austin appeared at her door, a
smile ying on his lips.
"Ms. Sanchez, how about I treat you to lunch?" he offered.
"For what?" Dorothy was always wary of unexpected invitations, especially considering her and
Austin''s casual acquaintance. It wasn''t like them to share a meal on her first day at work.
Austin chuckled awkwardly. "Consider it an apology on behalf of Ophelia. She''s a bit reckless and
young, you know how it is. Don''t take it to heart, please."
Dorothy waved him off. "Really, it''s fine. I''m not upset with her.¡±
She had too many other things going on in her life to be upset over such a trivial matter.
Austin continued, ¡°She¡¯s new to the team, and erm... a rtive of mine.¡±
Even he was embarrassed by his own words. He was aware that Ophelia had been rather
disrespectful and bloated because she was his rtive, and he never bothered to knock her down a
peg. To think she had the audacity to offend the boss¡¯dy was unimaginable!
¡°It¡¯s really fine,¡± Dorothy smiled and said, ¡°I better head to the cafeteria now. This afternoon, I''ll need
a few sharp individuals for the due diligence team. I¡¯m still new to the fourth project team, so I''m
relying on you to choose wisely."
Austin breathed a sigh of relief, having feared Dorothy might insist on firing Ophelia. After all, he
had no authority to protest. "Of course, of course!"
"Oh, and one more thing," Dorothy added, "I have to swing by West Legal Services after work, so I
won''t be able to stayte. Email me the documents, and I''ll get to them after my meeting. I''ll make
sure there are no dys."
She had always taken her work seriously.
With a nod from Austin, Dorothy locked up her office and headed towards the bustling cafeteria of
the Lopez Corporation.
Truth be told, the culinary spread at the Lopez Corporation¡¯s cafeteria was something to behold, a
rarity even in the entire nation, let alone Eldorria City. Everett insisted that well-fed employees could
perform their best work.
Having skipped breakfast, Dorothy was now feeling the pangs of hunger and forced herself to eat
despite herck of appetite. After all, there was still a full afternoon of work ahead.
But the light lunch did more harm than good. Returning to her desk, Dorothy felt the nagging pain of
indigestion. A search through her bag yielded no relief; she had forgotten her antacids.
Taking deep breaths, she decided to power through until the end of the day when she could pick up
some medicine. But just then, a knock at her door interrupted her thoughts.
She looked up to see Everett''s assistant, a familiar face, holding out a small box.
"Ms. Sanchez, Mr. Lopez wanted you to have this," he said a bit sheepishly.
"He told me not to tell you it was from him, but I couldn''te up with a good excuse. So, I just
went for the truth. You would''ve guessed it anyway once I handed you this, right?"
Dorothy nced down to find a box of antacids in his hand.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.
Chapter 771
Chapter 771
"How did he know..."
"I''m not sure myself, but I''ve got to dash," the executive assistant said, making a beeline for the
door. Just as he reached the threshold, he spun around, a reminder shing in his eyes. "Don''t
breathe a word about my candor, okay? Mr. Lopez won''t take kindly to the impression that his staff
had disobeyed him."
Watching him leave, Dorothy picked up the antacid tablets from her desk and popped two into her
mouth.
They were bitter with an indescribable aftertaste¡ªand she wasn''t just talking about the pills.
...
Karen had only felt overwhelmingly sleepy, but suddenly, upon waking, she was hit with waves of
morning sickness.
In the early hours, when she should have been in the throes of deep slumber, she found herself
rushing to the bathroom, clinging to the porcin god for dear life.
"I''ve called the doctor, Karen! Open the door!"
She had locked herself in, leaving Jeffrey with no choice but to pound helplessly on the bathroom
door.
When it became clear she wasn''t going to let him in, he contemted busting the door down.
Luckily, Karen emerged just in time, a ghastly pale shade, looking utterly drained of life.
"For what? It''s just morning sickness, a normal part of pregnancy."
Hadn''t he ever heard of such a thing? Morning sickness wasmon knowledge, right?
Jeffrey''s brows were knitted together with concern that he couldn''t quite shake off. "You look awful.
Maybe the doc can help. Isn''t there something that can be done? I''ll have her prescribe you
something!"
Speechless, Karen couldn''t be bothered with a biology lesson and exited the room.
The doctor of obstetrics and gynecology was already waiting in the living room. Upon seeing Karen,
she quickly asked, "Is the morning sickness that bad? Did you eat something greasy before bed?"
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"No, I was asleep and then suddenly felt sick."
"Ms. Miller, morning sickness is a typical pregnancy symptom. There''s no special cure, but
sometimes sour foods can offer relief. It really depends on the individual."
Karen nodded in understanding. "I''ll be fine."
She hadn''t intended for the doctor toe at all¡ªit was all Jeffrey, making mountains out of
molehills.
After sending the doctor off, Karen went to freshen up and change.
When she came back, Jeffrey was still in the living room, lost in thought.
Karen paused before asking, "Aren''t you heading into the office today?"
"Nothing pressing today. I''ll go in tomorrow."
Perfect, tomorrow she could find an opportunity to...
Before Karen could finish her thought, Jeffrey unexpectedly asked, "So, this morning sickness... the
doctor thinks it mightst a while?"
"Some experience it for just a month, others until the babyes," Karen replied. While she hadn''t
been through pregnancy herself, she had been there for Dorothy through hers. Besides, women
generally knew a thing or two about such matters.
"There''s really no remedy? I could look for a top specialist..."
"There''s nothing to be done! It''s a natural bodily response. Not even the best doctor can change
that." Karen''splexion had yet to recover, but the worst of the nausea had passed after this
morning''s ordeal.
Breakfast was served in the dining room by a nutritionist.
Karen had started to head over, but after just a few steps, she felt the tumultuous upheaval in her
stomach again!
She mped a hand over her mouth and dashed for the bathroom.
This time, Jeffrey was quick on his feet, following her into the bathroom and avoiding being shut out.
After her first round of retching, Karen looked up at him, frowning. "Can you please leave?"
"No, I can''t leave you alone like this."
"I really don''t want you to see me like this."
Chapter 772
Chapter 772
Which girl would ever want to be seen hugging the toilet, her face the very picture of misery as she
retches her soul out?
It was enough to make her feel embarrassed about the act of throwing up itself!
"I... I just want to be here for you," Jeffrey stammered, caught off-guard by her reasoning.
"Just go. I¡¯ll be fine in a bit."
"I¡¯ll just turn around. You go ahead; I won''t peek."
"Jeffrey, seriously!" Karen was at a loss for words. His meddling had somehow managed to quell
the urge to vomit that had been rising within her. "Just step out. I''ll ssh some water on my face
and join you shortly."
"Alright."
For once, Jeffrey did as he was told and made his way to the door, but Karen stopped him.
"And tell the nutritionist to clear away all that greasy, heavy stuff. I''ll just have some in oatmeal."
She really wanted to indulge, but the nausea was too much to bear. Better to y it safe.
"Okay, oatmeal it is."
Karen took several deep breaths in the bathroom, then looked at herself in the mirror, feeling a
wave of emotion.
Being a woman is no walk in the park!
She remembered how Dorothy struggled through her pregnancy, how it had affected her, even
dering she''d never want kids. But without experiencing the difort firsthand, it was easy to
forget. Now that she was living it, she understood Dorothy''s ordeal all too well.
As soon as she stepped out, Jeffrey was there to offer support.
Karen waved him off. "It''s just morning sickness. I''m not so weak that I need to be propped up."
"I just want you to befortable. The doctor said something sour might help ease the nausea. I''ve
got someone preparing things like pickled plums. When theye, eat what you like and toss what
you don''t."
She nodded and took a seat in the chair Jeffrey had pulled out for her.
Suddenly, she remembered Paige and asked, "You kept your promise, didn''t you? You left Paige
alone?"
Caught off guard by the mention of his ex, Jeffrey''s lips tightened.
"You know I wouldn''t dare break my promise."
"Jeffrey, I get that you''re trying to prove your devotion to me and set an example, but don''t you think
it''s too cruel towards Paige? She really loved you."
Jeffrey''s brow furrowed deeply. "But I don''t love her, and she dared to challenge you. Isn''t our
rtionship the way it is now all because of Paige?"
He vividly remembered those days when he felt like his heart had been ripped out, the pain so
intense he could barely stand.
When he found out Karen was pregnant, he was overjoyed. Learning that she might have to
terminate the pregnancy was just as devastating.
It felt like suffocation.
"She was just the catalyst."
"Karen, can we not talk about her, please?"
The mention of Paige brought back unpleasant memories for Jeffrey.
Karen pursed her lips and decided not to press further.
Soon, the nutritionist brought in the oatmeal.
She was famished, her stomach utterly empty. But for some reason, as soon as she tried to eat, the
urge to vomit was overwhelming!
Karen was about to leave when Jeffrey suddenly grasped her arm. "It''s okay; just let it out wherever.
Someone will clean it up!"
"I don''t want to!"
In her haste, she dashed back to the bathroom too quickly to even shut the door behind her.
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Following her, Jeffrey rubbed her back gently and whispered, "You can''t go on like this, or you''ll be a
wreck in no time."
"What am I supposed to do?"
His lips moved slightly, his voice rough as he said, "Karen, this baby... I don''t want it anymore."
Chapter 773
Chapter 773
Karen furrowed her brow, "Do you even hear yourself?"
"I do." Jeffrey walked over and took her hand, "I mean, I wanted us to have a child, but... I don''t
want you to suffer like this."
His words were clearly ridiculous. Yet, when Karen looked into his eyes, she believed he meant
every word.
"Jeffrey, you..." She opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for words!
It was a bit over the top.
Who decides to have an abortion just because of morning sickness?
But truth be told, if she weren''t stuck in this situation, she really wouldn''t want the child either.
"Does an abortion hurt?" Jeffrey had never dealt with anything like this before, let alone tried to
understand it. His only concern was not to hurt Karen.
"I''ve never had one. I don''t know."
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"Then I''ll ask the doctor! Don''t worry, I''ll make sure... any harm to you is minimized."
Jeffrey tried his best to hide the disappointment in his eyes, but Karen could still see it.
He had been looking forward to this child for a long time.
Now, he was frantically trying to keep her trapped here, all just to keep the child.
If he just wanted to register their marriage as he said, there was no need for her to be involved, let
alone all this fuss.
"We¡¯ll talk about itter. Let''s go have breakfast."
She had been through enough turmoil, and Jeffrey hadn''t eaten anything either.
As for the child, she wanted to give it more thought. Her mind was too cluttered right now to think
clearly.
...
For Dorothy, a day''s work was still physically draining.
By the time she arrived at West Legal Services, her voice was a little hoarse.
"Ephraim, I''m here."
"Take a seat!"
Ephraim had been waiting for her since early morning and handed her a few sheets of paper as
soon as she arrived. "We''ve got the evidence sorted and have filed a criminalwsuit with the court.
We''re just waiting for the case to be investigated before arresting the suspect."
"Will there be many obstacles to getting the case filed?"
Dorothy asked tactfully, knowing that the suspects included the powerful and internationally-based
mother of Everett.
"Definitely, but at least it''s moving forward! Ms. Sanchez, don''t worry. We''ll get the justice we''re due.
You have to believe in thew."
"Alright."
Dorothy carefully put away the indictment.
Ephraim looked at her and suddenly asked, "Ms. Sanchez, even though I know your stance, I still
have to ask. Are you really not open to any settlement? You might want to consider it."
It was awyer''s duty to ask. Experience told them that settlements often yielded more tangible
benefits; holding onto anger was futile.
Though the principle of a life for a life was just, the dead could not be brought back, and the living
needed to carry on.
"Sorry, I''m not interested in settling."
"Not even for a substantial sum of money?" Ephraim paused, then added, "Here''s the thing: once
criminal proceedings are established, even if you agree to a deration of forgiveness, the other
party will still face sentencing! They won''t get away scot-free! It would be a way for you to vent."
Dorothy shook her head, her voice soft as she said, "I can''t forgive someone who had a hand in my
mother¡¯s death. No amount of money can change that."
"s! I understand how you feel, then. Alright."
Dorothy stood up and left West Legal Services. As soon as she got into her car, she saw a
notification on her WhatsApp.
Everett had sent a message but deleted it.
Chapter 774
Chapter 774
Then, Dorothy saw Everett¡¯s name changed into the ¡°typing¡¡± indicator.
But nothing came through, and it reverted to just his name.
A few secondster, the typing resumed.
Dorothy waited with bated breath, curious about what he might have to say, so she kept the chat
open, her gaze fixed on the screen.
After what seemed like an eternity of indecision, Everett finally sent a message.
[Sorry, sent it by ident.]
[Oh.]
She half-expected Everett to use the kids as a shield, iming they were messing around with his
phone.
Dorothy¡¯s eyes lingered on her own response, the single ¡°Oh,¡± feeling as though the conversation
had crashed and burned.
Wanting to keep the dialogue going, she typed out: [Are you with Abigail and Langston?]
Karen had once told her that if she wanted to prolong a conversation, she should keep asking
questions. After all, if someone wants to keep talking to you, they''ll answer any question.
Sure enough, Everett replied promptly.
[No, they''re at the hotel. I''ve arranged for a tutor to give them lessons. Just finished a meeting, I''m
in the car.]
As he recounted his whereabouts, Dorothy felt a pang of nostalgia, almost as if they had never
separated.
She really wanted to ask Everett if he would go along with his father¡¯s wishes to be with Quincy, but
she knew that asking would tear down too many pretenses.
For now, she was content with this dynamic¡ªex-wife and ex-husband, the asional WhatsApp
message, and two kids as the link between them.
At least, that was what Dorothy told herself to ease her mind.
Unsure of what else to ask and seeing that Everett had said all there was to say, Dorothy was about
to put her phone away.
But then another message from Everett popped up.
[You want to see them today?]
Dorothy tilted her head, pondering for a moment, then replied: [Aren¡¯t they busy with their tutor? I
don¡¯t want to interrupt. Just sneak me some videos.]
[Alright.]
She arrived at her apartment and fixed herself a simple meal. As she pulled herptop out of her
bag, she inadvertently caught sight of the antacids Everett had his assistant bring her.
Dorothy was still curious¡ªhow did he know about her stomachache?
Surely, he couldn''t have installed a camera in her office. No, she''d have to check her office
thoroughly tomorrow.
...
In the car, Everett had already coughed several times as he settled into his seat.
Kevin, the driver, nced at Everett through the rear-view mirror and said, ¡°Mr. Lopez, should I take
you to the hospital to get checked out? You don¡¯t seem well today.¡±
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¡°It''s just a cold.¡±
Everett¡¯s voice was slightly rough, raspy even.
¡°You¡¯ve got that conference in Liberty City tomorrow. We should at least stop for some medicine so
you can get a good night¡¯s sleep.¡±
¡°Have you looked over the guest list for the Liberty City summit?¡± Everett deftly sidestepped the
concern, flipping through his schedule on his tablet.
Sighing, Kevin murmured, ¡°I¡¯ve checked the list. Companies that have crossed us before aren¡¯t
invited this time. I would¡¯ve declined otherwise.¡±
¡°Okay, good.¡±
Everett nodded, then rubbed his temples.
He kept saying he was fine, but the difort was real. Ever since that incident with Heather, his
health had taken a hit. Just a brush with the cold air, and he was already feeling under the weather.
Taking advantage of a red light, Kevin bit his lip and spoke up nervously, ¡°Mr. Lopez, if you¡¯re not
going to take care of yourself, I might just have to tell Ms. Sanchez and let her handle you.¡±
Chapter 775
Chapter 775
Everett''s lithe fingers paused, and he looked up sharply.
"Threatening me?"
"Wouldn''t dream of it."
Of course, he wouldn¡¯t dare to threaten the CEO, but he knew that Ms. Sanchez would, and that
was enough.
Everett''s gaze lowered again, returning to the tablet in his hands.
Kevin fell silent, no longer speaking, just focusing on driving.
For a few moments, the air in the car was thick with awkwardness.
Finally, after a few minutes, Everett spoke in a deep tone.
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"Take me to the hospital."
"You got it, Mr. Lopez!"
...
The next morning Dorothy was up at dawn and headed straight to the office.
For the Lopez Corporation, this project was central but not exceptionallyrge. However, for the
fourth project team, it was like a pie falling from the sky. And devouring that pie wasn''t going to be
easy.
Dorothy had no intention of being the weak link, so she was determined to give it her all.
As she arrived at the office, she saw Austin and Ophelia walking side by side ahead of her, deep in
conversation with grim expressions on their faces.
After putting Ophelia in her ce the day before, Dorothy had no desire to start another
confrontation, so she took a detour and took another elevator.
Opening the door to her office, she was about to set down herputer when she saw Austin
heading her way with breakfast in hand.
"Ms. Sanchez, this is for you!"
Dorothy blinked in surprise, gesturing no. "I''m not really in the mood for breakfast."
She was always wary of any kind of advances from men, regardless of their intent, preferring to
avoid them when possible.
But Austin quickly exined, "I didn''t buy this, I swear! I just saw youing in and thought I''d
bring it over."
"Then who did?"
"It''s from the Lopez Corporation! Word is Mr. Lopez noticed everyone''s so caught up in office
politics that they''re neglecting their health and skipping breakfast. So he decided that from now on,
in addition to lunch and overtime meals, thepany will also provide breakfast, delivered right to
each department."
Dorothy hadn''t expected that.
Austin chuckled, "Working at the Lopez Corporation sure has its perks! I''d live and die for this
company. Ms. Sanchez, I''ll just leave your breakfast here, okay? We''ve got an early meeting. See
you there."
"Sure."
Dorothy nodded, and after he left, her eyes finally settled on the breakfast.
Everett? This wasn''t all because of her, was it?
It was a significant expense to cover breakfast for the entirepany staff.
She shook her head, deciding not to tter herself.
It was probably just a coincidence.
The fourth project team''s morning meeting was mostly about assigning due diligence tasks. After
some thought, Austin picked two suitable candidates.
Ophelia wasn''t one of them.
After the meeting, Dorothy was jotting down some notes and was thest to leave.
As she stepped out, she overheard Ophelia and Austin talking around the corner of the staircase.
"Austin, you''re that scared of offending Dorothy? Tell me the truth, are you falling for that vixen? Cuz
I''m about to spill the beans to my aunt!"
"Would you shut it? Please?"
"Me, shut up? You''re practically kicking me off the project team. Isn''t it obvious what you''re
thinking?"
Austin''s voice was hushed,ced with frustration. "Do you even know who Ms. Sanchez is? Stop
making wild guesses! I''m telling you, if you don''t want to be kicked out of the Lopez Corporation,
you better behave. Steer clear of Ms. Sanchez from now on, got it?"
"I don''t care! I want to be part of the due diligence!"
"If you hadn''t provoked Ms. Sanchez, maybe I would¡¯ve considered it. But now, definitely not!"
Listening in, Dorothy pieced together that this must have been what their earlier conversation was
about.
Chapter 776
Chapter 776
Dorothy didn''t want to be a wallflower, so after hearing those few words, she retreated to her own
office.
It wasn''t that she had anything against Ophelia, but she wasn''t exactly Mother Teresa, going out of
her way to ask Austin to let Ophelia in on the due diligence.
Firing up herputer, Dorothy smoothly logged into the Lopez Corporation''s system.
These days, she couldn''t help but sneak a peek at the meeting channel to see if Everett had
anything scheduled.
Even though she swore she''d never sit in on one of those meetings again, there was still this feeling
that keeping an eye on the channel somehow brought the elusive Everett just a bit closer.
The ringtone of her cell phone cut through the silence on her desk.
ncing down, she saw Keh''s name shing on the screen.
"Keh."
"You''re not at the apartment?"
"Uh, no, I started working at the Lopez Corporation."
There was a pause on the other end before Keh asked tentatively, "Did Everett set that up?"
"I was with East Star Enterprises before they merged us into Lopez Corporation, right? Working
here is normal, not his doing."
"Oh... So, what time do you get off? I''lle and pick you up."
"I..."
"Today''s my birthday."
Dorothy froze, the words of refusal stuck in her throat.
"Then, I''ll let you know when I get off."
"Great!"
Hanging up, Dorothy organized her workload before seeking out a local bakery to order a birthday
cake.
You can''t show up empty-handed on someone''s birthday.
But he wouldn''t just invite her, right? Surely Karen would be there? And if Karen was going, Jeffrey
would be tagging along, no doubt.
Just in case, Dorothy shot a quick text to Karen on WhatsApp.
Better to avoid the awkward possibility of it just being her and Keh.
...
Karen''s morning sickness seemed to be getting worse, not better.
The day before, she had managed only a bit of oatmeal, which she''d promptly lost not an hourter!
Jeffrey was beside himself, looking as though he wished he could whisk Karen off to the hospital for
an abortion right then and there.
"You can''t keep going on like this, not eating! Surviving on pickles is going to wreck your stomach."
Curled up on the sofa, Karen was a pale shadow of herself, drained of energy.
At least the sour pickles seemed to offer a momentary respite.
"Just let me eat them. I feel awful."
"Karen, should I just go ahead and schedule the procedure?"
Jeffrey couldn''t bring himself to sit, pacing with anxiety.
Karen''s brow furrowed as she looked at him. "Have you decided?"
"Yeah! You''ve only been pregnant for a short while, and it''s already this tough. I can''t imagine what
ten months will do to you! I don''t want a child anymore. Let''s just be child-free forever!"
"But didn''t you say you wanted to be a dad before? Weren''t you envious of Everett having Abigail
and Langston?"
Jeffrey shook his head. "Not anymore. I''ve got you, and that''s enough."
"Can you pass me my phone, please?"
Jeffrey remained silent.
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"We''re officially together now, and you''re saying we don''t need the baby, so why do you insist on
keeping me cooped up here?"
Jeffrey''s lips were dry as he pressed them together, "I''m scared you''ll leave, disappear to
somece I can''t find you."
"To a ce even you can''t track?" Karen extended her hand, "Give me my phone; maybe if I y
around with it, I won''t feel nauseous!"
"Really?"
"You never know! Ever heard of distraction techniques?"
Jeffrey hesitated, then quickly said, "Wait here, I''ll get it!"
He took a few steps forward before abruptly stopping, rooted to the spot.
"What''s wrong?"
"Karen, do you... not want to go through with the abortion?"
Her suggestion of using the phone as a distraction¡ªwasn''t that a sign she was still looking for a
way to keep the baby?
Chapter 777
Chapter 777
Karen''s face froze, then she awkwardly shifted her gaze away.
"I''m just... afraid of the pain."
Upon hearing this, Jeffrey immediately promised with utmost seriousness, "Don''t worry, I''ll get you
the best medical team there is! We''ll minimize your pain and any surgical risks!"
Karen frowned.
It suddenly made sense to her why Everett was the CEO and Jeffrey was still working under him.
With his kind of straightforward thinking, a guy who couldn''t see around corners, anypany he''d
run would probably go belly-up.
"Can you just go and get my phone?"
"Oh, okay."
Being a woman, Karen couldn''t very well be the first to say, "I don''t want an abortion anymore; I
want to have your baby," could she?
Initially, she truly didn''t want it, but she was under the assumption that she would cut ties with
Jeffreypletely and start afresh on her own. Now that they were legally married, well... having
kids was just a matter of time.
Worried about the toll pregnancy might take on her, Jeffrey was even prepared to give up the baby
he longed for. Karen found that touching. But she wasn''t ready to let Jeffrey know she had epted
him, lest he stir up more trouble.
...
When Karen called Dorothy, she was on her way to the Bureau of Industry and Commerce.
For a private investigation like this, Dorothy didn''t trust anyone else to handle it, so she had to make
the trip herself.
"Keh didn''t send me an invite to his party!"
"Maybe he''s upset. He''s still not happy with the whole thing between you and Jeffrey. Why don''t you
try to sweet-talk him today?"
Karen paused, then hummed in agreement. "Alright, I''ll give him a call."
As they were about to hang up, Dorothy quickly added, "Are you going to Keh''s birthday dinner
tonight? If you''re not, I need to let him know that I... I can''t make it either."
"Ah, I know! Don''t worry, I''ll be there." Karen chuckled. "I wouldn''t want to put you in an awkward
spot. Even if Keh doesn''t invite me, I''ve got to show up! It''s just that..."
"Just what?"
"Dorothy, I''ve started getting morning sickness. If I see Keh, I won''t be able to hide it."
Derek and Serena didn''t even know yet!
Karen continued, "When the timees, you''ve got to put in a good word for me! I''m afraid
Keh might give me an earful."
After thinking it over, Dorothy spoke calmly, "Karen, avoiding the issue won''t help. Why don''t you
bring Jeffrey with you and exin things to Keh? Jeffrey''s good at sweet-talking, isn''t he?
Sooner orter, he''ll have to win over your family."N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.
After all, Karen''s pregnancy was confirmed. Whether Derek and Serena found out sooner orter
didn''t change the fact that Jeffrey would have to face the music.
Karen sighed. "I know you''re right, but I still want to hide just a little longer."
"Stop hiding. It''s better to settle down sooner; it''s good for your pregnancy. Otherwise, you''ll be
distracted by all these worries."
"Yeah, you''re right. See you tonight, then! I''ll discuss it with Jeffrey and figure out what to say."
"Okay, see you tonight."
After hanging up, Dorothy finally breathed a sigh of relief.
If Karen didn''t go, she would definitely have to concoct some excuse to bail. Celebrating Keh''s
birthday alone with him? That would be totally inappropriate.
Looking up, she saw the Bureau of Industry and Commerce right in front of her.
Dorothy grabbed her bag and got out of the car, ready to go in, but then she noticed an unread
message notification on her phone from the Lopez Corporation, sent by Kevin.
Worried it might be something important, she stopped to check it.
It was a photo.
A picture of Everett in the hospital, hooked up to an IV drip.
Chapter 778
Chapter 778
Everett was sick?
In the photo, Everetty on a hospital cot, eyes closed, and his face a tad pale.
It was clear as day that Kevin had snapped and sent it on the sly.
Predictably, a few more messages followed.
[Ms. Sanchez, I snagged this shot of Mr. Lopez secretly. He doesn''t know, so let''s keep it on the
down-low, okay?]
[He''d be ticked off.]
[Mr. Lopez has been under the weather for days now, really out of sorts. Could you y dumb but
drop him a line to check in on him?]
Dorothy''s fingers hesitated over her keyboard before typing back: [If I pretend I don''t know he''s sick,
then suddenly start fussing over him, he''ll smell a rat.]
Everett was too sharp; such simple tricks wouldn''t fool him.
[No worries. Give Mr. Lopez a ring, and you¡¯ll hear in his voice that he''s not well!]
[Call him in about two hours; he should be awake by then. Mr. Lopez just fell asleep not long ago
after pulling yet another all-nighter. Nobody can handle that kind of grind!]
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Dorothy frowned, picturing Everett in work mode, driven as if his life depended on it.
[Alright, got it. Thanks, Kevin, for having his back.]
[Don¡¯t mention it. Just doing my bit.]
After signing off with Kevin, Dorothy found herself inexplicably scrolling back to the top of the chat,
clicking on Everett''s photo, and studying it intently.
Her fingertip gently traced his cheek on the screen, over his furrowed brow, and lingered on his
closed eyelids.
Even from the long shot Kevin had taken, Everett''s thickshes were clear, his features sharp, and
his usually plump lips now pale, adding a sickly but striking beauty.
Everett was too outstanding. So outstanding that Dorothy often felt their years together were a
dream.
How could such a zing sun have fallen into herp?
It felt stolen, making her anxious and incredulous.
Her work at the Bureau of Industry and Commerce wasn''t going smoothly. The staff there were
stalling with all sorts of excuses, reluctant to provide the detailed information she needed.
After much persistence, she got a peek, but with strict conditions¡ªno photocopies, no taking
documents away, just a quick look.
As the two-hour mark approached, Dorothy had to let it go.
¡°Okay then, I won¡¯t hassle you any longer. I''m heading out.¡±
Grabbing her bag, Dorothy hurried out of the Bureau and hailed a cab. As soon as she settled in,
she dialed Everett''s number.
It rang a few times before he cut the call.
Immediately after, a WhatsApp notification popped up on Dorothy¡¯s phone.
It was from Everett.
[What''s up?]
It was only at this moment that Dorothy realized that this was the first time she had called him since
they parted ways.
[I have something to ask you. Can you talk?] She had to cobble together an excuse.
But Everett wasn''t biting.
[I''m busy.]
Busy?
Kevin had just told her Everett was in the hospital getting an IV shot, not at the office.
Not wanting to interfere with his actual work, Dorothy screenshotted the conversation and sent it to
Kevin through thepany''s backend.
In no time, Kevin replied: [Mr. Lopez is pulling your leg. He ain¡¯t busy. We just left the hospital.]
Exiting the app, Dorothy tried Everett''s number again.
He cut the call once more.
[I''m busy. If you need something, WhatsApp me.]
Dorothy''s brow furrowed. [But I''d rather call. Typing on WhatsApp is such a hassle.]
[Then send me a voice message on WhatsApp. I can listen to that.]
Chapter 779
Chapter 779
¡°So, he¡¯s not gonna pick up the phone, huh? Fine.¡± Dorothy thought.
[Okay then, no worries. You do you.]
Dorothy typed out the message on WhatsApp and slid her phone back into her purse.
The cab pulled up to the towering ss facade of Lopez Corporation, and Dorothy strode through
the revolving doors. She rode the elevator up to the fourth-floor offices, where her project team was
based.
Just her luck, as soon as she stepped out, there she was¡ªOphelia¡ªlooking like trouble with a
capital T.
Dorothy really wanted to avoid any drama, but she kept her cool and walked toward her office in her
clicking heels.
Ophelia''s eyes narrowed as she watched Dorothy''s confident stride, her irritation growing by the
second.
¡°Dorothy, hold it right there!¡±
She knew Austin was out of the office discussing business with a business partner, and without him,
there was no one to back Dorothy up.
"Yes?" Dorothy asked, pausing and turning to face her.
Ophelia scoffed, arms crossed as if she ruled the ce. "Look at you, strutting around like a vixen.
You think just because Austin has a soft spot for you and wants to chase you, you can throw your
weight around here?"
Dorothy frowned. "What are you on about? I have no clue what you¡¯re saying."
"Oh, please! Drop the act. It''s so obvious what you''re after. If it''s not Austin, who else here could
possibly meet your high standards?" Ophelia rolled her eyes and spat on the floor in disgust.
"Pathetic! Going after married men, you''re really something..."
Smack!
It was a loud, resounding p that Dorothy delivered without a moment''s hesitation.
¡°You hit me?¡±
"Why wouldn''t I? Ophelia, I¡¯ve been lenient with you because Austin asked me to be, but don¡¯t
mistake my silence for weakness. Your uncle pulled strings to get you a job here at the Lopez
Corporation; you should be trying not to waste his efforts."
Dorothy turned around and was about to leave, but Ophelia instantly grabbed her hand.
"Don¡¯t you think you can bully me! Hey everyone,e see this¡ªProject Team Four¡¯s Ms. Sanchez
is a violent thug! She gets parachuted into a cushy job, and now she thinks she can walk all over
us!"
Dorothy hated making a scene, so she shoved Ophelia off.
"If you think there was no reason for me to hit you, feel free to call the cops."
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"You think I won¡¯t?"
Ophelia reached for her phone.
Their colleagues, sensing the situation escting, quickly intervened. Some tried to calm Ophelia
down, while others went to inform Austin.
Soon, Ophelia''s phone buzzed. It was Austin, furious. "What the fuck is wrong with you? Didn''t I tell
you to leave Ms. Sanchez alone?"
"I can''t stand her, so what? She''s a director, but that doesn¡¯t mean everyone has to like her! Plus,
you¡¯re my uncle, not even divorced from my aunt yet, and here you are, always siding with Dorothy.
Real ssy!"
"You¡¯re really asking for it, and I can''t help you anymore. Just wait to get fired by the Lopez
Corporation!"
"Fired? For what? I¡¯m the one who got hit! Can''t I even voice my opinion?" Ophelia was still
convinced she was in the right,pletely meless. "Trying to cover for her, huh? What, haven''t
won her over yet? ying herpdog?"
Austin was about to explode. "I don''t have any right to associate with Ms. Sanchez! Ophelia, just so
you know, Dorothy is Mr. Lopez¡¯s woman¡ªhell, they even have kids together!"
"What? Who?"
"Mr. Lopez! Everett Lopez!"
Chapter 780
Chapter 780
Everett Lopez, the CEO of Lopez Corporation?!
"No way..."
"Why not? I told you not to mess with her, but you wouldn¡¯t listen. Now look where we are. I can''t
save you this time! Heck, I might even get the boot along with you from the Lopez Corporation!"
Ophelia stared in disbelief, looking up at Dorothy.
Thetter''s face was stern as she turned and walked back to her office.
Themotion had drawn the attention of thepany''s security, who asked, "What''s going on
here?"
"Nothing, just a little tiff between colleagues!"
Others quickly stepped in to usher the security away, then turned to Ophelia, who was still dazed.
"Ophelia, you alright?"
"Did she actually get her bell rung? Ophelia?"
After a few shouts, Ophelia snapped back to reality.
"Where¡¯s Ms. Sanchez?"
"She''s in her office," a female coworker said cautiously, pointing towards Dorothy''s office, then
quickly added, "I know you don''t like her, but try not to make it so obvious. It doesn¡¯t look good for
any of us. Please, just go back to your desk."
Ophelia shook her head, biting her lower lip.
"I need to talk to her."
"Don¡¯t! If you make a scene, security will report it to HR! It could... look bad, you know?"
"I... I¡¯m going to apologize."
"What?"
Everyone was puzzled. No one knew what Austin had said on the phone, but they could tell Ophelia
had changed her tune quickly.
Back in her office, Dorothy had just sat down when her phone started to ring.
She reached for it just as the ringing stopped.
Six missed calls from Everett and several WhatsApp messages.
[What¡¯s going on?]
[Dorothy, talk to me.]
[Dorothy, answer your phone. Let''s talk.]
[Dorothy, text me back now.]
[Answer your phone!]
She must have missed the calls because of the noise. A smile crept onto Dorothy''s lips as she was
about to call back when there was a knock at the door.
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"Come in."
It was Ophelia.
Dorothy¡¯s face hardened.
"Can¡¯t you give it a rest?"
"No, no... It was all my fault earlier. I¡¯m here to apologize!" Ophelia lowered her head, her posture
as submissive as could be.
"I''m sorry, Ms. Sanchez. I misunderstood you!"
Dorothy knew Austin must have set things straight with Ophelia. She gestured dismissively. "Get
out."
"Please don''t fire me, okay? I really realize my mistake. It wasn''t easy for me to get into the Lopez
Corporation! I thought... I honestly thought my uncle was into you, and I was trying to stand up for
my aunt, but I had no idea... that you... you''re Mr. Lopez¡¯s..."
The CEO of the Lopez Corporation!
If Austin had told her, Ophelia would never have dreamed that the CEO''s partner would be working
in the project team as a director, so low-key that nobody had a clue!
"Whether you''re fired or not is up to HR, not me."
"If you don''t report this, they won''t know anything! Please, have mercy on me. Don''t hold this
against me, okay?"
Dorothy sighed. She hadn''t intended to get entangled with an assistant over this.
"The things your uncle told you, you can''t share them with anyone else, got it?"
Ophelia nodded eagerly. "Don''t worry! I won¡¯t breathe a word of it!"
"Alright, you can go."
Just as Ophelia was about to thank her, she noticed Dorothy''s phone on the desk, with a call
coming through.
The screen showed it was Everett.
Chapter 781
Chapter 781
Austin had not lied to her!
Ophelia almost wanted to p herself. Of all the people she could''ve picked a fight with at work, it
had to be someone you just don''t cross.
"I''ll take my leave, Ms. Sanchez," she muttered, not daring to linger any longer as she hustled out of
Dorothy''s office.
Dorothy sighed, her elegant brow furrowing in frustration. She hated ying the ''Everett card'' to
command respect, especially since they were no longer together. It felt so awkward.
Her phone was still ringing. Dorothy snatched it up and hit the answer button.
"Hey, Everett."
"You getting bullied?" His voice was unmistakable, even raspy and hoarse from illness. It carried an
undeniable authority.
"No," Dorothy replied, thinking he was just guessing. "No one dares mess with me at the Lopez
Corporation! I just... suddenly wanted to check on how Abigail and Langston were doing at school."
There was a pause on the other end before Everett spoke, "I heard about the office spat."
"What spat?"
"The argument you had."
Dorothy was stunned. "How do you even know about that?"
"I tried calling you, but you didn''t pick up, so I had someone check the fourth project team''s security
cams."
Dorothy was speechless. Privacy was evidently a myth when it came to Everett''s turf.
"It''s cool. It was just a little tiff with a colleague. She''s already apologized!"
But Everett was clearly not pleased.
"That person won''t be at the Lopez Corporation ANY longer."
"Hey, no! She came to my office to apologize. Don''t fire her. It¡¯ll make things super awkward for me."
If she said she forgave Ophelia only for Everett to turn around and fire her, that would make it seem
like sheined behind her back!
"She''s just an assistant. The Lopez Corporation won''t miss her."
"But I''ve only been here for six months. I don''t want to stir up any trouble."
Their conversation hit a lull.
After a while, Dorothy broke the silence. "You sick, Everett?"
"No."
"Liar, I can hear it in your voice. What''s up with your throat?"
He was always too stubborn for his own good. She knew he hadn¡¯t answered her call earlier
because he didn''t want her to hear that he was unwell.
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"Everett, go see a doctor if you''re sick. I''m not around, and Abigail and Langston count on you to
take care of them."
"They''re fine."
"I know you''ve got the kids well taken care of, but they need their dad! And if you''re sick, you can''t
y with them."
There was another heavy silence on Everett''s end before he finally said, "I got it."
"I gotta go. Take your medicine, get your shots."
"Alright."
Dorothy exhaled deeply after hanging up. Talking to Everett was like walking on eggshells. Every
word, every sentence, had to be weighed carefully. Conversations were tricky terrain for exes.
...
On the way to the tech summit in Liberty City, Everett stared at his darkened phone screen for what
seemed like an eternity.
As they neared their destination, he finally shifted his gaze to Kevin, who was driving.
"What did you tell Dorothy?"
"Uh, nothing much, really!"
Everett looked down, his voice firm. "Don''t talk to her about my business next time."
Chapter 782
Chapter 782
Kevin gripped the steering wheel, his thoughts spinning in circles. How on earth did Mr. Lopez figure
it out?
"Mr. Lopez, I..."
"You''re wondering how I knew it was you who told Dorothy."
"Yeah, that''s right." Kevin''s response was straightforward and honest.
Everett tugged at his lips, a bitterness in his eyes that he couldn''t quite hide.
"She wouldn''t call me up just to ask how the kids are doing."
Knowing Dorothy, she would never make the call, not even if the sky were falling down.
Everett didn''t want to understand Dorothy so well; it would''ve been easier to lie to himself, to believe
that she truly cared, that she couldn''t let go.
But what could he do? Lying to himself was the hardest part.
"Ms. Sanchez still cares about you a lot!"
"But I want more than just care."
What he yearned for was love, unconditional trust, aplete surrender.
She couldn''t give it.
"s! Mr. Lopez, why don''t you sit down with Ms. Sanchez for a heart-to-heart? You''re so
perceptive. You¡¯ve got to see that she''s not entirely indifferent to you!"
"I used to think that would be enough. If only... my mother''s situation hadn''te up."
He had thought about it, not to hope for much, just to have Dorothy by his side.
Those days in Swevia Country, recuperating, were the happiest times for Everett! Waking up every
morning to see her curled up like a kitten in his arms.
She was there when he looked up, within reach when he reached out.
But when he learned the whole truth, he realized how torturous it was for Dorothy to be by his side
when he was happy to have her there.
She had to suppress the guilt she felt towards her mother, to convince herself to put aside the
hatred for her mother''s killer, to stay beside the son of that very culprit!
Everett knew how important Dorothy''s mother was to her.
She had been working hard since she was young, never missing an opportunity to earn money, all
to pay for her mother''s treatment.
Even when he nned to have Dorothy, to marry her, she was using her mother''s illness as a
pretext.
If it weren¡¯t for raising money for her mother''s medical bills, she would never have married him.
And the one who indirectly caused her mother''s death was himself!
How absurd.
...
When engrossed in work, Dorothy often lost track of time.
In this, she was a bit like Everett.
It wasn''t until Keh''s call came through that she suddenly remembered she had promised to
celebrate his birthday that evening.
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"Dorothy, I got the birthday cake you ordered! Thanks, I''m really grateful you can make it to my
birthday. That''s enough for me."
"I can''t show up to a dinner empty-handed." Dorothy chuckled. "I''ve got a bit to finish up, and then
I''ll head over. Send me the address of the restaurant, will you?"
"I''m right outside the Lopez Corporation building. I¡¯ll wait for you."
Dorothy paused, surprised, "You''re here already?"
"Yeah! That restaurant''s a bit tricky to find. I thought I''d pick you up on the way since I''m nearby."
Dorothy hesitated, feeling it wasn''t quite right.
But Keh quickly added, "Karen and that Jeffrey are already at the restaurant. Finish up and
come down quick. We should head over soon! I''ve got to grill Jeffrey today, see what his deal is."
"Alright, wait for me then!"
Dorothy hung up, tidied her desk, grabbed her bag, and headed downstairs.
Sure enough, she could see Keh''s car parked across the street from the Lopez Corporation
building.
"Over here, Dorothy!"
Chapter 783
Chapter 783
Seeing Keh, Dorothy jogged over.
"You didn''t have toe pick me up, you know. Just drop me a pin next time. I can find my way
with GPS, no matter how tricky the route."
"Oh, alright, next time I''ll just send you the location," replied Keh, a hint of a smile on his lips as
he opened the passenger door for her. Once she was settled in, he circled to the driver''s seat and
started the engine.
The car hummed to life, and Dorothy spoke with gentle concern, "Keh, could you... maybe go
easy on Karen and Jeffrey today? Karen''s been so scared of you these past few days, hiding out
and not even daring to get in touch with her family. I don''t think that''s what you want, is it?"
Keh''s hands rested on the steering wheel, his gaze deepening. "Dorothy, you know better than
anyone what kind of man Jeffrey is."
"I do, but people deserve a chance to turn over a new leaf, right? He hasn''t done anything that bad,
has he?"
"Why did Karen break up with him in the first ce then?"
Dorothy hesitated, pursing her lips. "Just a little misunderstanding between lovers. Karen told me all
about it. They cleared it up and got back together."
"Karen is my cousin. I see her as my sister, and I know her well. She wouldn''t say ''break up'' over
nothing serious. She gave Jeffrey her heart, I know that, but a split-up is never that simple."
Dorothy didn¡¯t know how to respond to that.
"Is there something you''re holding back, Dorothy? You might as well tell me now so I''m prepared."
Taking advantage of a red light, Keh turned to look at Dorothy.
"I think it''s best if Karen tells you herself." The news of the pregnancy wasn''t hers to share.
Getting too involved in their affairs wasn''t right. If Karen needed her, she would speak up. For now,
Karen hadn''t told Keh, and Dorothy didn''t want to mess things up.
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"Okay, I won''t press you on it," Keh said, his expression softening with a smile.
They reached the restaurant soon after, a cozy ce tucked away on a quaint street, not hard to
find at all. Dorothy spotted Jeffrey''s car parked curbside, which was hard to miss.
She looked up and saw the displeasure on Keh''s face.
"Keh, it''s your birthday today. Let''s not spoil it for everyone. If Karen has set her heart on
Jeffrey, he''s still going to be family."
Her words seemed to mellow him out.
"Yeah, don''t worry. I invited you to celebrate, and I won''t make things awkward for you."
Dorothy nodded, and they entered the restaurant together, heading for the private dining room
Keh had reserved, anticipating the need for a more personal space for conversations.
Upon entering, they found the room eerily empty.
"Karen must have stepped out; her jacket''s still here," Dorothy said, pointing at the white coat
draped over a chair.
"Yeah." Keh pulled out a chair for Dorothy before settling down next to her.
When Jeffrey returned, assisting a pale-faced Karen, they found Dorothy and Keh sitting side
by side.
Truth be told, if Jeffrey hadn''t known about Dorothy and Everett, he might have mistaken Dorothy
and Keh for a couple!
"What''s wrong? You feeling okay?" Keh rose instantly, concern etched on his face as he
supported Karen on the other side.
"I''m fine, really, Keh," Karen reassured him, weakly taking her seat beside Jeffrey.
Keh shot a nce between his sister and Jeffrey, his brow furrowed in disapproval, "How have
you been taking care of Karen?"
"I..."
"Don''t me him, Keh! It''s me... I, I''m pregnant. I just went to deal with morning sickness."
Chapter 784
Chapter 784
¡°What?¡±
Keh had barely settled into his seat when he shot up like a rocket.
¡°Keh, my mom and dad don¡¯t know yet. Can you please not tell them just yet?¡±
Karen shrank back, instinctively seeking refuge closer to Jeffrey.
Seeing his girl rattled like that, Jeffrey frowned with displeasure, ¡°Hey, don¡¯t scare her, alright?¡±
¡°I haven¡¯t even started on you! Your thing, put a pin in it.¡± Keh couldn¡¯t believe it; on his birthday
of all days, he walked into the diner and got hit with this bombshell!
¡°Karen, do you even realize what you¡¯re doing?¡±
¡°I was already going to get engaged to Jeffrey, so I didn¡¯t¡¡±
Seeing Keh¡¯s face turning thunderous, Dorothy quickly tugged at his shirt, ¡°Come on, let¡¯s all
calm down and talk this through.¡±
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Keh took a deep breath at her intervention and sat down again. ¡°An unnned pregnancy is a
big deal, Karen. You have to talk to your mom and dad before anything else; you can¡¯t just wing it.¡±
¡°But I don¡¯t know how to bring it up with them.¡±
If Keh was this shocked and disappointed, how could she face her parents?
¡°I¡¯ll be with you,¡± Keh said, squeezing her hand.
Karen shook her head. It wasn¡¯t about who was with her; it was... It was about her own fear of
facing the truth!
She had hoped to plead with Keh today to have him speak on her behalf when the time came.
After all, Keh held weight in the eyes of Derek and Serena; his words might make a difference.
But now, it seemed that hope was shattered.
¡°Let¡¯s just eat! We can talk over the meal; I¡¯m starving,¡± Dorothy said, trying to dissipate the
awkward tension.
¡°Yeah, right¡ let¡¯s eat,¡± Karen said, gratefully looking at Dorothy.
But as soon as thefort food started arriving, Karen¡¯s morning sickness kicked in hard.
Unable to hold it back, she bolted for the restroom.
Jeffrey, worried, followed swiftly, leaving Keh and Dorothy alone in the booth.
Feeling the awkwardness intensify, Dorothy made her leave, but Keh called out to her.
¡°Dorothy, did you know about Karen being pregnant?¡±
¡°Ah¡ yes, I did,¡± Dorothy confessed, looking down, feeling a bit guilty.
¡°You should¡¯ve told me sooner.¡±
¡°I¡¯m sorry. I just didn¡¯t know how to bring it up. I thought Karen would tell you herself, and if I did,
what would that make me?¡±
After all, Keh had the right to intervene; they were rtives, and he had looked out for Karen
like a true brother all her life.
But Dorothy was an outsider.
¡°s, forget it. I shouldn¡¯t have snapped at you. Sorry, Dorothy, I wasn¡¯t thinking straight.¡±
¡°It¡¯s okay! I totally get where you¡¯reing from.¡±
Dorothy had been just as stunned when she first heard the news.
...
In the diner¡¯s restroom, Jeffrey worried he couldn¡¯t enter thedies'' room, so he just paid the owner
to clear out the ce, especially the restrooms.
Inside, Karen was drained from vomiting and,pounded by her emotional state, she began to
tear up.
Jeffrey, heartbroken and flustered, clumsily wiped her tears.
¡°Please, don¡¯t cry! If it¡¯s really too much, maybe we could¡ª¡±
Karen didn¡¯t want to hear any of it and grabbed his hand, looking up at him, ¡°Jeffrey, if we want my
parents to ept this baby, the easiest path is through Keh. We need him on our side.¡±
Chapter 785
Chapter 785
Jeffrey furrowed his thick brows.
¡°Your brother isn''t exactly the type toe around willingly.¡±
¡°That''s why we need a n!¡± Karen locked eyes with him. ¡°Jeffrey, it''s his birthday today, and I was
thinking maybe you two could bond a bit. If Keh could just ept you, then we wouldn''t have
much to worry about. At worst, we¡¯d get a telling-off from my folks.¡±
With Karenying it out like that, Jeffrey could only nod.
¡°Alright, I''ll charm him, don''t worry.¡±
¡°I know you¡¯re not his biggest fan because he''s always getting in the way of us, but he''s just overly
protective, you know? He''s always been there for me, and it would kill me to see you two not getting
along.¡±
Karen was clearly torn. Caught between her brother and her partner, she was damned if she did
and damned if she didn¡¯t.
¡°I get it.¡± Jeffrey soothed, gently holding her hand. ¡°You feeling any better?¡±
¡°Yeah, much better. Let''s head back. We don''t want to leave Dorothy alone with Keh for too
long; she''ll be ufortable.¡±
Jeffrey nodded, then swiftly picked Karen up in his arms.
Karen tried to squirm free, but he said firmly, ¡°I''ll only carry you to the private room door. You can
walk in from there.¡±
They had just returned when they saw Keh serving Dorothy some food.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.
But there was only a polite, strained smile on Dorothy¡¯s face, and she wasn''t touching the food on
her te.
¡°Back already. Do we need to swing by the hospital?¡± Keh asked, still clearly more concerned
about his sister''s well-being.
¡°No need; the doc said it''s normal. Didn''t Dorothy go through the same thing with morning
sickness?¡±
Dorothy nodded. ¡°Yeah, it gets better as the pregnancy goes on. You get used to it.¡±
¡°Yeah.¡± Karen kept her head down, avoiding eye contact with Keh.
What should have been a simple birthday celebration had turned awkward for everyone.
Dorothy regretteding a bit, but if she hadn¡¯t, she feared Karen would have had even less
control over the situation. If Keh started scolding Karen and Jeffrey rushed to defend his
girlfriend, an argument between the two men could easily erupt.
Midway through the meal, Jeffrey suddenly looked up at Keh and said, ¡°Keh, it''s your
birthday, and Karen and I have got a special present for you.¡±
Keh frowned. ¡°Well, that was a pretty big ¡®present¡¯.¡±
¡°Keh! Jeffrey really put thought into this.¡±
Dorothy quickly chimed in, ¡°Come on, it''s your birthday; that¡¯s what matters. Let¡¯s forget the rest for
now.¡±
Jeffrey leaned down, pulled a box from beneath his chair, and handed it over.
¡°Happy Birthday, Keh.¡±
Keh nced at him and opened the box right there.
Inside was a set of sports car keys.
¡°Mr. Turner, are you always this generous with gifts?¡±
¡°I don''t often give gifts, and I''m not great at picking them, but I figured, man to man, you''d
appreciate a car,¡± Jeffrey said.
Keh gave a half-smile, closed the box, and slid it back across the table. ¡°I can''t ept this. I''m
afraid of any strings attached, something I might not be able to deliver on.¡±
Keh wasn''t being foolish; he understood Karen too well and knew what his sister had in mind.
Having his gift rejected to his face, Jeffrey felt a sting of embarrassment.
He clenched his fists, struggling to keep his cool, especially in front of Karen¡¯s brother, whom she so
deeply respected.
¡°However if you''re sincere, we could have a private chat about it,¡± Keh suggested.
Chapter 786
Chapter 786
Keh''s wordsnded like a bombshell in the private room.
Especially for Karen. She couldn''t believe her cousin had changed his tune!
If Keh was willing to have a one-on-one chat with Jeffrey, there was definitely some wiggle
room.
So, without missing a beat, Karen shot Jeffrey a conspiratorial wink, urging him to seize the
opportunity.
"Alright, let''s step outside and talk," Jeffrey agreed.
Once the two men had excused themselves, Karen finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Oh, Dorothy, I''ve been a bundle of nerves! You wouldn''t believe the anxiety I hading over
here. I was scared they''de to blows or something!"
Dorothy chuckled softly. "Tell me about it; I was scared, too."
Especially with the tension you could cut with a knife just moments ago, anyone would have been
worried.
"You don¡¯t think they¡¯ll duke it out once they''re outside, do you?"
"I doubt it. Keh''s not one to throw punches."
Karen sped her hands together in a silent prayer. "I just hope my bro cane through for me. It
would save me a ton of stress."
"He will. Keh''s a softie at heart."
...
Outside the restaurant, Keh led Jeffrey to a secluded corner.
Both men were tall and stood out with their good looks, so chatting by the restaurant entrance
would have drawn too much attention.
Jeffrey expected some harsh words, but instead, Keh started with, "Got a smoke?"
"Huh?" Jeffrey was taken aback. "No, I quit. Karen¡¯s pregnant."
"Oh." Keh leaned against the wall, falling silent for a few seconds before finally speaking up,
"You''re serious about Karen?"
Jeffrey nodded firmly. "Absolutely."
"You can handle her being high maintenance, illogical at times, and impulsive?"
"Yes! It¡¯s her fiery spirit that I love."
Keh pursed his lips and looked at Jeffrey with raised eyebrows before suddenly switching
gears. "You know about Dorothy and Everett, right?"
The subject which changed to Dorothy and Everett caught Jeffrey off guard.
"Yeah, I know."
As Everett''s best man, of course, he was in the loop!
"They''re not getting back together, are they?"
Jeffrey pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "I really can''t say; that¡¯s their business."
"And you know I like Dorothy?"
Jeffrey could only nod. Even the blind could see the attention Keh had been giving Dorothy
earlier.
"I¡¯m in a bit of a love triangle with Everett, and now you, who¡¯s Everett¡¯s friend, want to get with my
sister. I have to say, I¡¯m not thrilled."
"But I am me, and Everett is Everett. We''re not the same person!"
"Then tell me, if Everett and I have a conflict, whose side will you be on?"
Caught between his girlfriend''s brother and his best buddy.
"I would obviously..." Jeffrey started to blurt out but then quickly caught himself, "Wait, why would
you and Everett have a conflict? He¡¯s already split from Dorothy. If Dorothy doesn¡¯t ept you,
that¡¯s not on him."
It was all about Dorothy''s own decisions! It¡¯s not fair to me Everett if you can''t win her over!
"I can help you, talk to Karen¡¯s folks."
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Keh didn''t linger on the previous topic, cutting straight to the chase.
Jeffrey raised an eyebrow. "And what¡¯s the catch?"
"You and Karen, help me out. Convince Dorothy to give me a chance."
Jeffrey paused, the gears turning in his head.
"If you agree, I''ll talk to Karen''s parents tomorrow. I guarantee they¡¯ll warm up to the idea of you as
their son-inw."
Chapter 787
Chapter 787
Jeffrey peered at Keh, taken aback by the proposition.
"You''ve been chasing after her for years, man. If she was gonna say yes, she would''ve done it by
now. What do you think Karen and I can do about it?"
Keh protested, "I know she''s got a thing for Everett, but it''s over between them! They''ve got a
graveyard between them, for crying out loud, and Dorothy..."
"Dorothy was Everett''s heart and soul. That''s the one line I won''t cross." Jeffrey cut Keh off
without hesitation. Thest thing Jeffrey wanted was to end up on Everett''s bad side, ying a life-
and-death game.
"Come on, Everett''s given up on her, hasn''t he?" Keh frowned, blocking Jeffrey''s path to the
door.
"He thinks she didn''t trust him enough, that she couldn''t love him unconditionally. He believes the
love they can give isn''t equal! But see, I don''t care about any of that. I can handle it, even if Dorothy
never gave a damn about me. I''m willing."
"When did Everett give up on Dorothy?" Jeffrey blurted out in protest, "You don''t seriously think
Dorothy could take on the Lopez family, getwyers on her side, all on her own, do you? Everett''s
been behind her every step of the way!"
"Then why isn''t he showing his face to her? Why do all this from the shadows?" Keh locked
eyes with Jeffrey, unyielding.
Because he knew everything, he wasn''t the least bit surprised.
Every time Everett pulled strings behind the scenes for Dorothy, Keh had guessed it.
Jeffrey had no response.
"Because Everett has that kind of mother, he''s too ashamed!" Keh''s lips twisted into a mocking
smile. "If I''m not wrong, when Everett first found out the truth, he must''ve clung to a sliver of hope.
He thought if Dorothy could just trust himpletely, reach out to him, he''d ditch the Lopez
bloodline, throw away all pride, and stand by Dorothy, risking it all."
Jeffrey was a straightforward guy; his emotions were always on disy, and he certainly hadn''t
considered all these deep-seated issues.
But with Keh''s exnation, he seemed to grasp a bit of Everett''s turmoil.
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Keh shrugged and continued, "But you''ve seen the oue! The fact that they''re at this point
proves Dorothy didn''t reach out. Instead, she pushed him to the opposition!"
Jeffrey remained silent.
"So, it''s over,¡± said Keh.
As an outsider who knew the ins and outs, Keh was acutely aware of the insurmountable
chasm between them.
If Dorothy didn''t take the initiative to forgive Everett, he''d never have the face to go back to her. And
Dorothy, of all people, was terrible at making the first move.
Maybe Dorothy never med Everett, but without him plotting and scheming his way back into her
life like before, forcing her to confront her feelings, Keh was certain their story was done.
Jeffrey was left spinning by Keh''s words, only catching the gist of "it''s over".
"If you think they''re not getting back together, then go for it. It''s not my ce to meddle. If Dorothy
agrees, I''ve got nothing to say! But asking me to betray my best friend? Sorry, I can''t do that."
He would find another way to deal with Karen''s folks. They would get through this somehow.
Jeffrey walked away, Keh''s voice trailing after him. "Everyone wants to find love, to share a
lifetime together. I want that, too. What''s so wrong with that?"
Chapter 788
Chapter 788
That was a natural human thing and there was nothing wrong with it.
But...
¡°I mean,e on, there¡¯s only one Dorothy, and either you or Everett is gonna end up the lonely old
cat person. I¡¯m really hoping it¡¯s you, buddy.¡±
Everett was always flying solo. Now that he was in a rtionship and even got two kids of his own.
Jeffrey didn¡¯t dare to mess with this because he had no death wish.
¡
After leaving the diner, Dorothy declined Keh¡¯s offer to give her a lift home.
Night had already fallen, and it just wouldn¡¯t do for them to be seen together, a man and a woman
alone. Especially since Dorothy had no idea how many eyes Everett had out there.
¡°Let¡¯s just drive you home, then! Jeffrey, it''s on your way to drop Dorothy off at her apartment,
right?¡± Karen wouldn¡¯t rest easy until her best friend was safe at home, so she shot Jeffrey a
meaningful look.
He quickly nodded, ¡°Totally on my way! Absolutely!¡±
It would always be on his way to drop her off as long as they were in this country¡¯s realm. And if
they were abroad, he¡¯d hire a private jet to send her home.
¡°Alright then, I¡¯ll head off,¡± Keh said with a wave, grabbing his car keys and not insisting further.
After he left, Karen sidled up to Dorothy and whispered, ¡°What¡¯s going on with you and Keh?¡±
¡°I wish I knew.¡± Dorothy hadn¡¯t eavesdropped on the men¡¯s conversation and could only sense that
something was off with Keh when he returned.
Karen then turned her gaze to Jeffrey. ¡°What did you guys talk about?¡±
¡°Uh¡ just, you know, shooting the breeze.¡± With Dorothy there, Jeffrey wasn¡¯t about to spill the
beans.
¡°What could Keh possibly have to chat with you about?¡± Karen frowned, tugging at his sleeve,
¡°So did he agree to help us out?¡±
Jeffrey shook his head, ¡°No dice.¡±
¡°What¡¯s his condition? Why didn¡¯t you just agree?¡±
¡°Because I¡¯m not ready to kick the bucket.¡±
Seeing that Jeffrey seemed to be hiding something, probably not wanting her to know, Dorothy
stepped in and took Karen by the arm, ¡°I have to work tomorrow, so let¡¯s just get me home. You can
grill him after.¡±
¡°Fine.¡±
When they pulled up to Dorothy¡¯s apartment building, she waved them off and reminded them of a
few pregnancy precautions before finally stepping out of the car.
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As soon as Dorothy was out of earshot, Karen burst out, ¡°What did Keh actually say?¡±
¡°He wants to go after Dorothy.¡±
¡°And then what? I know that! He¡¯s been at it for years, so it¡¯s hardly a secret.¡±
Jeffrey let out a heavy sigh that contained a mix of frustration and resignation, ¡°He wanted me to
pick sides between him and Everett.¡±
Karen was taken aback and falling silent.
¡°That¡¯s why I couldn¡¯t agree to that! It¡¯s in as day how much Everett loves Dorothy. I¡¯m not blind; I
can see it.¡±
Karen nodded in agreement; rubbing her temples, she added, ¡°So what¡¯s Keh to do? Chasing
Dorothy isn¡¯t new. If she was interested, she¡¯d have said yes by now. She won¡¯t be giving no
answers after all he invested in.¡±
¡°Your brother¡ he¡¯s a hopeless romantic,¡± Jeffrey affirmed him about this. But perhaps Dorothy was
a bit out of his league.
Of all the people to fall for, he had topete with Everett.
¡°Jeffrey, you won¡¯t tell Everett about this, will you?¡± Karen hesitated before her tone softened, a
blend of pleading and coquettishness, ¡°Keh is still my family, and I¡¯m scared of what Everett
might do if he finds out.¡±
Karen had been frightened since Jeffrey¡¯sst madcap episode.
Keh was no match for Everett. Hell, he couldn¡¯t even hold a candle to Jeffrey.
If Everett wanted to get at Keh, it would be a piece of cake!
¡°Alright, I¡¯ll keep it under wraps. But you¡¯d better tell your brother to keep it together. If Everett
decides to act, there¡¯s nothing I can do to stop him.¡±
Chapter 789
Chapter 789
Karen cocked her head, a look of pure curiosity stered across her face.
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"After all that''s gone down, do you think Dorothy and Everett... can they still make it work?" she
asked.
Jeffrey''s hand paused on the steering wheel, his lips thinning, "That''s a tough one to call."
"Why''s it hard to say? It''s just us here, so spill it! Nobody''s here to judge," Karen grumbled,
"Nobody''s gonna me you if you make a wrong guess."
Jeffrey mulled it over for a second, then let out a sigh. "I honestly don''t know. But I''ll bet my bottom
dor that Dorothy''s the only gal for Everett, now and forever."
"You think he''ll stay single for the rest of his life if they don''t patch things up?" Karen was skeptical.
"You do realize that''s decades we''re talking about, right? You think he can handle being a lone wolf
that long?"
"When a guy''s at his most fickle, it''s typically in his teens and twenties. Everett rode solo through
those years, so I have zero doubt he can stick it out. Plus, the older you get, the less you want to
put up with anyone else''s baloney."
Karen''s eyes danced as she turned Jeffrey''s face towards her, locking eyes with him.
"What about you? If we ever broke up¡ª"
"Knock on wood! We''re not breaking up! Rx, my folks are rooting for us. They''re dying for
someone to tame me, so no roadblocks there."
"Tsk!" Karen clicked her tongue. "I''m talking hypothetically!"
"There are no ''ifs'' unless I kick the bucket."
...
Back at her ce, Dorothy had finished her nightly routine and was sprawled on the bed, watching
a video Everett had sent.
Abigail was always the giggly one, clutching her storybooks, entwining her brother in her little world,
utterly content.
Langston, on the other hand, was all about his lessons. He was seemingly enthralled with Math
ss, heads down and tackling problems, but when it came to English or Geography, he was out
like a light.
After watching the videos more times than she could count, Dorothy exited the app, but then, on a
whim, she dived back in and typed a brief message.
[Busy?]
The reply came swiftly.
[Nope, what''s up?]
[Nothing. Just checking in to see how you''re feeling.]
Dorothy sent it, then hesitated, quickly retracting her message.
It felt a tad awkward to care about Everett.
She edited her message down to a simple ''Nothing'' before sending it again.
But staring at the chat, Dorothy thought replying with just that seemed like she was toying with
Everett.
But what should she follow up with?
As she was lost in thought, Everett replied.
[I''ve been getting shots and taking meds. Throat''s still a bit sore, but I''m mostly fine.]
So he had seen her withdrawn message!
But she had been so quick to retract it! Was Everett glued to their conversation the entire time?!
Dorothy hastily set her phone aside, covering her face with her hands.
Next time she talked to Everett, she''d have to weigh her words more carefully.
Afterying there for a while, she got up to work on her project on herptop.
The due diligence team had already sent over their findings for the day, and Dorothy diligently
organized the data before posting an update to the group.
Once everything was settled, she nced at the clock; it was nearly midnight!
Dorothy quickly washed her face and hopped back into bed, checking her phone onest time.
Everett had sent a few more videos of the kids.
They must have been fresh off the presses. She only tucked her phone under her pillow and turned
off the light after watching them.
Sometimes Dorothy thought if she could just keep this kind of connection with Everett, life wouldn''t
be half bad.
Chapter 790
Chapter 790
But the premise was that Everett remained solo.
If he ever got himself a girlfriend, or even a fianc¨¦e, then she would cut off all voluntary contact with
him.
That night, Dorothy''s dreams were a chaotic whirlwind.
She dreamed of her childhood days when her mother would cradle her, tears streaming down her
face, vowing that her daughter would never follow in her footsteps. Then she kept cursing the day
she met Maxton Sanchez, calling him a heartbreaker and wishing him a life of misfortune.
Then, in another dream, Dorothy found herself searching for Everett, only to catch him hand in hand
with another woman, looking all cozy and intimate.
The woman''s face was a blur, but Dorothy figured anyone Everett fancied would have to be
gorgeous. Suddenly, the woman turned and walked towards her.
As the face came into focus, it morphed into Quincy''s!
Jolted awake, Dorothy sat bolt upright in bed.
What a ridiculous heap of dreams!
ncing at her phone, she saw it was only five in the morning. Work was still a couple of hours
away.
But sleep had fled from Dorothy, and she decided to start her day with a shower and opened her
laptop to get some work done¡ªmight as well, since it was her responsibility anyway.
Logging into the Lopez Corporation''s system, she habitually checked the conference channel and
was surprised to see Everett in a video meeting.
Did this guy ever take a break?
Dorothy didn''t join the meeting. She quietly closed the tab, only to notice a shing red notification
at the bottom of her screen.
Lopez Corporation CEO¡ªEverett: [Up so early? Feeling under the weather?]
"How did he even notice that?" she murmured to herself.
She hesitated before replying: [No, aren''t you also awake?]
Lopez Corporation CEO¡ªEverett: [Time difference.]
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Oh, of course!
Everett was in Liberty City, and it was alreadyte afternoon there.
She always forgot about the time difference, probably because Everett always seemed to reply
instantly no matter when she reached out.
[You go ahead with your meeting. Just had a nightmare and woke up early.]
Lopez Corporation CEO¡ªEverett: [Alright.]
She stared at the single word for a few minutes before closing the chat and taking a deep breath,
opening up a work document.
...
Karen had been on edge since the break of dawn, waiting for the inevitable call from her parents
interrogating her about her pregnancy, a secret Keh had recently discovered.
But the call never came.
Had Keh decided to keep mum?
After a refreshing shower and changing, Jeffrey found Karen sighing on the living room couch.
"What''s up?" he asked.
"Just waiting for a call."
"Whose call?"
Leaning back on the couch, Karen replied, "Who else but my parents? Knowing Keh''s temper,
he would''ve told them by now since you didn''t agree to his terms. I''m worried they mighte
storming over."
"They probably won''t."
Karen sat up straighter, "Why not?"
"Your brother said he''d give me a few days to think it over. I didn''t agree, sure, but I didn''t outright
reject his offer either. Let''s use these few days to think of a n," Jeffrey suggested, walking over
and pulling Karen into an embrace. "I thought about itst night. If we can''t hide it, then I should be
the one to tell them."
"My dad might punch you."
"If he wants, just let him. If your brother tells them about the pregnancy, it''ll look like I eat up their
daughter and am refusing to own up to it!"
Chapter 791
Chapter 791
Karen furrowed her perfectly arched brow and gave Jeffrey a yful p.
"Can''t you choose your words a bit more wisely?"
What''s with this ''eating up someone''s daughter'' talk!?
"I''m just being urate!" Jeffrey said.
Rolling her eyes at him, Karen suddenly noticed something different about Jeffrey today; he was
dressed to the nines in a crisp shirt and suit.
"Got work today?"
"Yeah, Everett tasked me with a meeting. He''s tied up in Liberty City, so the home turf''s mine for
now." Jeffrey squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Don''t worry, I''ll be back in a sh. As soon as it''s
over, I''m racing back home. Not a minute wasted."
Karen let out a snort and teased him deliberately, "That''s the same line you fed mest time, and
you still managed to detour for a rendezvous with your ex, didn''t you?"
Jeffrey raised his eyebrows.
"So maybe save the promises, because you know I won''t buy them."
Jeffrey felt a vein throb at his temple. He had this sinking feeling that Paige would be a recurring
punchline for the rest of his days, a ghost that would haunt him forever.
"Okay, how about I take you with me today? You can hang out in my office. The Lopez Corporation
meetings have a video call option, you can watch on myptop, make sure I''m not ying hooky!"
"Why would I camp out at your office? I''m not an employee of the Lopez Corporation."
"To keep an eye on your husband! If you¡¯re there, who¡¯s gonnain? If I don''t have that much
clout in the office, I might as well hand in my resignation! I didn''t want you toe before because
you were dealing with morning sickness, and I thought you''d be morefortable resting at home.
It wasn''t about hiding anything from you!"
Karen narrowed her eyes in a sly smile. "I know; you don''t have to exin," she added.
She was just having a bit of fun at Jeffrey''s expense.
"So juste with me. Besides, Dorothy''s at the office too. She''s been assigned to a project team
recently."
At the mention of Dorothy, Karen immediately agreed, "Alright! You do your thing, and I''ll catch up
with Dorothy!"
Staying home alone was driving her up the wall.
Jeffrey had been overprotectivetely, banning her from work and a multitude of other activities,
which drove her stir-crazy.
...
Upon arriving at the office, Karen didn''t rush off to find Dorothy because she knew the Lopez
Corporation had its morning meetings.
Jeffrey settled her infortably before he headed to the conference room.
As soon as he sat down, Everett''s call came through.
"Take this meeting seriously," Everett''s voice came through the phone, "Some of the old
shareholders are resistant to the techpany acquisition. Rough words might fly; don''t get into a
spat. It''s pointless."
"Got it," Jeffrey responded, pausing before adding, "When are you getting back from Liberty City?"
"I don¡¯t know yet. What''s up?"
What''s up? Why did he even dare to throw that question?
"I think you should hurry back." After all, Keh was looming like a shadow! Keh was
passionate as fire. What if he seeded in chasing Dorothy?
Everett didn''t quite catch his drift. "Is there a problem?" he asked.
"Big problem! Haven''t you felt the crisis inside? Someone''s digging around!"
"A headhunter has eyes on someone from the Lopez Corporation?"
Jeffrey pondered for a moment, then clicked his tongue, "It¡¯s Dorothy."
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"She''s under contract, and she''s already submitted her resignation. She''ll be leaving in six months."
"I''m not talking about work issues. I''m talking about the mother of your kids! Are you really nning
to let Dorothy find a stepdad for Abigail and Langston?" Jeffrey quirked his lip, "You''re clueless,
man. As your friend, I''ve made huge sacrifices for your happily ever after!"
He was risking the wrath of his future brother-inw, and here was Everett, none the wiser.
After a few seconds of silence, Everett''s calm voice finally broke through, "Keh approached
you, didn''t he?"
Chapter 792
Chapter 792
"I didn''t say that, okay? You''re the one jumping to conclusions!"
He really didn¡¯t let the peep slip out since Karen didn¡¯t affirm him.
Everett chuckled, "Looks like Karen''s pretty strict to you."
"Dude, I''m all for the rules at home. Unlike you, who''s practically begging for someone to take
charge anding up empty."
"Jeffrey."
"Whatever, I''ve said my piece. It''s your call now."
He''d lost enough sleep over their drama, and now with Karen''s status, Jeffrey had to tread lightly.
He never wanted to ruffle Keh''s feathers too much.
If he''did it all out this clearly and Everett still didn''te back to keep an eye on his ex, it would
just prove that he really had thrown in the towel just like Keh said. Then no one could save the
situation.
...
Elysian Country.
When Amanda got the call from the court, she was so enraged she passed out and woke up in the
hospital.
As soon as she came to, she started ranting.
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"Get Everett back here! What kind of son did I raise? How dare he throw his own mother in jail!?"
Jonathan sat beside her; he was fuming as well. He was both mad at their son and his wife!
"Back then I told you not to get involved, but you wouldn''t listen. And you even kept me in the dark
about the details! Now look where we are. No one can fix this mess!"
Amanda red at her husband. Even now, she didn''t think she''d done anything wrong.
"Back then? You were the one who said Dorothy wasn''t good enough for the Lopez family, that you
didn''t approve of her with our son! So why are you turning this around on me now that there''s
trouble?"
"I may not like Dorothy, but I never told you to harm her! Everett''s always been stubborn. If you''d
reasoned with him and shown him some emotion, maybe he''d have given her up. But you had to go
and push too hard! Now our son is at odds with us. I''ve tried carrot and stick and Everett hasn''t
even budged."
Jonathan had even thought about just agreeing to let Dorothy marry into the family, but even that
hadn''t swayed Everett.
Amanda quickly frowned and huffed. Knowing her husband''s mindset and approach to things, she
just said it upright, "Let me make this clear. Don''t you dare use approving Dorothy as a bargaining
chip! I can''t stand her, and I''d rather go down fighting than nod her into my family as a daughter-in-
law."
"The thing is he won''t agree either!"
"Who? Dorothy won''t agree?" Amanda''s eyebrows shot up, herughced with scorn, "She simply
doesn''t have the face to join the Lopez family! Look at her background, she''s not even fit to be a
maid in our household! You don''t need to worry about it, let her sue. She can''t just decide on a
murder charge as she pleases! If pushes to shove, I handled her mother, and I can handle her
too!"
Jonathan quickly intervened as he heard that.
"Please, no more trouble, okay? Our son handed over your incriminating evidence to Dorothy. She''s
got a solid case. We need to keep our heads down for now!"
If it weren''t for his son''s protection, Jonathan would have thought of silencing the issue by taking
Dorothy¡¯s life.
The problem was Everett protecting Dorothy at every turn, and Jonathan feared that pushing his
son too far would tear their rtionship beyond repair.
"And about that evidence, it''s your fault! Why on earth did you hand Heather over to our son? I told
you a thousand times to stay out of Heather''s business. Why didn''t you listen?"
Without Heather''s testimony, none of it could be proven!
"Who could''ve known? You only told me it was about giving Heather some backing, that you weren''t
involved in the actual deed!"
Chapter 793
Chapter 793
"I¡ª"
"And I''ve said it before, haven''t I? The moment Heather dared toy a finger on my son, I knew I
didn''t want that witch around anymore!"
Amanda took a deep breath, "It was onlyter when I went to see her that she mentioned the
missing sh drive! Who could''ve guessed, huh? That very drive ended up in Dorothy''s hands!"
What a stroke of luck that was!
"Ha, who could''ve guessed? I bet Heather could''ve!"
"What do you mean?"
"She was so brazen because she had your backing. She figured if things really hit the fan, you
being Everett''s mother and all, he''d naturally cover for you. And with your dirtyundry in her hands,
Everett would have no choice but to protect her too!"
But Heather miscalcted, not foreseeing that Dorothy mattered more than anything in Everett''s
heart,. Now, he didn''t even care about his own mother.
"That can''t be... Heather, she''s always been by my side, and she is so loyal. You''ve seen it yourself!
And that incident¡ª"
"That incident?" Jonathan scoffed, "I''m only so tied up right now; otherwise, I''d have dug deeper.
We should really check if that ''kidnapping'' was a natural disaster or Heather''s way of worming into
your life!"
"That kidnapping couldn''t have been staged! If Heather was behind it, there''s no way she could''ve
kept everyone quiet about it. You pressed those guys hard, and they would''ve rather died than rat
out Heather. Don''t let your suspicions get the better of you."
Jonathan waved dismissively, "Let it be. I''m not interested in digging up the past. Right now, I can
only beg our son for mercy. You''d better think of what to say to him too. As long as he stays out of it,
dealing with Dorothy will be easy."
"He''s not even in Elysian Country. How am I supposed to talk to him?"
"I''ll find a way to call him back."
Jonathan saw that Dorothy was seriously pushing the issue, and it couldn''t be ignored any longer.
He had hoped to dy and wait for his son''s interest in Dorothy to wane, but the court had called to
demand cooperation with the investigation. Now that it was a criminal case, some damage was
inevitable. Getting out unscathed was nearly impossible.
...
Dorothy had juste back from a meeting when she saw Karen waiting at her office door.
"Karen?"
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"Surprise!" Karen walked over, looping her arm through Dorothy''s cheerfully, "Jeffrey had toe in
for an important board meeting, a direct order from Everett that he couldn¡¯t reject. He was worried
I''d get bored at home, so he brought me along."
Dorothy ushered her into the office, quickly guiding her to the couch.
"You''re pregnant and the morning sickness is rough; you shouldn''t be running around!"
"It''s fine! You were working while pregnant with twins, remember? Compared to you, I''m practically
withering away in luxury!"
"Whypare yourself to me? My situation was different, and I didn''t have a choice."
Dorothy didn''t really want to reminisce about her pregnancy. That hardship was in the past, and it
was best left there.
"Pfff." Karen shook her head, lounging on the couch with her legs propped up, "Anyway, did you
hear what Keh asked Jeffrey to do?"
Dorothy was taken aback. "About me?"
"Uh-huh! He wants Jeffrey to betray Everett."
Dorothy frowned.
"Can you believe Keh? After all these years, he still hasn''t given up. It''s kind of impressive,
really!"
Karen had thought Keh had moved on.
Chapter 794
Chapter 794
But let''s face it, it wasn''t much of a surprise. Karen had a hunch before - the moment the beans
were spilled about Dorothy''s issues with Everett¡¯s mom, Keh was bound to see it as his golden
ticket.
¡°Karen, what do you reckon I should do?¡± Dorothy was at her wit''s end with Keh.
She had said her piece and turned him down t more than once. She couldn¡¯t just burn bridges
and leave him with zilch dignity.
After all, his support over the years wasn¡¯t something you could just sum up with ''good job''. To put it
bluntly, Keh¡¯s favors were the kind Dorothy would owe her life for.
¡°I haven¡¯t got a clue,¡± Karen shrugged, ¡°and you don¡¯t need one! Let him do his thing. As long as he
doesn¡¯t do anything to hurt you, it¡¯s all good.¡±
¡°His folks must hate my guts.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t sweat it. I¡¯ve got your back. They¡¯re not pinning this on you! Keh¡¯s the one who''s been
doggedly persistent. It¡¯s not like you led him on or anything.¡±
If Dorothy took the fall for this, she¡¯d be so wronged.
But Dorothy didn¡¯t reply.
¡°I just hope Keh won¡¯t stir up trouble! He keeps pushing Everett¡¯s buttons, and I¡¯m scared
Everett mighty hands on him.¡±
Karen might have once watched from the sidelines, hoping that if Keh could win over her
bestie, it¡¯d all be peachy.
But not anymore. Having seen what Jeffrey was capable of, she feared what Everett might do if he
really meant to go after Keh. Keh could end up six feet under without even knowing why.
¡°Everett wouldn¡¯t do that.¡±
¡°Hey!¡± Karen bolted upright and quirked her mouth, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for you standing in the way, Everett
would''ve yed and bled Keh dry by now, and you know it!¡±
Everett wasn¡¯t that frightening, but Karen made him sound like the grim reaper, Dorothy thought.
¡
Jeffrey honestly hated these kinds of meetings the most - they were long and stank of hot air!
The shareholders spewed nonsense without ever hitting the nail on the head. Those flip-floppers
were swayed by whoever dangled the juiciest carrot.
He had to admire Everett¡¯s patience for not booting out the old coots on the spot.
Finally, the meeting dragged to a close, and Jeffrey couldn¡¯t get out fast enough. He didn¡¯t linger for
a second.
Back in his office, he found it deserted.
No guesses needed - Karen was surely badgering Dorothy again.
He pulled out his phone and hit the elevator button, checking WhatsApp to see a message from
Everett.
[Liberty City¡¯s business won¡¯t wrap for another three days.]
Jeffrey recalled theirst conversation and then a sly smile crept across his lips.
[So you are heading back to Eldorria City after three days?]
[Not sure.]
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Typical Everett, ying coy. Time to tease him a bit.
[Man, you see that Keh and I will be family. He¡¯s nning to ask Dorothy out for dinner
tonight and wants me to get her toe. He says if things work out, he¡¯ll talk to Karen¡¯s folks for
me. Should I help him out? The offer is mighty tempting! I¡¯m so torn!]
The message was sent, but there was no immediate reply.
Just as the elevator reached the project floor, Everett finally shot back a WhatsApp message.
[Torn my foot.]
Chapter 795
Chapter 795
Jeff looked at the words and burst into crazyughter. He''d always pegged Everett as a closet
drama king, always bottling things up and thinking he was so slick. But when it came to anything
involving Dorothy, the guy would lose his cool faster than a house of cards in a windstorm!
If Everett didn''t make it back to Eldorria City in three days, Jeffrey would eat his hat!
...
From a distance, Karen spotted Jeffrey, waving as she stepped out of Dorothy''s office.
He nodded and strode into the fourth project team''s bullpen, where Austin immediately spotted him.
"Mr. Turner! What brings you here?" Austin eximed.
In Lopez Corporation, everyone knew about Jeffrey''s bromance with Everett, so they naturally
treated him with a great deal of respect.
Lately, Jeffrey had been attending the big cheese meetings on behalf of Everett, basically acting like
a deputy CEO.
"Just visiting my better half."
"Uh?" Austin was baffled. "Your... your wife works in the fourth project team too?"
Jeffrey furrowed his brow, clearly annoyed, "You running a census here or what?"
"Of course not, sir!"
Ignoring Austin, he walked straight into Dorothy''s office.
Behind him, Austin watched Jeffrey''s retreating figure, mulling over the words he''d just heard.
Mr. Turner heading to Dorothy''s office to see his better half?
"Jeffrey, are you finished with the meeting?" Karen stood up and walked over to him, snuggling into
his embrace as soon as he walked in.
The picture of affection.
"Yeah." Jeffrey stroked Karen''s hair absentmindedly, then turned to Dorothy, "It''s about lunchtime.
How about we grab a bite together?"
Dorothy was taken aback and shook her head, "I can''t, I''ve got work to do. The project can''t run
without its members. Go ahead without me."
"Come on, it''s just lunch! It won''t take long!" Karen knew Dorothy was busy, so she suggested, "Let
Jeffrey help you out after lunch, okay?"
Without waiting for a response, she shot Jeffrey a look.
He had no choice but to agree. "Yeah... I can help out."
"No, that''s fine." Dorothy relented, "You are so kind so I''lle along, but don''t worry about the
work. This project is a bitplex, and Jeffrey won''t be able to jump in just like that."
Karen shed an ''OK'' sign, beaming like a kid excited about sharing a meal with her bestie.
Dorothy admired everything about her, really. Karen seemed to have it all and was still the apple of
Jeffrey''s eye. She had to admit Karen was lucky.
At the restaurant, Jeffrey pulled out a chair for Karen, wiped down the utensils, and poured her
some lemonade water.
It was a side of him that seemed totally at odds with his yboy reputation.
Dorothy was about toment on Jeffrey''s transformation when her phone buzzed.
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Looking down, it was a WhatsApp message from Everett.
[What are you up to?]
Why the sudden curiosity?
[Having lunch.]
[With whom?]
Despite her confusion, Dorothy dutifully replied: [With Jeffrey and Karen.]
She didn''t get a response from Everett, but Jeffrey''s phone rang almost immediately!
"Um? Everett''s calling me. I''ll step out to take this; it might be work-rted!"
"Go ahead."
Dorothy assumed that Everett must have tried to call Jeffrey first and, not getting through, reached
out to her instead.
Why else would Everett randomly ask such a question?
Outside, as soon as Jeffrey answered the call, he could tell Everett was not in a good mood.
"Did you invite Dorothy out for lunch?"
Chapter 796
Chapter 796
"Yeah, right!"
Jeffrey hadn''t even realized what was going on before he blurted out an answer.
Everett paused for a few seconds, then gritted his teeth and said, "When''s Keh getting here?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Didn''t Keh ask you to set up a meal with Dorothy?"
Jeffrey suddenly understood, paused for a few seconds, and then began tough so hard he had to
clutch his belly. He felt like he could roll on the floorughing!
"I was just pulling your leg! You took that seriously? Everett, for all your smarts, you sure had a
blonde moment! Couldn''t you tell from my tone?"
"Get lost."
Everett was about to hang up when Jeffrey told him to stay, "Hey! Don''t be so quick to get mad,
man! I''m just looking out for you. Look, Karen and I are expecting and we''ve tied the knot. And
you''re still flying solo, buddy. I''m just concerned about you!"
"Concerned about me?"
"Yeah! Don''t you get a little envious seeing Karen and me so in tune?"
Everett let out a snort, "Envious, huh? So envious that you''reing to Liberty City tomorrow. Got a
job for you to take over,sting a year."
"What?!" Jeffrey''s eyes bulged as he shouted, "No way, man! I don''t want to leave Eldorria City!
Karen''s still pregnant. That''s just cruel, dude!"
"Hmm, I guess I''m just too envious of your harmonious duo."
There was only silence on the other end.
"Still want to say something like ¡®in tune¡¯?"
Jeffrey quickly let out an appeasingugh, "Nope, nope, we actually fight all the time! Man, looking
after a pregnantdy is tough work. I think being single like you is the life! I envy you!"
"Cut the crap. Don''t send me any more goofy messages."
"Heh, you got it, Mr. Lopez!"
After hanging up, Jeffrey patted his chest in relief.
That was a close one! He thought Everett was serious.
That guy was just too intimidating; it was better not to stir the pot.
When Jeffrey returned, Karen blinked at him, "What did Everett want? Was it still about a job?"
"Nah, he just wanted to let me know how sour he feels now ."
Dorothy looked up at him, not quite getting his meaning.
Jeffrey grinned and casually helped Dorothy clean up the dishes, "Everett''s work in Liberty City will
wrap up in three days, then he''ll probably be back."
Dorothy''s hands paused involuntarily.
Jeffrey surely saw it. So he deliberately asked, "Hey, how about we bring Abigail and Langston and
all head to a resort for a bit of fun when Everett gets back? The kids would love it! Let''s hit up the
one in Everglow City. You''re pretty familiar with that resort, right, Dorothy? It was practically your
baby project!"
Karen immediately chimed in and pped her hands, "That sounds great! I haven''t seen those two
in ages; I miss them to bits."
Dorothy tugged at her lip, looking down, "You guys go ahead, I''ll pass. Got too much work."
"Don''t you miss the kids?"
"Of course, I do. I''ll just pick them up from Everett''s then." As for going to the resort, that was
tantamount to a group vacation, which could be awkward.
Jeffrey and Karen were a couple and would naturally stick together. And for her and Everett, the ex-
husband and ex-wife, sharing meals and amodations would be inconvenient.
"Dorothy! Don''t be a party pooper!" Karen rushed over, tugging at her hand and pouting, "Think
about it, when was thest time we got to hang out? Once I have the baby, I''ll have even less time
to go out! Do it for me, will you?"
"But I¡ª"
"Are you still hung up on Everett, Dorothy? Is that why you''re afraid to go? Afraid you won''t be able
to control yourself?"
Dorothy was taken aback.
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Jeffrey squinted and smiled, "If that''s not the case, why refuse? Isn''t it good to give Abigail and
Langston more memories with both parents around?"
Chapter 797
Chapter 797
She got to say that Jeffrey had a knack for hitting where it hurt. Dorothy¡¯s face fell at his words, her
lashes casting a shadow over her grim face.
Karen shot Jeffrey a sharp elbow to the ribs, signaling for him to zip it.
The dinner was a minefield, saved only by Karen¡¯s relentless efforts to smooth things over.
After they''d finished eating, Jeffrey offered to drive Dorothy back to her office.
She waved goodbye without a hint of changing her mind regarding his earlier proposition, and yet,
Jeffrey couldn¡¯t help but press, ¡°Dorothy, about that getaway at the resort¡ªyou in? If you say yes,
I¡¯ll book it right now!¡±
Karen tried to silence him, but it was toote.
Dorothy paused, then turned, "I''ll think about it. I¡¯ll let Karen know if I decide to go."
¡°Alright, we¡¯ll be waiting for your word.¡±
Watching her head inside, Karen frowned, clearly miffed. ¡°I signaled you to drop it. Why poke the
bear? Dorothy doesn¡¯t like that!¡±
Jeff started the car with a click and a sigh, ¡°Aren¡¯t you rooting for her to patch things up with
Everett? I¡¯m just ying Cupid here!¡±
¡°Even Cupid has to know his limits. You can¡¯t keep reminding Dorothy of parent stuff; you know her
history as a kid.¡±
¡°Why should something from her childhood still cast a shadow now? I didn¡¯t mean anything by it. I
just want us to chill out and have some fun. Could she get all sensitive?¡±
Karen waved it off, ¡°Dorothy has always been like this¡ªsensitive and distant. If a guy wants to get
close, be it as a friend or lover, he needs the patience of a saint. With your approach? Good luck
getting her to dine out with you again¡ªI¡¯ll let you do whatever you want if she agrees!¡±
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¡°Is she really that averse to men?¡±
¡°More than you can imagine.¡±
Jeffrey frowned, ¡°Well, I¡¯ve got no ulterior motives with her!¡±
¡°I told you she¡¯s extremely cautious with men, even just as friends.¡±
Jeff grumbled, finally understanding why Everett couldn¡¯t make a direct move or pressure her into
anything. Instead, he could only resort to a slow and steady approach.
¡
Back in her office, Dorothy was surprised to find a bouquet of flowers on her desk. Her mind raced
through countless possibilities, but she was sure they weren''t from Everett.
She reached for the apanying card.
It was from Ophelia. The card was apologizing for being rash and petty, admitting her narrow
perspective on things, and hoping Dorothy could be magnanimous.
Dorothy initially wanted to return the flowers, but that seemed petty, and she could do without the
drama.
So, she settled down, booted up herputer, found Ophelia on thepany messenger, and sent
a simple ¡°Thanks for the flowers.¡±
The day¡¯s work left her drained.
Thankfully, she didn¡¯t have to head to West Legal Services today; the case was already on its way
to investigation.
Dragging her weary body, Dorothy hailed a cab to her apartment with the bouquet still in hand.
If she didn¡¯t get them in water today, they¡¯d wilt by morning.
After picking up some veggies and fruit from the grocery store at the bottom of her building, she
finally made it upstairs.
She had just unwrapped the flowers when her phone buzzed.
It was Karen.
¡°Dorothy! Have you seen the gossip on the Lopez Corporation forum?¡±
¡°No¡¡± Dorothy rarely visited that digital rumor mill, a yground for the idle and the curious. And
the so-called gossip was just half-true and not interesting at all .
¡°Check it out now! There¡¯s a buzz about you today!¡±
Chapter 798
Chapter 798
Even with a baby bump keeping herrgely homebound, Karen''s thirst for thetest scoop was
insatiable.
She''d prowl through every corporate forum within reach of herptop, eager to sniff out any piece of
news, no matter how quirky or obscure.
"My news?" Dorothy raised an eyebrow in suspicion.
She''d been flying under the radar at Lopez Corporation, making a beeline for the exit as soon as the
clock struck five, barely mingling with her team. How could there possibly be something about her?
"Yep, it''s definitely about you!"
"Oh, I''ll check it outter then." Dorothy''s hands were busy arranging a bouquet of flowers.
"No, you need to look now! Immediately!"
Dorothy paused. She could tell from Karen''s tone that something big was up.
So after ending the call, she logged onto the Lopez Incorporated gossip board. She expected to
have to dig around for the post about her, but to her surprise, it was marked with a ''Hot'' tag!
Dorothy was bracing for something juicy as she clicked. All she found, however, were a few stealthy
snapshots of her holding the bouquet as she left work.
The thread had attracted other stealthy photographers from earlier that day, turning it into a gallery
of images capturing her from every conceivable angle.
"Our Lopez Corporation is teeming with beauties, but thisdy is by far the most stunning and
ethereal I''ve seen! She''s like an enigma that draws me in and makes me want to unravel her story!"
"Will you quit it with the ''story'' nonsense? Didn''t you see the flowers in her arms?"
"What about the flowers? She must have loads of admirers. It''s not like only a boyfriend can give
flowers!"
"I recognize this beauty; feels like I''ve seen her around Lopez Corporation. ages ago."
"Yeah, I think I''ve seen her too! Wasn''t she in Project Management?"
This wasn''t Dorothy''s first rodeo; she''d been the subject of simr attention during her days at
Prosperity Consortium and had never paid it much mind.
But this was Lopez Corporation! That was the major problem.
Her previous fling with Heather had caused quite the stir, and surely some of the old-timers would
recognize her!
She frowned, ready to flip to the next page to see if she''d been outed, but the thread had been
deleted!
Dorothy refreshed the page, and it was gone for good.
A few quick typers had even started new threads asking who had deleted the post about the
mystery woman.
Refresh again, and even those queries had vanished.
This was for the best! Dorothy felt a weight lift off her shoulders. She appreciated the swift and
thorough moderation at Lopez Corporation; idle gossip like this had no ce there.
Just as Dorothy was about to continue arranging her flowers, a video call from Everett popped up
on her screen.
She epted the call without a moment''s preparation, and suddenly Everett''s handsome face filled
the other side of the screen.
"Uh, you''re up?" Dorothyughed awkwardly.
She''d just remembered the time difference; it must be early morning where he was.
"Yeah." He grunted in response, pivoting the camera to show their kids still asleep. Langston was
lying peacefully, while Abigail had somehow ended up sprawled atop her pillow.
Dorothy hit the record button, thinking she''d rewatch this adorable scer.
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Fiddling with her phone, she heard Everett ask, "What are you up to?"
"Just finding a vase for these flowers."
Dorothy''s reply was casual.
There was a brief silence before Everett asked, "Someone from the office give them to you?"
Or perhaps it was Keh.
Of course, Everett didn''t voice thetter part of his thought.
"Yeah, a colleague gave them to me."
Chapter 799
Chapter 799
"You seem to really like that."
She must be. Dorothy was the stoic type, the kind who wouldn''t bother with anything that didn''t
catch her interest.
"Yeah, I do. Which girl doesn''t adore flowers? Plus, if I get them into a vase sooner, they''llst
longer. They''ve been wilting on my desk all afternoon."
Dorothy felt that these flowers were cultivated just so that their brief blooming period could be
cherished and meaningful. Naturally, if you could dy the inevitable wilting, you''d want to draw out
their vibrant days as long as possible.
In that way she wouldn¡¯t waste those flowers, and the flower wouldn¡¯t let her down as well. Since
they ended up in her care, she intended to extend their lifespan as much as she could.
As she arranged them, she realized something was off.
Everett wasn''t speaking, nor was he hanging up. He just watched her handle the flowers, taking
them apart one by one and cing them into the vase.
"You''re not busy with work today?" Dorothy asked tentatively.
"It''s still early," Everett replied, his voice deep and gravelly, as if he hadn''t quite shaken off a recent
illness.
"Oh."
Another conversation starter that fell t.
"Getting used to the fourth project team?" Surprisingly, Everett picked up the thread again.
"It''s good. Everyone works hard. Tond a job at Lopez Corporation, they''ve got to have skills."
It was a different mindset and atmospherepared to her previous stints at Prosperity Consortium
or East Star Enterprises. That''s why Dorothy was even more afraid of falling behind.
"On this project, I''ll make sure you get the credit."
"No, don''t. The project''s too big. I can''t see it through to the end," Dorothy quickly declined. "When
my six-month term is up, it''ll transfer to a new director, and it wouldn''t be fair if my name were still
attached then!"
While being credited on big projects is crucial in investment banking, a key part of one''s resume
used bypanies to gaugepetence, Dorothy couldn''t be greedy.
Doing so would deter capable directors from taking on a project they couldn''t im as their own.
Even with shared credit, it would feel like raising someone else''s child.
Dorothy knew this all too well from her years of handling projects.
"You can finish it before you leave Lopez Corporation."
"That''s unlikely, with thewsuit and all..." She regretted her words as soon as they left her mouth.
The scars shared between her and Everett were torn open, causing pain on both sides.
"It won''t affect your job. You''ve been leading the project, and nobody would object to youpleting
it."
"Thanks for the offer." That was her polite way of declining.
Everett fell silent for a few seconds, murmured an acknowledgment, and then ended the video call.
Dorothy ced the flowers near her apartment''s entrance. With lilies among them, they couldn''t be
in the bedroom, so she set them in the foyer where she''d see them right when she got home.
Ophelia had sent the flowers as an apology. Dorothy hadn''t intended to make a fuss, but the
gesture seemed unnecessary.
So, Dorothy decided to pick up some pastries for Ophelia tomorrow, a kind of reciprocal gesture.
After dealing with the flowers, she washed her hands and sat down at herputer. Out of habit,
she checked the meeting channels.
The first conference room had been active for about ten minutes.
It looked like Everett had jumped straight into a meeting after their call. He really was swamped.
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Dorothy sighed and braced herself to start her own work when Kevin pinged her with a private
message.
[Ms. Sanchez, what kind of flowers do you like?]
[Hmm? Why do you ask all of a sudden?]
[Well... Mr. Lopez told me to send bouquets to all the project directors as a kind gesture, but I
figured it''s mainly for you, and the others are just piggybacking. So I naturally have to find out your
favorite flowers.]
Chapter 800
Chapter 800
Sending flowers should hit the right chord, shouldn''t it?
Kevin considered himself clueless when it came to romance, with little experience in wooing girls.
He was a stereotypical guy who thought roses were the go-to gift, but Mr. Lopez intended to send
flowers to all the directors, so roses were obviously out of the question!
Other teams had female directors, after all!
Dorothy blinked. Only then did she realize why Everett had mentioned sending flowers several
times. He couldn''t possibly think they were from a male colleague, could he?
[Ms. Sanchez?]
[When will Everett be out of his meeting? I need to speak with him.]
[Mr. Lopez? He''s booked solid for at least another hour. Ever since yesterday, he''s crammed his
schedule so tight, not even sparing a moment for himself. He''s meant to work three days, but he''s
jammed it all into two! It''s like he''s reverted to that insane work ethic during the past four years...
Did you tick off Mr. Lopez again, Ms. Sanchez?]
Her? She hadn''t riled up Everett recently, had she?
[I don''t think so. He probably has other ns.]
[What ns could Mr. Lopez have? His personal life is as dry as toast.]
Dorothy pondered for a moment, and it did seem to be the case.
Aside from work, he was all about fitness, avoiding social gatherings like the gue, and showed
zero interest in mobile and game-ying.
Yet, beingbeled as having a dull life by Kevin, a workaholic homebody himself, was a bit of a fail
for Everett.
After all, in everyone''s eyes, heirs to fortunes should be living it up like Jeffrey, partying and living
the high life.
Dorothy nced at the clock and then dove into her tasks, asionally checking to see if the
meeting was over. When it still showed no signs of ending, she''d switch back to her work.
It turned out that Kevin had grossly miscalcted; Everett wrapped up what should have been
several meetings in one marathon session! Nearly four hourster, the first conference room finally
showed as avable.
Already exhausted from the day, Dorothy felt herself nodding off in front of herputer, even
believing for a few minutes that she had actually fallen asleep!
If it weren''t for Everett''s call, she might have spent the night slumped over her desk.
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"Mm?" She groggily pressed the answer button.
"Kevin said you were looking for me."
"Ah, right, I was." Dorothy pped her stiff cheeks, forcing her brain to boot up again. "You''re
sending flowers to all the directors of the Lopez Corporation?"
"Kevin told you?"
"What if I said I guessed it? Would you believe me?"
Everett didn¡¯t reply.
Dorothy''s mind was foggy with sleep, so she spoke without any filters, "You really don''t have to do
that. The flowers I received were from a female colleague, the one I had a dispute with. She
apologized and bought them for me."
If a male colleague had sent her flowers, she wouldn''t have epted them, let alone brought them
home.
"Yeah, I knew."
"You didn''t."
Everett fell silent again.
"So, drop the whole flower-sending thing. I don''t have time to fuss with fresh flowers every day!"
Everett was silent for a moment, "Mm."
"Alright, you''re busy. I''m off to sleep."
She yawned loudly, then flopped back onto her bed with her phone still in hand, falling asleep
instantly, not even realizing she hadn''t hung up.
Everett listened to her steady breathing. Not wanting to disturb her, he was just quietly listening
through his headphones.
Chapter 801
Chapter 801
Dorothy had no clue when the call endedst night. By the time she woke up, her phone was as
dead as a doornail,pletely powered down.
She plugged it in to charge before stumbling out of bed to freshen up.
In the middle of brushing her teeth, it hit her like a ton of bricks¡ªthe conversation she''d had with
Everett the night before!
What on earth had she blurted out to him?!
She had actually told him to stop sending flowers to the directors, and she also made a point that
the bouquet she received was from a female colleague.
Oh Lord, why would she say something like that? What if Everett just wanted to show some
appreciation to the directors? Then her words fromst night must have sounded like she was full of
herself. The man hadn''t hinted even once that he was sending flowers to impress her. No jealousy
on his part whatsoever. Why did she feel the need to exin herself?
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And.. did she just throw Kevin under the bus?
Dorothy pped her forehead and let out a groan.
Was her brain fried from too much worktely? She had no filterst night and spilled everything!
After getting ready, she hesitated with her now powered-on phone in hand. Should she try to make
amends with Everett?
But¡
What should she even say?
How to even begin fixing this was the problem.
Her main worry was that Everett might me Kevin, who after all was just passing on a message
on her behalf.
If her loose lips caused trouble for him, she''d never forgive herself.
After wrestling with her thoughts for a few minutes, Dorothy decided to bite the bullet and call
Everett, hoping to gauge between his lines before proceeding.
He should be with his kids at this hour; hopefully, she wouldn''t disturb his rest.
Each ring made Dorothy''s heart climb higher in her chest, waiting for it to drop the moment Everett
answered.
But he didn''t pick up.
He must be busy, she thought.
Dorothy felt like all her energy had been sapped. She was tempted to just flop back into bed.
The next second, Everett returned her call.
"Looking for me?"
His conversations always seemed to start that way.
"Last night I¡I called you, didn''t I? I can''t remember what I said."
"I called you. You told me not to bother sending you flowers, and said yours were from a female
coworker. And you said Kevin told you about this."
Spot on! A perfect rey of the key points.
"Uh, actually, it wasn''t really Kevin who said that! It was just my guess! He just casually asked what
flowers I liked, and I, in a moment of arrogance, assumed that you were trying to send me flowers
as an excuse..."
Dorothy could only sacrifice herself now to shield Kevin from me. But she couldn''t continue as
well. She only felt her cheeks burning up.
There was silence on Everett''s end until Dorothy almost thought he had hung up. Then he finally
spoke.
"You weren''t being arrogant. Don''t overthink it."
"Yeah! Don''t worry, I won''t overthink things anymore!"
There was silence on the other end.
"I gotta head to work now, bye." Dorothy paused, then added, "Mr. Lopez."
After hanging up, she took a deep breath and hurried out of her apartment with herptop and bag.
On her way, she picked up some pastries and, upon arriving at the project office, ced them
directly on Ophelia''s desk.
Dorothy was the kind of person who hated owing anyone anything and didn''t want anyone owing
her either.
Just as she settled into her office, she looked up to see the security guard frowning and carrying a
huge bouquet of roses toward her, "Dorothy Sanchez, right? This is from a delivery package
downstairs!"
It was a massive bouquet, sorge that the security guard had to hold it with both hands, a sea of
roses.
Chapter 802
Chapter 802
Dorothy''s mind raced for someone who would send her flowers, and Everett was the first person
who came to mind.
But she had told him not to bother with the flowers anymore, right?
So, she carefully inquired, "Did they say who these are from?"
"Nope, no mention. You might want to check for yourself."
The flowers were incredibly heavy, and the security guard just set them down and left.
Dorothy stood up and searched through the roses, hoping to find a card or some clue as to who
sent them, but to no avail.
This was making things hard to deal with.
No one had texted to im the delivery, and Ophelia wasn''t due to arrive yet, so it couldn''t be her.
The only person who had discussed anything flower-rted with her recently was Everett, but could
it really be him?
Dorothy considered reaching out to him, but remembered it was the middle of the night over in
Liberty City.
Besides, if it was Everett, he would probably mention it when he woke up, or she could just casually
ask Kevin about itter.
With a herculean effort, Dorothy managed to move the enormous bouquet to the side.
She had a sneaking suspicion that Kevin might havebined all the flowers meant for the various
project directors and sent them all to her instead.Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.
If she had to take these home after work, she was sure she''d be the hot topic on the forums
once again.
...
Today was Jeffrey''s day off; he didn''t have to work or go to the office. So he and Karen decided to
visit Karen¡¯s family.
It was like ripping off a Band-Aid; better to get it over with than to live in dread.
As they got closer to her parents'' neighborhood, Karen¡¯s heart started racing and her palms were
sweaty with anxiety.
"You ready to take a hit?" Karen whispered, even though it was just the two of them in the car.
"Yeah, as long as your dad avoids my face and crotch," Jeffrey replied, forcing augh to keep the
mood light.
The elder couple were bound to let off some steam, and with Karen pregnant, they couldn''t very
well direct their anger at her. So Jeffrey was prepared to take one for the team. He''d worn extra
layers, thinking it might cushion any potential blows just a little.
"I''m scared my dad will go too far."
"He wouldn''t, right?" Jeffrey gently touched her still-t belly. "Would they really want their
grandchild to grow up without a father?"
Karen rolled her eyes, "You''re in a joking mood?"
"What else can I do? Would crying make them feel any better?"
Karen bit her lip. She was too tense to banter and leaned her head against the car window with a
sigh.
"Look, if you''re really too nervous, why don''t you stay in the car and let me face that one? You can
come up after I''ve weathered the storm. How about it?"
Karen gave him a serious look. "Are you for real?" she asked.
Jeffrey nodded vigorously, "Of course! Although I know my wife would stand by me¡ª"
"Then you go up by yourself."
Jeffrey gasped.
"I just can''t face them! Just thinking about it terrifies me!" Karen let out a dramatic groan. "In their
eyes, I''m still broken up with you. And now, not only am I bringing you home, but I also have to tell
them I''m pregnant!"
God, how she wished she could drag the progress bar of her life and skip this part!
But no matter how fearful she was, the car pulled up outside theplex.
Karen stepped out, still debating whether she should go up with Jeffrey or not. Before they could
reach an agreement, they heard Derek Miller''s voice from behind.
"Karen?"
Karen froze on the spot.
Jeffrey stiffened as if shot, awkwardly raising his hand in greeting, "Hey! What a coincidence..."
Chapter 803
Chapter 803
Karen wanted to leap up and sew Jeffrey''s mouth shut.
Of all times, he still had the nerve to crack jokes!
As expected, Derek''s expression turned increasingly grim, and he could barely contain the anger
brewing in his eyes. "You two broke up, didn''t you?"
"Uh, technically, yes, but we kind of patched things up." Karen shed a grin and sidled up to her
dad. She yfully swung his arm, "Dad, I still really like Jeffrey, so I thought I''d give him another
chance!"
Derek immediately frowned, "You are okay with his shady dealings with other women?"
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Jeffrey heard that and quickly interjected, "That''s a big misunderstanding! I swear!"
"Don''t swear it. I can''t bear it!"
"You can! You are my father-inw and that¡¯s the fact!"
And the grandfather of my kid!
Of course, thosest few words were left unspoken.
Karen had warned him when they left the house to take it slow, not to reveal everything all at once
for fear of shocking their elders.
Derek looked at his daughter, "He says it''s a misunderstanding. Do you believe that?"
"I do! It was really a misunderstanding. I was too impulsive back then and didn''t let him exin,
which is why I insisted on breaking up. Later, he came to me many times and showed me proof, and
that''s when I realized I had truly wronged him."
Karen imed to be afraid of facing her parents and said she was even shaking in fear. But when
she actually stood before them, she feared they would be too harsh on Jeffrey and took most of the
me upon herself.
"It wasn''t all Karen''s fault. I''m to me, too! I made her sad and upset, and that''s my mistake."
Jeffrey clenched his teeth, stepped forward, and pped himself twice, loud and clear. "Please give
me a chance! I promise this will never happen again!" he eximed.
His disy caught Derek off guard, making it awkward for him to even get angry.
"I think you young folks toss around ''together'' and ''break up'' too lightly! You don''t consider things
carefully. Karen, you said you would never get back together."
"I did say that."
"Your mother and I are getting old, and you still make us worry about you! You said Jeffrey
mistreated you, and as parents, we have to protect you no matter who we offend. It''s our duty! But
then you go and make up with him. Have you considered how hard it is for your mom and me to be
caught in the middle?"
Karen hung her head. Guilty had washed her over.
She knew her father was right to scold her.
Backing up their daughter meant offending Jeffrey. And in order to protect her, they¡¯d at least argue
with him; or maybe they¡¯d cause a brawl. Then suddenly, she made up with her boyfriend¡ªhow
were they supposed to face Jeffrey now?
It was a ssic case of being caught between a rock and a hard ce.
"Derek, I''m not the least bit upset about the things you''ve said to me! I truly think I deserve it, and
you were too soft on me. You should have been harsher or maybe even knocked some sense into
me!" Jeffrey understood Derek''s point and quickly added, "As I said, if Karen broke up with me, it''s
because I let her down. Whatever you do to me is justified!"
Derek pursed his lips and remained silent. However, his expression was not softened.
Jeffrey took a deep breath, went back to his car, and retrieved a paper bag.
"I know you have a lot of concerns, so here is an unconditional property transfer contract. I''ve
already signed it, and now I''m giving it to you. If I mess up again, you and Karen can strip me of
everything!"
Chapter 804
Chapter 804
Jeffrey had made his grand deration without ever consulting Karen, never even dropping her a
hint while at home!
So the looks of sheer astonishment on Karen and Derek''s faces were identical.
"I''m all in with Karen for life," Jeffrey proimed. "I won¡¯t leave even if she''s mad at me, yells or
throws a shoe at me! And if she kicks me out, I''ll just camp out on the doorstep until she cools off!"
Silence hung in the air.
Derek continued to watch his daughter.
"Dad, don''t be mad. He... well, he''s got heart."
"Let''s talk upstairs." Finally, Derek conceded. He inhaled deeply and continued, "We don''t want the
whole neighborhood thinking the Millers are bullying their future son-inw, do we?"
...
Whenever Dorothy had a spare moment during the day, she pondered over who sent the bouquet of
roses.
But deep down, she felt the odds were on Everett. It was just like him to be so stubborn about
admitting to such a gesture!
As the workday drew to a close, Dorothy waited for the office to clear out before she reluctantly
picked up the roses and made her way downstairs.
Just as she was about to hail a cab, a sleek ck Volkswagen pulled up beside her.
The window rolled down, revealing Austin.
"Ms. Sanchez, didn''t drive today, huh?"
"Yeah, parking''s a nightmare."
"Let me give you a lift!" Austin was already out of the car, moving to help her with the flowers.
Dorothy shook her head so fast it could''ve spun off.
"No, no! Really. I can take a cab."
"Why the formality? We developed a bond at East Star Enterprises, remember?" Austin''s tone was
warm and friendly.
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But the friendlier he got, the more Dorothy retreated.
"Austin, really, it''s fine. You should head home."
Seeing her reaction, Austin paused, and then it clicked.
"Ah! I get it! Worried about Mr. Lopez getting jealous, right? Well, I won''t be the one to upset him
then!"
Dorothy sighed, "Everett and I¡ª"
"Had a fight?"
"Not exactly..."
"I didn''t realize Mr. Lopez was so possessive. But I guess it makes sense; you''re beautiful, and he''s
got to keep an eye out. Wouldn''t want another Mr. Lane situation."
Lane''s name seemed to only exist in Austin''s conversations now.
Ever since Everett had crushed him, Lane had disappeared without a trace. Of course, Dorothy had
no desire to keep tabs on him.
"Lane''s had it rough," Austin continued. "Heard he''s starting from scratch again. And he has to
avoid the Lopez Corporation''s turf. If he wants business, he has to partner up with their rivals. I
mean, why''d he even tried topete for affection with Mr. Lopez?"
Dorothy''s expression darkened, her voice stern, "Lane and I were just colleagues, Austin. I''d rather
not hear about him."
"Ah, my bad! I shouldn''t have brought him up. I''ll head out now; see you tomorrow."
"Sure."
As Dorothy watched Austin''s car drive away, she let out a sigh of relief, only to be interrupted by a
call from Kevin.
The moment she saw his number, her lips couldn''t help but curl into a smile.
This must be Everett iming the flowers, right?
"Hello, Kevin, what''s up?"
"Ms. Sanchez, I thought you said you didn''t like flowers. So¡ why did you ept someone else''s
today? Mr. Lopez knows, and he''s trying to y it cool, but he''s insisting I cancel his appointment
for shots at the clinic today!"
Chapter 805
Chapter 805
Dorothy was utterly befuddled.
Did that mean...
"The flowers weren''t from Everett?"
"Of course not! You told Mr. Lopez not to send any!"
Dorothy furrowed her perfectly arched brows, her gaze falling upon therge bouquet of roses,
"Wait, I don''t get it. Why would Everett cancel his hospital appointment for the shots?"
Was there a connection between the two?
It couldn''t possibly be that Everett was trying to gain her sympathy by ying the sick card, could it?
No, that didn''t make sense. If that were his intention, he wouldn''t have kept his illness a secret from
her from day one.
"Because he''s cramming all his work into his schedule, even using the time for his shots for
meetings!"
Dorothy was more befuddled. Was he trying to upy his mind with work?
Seeing her confusion, Kevin spelled it out, "You still don''t get it? Mr. Lopez is trying to cut short his
business trip in Liberty City. He¡¯s eager to get back home!"
Only when Dorothy heard this did she find the situation somewhat ludicrous.
"Kevin, aren''t you reading too much into this?"
Whether Everett returned home sooner orter, it had nothing to do with her.
"Then why do you think Mr. Lopez is in such a rush?"
"How should I know?"
Kevin sighed on the other end, "Forget it, this is too hard to exin! Just persuade Mr. Lopez to get
his shots on time. It''s only two more days, anyway. We don''t want him getting worse once he''s back
in the country!"
"I''ll talk to him."
After hanging up, Dorothy shot Everett a message on WhatsApp.
[You''re skipping your shots again.]
When he didn''t reply, she assumed Everett was just busy.
ncing down at the bouquet at her feet, the roses suddenly lost their charm. As she wondered
who could have sent them, her phone rang.
Assuming it was Everett, she answered without looking at the caller ID.
"Everett, can''t you take better care of yourself?"
"Dorothy, it''s me."
"Uh. Keh?" Only then did Dorothy nce at the screen; indeed, it was Keh Nelson on the
line.
"Yeah." But Keh, as if he hadn''t heard her previous remark, chuckled softly, "Did you get the
flowers I sent you?"
She paused, "You sent them?"
"Yes! I saw the photo Karen shared on the Lopez Corporation forum yesterday, you looked so lovely
holding that bouquet. I wanted to give you one too. I hope you like them."
"...Yes, I do."
"That''s great! Anytime you want something, just let me know. Just¡ don''t ept flowers from
anyone else, okay?"
It dawned on Dorothy just then how easily her stroll through the office with a bouquet had led to
misunderstandings.
Everett must have thought she was epting another man''s advances. Now Keh thought the
same.
She instinctively wanted to rify, but the words were swallowed back at thest second. It would
be the best chance to let Keh give up on her.
"I can''t stay single forever, Keh. If I meet the right person, I still n to settle down."
"You''ve found someone else?"
"It''s not that I''m in love, just thinking of getting to know him better! We''re at the samepany,
bumping into each other all the time, so it''s easy to develop feelings. Plus, he''s been really caring, a
good guy, and very understanding of me." As Dorothy spoke, her mind was filled with inescapable
thoughts of Everett.
Keh seemed to fall silent, as if cut loose.
N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.
Until Dorothy nudged him, "Keh? Anything else, or can I go?"
"Wait! Dorothy, without Everett... you are still passing me off?"
Chapter 806
Chapter 806
"Keh, we''re just friends."
Keh let out a bitterugh, "You''re so brutal. "
"It''s the truth! Look, Keh, you should move on and find someone new. I''m not a catch, and I''m
definitely not worth all this fuss," Dorothy said, clenching her fists as if to muster her courage. "Even
if I do get remarried, it won''t be with you."
With those final words, she hung up the phone just as a yellow cab pulled up to the curb.
Dorothy waved it down and slid into the back seat. As the cab drove off, a single bouquet of roses
lay forgotten on the sidewalk.
...
Everett saw Dorothy''s message on WhatsApp while he was reviewing some contracts. He set his
phone aside without replying. There was too much to sort out before he could even think about
heading back home, or else he''d be flying back across the pond within days.
When he finally got around to calling her back, all he got was a busy signal.
Kevin walked in, holding a stack of papers and shooting Mr. Lopez a stealthy nce. The tension
was palpable.
"Mr. Lopez."
Everett looked up, his gaze fixing on Kevin for a few seconds, which was enough to make Kevin''s
skin crawl.
"Did you not understand what I told you?" Everett asked.
"Of course, sir! You mean about...?" Kevin hedged.
"I told you not to discuss my business with Dorothy."
Kevin grimaced, knowing this was going toe back and bite him.
"But sir, you refuse to get that shot, and I''m at my wit''s end here! You''ve already cut your business
trip to Liberty City from ten days to three and started work at the crack of dawn. And now you''ve
crammed it into two days, barely getting three hours of sleep!"
If Everett kept this up, he just couldn¡¯t tell if this man would die unexpectedly or not.
How could anyone survive on three hours of sleep, let alone manage meetings, negotiations,
contracts, and still find time to y with his kids? Everett was pushing the limits of human
endurance.
"I can''t sleep anyway. I need to get back, there''s a ton to do at headquarters."
"Right, all for Ms. Sanchez..."
"What was that?" Everett didn''t quite catch Kevin''s mumbling.
"Nothing! Are you sure you want to cancel the doctor''s appointment? You could go over the
contracts while you''re getting the shot. It doesn''t have to dy treatment!"
Everett frowned.
"I know it won¡¯t keep me from going over the contracts. But I could have a meeting during that time,"
he mused.
"Well, I''ve already informed Ms. Sanchez. If you don''t show up and she asks, I have to tell the truth.
I can''t lie to her!"
There was a pause from Everett before Kevin added, "Shall I go then, Mr. Lopez?" He started for
the door.
Everett coughed and lowered his voice, "No need to cancel."
"Great! I''ll arrange the car."
Just as Kevin was about to leave, Everett called out to him again. "Did you find out what I asked you
to look into?"
Kevin''s eyes darted as he remembered, "Yes! I had the lobby surveince checked and got in touch
with the delivery man who sent the flowers. The bouquet was so huge that the guy remembered it
well. He picked it up from Delight Flower Shop on Unity Avenue."
Everett''s brow furrowed, "Get to the point."
"I called the shop. The owner said the person who ordered the flowers didn''t request a card, so she
doesn''t know who it was. But they left a phone number."
Kevin handed Everett the number he had scribbled down.
Everett immediately opened WhatsApp and searched for the number''s associated ount.
The name popped up instantly¡ªKeh.
"When''s the next flight back home?"
Kevin thought for a moment, "There should be one around 3:30 PM."
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"Book it."
"What?"
Everett''s gaze was stern, his jaw set, "Book the flight, I''m heading back to Eldorria City today."
Chapter 807
Chapter 807
"Wha-?"
Kevin blinked, not catching the flurry of taps Mr. Lopez had executed on his smartphone. As a
result, he was clueless and a tad startled. "Mr. Lopez, your schedule''s packed with appointments.
You''re canceling all of them on such short notice?" he asked.
"I need to head back home for a while, then I''ll return after some time," Everett replied, tapping his
fingers restlessly on the desk. "Just say I''vee down with something nasty and can''t meet
anyone."
"Got it, Mr. Lopez," Kevin said as he made his exit and nced at his own phone screen.
Why did Mr. Lopez lose his cool over that number?
Driven by curiosity, he dialed the mysterious number from his personal phone.
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After a few rings, a man''s voice came through.
"Hello, this is Keh speaking. May I ask who''s calling?"
Kevin hung up immediately, a smirk spreading across his face.
Well, isn''t that revealing?
Time to book a flight!
...
After Jeffrey and Karen entered the house, they mulled over how to break the news of their secret
marriage and pregnancy.
Jeffrey''s string of solemn promises and self-imposed penalties had had an effect. At least Derek
wasn''t as furious as they imagined.
Oh, wait. Maybe it was because today''s main event hadn''t unfolded yet.
With that in mind, Karen tugged on Jeffrey''s sleeve, "You need to tell them about us registering our
marriage."
Jeffrey licked his lips nervously. "Now?" he lowered his voice.
"Yeah, while my dad''s not angry."
"And the baby? Should we tell them about that too?"
Karen shook her head frantically, "No, no, no! My dad can''t handle that just yet. Let''s wait on that!"
While they whispered to each other, Derek was the picture of calm, lounging on the couch as if
waiting for someone.
Soon, the doorbell rang!
Karen''s gaze snapped toward the sound¡ª
It was her cousin Keh!
Jeffrey''s heart sank a bit as well. Why on earth had Derek called Keh over?
"Uncle," Keh greeted as he came in, carrying a basket of fruit and some pastries.
"You could''ve juste by. No need for gifts." Derek''s eyes crinkled with a smile as he pulled
Keh aside. "I called you over for a bit of advice!"
Keh nced at Karen and Jeffrey sitting in the living room and caught on right away, "They
made up."
"You knew?" Derek was taken aback.
"Well, they''re sitting together, aren''t they? I know Karen well; if they hadn''t patched things up, she
would''ve booted Jeffrey out by now."
Derek sighed, "I''m just... I''m not sure what to do. Your aunt and I have been worried sick, so we
thought we''d get your take on things. Jeffrey gave me this unconditional property transfer
agreement. Now, even if we don''t care about his money, I figured it''s a kind of security for Karen."
"Let me see it," Keh suggested as they moved into the bedroom. He skimmed the contract
Jeffrey had handed over earlier.
At first, he thought it was just a ploy by Jeffrey to ask for forgiveness. But after reading the fine print,
it was clear Jeffrey wasn¡¯t leaving himself any room for error.
The contract was legally binding, and even Jeffrey¡¯s parents had signed off on it to signal their
consent.
"What do you think?" Derek peered at him eagerly.
"Uncle, to be honest... I knew they got back together," Keh confessed, his lips pressed into a
thin line. "They told me on my birthday."
"I thought as much. You and Karen are close; you must''ve known early on!"
"Now that it''s all out in the open, we should probably get their wedding sorted out sooner rather than
later. Otherwise, Karen¡¯s baby bump won¡¯t wait."
Chapter 808
Chapter 808
nning a wedding?
A baby bump?
Derek was stupefied for a few seconds before the realization hit him.
After all, he''d been around the block a few times; he knew what was up.
¡°Karen¡¯s...pregnant?!¡±
Keh seemed just as stunned, ¡°She didn¡¯t tell you?¡±
Derek shook his head. It almost knocked him off his feet; he stumbled back a few steps.
Keh quickly steadied him and patted his back forfort, ¡°Uncle, don¡¯t get too worked up. I
know this news is a shocker, but think about how they stick together every single day, the
pregnancy thing is bound to happen. Besides, Jeffrey¡¯s given Karen the kind ofmitment most
guys wouldn¡¯t be capable of.¡±
¡°Since when are you team Jeffrey?¡± Derek had the impression Keh wasn¡¯t Jeffrey¡¯s biggest fan.
¡°It¡¯s not about taking sides, it¡¯s about the fact that Karen¡¯s already expecting. What¡¯s the point of
talking about anything else? Don¡¯t you just want to make sure Karen''s treated right?¡±
Derek nodded and let out a heavy sigh, ¡°Yeah. The Turners are influential and loaded; if they
decided to mistreat Karen, I fear she wouldn¡¯t stand a chance!¡±
And now with a child on the way...
¡°Uncle, even if Karen ended up with a Joe Average, there¡¯s no guarantee he''d be a stand-up guy.¡±
¡°You¡¯ve got a point.¡±
Keh smiled, ¡°Let¡¯s just let them be. I can see Jeffrey¡¯s sincerity, and him stepping up like this is
no small feat.¡±
It took Derek a long while, but he finally nodded, ¡°Well, well!¡±
Outside, Karen and Jeffrey were on pins and needles! They were too scared to barge in, yet worried
Keh might bad-mouth Jeffrey to her dad.
After all, Jeffrey was Everett¡¯s guy, so Keh disliking him made sense.
¡°Should I go knock on the door?¡± Jeffrey was the most worried.
¡°Yeah, go check on them!¡±
¡°Alright.¡±
As Jeffrey stood up, he saw Keh guiding Derek towards them.
Quick on his feet, Jeffrey helped support Derek on the other side.
Not being pushed away gave Jeffrey a glimmer of hope.
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¡°Karen, is there something else you need to tell me?¡±
¡°Um...¡± Karen hung her head, hemming and hawing, ¡°Dad, I...I¡¯m pregnant...and Jeffrey and I have
gotten our license¡¡±
¡°You, my girl, have really stirred the pot!¡± Derek chided, but without any other actions.
It was clear he had already been mollified.
A long silence fell among them, until Derek finally spoke and turned his eyes to Jeffrey.
¡°So, when do you n to have the wedding? I can¡¯t have my daughter walking down the aisle with a
baby bump; we can¡¯t afford that kind of talk!¡±
¡°Whenever you say, sir, even tomorrow!¡±
Derek pondered for a moment, then dered, ¡°Let¡¯s aim for early next month, you pick the day.¡±
¡°Great!¡±
Jeffrey nodded eagerly, his gaze flicking to Keh. He wondered if Keh thought he had
agreed to whatever terms were set to get him on side-that must be why Keh had spoken up for
him. Otherwise, Derek wouldn¡¯t have taken this news lying down.
In the end, everything settled down without further drama.
Karen also breathed a sigh of relief.
While Derek pulled Jeffrey aside for a private chat, Karen looked up at her cousin.
¡°Keh, why did you suddenly¡¡±
¡°Suddenly help you out, you mean?¡±
¡°Yeah.¡±
Keh curled his lip slightly, ¡°Dorothy turned me down, quite definitively.¡±
Karen looked down, ¡°It was to be expected.¡±
¡°Yeah.¡± He exhaled deeply, ¡°So I figured, I might as well y cupid for someone, right?¡±
Chapter 809
Chapter 809
Karen could see the bitterness tugging at the corners of her cousin''s mouth. She knew better than
anyone how much he had fallen for Dorothy.
"Hey, you''ll find the right one, you''re still young," she said, trying to offer somefort.
Keh just shook his head, "There won''t be another one. I think I''ve lost it."
Karen fell silent, not knowing what to say.
"Don''t worry about me," Keh continued, "You''ve got your hands full with the wedding prep. It''s
not a walk in the park, you know. If you need anything, just holler. I might not be a fan of your future
hubby, but as long as he treats you right, that''s what counts."
Tears suddenly welled up in Karen''s eyes.
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"I''m sorry. You''ve been there for me, and I couldn''t..."
"Sorry? For what? Maybe I''m just not good enough, huh? Some things aren''t meant to be, no matter
how hard you wish for them."
Keh had run through this scenario in his mind a thousand times, knowing all too well that
Dorothy''s chances of saying ''yes'' were slim to none.
But that''s the thing about longing for something so deeply; you can''t help but hope against hope
that the slightest chance might justnd in yourp.
Now, with his dream shattered, he had no choice but to face the music.
...
The next day was a Friday, and Dorothy woke up early. She freshened up and headed to the office
outright.
She was the only one in the fourth project team there; the office was quiet as a tomb.
She cherished this tranquility, feeling as if the world was hers alone.
Afterpiling and printing thirteen sets of documents for the morning meeting, she neatly ced
them on her desk. Then she washed a cloth and wiped down the office. The cleaning crew did their
job, but with a long weekend ahead, she wanted everything to be extra tidy.
Once everything was in order, Dorothy sat back at her desk and flipped through her phone.
Everett had been surprisingly quiet yesterday, with not a single message or video of the kids, and
Kevin was MIA too.
She wondered if Kevin had been told not to message her, but she didn''t want to pry. What if they
were just busy? After all, Everett usually kept her updated on Abigail and Langston''stest antics.
"Ms. Sanchez, time for the meeting!" her assistant called, snapping Dorothy out of her reverie.
She quickly nodded, gathering the documents and heading out the door.
Dorothy knew it had been a tough week for everyone, so she hadn''t assigned any weekend work.
That would allow them some time to recharge.
An hourter, as the meeting wrapped up and she was about to leave, Austin stopped her.
"Ms. Sanchez! Team dinner tonight ¨C I''ll text you the BBQ¡¯s address!"
"Tonight?" she asked, taken aback.
Usually, a team dinner was nned beforehand.
"Yeah! Let''s all head over after work. We thought about doing it tomorrow, but some of the parents
wanted the weekend free for their kids, so we moved it up. Can you make it?"
Since the meeting had just ended and the fourth project team members were still around, all eyes
were on her.
Dorothy couldn''t bring herself to say no.
Thinking it over, she''d be with the fourth project team for another six months, and standing out as a
lone wolf didn''t seem appealing. So she nodded, "Sure, I can make it. And today, coffee''s on me.
Let me know what you want in the group chat!"
"Awesome! Thanks, Ms. Sanchez!"
"Thank you, Ms. Sanchez!"
With a smile, Dorothy clicked her heels back to her office and proceeded to order everyone''s coffee
as requested.
As she was about to pay, she noticed a fleeting notification on her phone - someone had added her.
Afterpleting the payment, she checked again and saw that indeed, there was a new contact
request. The verification message read: [Hey, it''s Jeffrey. Are you heading to the resort or what?]
Chapter 810
Chapter 810
Jeffrey was thest person she expected to friend-request her. She figured Karen must have
slipped him her number. Hesitating for a moment, Dorothy clicked ''ept.''
No sooner had she done so than a digital invitation popped up in my messages, all decked out in
white and pink.
[Karen¡¯s folks gave us their blessing. We''re tying the knot next month!]
[Seriously?]
She tapped as she quickly opened the invitation to find Karen and Jeffrey looking picture-perfect in
their wedding attire. Talk about moving fast!
[Of course! You and Everett better be there, and Abigail and Langston are definitely going to be our
ring bearer and flower girl.]
[Sure thing. I wouldn''t miss Karen¡¯s big day for the world.]
Dorothy¡¯s eyes lingered on "Everett" for a beat too long. She actually wanted to ask Jeffrey when
Everett wasing back to town, but something stopped her.
It felt almost like she didn''t keep in touch with him so had to get the scoop from his buddy.
[Also, there''s the resort thing! Karen''s really looking forward to it. She wants you toe too. Don''t
be a party pooper and say no. She said once the babyes, she won¡¯t have time for getaways.
Everglow City''s resort just opened up, and she''s dying to check it out.]
Dorothy let out a sigh, her brows knitting together as she searched for a polite way to decline.
But before she could even type out a response, Jeffrey sent over the reservation confirmation.
[I booked the rooms already. Since you''re on the fence, I made the executive decision for you.]
Well, that settled it.
Now she knew why Jeffrey and Karen could be such a perfect match.
To some extent, they were such a family. Both of them were action-takers, no dilly-dallying allowed.
She would think herself talking to Karen if she didn¡¯t know that was Jeffrey on the other side.
The old "act now, apologizeter" tactic ¨C Karen had pulled that on me more times than she could
count back when they worked at Prosperity Consortium. She wanted to lounge around on
weekends but Karen just went ahead and bought event tickets without asking.
She knew Dorothy all too well ¨C if you left her with a choice, she¡¯d always choose to bail. But once
everything was set in stone, she was too polite to back out.
Well, might as well go with it.
After all, the days of Everett and her hanging out with Abigail and Langston were numbered. If he
got a girlfriend, or heaven forbid, a wife, then their days of making public appearances together
were really done.
The mood at the fourth project team''s office was unusually upbeat, probably because everyone was
looking forward to the long weekend. Everyone was head down and hard at work.
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The assistant dropped in a few times with reports that were so well-organized that Dorothy barely
needed to give them a second nce.
As soon as the clock signaled the end of the day, she hadn''t even shut down herputer when
cheers erupted from outside.
"Barbecue time!"
"We''re going to make Austin pay big time today!"
"Damn right, I''m going for ten tes of that prime rib!"
Honestly, Dorothy loved the working atmosphere at Lopez Corp.
She quickly packed up and moved out. Some drove, some hailed cabs, but eventually, they all
made it to the restaurant.
Dorothy knew Austin was trying to smooth things over between Ophelia and her. That was why he
strategically seated the girl next to her.
It didn''t bother Dorothy, though. Petty office politics were never her thing.
"Here''s to you, Ms. Sanchez. I insist on a toast!"
"I really shouldn''t¡ª"
But Austin had already raised his ss, and her refusal was half out before she swallowed it back
down, "Alright! Here¡¯s to Austin''s leadership and to all my amazing colleagues! Here''s to our project
team pulling off a ster job!"
She stood up, downed the drink in one go, and her cheeks instantly flushed a rosy hue.
Chapter 811
Chapter 811
Downing the first ss of beer, it felt like the second and third were inevitable.
Thankfully, Dorothy had the forethought to line her stomach with some food before diving into the
drinks, saving herself from the ache of an empty belly.
The vibe was high tonight, and she wasn''t about to be the buzzkill.
"Excuse me, I gotta hit the restroom." Feeling slightly tipsy, Dorothy figured a ssh of cold water
might sober her up.
As she stepped away, Ophelia sidled up to Austin, "Uncle, did you really see Ms. Sanchez and Mr.
Lopez... together?"
Austin furrowed his brow, "What are you up to now?"
"What can I be up to? Just asking! Ms. Sanchez has been around the office for a while, but I''ve
never seen her and Mr. Lopez as an item. Plus, let''s be real¡ªif Ms. Sanchez were Mr. Lopez''s girl, I
would¡¯ve been canned a long time ago, right?"
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Austin frowned but didn''t respond.
"I saw that Ms. Sanchez seems a bit sloshed today. You might wanna ask if she''s got a ride home. If
not, maybe you got it all wrong from the start. Mr. Lopez is the big boss of the Lopez Corporation,
why would he mix business with pleasure? Or maybe he''s just over her and has moved on. So why
are you still treating her like royalty?"
Austin shot Ophelia a look, recalling Dorothy''s admission that she and Mr. Lopez had split. Still, he
put on a stern face and scolded, "Don''t be nosy. Get back to your seat."
Ophelia rolled her eyes, "Pfft! I''m just looking out for you."
Returning from the restroom, Dorothy found that almost everyone was full. She barely sat down
when Austin offered a smile, "Ms. Sanchez, how about I give you a lift? It''s a hassle getting a cab
with everyone leaving at once. You could be waiting forever."
"No, it''s fine. I''ll call a cab after everyone''s gone. I''m not in a rush."
"Don''t you need to get back to your kids?"
"Nope, they''re not staying with me."
Austin''s expression faltered for a moment, then he chuckled, "Oh, I see. I thought you''d be eager to
get back to them! But hey, my car''s empty, and you seem a bit under the weather. I''ll drive you
home."
"I''m good," Dorothy waved off, a touch unsteady. "Just a bit dizzy; I''ll walk it off to clear my head."
"Don''t be shy now!"
"Really, I''m okay. No need."
As the others began to don their coats, Austin went to settle the tab.
After paying, he turned to see Dorothy leaning on the restaurant''s door handle, her cheeks flushed
a deeper shade, clearly hit by the dyed punch of alcohol.
"Ms. Sanchez? Maybe I¡I should just take you home after all?"
Perhaps emboldened by Ophelia''s words and his own probing, Austin now felt bold enough to reach
out and offer support. Otherwise, he wouldn''t dare risk it.
"I''m fine, Austin. You go on ahead."
"Don''t y the hero. I can''t let a colleague go home alone - not on my watch as a manager. As a
leader, I¡¯ve got to ensure you get home safely," Austin said with a probing smile. "Ms. Sanchez, is
there someone at home to take care of you?"
"I¡ª"
Before Dorothy could reply, a towering figure approached, casting arge shadow under the
ambient lights and enveloping her in darkness.
Her vision, blurred without contact lenses, couldn''t make out his features. But the voice was
unmistakable.
"Everett?" she called out.
Wasn''t he supposed to be on a business trip in Liberty City?
Chapter 812
Chapter 812
Austin was kinda gobsmacked when he saw Everett. withdrew his hand from supporting Dorothy.
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¡°Mr. Lopez, I-I¡¯m sorry, I just meant to steady Ms. Sanchez, afraid that she might fall! Now that
you''re here, I''ll be on my way!¡±
He didn¡¯t dare linger another second before he bolted away.
Everett frowned, his thick brows knitting together as he looked down at the woman in his arms.
¡°How much have you had to drink?¡±
At that, Dorothy lifted her head, squinted with a smile, and gestured three with her hand, then
changed it to five.
¡°Maybe... five drinks! Or maybe fifty! Everyone was having such a st, and I... I was too...¡±
Everett sighed in resignation. Seeing her in this state, he knew walking was not an option, so he
bent down and scooped her up in a bridal carry.
The sudden move startled Dorothy! She began to il desperately, ¡°No, no, let me down! Austin,
don¡¯t touch me, put me down!¡±
¡°...Dorothy, open your eyes and look!¡±
Just as Everett finished speaking, Dorothy smacked him across the face.
The p echoed through the room, turning several heads their way.
¡°Put me down! I want to get down!¡±
Everett, having received a public p to the face, his handsome features darkened a shade as his
voice grew deeper, ¡°Dorothy! It¡¯s me, Everett!¡±
¡°...Everett? Oh, right, Everett¡¯s here.¡± Dorothy suddenly giggled for no apparent reason and
wrapped her arms around his neck, ¡°He always shows up when I need him.¡±
Everett widened his eyes. He really didn¡¯t know how to deal with a drunk, so he just lengthened his
stride and carried her out quickly.
Knowing Dorothy would surely want to see the kids tomorrow, which was the weekend, he hesitated
but ultimately decided to take her back to the Bay Residence.
Thinking there were plenty of rooms, he just had to not touch her, he figured.
Besides, if he left her at Karen¡¯s tiny apartment alone, he wouldn¡¯t feelfortable. He¡¯d end up
staying there anyway.
Upon arriving at Bay Residence with Dorothy in his arms, Langston noticed them.
¡°Whoa? What¡¯s up with Mommy?¡±
¡°Yeah, Daddy, is Mommy sleeping?¡± Abigail sidled up too.
¡°She had a bit too much to drink. Let¡¯s not disturb her, okay? She¡¯ll y with you when she wakes
up tomorrow, all right?¡±
Abigail and Langston both nodded, giving a thumbs up.
Everett instinctively headed towards the master bedroom, but at the door, he felt it wasn¡¯t quite
appropriate. So he turned andid her down in the guest room.
This room was smaller than the master but still had all the necessary amenities, just never been
used.
Everett was a solitary guy and not keen on visitors. Even if the visitor was Jeffrey, he still couldn¡¯t
overstay and had to scram by nightfall. So the guest room remained pristine.
¡°You need some hangover remedy? Are you feeling unwell?¡± he asked, noticing Dorothy¡¯s furrowed
brow and gently smoothing her forehead with his hand.
Dorothy shook her head, half between wakefulness and sleep.
¡°Then¡ do you wanna throw up?¡±
Again, a shake of the head.
Everett let out a deep breath and decided to call Kevin to bring some hangover pills, just in case
she got ufortable in the middle of the night.
After he hung up, he turned to see Dorothy reaching out into the air from the bed.
¡°Everett...¡±
¡°Yeah, I¡¯m here.¡±
¡°Everett, do you miss me?¡±
Chapter 813
Chapter 813
Everett didn¡¯t give an immediate reply. He knew full well that Dorothy was tipsy. Otherwise, those
words would never have slipped past her lips. But he went back anyway and took her hand in his.
"You should be asking when I don''t miss you."
Dorothy on the bed scrunched her brow, unclear if she even heard him. She turned over, pulling her
hand away from his grasp.
Everett stood silently by her bed for a long while before he finally switched off the light and left the
room.
Outside, Abigail and Langston were wide-eyed with curiosity.
"Why''d you stop ying?" Everett walked over and ruffled their heads affectionately.
"Daddy, did Mommy fall asleep?"
"Yep."
"So where''s Mommy taking us to y tomorrow?" That was typical of Abigail, who was always
eager for adventure.
"Where do you wanna go, Abigail?"
Everett settled into the couch, naturally lifting his daughter into his arms and gently tousling her
curls.
"The candy shop! Mommy promised to buy me a whole bunch of sweets!"
Langston put away hisptop and joined them, "Dream on! Mommy always keeps tabs on your
sweets. It''s not like you don''t know that."
"But what if Mommy says yes?"
Everett couldn''t help but give a helpless smile.
His daughter was so easy to please. A few lollipops could lead her anywhere.
"Abigail," Everett¡¯s brow furrowing slightly as he thought that over, "if you want something, you
come to Daddy. Don''t take anything from strangers, okay? You tell them your daddy will buy it for
you."
He had to instill this lesson early to prevent his little girl from being lured away by some boy with
candy in the future.
Abigail, oblivious to the deeper meaning, pped her hands in glee. "Okay, okay! I love you,
Daddy!" she eximed. She hugged his neck and nted several smooches on it.
"Alright, bedtime for you both! It''ste." He rose from the couch, one arm holding Abigail, the other
scooping up his son.
"Just a little longer!"
"No can do! You need to sleep early tonight. Daddy still has to take care of Mommy. She''s alone in
her room, and I''m worried."
"Oh, alright then."
...
Whenever Everett had time, he''d be the one to tuck the kids into bed.
But tonight was different. His concern for Dorothy was too strong, so after making sure the children
were snug under their covers, he left the nursery.
He gently pushed open the guest bedroom door and peered towards the bed, guided by the faint
nightlight.
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It was empty!
He immediately strode over, flung back the covers and confirmed it: no Dorothy.
Panic-stricken, he dashed to the bathroom and found her dozing off on the toilet seat. He had no
idea how long she''d been there. But seeing that she didn''t throw up in the toilet, Everett carefully
lifted her, wiped her mouth, and ced her back into bed.
How could he leave her like this?
With a heavy sigh, Everett grabbed hisptop from the master bedroom and set up a makeshift
workspace at the desk.
Sleep was out of the question; he might as well tackle the jetg head-on.
He was grateful to have returned to Eldorria City that day. After settling the kids, he had headed to
Dorothy''s apartment, hoping to catch a glimpse of her.
The ce was dark, and his gut told him something was off.
A call to hispany''s staff revealed that the fourth project team had a team dinner that day.
Everett shuddered to think what might have happened to Dorothy if he hadn''t shown up.
Chapter 814
Chapter 814
Would she be dragged back to his ce by that Austin? Just the thought alone was enough to
make Everett''s thick brows furrow into a scowl.
Why were there so many flies buzzing around Dorothy?
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"Ugh..." The person on the bed turned restlessly and let out an ufortable groan.
Everett approached softly and asked, "You awake? If you can hear me, give me a sign. Drink this
hangover cure, it''ll make you feel better."
But Dorothy just waved him off, even going as far as to cover her face with the nket.
"Come on, drink this and then you can get some more sleep."
Knowing she was conscious, Everett picked up the hangover cure and helped her sit up in bed.
"I don''t want this..."
The hangover cure smelled awful, almost like some kind of bitter herbal concoction, so Dorothy was
resisting by shoving it away firmly.
Luckily, Everett''s steady grip prevented a spill.
"Just drink this, and then I''ll get you some water. Hang in there."
"I said I don''t want it!" Dorothy wasn''t just being disobedient, she was also getting feisty, "Why are
you so annoying? Get out!"
Everett was at his wits¡¯ end.
With the first attempt at administering the medicine failing, Everett had no choice but to let her lie
back down and return to hisptop.
But it wasn''t more than a few minutes before Dorothy sat straight up in bed with such a jolt that
even Everett was taken aback. "What''s wrong?"
"Who are you?" Dorothy demanded. She was pointing in random directions with her eyes still
closed.
"I¡¯m Everett."
"You''re not! Everett''s in Liberty City! Don''t try to fool me!"
Everett rubbed his temples in frustration. If he could, he would have loved to grab her sses from
her bag and put them on her.
"I don''t live in Liberty City permanently. I finished my work and came back."
Hearing this, Dorothy finally opened her eyes and squinted in his direction.
"Hey? Are you really Everett?"
"Yes, I am." He replied, turning to grab the already opened hangover cure, "Now be good and drink
this, then you can go back to sleep."
"I won''t be good!"
Her response was really quick. She craned her neck and showed her flushed little face, thick with
inebriation.
"What will make you listen and take your medicine?"
"Prove... that you''re Everett."
Everett had no such experience. He could never imagine that he needed to prove his identity one
day.
"How do you want me to prove it? Shall I get your sses for you?" Everett really did turn to search
for Dorothy''s bag.
And it turned out that there were no sses to be found inside; he guessed she must''ve been
wearing contacts today.
"I don''t wanna wear sses; they''re ufortable!" Dorothy vaguely remembered the difort in
her eyes from the contacts after drinking too much and had taken them out.
"Then take your medicine."
"Prove you''re Everett, and I''ll take it. Otherwise, I won''t!"
Everett had never realized how troublesome a drunken Dorothy could be. Usually, she''d just throw
up and then obediently fall asleep.
Thinking it over, he figured she must be feeling insecure because she didn''t know she was back in
the country before she got drunk, hence the heavy guard.
Otherwise, she wouldn''t have pped him earlier.
"Fine, how do you want me to prove it?" Everett sat on the edge of the bed and gently massaged
her temples, hoping to ease some of her difort.
Dorothy scrunched her brows in thought for a long moment before suddenly leaning close to
Everett''s handsome face.
"Everett would kiss me."
Everett raised his eyebrows.
"You kiss me, and I''ll know if it''s you."
Everett wasn''t the least bit enticed by her words; in fact, his frown deepened.
"Dorothy! You are not allowed to test people taking care of you with a kiss to see if they''re Everett!"
Chapter 815
Chapter 815
His voice got louder, causing Dorothy''s brows to furrow deeply.
"Keep it down, will you?"
Everett took a deep breath, convincing himself not to continue this pointless argument with a drunk.
Patiently, he wrapped his arms around her, soothing her like he would his daughter, gently stroking
her hair.
"Be a good girl. Drink this hangover cure, and you''ll feel much better. Then get some sleep. The
kids are looking forward to ying with you tomorrow."
Perhaps it was the tenderness in his voice that did it, but Dorothy suddenly rolled over, pinning
Everett to the bed; her arms encircled his neck and she nuzzled him like a kitten.
This gesture conjured a memory.
Back in the days at Swevia Country, Dorothy would always climb into bed and nuzzled him after he
finished work and took his evening shower. It seemed like in this moment, she was absolutely
certain that the man she was holding was indeed Everett.
"Ready to sleep?"
Everett rested his chin on her forehead, his arm encircling her waist.
"Mhm," her difort was still evident through her muffled voice.
Everett turned to ce the already open bottle of hangover cure on the nightstand. But as he turned
back, the woman in his arms had already begun to tug at her clothes.
"You hot?"
"Help me take this off... Everett... help me... I can''t find the buttons..."
Dorothy''s voice was a shaky mix of frustration and annoyance, clearly at odds with the elusive
buttons.
She was drunk, and her actions needed no reason.
But Everett was just a man! A man who hadn''t indulged himself in quite some time.
With each word, Everett''s voice grew huskier with a heavy rasp, "Let me go, and I''ll help you
change into your nightgown."
"I don''t want you to go..."
Dorothy''s drunken speech was petnt, even her irritation sounding almost like coaxing.
Everett could feel his temples throbbing!
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"Okay, I won''t go. Just sleep now."
"Then take off my clothes!"
Everett closed his eyes, struggling to suppress the surge of thoughts, "Let me get out of bed, and
then I''ll help you change."
He knew he couldn''t lie in that bed another second!
"Everett, don''t you love me anymore?" Dorothy suddenly opened her eyes, her pupils clear yet
hazy, "Why... don''t you want me?"
He bit his lips and had no answer for that question.
But in the next instant, Dorothy''s hand made a bold move toward his lower body!
Everett tensed up and clenched his teeth immediately, "Dorothy, don¡¯t mess around!"
Dorothy pouted, her dissatisfaction clear after being scolded, "But you''re... you know..."
"Are we really not going to do it today?" she added, moving closer intentionally, her scent nearly
driving Everett mad. She made no effort to restrain herself, even trying to reach inside his
waistband!
Everett clenched his mrs. He grasped her wrist tightly in his hands.
"That''s enough. It''s time for you to sleep."
Dorothy blinked, and there seemed to be a real chance of tears, "You don''t love me anymore..."
"Listen to me, we can''t do this now! You''re drunk, and you''ll hate me when you sober up tomorrow!"
"I won''t!"
"You will!"
"Then you just don''t love me..." Dorothy''s first tear finally fell, "In the past, after cuddling me, you''d
undress me, and we''d..."
Everett was at a loss for words. It was true - that had been their way!
But that was in Swevia Country!
Chapter 816
Chapter 816
They had been living on the edge for a while there.
"Dorothy, you''re hammered."
"I am not! I can still tell you''re Everett, can''t I?" she slurred.
Everett pressed his lips together in a thin line, his brow furrowing as he began, "Then do you
remember my mother¡ª"
He cut himself off, unable to continue. As his thoughts drifted elsewhere, he loosened his hold on
her inadvertently.
And that was all the opportunity Dorothy needed. Slipping her hand along the curve of his waist, she
found her way in and hit the jackpot!
"Mmm..." Everett couldn''t help but let out a muffled moan. Hisrge hand immediately reached for
her wrist, trying to pull her hand away.
"Dorothy, let go of me!"
She wasn''t intimidated in the slightest; instead, she let out a silly giggle, "Mmm, you''re so warm... so
hot..."
"Let. Go. Now."
"I won''t!"
Far from releasing him, she gripped him even tighter upon sensing his attempt to pull her hand
away.
Everett knew he couldn''t use force to extract her hand without risking injury to his most sensitive
area.
"Dorothy! Be gentle!"
"Then take off your pants... they''re chafing my arm. It hurts..."
At that moment, Everett relived every sorrowful memory he had, yet still couldn''t suppress the
wicked thoughts swirling in his mind. He gazed at Dorothy''s face and then steadied her head, tilting
his own to nt a kiss.
Not only did Dorothy tremble, but Everett shuddered too as he pushed forward. He truly believed he
would never be able to touch Dorothy again...
"It hurts... Everett, it hurts..."
Dorothy''s small hands clutched his shirt tightly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Just a bit longer. I''ll be gentler in a moment, okay?"
Right now, he simply couldn''t control his strength.
After a passionate and unrestrained encounter, the scent of their intimacy lingered in the air of the
guest room.
Dorothy had fallen asleep during their second round, curled up under the covers. From Everett''s
perspective, the bed seemed to rise in the middle where shey.
He had already showered, his torso bare, wrapped in a towel, as he fetched a box of cigarettes from
the master bedroom and stepped out onto the balcony.
Everett usually didn''t smoke because of Abigail and Langston, but now, he needed it to convince
himself that what had just happened wasn''t a dream.
He finished the cigarette, stubbed it out in the ashtray, washed it in the sink, and put it back in its
ce.
Returning to the guest room, Everett cleaned Dorothy up with a damp towel and helped her into
pajamas.
With a couple of hours left until dawn, he finally slid under the covers and naturally pulled Dorothy
into his embrace.
And then he couldn''t bear to close his eyes.
He feared sleep, and he feared that these precious hours would pass too quickly.
She was still lying there like a log. Her breath was gentle, and her eyelids were tightly closed.
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Everett stroked her hair with his hand, over and over again.
It was only as dawn began to break that he got up and left, closing the bedroom door behind him.
...
Dorothy was truly stered. She hadn''t expected the punch to hit her so hard!
In fact, when she had stumbled to the bathroom earlier, despite feeling dizzy, she wasn''t so far gone
that she couldn''t walk or recognize people!
She slept straight through to noon the next day before she groggily woke up.
She lifted her arm instinctively. "Ugh..."
Her body was sore all over.
Chapter 817
Chapter 817
She really wanted to swear off booze for life, but deep down, Dorothy knew that was a no-go. In her
line of work, where deals were sealed with a toast rather than a handshake, going teetotal was
career suicide.
Rubbing her eyes, Dorothy slowly came to the realization that she wasn''t in Karen''s apartment at
all!
It took a few seconds of squinting through the dim light, filtered by heavy drapes, to realize that the
room was oddly familiar, yet she couldn''t recall ever staying there.
Sitting up in a daze, she suddenly sprang to her feet¡ªonly to find her legs jelly-soft and unable to
support her.
Thud.
Dorothy hit the carpet with a graceless flop.
As an adult with, ahem, certain experiences, she was utterly aware of what had transpired the night
before. The aching back, the sore legs, and that burning sting somewhere more intimate¡ªif she
didn''t know any better, she''d be a fool.
Her face drained of color in an instant. The thought was too much to bear.
Thankfully, the sound of her copse had quickly brought Everett striding into the room through the
ajar door.
"What''s wrong?" he asked.
Dorothy craned her neck to look at him, her face a tapestry of colors and her expression a mess of
emotions.
She narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing him until she was sure it was indeed Everett standing there.
Oh...
So it was also Everettst night?
As she gawked at him like a goofy, Everett couldn''t pretend he didn''t feel a twinge of guilt. Clearing
his throat, he bent down to scoop her off the carpet and set her back on the bed.
"You had a bit too much at the team gathering. I happened to be passing by and..."
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"And you brought me back to Bay Residence?" Dorothy finished for him.
No wonder the ce seemed familiar¡ªit was Bay Residence.
And no wonder she didn''t remember staying here¡ªit wasn''t the master bedroom.
"Uh, yeah. I thought you''d want to see the kids," Everett said, avoiding eye contact.
Of course, Dorothy''s embarrassment was no less than his. Seeing him skirt around the events of
the previous night, she certainly wasn''t about to bring it up.
"I do miss them. Where are Abigail and Langston?"
"They''re in ss, should be done in twenty minutes," Everett nced at the time. "You want to
freshen up first?"
Dorothy nodded, grateful the dim room hid her flushed cheeks.
"Thene down to the dining room for breakfast."
She nodded again.
Everett straightened up to leave, pausing at the door and jerking his head a little bit, "Be careful.
Don''t fall again."
"Okay."
Once the door clicked shut, Dorothy pped her cheeks, convincing herself she wasn''t dreaming.
She and Everett had slept again!
And it happened right after he returned to the country¡ªthey were immediately entangled.
What a mess.
Gritting her teeth, Dorothy gingerly got off the bed and shuffled to the bathroom.
The mirror reflected no hickeys on her neck, and lifting her shirt, she found no marks on her skin.
Everett had been careful not to leave any evidence.
But the soreness of her body was a clear indicator of his less-than-gentle handling.
Sshing water on her face, Dorothy had a sneaking suspicion.
If she hadn''t made a move on Everett, he wouldn''t have touched her. The man was, if anything,
more stubborn than she was.
Chapter 818
Chapter 818
So there was the question: what on earth did I get up tost night? What did I say and what did I
do? She mused.
For a fleeting moment, Dorothy truly wished there had been a camera in the guest room, just so she
could rey the events.
But then again, maybe not.
Just the thought ofst night''s wild romp sent her cheeks ame. And that hotness was soaring
right up to her hairline!
Dorothy lingered in the bathroom for ages, and Everett was about to go check on her when she
finally emerged, all bashful and hesitant.
Shuffling in the slippers Everett had brought in for her, she tiptoed to the dining room. She had
figured Everett would y it cool, pretend likest night never happened, which would make it easy
for her to gloss over the whole thing.
But no sooner had Dorothy sat down than Everett pushed a ss of milk toward her and his lips
parted slightly, "Aboutst night¡ª"
"I was stered and totally out of it. Can''t remember a thing, really!" Dorothy blurted out,
interrupting him so abruptly it was almost suspicious.
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Once said, the words couldn''t be taken back.
Everett''s brow knitted slightly, his hand pausing mid-air. "You were drunk, but I wasn''t."
What''s his deal? Weren''t we on the same page about pretending nothing happened? She was
shouting inwardly.
"Dorothy, I''m sorry, I shouldn''t have done that without your consent..."
"There''s no need for sorry! I''m sure it was me who wouldn''t let you leave." Since he insisted on
talking about it, Dorothy could just brace herself, "I''m not upset with you, so can we just drop it,
please?"
Everett had more to say, but seeing the pleading look in her eyes, he swallowed his words.
"Alright, eat up. I¡¯ll go check on the kids."
He left the dining room, and only then did Dorothy allow herself to breathe.
She had been so tense and was on the edge of copsing. If Everett had persisted any longer, she
might have bolted for the door!
Calming herself, Dorothy had lost her appetite and just sipped at the milk.
Soon, the joyful voices of Abigail and Langston came from the nursery.
"Mommy''s awake!"
"Mommy, I missed you so much!" Abigail ran towards her with open arms.
Dorothy smiled. She scooped up her daughter, and then raised an eyebrow at Langston, "Aren''t you
going to hug Mommy?"
Langston grimaced, "I''m not doing your girl stuff!"
"He''s definitely taking after Everett," Dorothy mused.
Before long, Everett reappeared from the nursery. He was on the phone, chatting with someone.
The call was not work-rted apparently, because his tone was kinda casual; he also nced over
at her and took a seat on the couch.
Dorothy showered her daughter with kisses, then pulled her reluctant but eventually cooperative
son into a warm embrace, purposely kissing Langston right between his furrowed brows just to
tease him, much to Abigail''s giggling delight.
"Enough, enough. That''s it, Mommy!"
Langston finally wriggled free and darted off to find hisputer.
On the couch, Everett ended his call and looked up at Dorothy.
"Jeffrey''s booked our tickets to Everglow City."
Ah, that must''ve been Jeffrey on the phone. That dawned on Dorothy.
"Yeah, he mentioned something about a vacation."
"You agreed?" Everett was clearly skeptical of Jeffrey''s im that Dorothy had consented.
She paused, then nodded, "Sort of."
Chapter 819
Chapter 819
In a fleeting moment, a torrent of emotions flickered across Everett''s eyes.
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He had things he wanted to say. He wanted to ask her why she agreed to join the trip. He also
wanted to ask what she thought afterst night''s debacle.
But Dorothy had already turned to take little Abigail''s hand, saying, "Jeffrey booked a separate room
just for you and me. Don''t worry, there won''t be a repeat ofst night."
She wasn''t going to drink again.
Everett bit his lips. It wasn''tst night''s events that worried him, though.
...
Ever since the unpleasant fallout with his son, Jonathan Lopez tried calling Everett several times,
but all calls went unanswered.
He hadpletely shut downmunication.
His wife had been subpoenaed by the court to testify. Although she was still defiant since that
began, she was clearly scared and constantly asking when their son would return.
When indeed?
He wished he knew too.
"If ites to it, I''ll head to Liberty City myself and find him," Jonathan couldn''t just sit around
waiting.
If Dorothy had irrefutable evidence and they started asking for the suspect to be handed over, it
would be toote for everything.
"I''lle with you!" Amanda insisted. She was determined to join him since she worried her son
would avoid her.
"I''ll go first; you really shouldn''t be traveling right now. We don''t have a clear picture of how far the
case has progressed, and what if you get detained at the airport? You''re at least safe here."
Jonathan figured hisst resort was to refuse to hand over his wife and keep her hidden at all costs.
After all, sending her to prison would be no different from sending her to her death!
"Alright, I''ll listen to you," Amanda finally acquiesced.
She even had the servants pack her husband''s suitcase, showing uncharacteristic diligence.
Only when Jonathan checked with his contacts in Liberty City did he learn that Everett had already
returned to his home country!
It was obvious that it was because of Dorothy.
But what worried Jonathan was the haste in his son''s return¡ªhad Dorothye up with new
evidence?
He couldn''t fully trust his wife''s version of events; after all, he had been burned before.
"Jonathan, do you know where Heather is?" Amanda had thought long and hard overnight and
finally came up with a potential breakthrough.
"Everett took her away, I''m not sure where he¡¯s detaining her. I''ve checked the routes; it seems to
be domestic. But knowing Everett, he wouldn''t let me find out so easily."
He knew his son well enough.
"Then... maybe she¡¯s in Swevia Country? When you handed Heather over to him, he was still there
recovering from his injuries."
"That''s unlikely too," Jonathan considered it too obvious and easily guessed. He was forgetting the
old adage that the most dangerous ce could be the safest.
"What do you need Heather for?" he asked.
Amanda guided her husband to the sofa, "If Heather is willing to take the fall for everything, then I
can pull myself out of this mess!"
"But you''re the one deciding to carry out the n in the surveince footage!"
"But Heather can just say that I didn''t know anything, that I was only following her and thus decided
that."
Jonathan paused, "Go on."
"That way, at worst, I''ll only be charged with negligence. And with a bit of maneuvering, it''ll all blow
over!"
"Do you think Heather would agree?"
"Let her think about it! Dorothy''s n is to have both Heather and me face the death penalty.
Heather can''t escape her charge; she knows her motive for the crime is clear. If we can talk, maybe
she''ll be willing to protect me."
Chapter 820
Chapter 820
Dorothy always admired Jeffrey and Karen''s go-getter attitude.
Amid the whirlwind of wedding preparations, they had even managed to squeeze in a vacation n!
That must be one of the perks of being flush with cash, she mused.
Jeffrey had even gone so far as to bypass Dorothy and give Austin a heads-up about taking a week
off.
Austin just couldn¡¯t object. He''d have to bite the bullet and grant the vacation even if itsted a
month, let alone a week¡¯s off.
Early in the morning, Karen had roped everyone into a WhatsApp group, whimsically renaming it "A
Family Affair."
Langston was the first to voice his opinion.
Langston: [What in the world is this name, Aunt Karen? You might as well have left it alone.]
Karen: [What do you know, kiddo? Being super rustic is the very way to show hipster!]
Dorothy woke up to find the group chat had exploded with 99+ messages, mostly banter between
Langston and Karen.
On her second day staying over at the Bay Residence guest room, she returned to her own
apartment, but only after the kids were tucked into bed. It was awkward living there after all.
Karen: [Dorothy, you up? Are we meeting at the airport, or should we meet somewhere else first?
Are you with Everett?]
Dorothy replied while brushing her teeth.
[Yep, I¡¯m up. Everett and I aren¡¯t together.]
Karen: [I¡¯ll have Jeffrey call Everett then!]
Setting her phone aside, Dorothy applied a light touch of makeup, packed a few clothes into her
suitcase, and by the time she checked her phone again, there was a private message from Karen
on WhatsApp.
Karen: [Dorothy,e downstairs when you¡¯re ready! Everett¡¯s been waiting for a while!]
Everett was downstairs?
She rushed to the window and indeed saw Everett''s car parked below. She couldn''t spot him, so he
might have been waiting inside.
Why hadn''t he told her he wasing? She''d been dawdling just then.
She quickly grabbed her suitcase, checked the gas and electricity, and as soon as she opened the
apartment door, there he was.
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"Why didn''t you knock?"
Everett wasn''t in the car at all. He was standing right at the door. He reached out and took the
suitcase from her hands in one smooth motion, "I just got here."
Dorothy had her doubts about the truth of that statement.
Everett seemed pretty good at waiting for people.
She remembered several instances of him just standing there, waiting. Dorothy, on the other hand,
wasn''t too fond of waiting, especially when she didn''t know when the other person would show up. It
made her so anxious.
Downstairs, Everett didn''t bother with the trunk. He simply put Dorothy''s luggage in the back seat.
That left her no choice but to ride shotgun.
"Get in, we''ll pick up Abigail and Langston at Bay Residence, then head to the airport."
He said it so casually with no hint of being contrived that Dorothy couldn''t very well make a fuss.
She just opened the passenger door.
The drive to Bay Residence was silent, with Dorothy struggling to find a topic of conversation.
It was only at a lengthy red light that Everett suddenly spoke up.
"That night... I didn''t use protection. I just remembered to remind you. Sorry about that."
"Huh?" The suddenness of his confession caught Dorothy off guard.
"I mean, the night you were drunk, I couldn''t help myself... it went inside..."
Who could think about protection in the heat of the moment? No one had used the guest room
before, so it wasn''t like the main bedroom, where you could just grab and go from the drawer.
And of course, he had his own ulterior motives.
Dorothy''s cheeks flushed crimson, "It''s okay... I was in my safe period."
Chapter 821
Chapter 821
The silence in the car was thick enough to cut with a knife, and Dorothy felt a wave of awkwardness
that made her skin crawl.
Usually, whenever Everett sensed her difort, he''d find a way to lighten the mood, but today, he
didn''t seem to have any intention of doing so.
It wasn''t until they were almost at Bay Residence that he broke the silence again.
"Dorothy, should we maybe have a proper talk?" he asked.
He felt that they had never truly sat down to discuss their future or the whirlwind of events that had
transpired between them.
It was always her with her thoughts, and him with his.
Everett had thought he had lost the right to ask Dorothy for a heart-to-heart, but that night, the
vulnerability and love in her eyes were unmistakable, and he wasn''t blind.
These past few days, he could recall her trembling voice calling out his name with his eyes shut,
and it was such torture.
Work in Liberty City had kept him busy, and a bout of illness left him too drained to think of much
else besides getting the kids to bed and crashing himself.
But the moment he was back in the country, their fiery encounter had kindled a huge desire he
couldn''t quell.
"What about?" Dorothy asked, not looking at him but picking at her nails.
"About us."
"Let''s not talk right now," Dorothy rejected quickly. "At least I think we got nothing to talk about at
this moment."
Everett frowned; he turned the wheel, pulling the car over to the side of the road.
"I''m not just bringing up the fact that we slept together!"
"I know."
"Dorothy, we can''t go on like this."
"Everett," she sighed deeply, then spoke softly, "I want to wait until things have settled down before
we talk, okay? Not now."
He pursed his lips tightly, obviously understanding her point.
"Fine, you tell me when." It was just a matter of waiting. He, Everett, could wait.
"When my mom''s situation is resolved, if you don''t bring it up, I will."
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Everett seemed to have anticipated this response, his lips curling into a dry semnce of a smile.
"Alright, I''ll wait for you." He said.
Dorothy never did look at him, because the n she held in her heart was known to no one and
couldn''t be detected by anyone!
Everett was too sharp. If she let slip even the tiniest hint, he''d figure it out.
...
After picking up the kids and heading to the airport, Dorothy witnessed Karen wrapped around
Jeffrey''s neck, kissing him as if they couldn''t bear to part.
She nced at them and quickly turned away, blushing as she covered the children''s eyes.
Everett, on the other hand, gave them a cold look and furrowed his brow as he took the luggage out
of the car, "Jeffrey, you can leave us here."
Jeffrey was confused, "Huh? I''ming with you guys, Everett!"
"You''re acting like you''re here to say goodbye."
Jeffrey pouted and leaned in to whisper, "Buddy, I''mying it all on the line for you here! Getting
Dorothy to agree is tough! You''ve got to seize the moment."
Everett, of course, hadn''t mentioned to Jeffrey how he had ended up in bed with Dorothy on his first
day back in the country.
So the look of bewilderment on Everett''s handsome face was interpreted by Jeffrey as shyness.
"You''ve both got kids, and you''re still having trouble wooing your wife? If I were you, I''d pin her
down and charm her until she agrees to remarry. When she says yes, then you can stop!" As he
spoke, Jeffrey seemed to be visualizing the scenario. He was squinting his eyes and chuckling, "
Just fix everything on bed! Isn''t that a popr way to do nowadays?"
"Is that how you won Karen back?"
"Pretty much!"
Chapter 822
Chapter 822
Everett''s fist connected with Jeffrey''s jaw with a thud that echoed through the air.
"Ugh... What the hell, man?" Jeffrey stumbled backward, fighting for bnce.
"That''s for Karen''s dad."
Jeffrey was taken aback.
Dorothy''s head whipped around at the sound of Jeffrey''s voice.
Karen, on the other hand, was the picture ofposure. She hadn''t caught their exchange, but she
swiftly concluded that Jeffrey had iting. "Serves him right!" she said.
"What are they on about?"
"How should I know!" Karen blinked innocently, "But if Everett''s schooling Jeffrey, it''s definitely for
something Jeffrey did."
Dorothy chuckled with resignation, "You two are thick as thieves now, huh?"
They were always at each other''s throats, but there was a straightforwardness about their
rtionship. A spat meant clearing the air, and once things were cleared up, they were back to
being chums.
"What can I say? He''s like a bad penny, always turning up! But honestly, when we first split, I really
thought it was over between us."
"I know." It was clear to Dorothy.
Karen was nothing if not resilient, always ready to let go and move on.
"Enough about us. What about you and Everett? Jeffrey mentioned Everett came all the way back
from Liberty City just to see you. He dropped a ton of work for this."
Dorothy paused, then met Karen''s gaze, "We''re... we''re managing."
Karen patted her shoulder, nodding towards the two kids ying nearby.
"I don''t care what other beef you and Everett have, but this vacation has been on my bucket list for
ages, and who knows when the next one will be. So, no drama, please ¨C at least don¡¯t let the kids
know that you two are apart. Abigail is fine; she''s only got her sweets in her eyes. But Langston''s a
smart cookie. He''ll pick up on any tension."
Having grown up abroad with Keh, Langston had developed a certain independence and a
keen sense of perception ¨C something Dorothy was well aware of.
"Don''t worry. Since I promised I''de, I won''t let the kids pick up on anything."
"Good, your word is all I need!"
With that, Karen pranced off to find Jeffrey.
Everett strode over, scooping Abigail into his arms and hoisting Langston onto a suitcase with one
hand.
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"Let''s get going."
"Yeah." Dorothy nodded and fell into step with them.
After security, they found themselves in the airport''s VIP lounge. Karen was engrossed in y with
the kids and their new toys.
Langston, busily assembling his LEGO bricks, suddenly looked up.
He noticed his mom and dad standing far apart, hardly interacting, and it struck him as odd.
He tugged on Karen''s sleeve, whispering in her ear, "Aunt Karen, are my mom and dad fighting?"
"Of course not!"
"But Dad always holds Mom''s hand when he''s not carrying anything. Why isn''t he today?"
Karen nced over, and even she couldn''t deny the tension.
She could see the awkwardness transpired between them, which sent a discordant note in the air.
"Dorothy! Come here a sec!"
Karen beckoned, and Everett, thinking something was wrong with the children, followed suit.
"Langston, tell them what you told me," Karen urged.
Langston blinked, his lips pouting, "I think Dad doesn''t love Mom anymore. He always held her
hand before, but not today! Dad, are you looking for a new mom for Abigail and me?"
The bluntness of their son''s words caught both Dorothy and Everett off guard.
Without giving much thought, they reached out at the same time, and their hands found each other''s
in grip.
Chapter 823
Chapter 823
¡°Impossible, hon. I was just lost in thought for a second! Look, hand in hand now.¡± Dorothy moved
closer to Everett as if to reassure her son.
Everett also wrapped his arm around her with a charming grin, ¡°Langston, haven¡¯t I told you before?
There will never be a stepmom in your life. Let¡¯s drop that word, okay?¡±
Dorothy nced at Everett. He didn¡¯t meet her eyes, but he could feel those astonished beams
boring into him.
Soon, it was time to board the ne.
Dorothy expected Jeffrey to seat the kids next to herself and Everett, but instead¡ªAbigail and
Langston, along with Karen and Jeffrey, ended up in one row!
She and Everett were assigned seats together in the row behind.
¡°Karen, you¡¯re pregnant. Take care of yourself and don¡¯t let the kids bump into your belly!¡±
¡°Rx! I¡¯m totally fine. Go on and take your seat.¡± Karen waved her off, ¡°Consider this early mom-
training for me. If you and Everett stick around, I won¡¯t get my practice in, so go ahead.¡±
Jeffrey too shooed them away before Dorothy could say a word, ¡°Karen and I can totally handle the
little rascals! I chose these seats with care, you know.¡±
With no other choice, Dorothy made her way back to her seat.
Everett seemed to be still struggling with jetg, his eyes closed, trying to catch some rest.
She could tell he was exhausted, the faint shadows beneath his closed lids a dead giveaway.
Probably because he had pushed himself to return stateside early and left a pile of unfinished
business that likely meant working nights and overtime.
Recalling how Everett had been under the weather, Dorothy reached out tentatively to check his
forehead for fever.
But the moment her hand grazed his skin, Everett¡¯s grip snapped around her wrist. His eyes flew
open, and after a few seconds, he let go.
¡°Sorry, I thought it was¡¡± someone else.
¡°No worries.¡± Dorothy gave an awkward chuckle, ¡°Go back to sleep. I won¡¯t disturb you.¡±
She expected him to resume his nap, but Everett¡¯s voice came low and steady.
¡°I got you thewyer from West Legal Services.¡±
Dorothy paused. She was not so much surprised that he''d helped. She had actually thought about
this possibility. She was just stunned by his out-of-the-blue statement.
¡°You owe me one, right?¡±
She nodded, ¡°Yes, I do.¡±
Without thatwyer, her mother¡¯s case wouldn''t have progressed so quickly.
¡°So, can I make a request?¡±
¡°You put it that way so you knew I¡¯d agree.¡±
He¡¯d already brought up about thewyer¡¯s thing after all. This wasn¡¯t like Everett, who preferred to
help without seeking recognition.
He chuckled, his gaze fixed on her face, ¡°How about we treat these seven days in Everglow City
like Karen and Jeffrey, to have ourselves a little romance?¡±
A romance?
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Dorothy looked at him.
¡°Since running into you again, all I¡¯ve been thinking about is how to get you to marry me. Didn¡¯t
leave much room in the n for you to consider, so¡¡±
¡°So?¡±
¡°Dorothy, I¡¯ve never really been dating someone in my whole life. I wanted to date you in middle
school but I didn''t seed; when I grew up, I tried to chase you and realized you had too many
eyes on you, and I had to hurry to get you. So I haven''t been in a real rtionship yet."
She stared at him for a few seconds, then burst intoughter. ¡°Everett, begging for love really
doesn¡¯t suit your style.¡±
When those forlorn words came from such a handsome man, they couldn¡¯t be less convincing.
Chapter 824
Chapter 824
"I''ve been begging for too long."
Some words, once you let them out,ced with half-truths and jokes, just tumble out easily.
"I really had no clue in middle school."
Back then, her mind was consumed with making money and finding more time for a part-time job
while juggling studies. Puppy love? Never even crossed her mind.
Comparing her to Everett wasughable. Dorothy, in her second-hand uniform bought on the cheap
from a graduating student, was the picture of drabness next to everyone else in the ss. If they
weren''t mocking her behind her back, that was a good day. The idea that Everett, this prince on a
pedestal, could have a crush on her? Absurd.
She truly believed that the teacher paired them up just so Everett could help her with her studies,
especially with the important exams on the horizon.
"What if you knew? Would you have said yes to dating?"
"No. Didn''t you ask me that already?"
"Yeah, and now I want to date."
Dorothy was at a loss for words.
"That favor you owe me, I want you to pay it back this way," Everett added.
He was shrewd, no doubt about it. Out of all the things he had secretly done for her, he picked the
one where he helped her find awyer, which gave Dorothy no room to refuse.
Though the surveince footage of Heather he got for her was also regarding her mother''s case,
mentioning it would only bring immediate awkwardness. However, thewyer thing was different.
Finding a capablewyer to ept this case depended on Dorothy. It was not exactly Everett''s duty,
unlike the footage he felt obliged to provide.
"You wouldn''t have asked if you knew I''d say yes."
"Are you angry?" Everett raised an eyebrow.
"No."
Dorothy wasn''t, not really. She just found Everett amusing.
He could have simply said that it was for the kids'' sake, and she would have agreed. There was no
need for him to agonize over it and waste time racking his brain.
Everett reached out, took her hand, and reclined back, eyes closing.
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"I didn''t sleepst night. I''ll take a nap. Wake me when wend."
"Sure."
She knew it!
With the time difference between Liberty City and back home, his early return meant burning the
midnight oil.
The flight to Eldorria City from Everglow City wasn''t long, but Dorothy stayed still, letting him hold
her hand to sleep a bit longer.
When the ne began to descend, the subtle shift in gravity woke Everett.
"We there?"
"Yeah." Dorothy handed him a bottle of water from the tray table. "Time to get off the ne."
He took a sip, his gaze sweeping from Dorothy to the four people in the front row.
"They seem to be getting along."
"Abigail and Langston are used to being tossed around by me. They can y with anyone for a
while."
That was a sore spot for Dorothy.
"You''ve raised them well," Everett said, aware of the morning sickness agony, like what Jeffrey had
described about Karen''s.
Dorothy shook her head. "I''m far from perfectpared to other parents."
"It hasn''t stopped them from loving you, right?"
"That''s true." Dorothy finally smiled. "I didn''t expect them to ept you so quickly."
"I have my ways," he replied with a grin.
"Sure, sure," she nodded, ying along. "You''re right, my boyfriend."
Chapter 825
Chapter 825
In the dank basement where Heather was imprisoned, shadows clung to the walls like cobwebs.
The air was heavy with the musty stench of dampness and decay.
She used to be confined in a house; at least there, she could bask in the sunlight, but for reasons
unknown, she had been abruptly moved to this underground cell.
It was as if... they feared someone might find her.
Heather guessed Amanda was probably searching for her.
"I''m so cold... could I have another coat?" she asked, her fingers curling around the cold metal bars
as she tried to negotiate with the guard outside her cell.
"Cold? You won''t freeze to death!" the guard grunted dismissively.
"But if I get sick, that''s on you, right?" Heather responded with a forced smile, injecting a hint of
flirtation into her gaze, "Besides, it''s not like there''s anyone else around. Even if you give me a coat,
who''s gonna know?"
She had taken the measure of the two men guarding her. The one who had just left was tall and
thin, introverted, always silent, with a perpetual scowl on his face - not the type to engage in
conversation.
But this one, the shorter and rounder guard, was different. He would often tease his tall, thin
colleague, even asking without any hint of shame if he had ever been with a woman!
The rotund guard nced at her, obviously annoyed. "If I give you my coat, what am I supposed to
wear?"
"Aren''t men supposed to be all hot-blooded? You could... do some exercises to warm up!"
Exercises to warm up?
At a suggestion like that, any man''s thoughts might wander off track.
"Oh, you''re offering to sleep with me now?"
"I didn''t say that. I just want to borrow a coat, that''s all. Aren''t you cold in this basement?" Heather
countered.
The guard stood up from his chair and approached, feeling the back of her hand. Her skin wasn''t as
smooth and pale as before, but it was still soft to the touch, revealing her pampered past.
"So considerate, worrying about me being cold! Out with it, what do you really want? Don''t take me
for a fool who''d think you''ve suddenly taken a fancy to me!"
Heather chuckled lightly. "What could I possibly want from you? I just need a coat!"
"I''m not gonna waste words. I do want to sleep with you; there''s nothing else to do down here. But
let''s get two things straight: first, I have no phone, and second, I can''t contact the outside world.
Don''t get any ideas about that. If it''s really just a coat you want, then fine, I''ve got a few spares in
my room."
"I really just want a coat! I know you guys don''t have phones."
Heather was well aware of Everett''s meticulous nning. If he dared to lock her up here, this ce
was bound to be secure, and he would have taken every precaution to prevent her from bribing her
way to the outside world.
"Alright! Then strip," the guard demanded.
Heather''s face maintained a feigned coquettishness, but her hands were clenched into fists. She
fought the urge to vomit that rose from the pit of her stomach!
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She had once been pursued by countless men, many of whom were outstanding, but she had never
given them the time of day, her heart set on staying true to Everett. And now... she was forced to
degrade herself before this vile and foul-smelling guard!
"Strip!" he repeated.
Heather bit her lip, her voice trembling, "I told you I''m cold, and you''re making me strip? Thene
inside. You can help me."
The guard clicked his tongue. "I''m just checking out the goods, seeing if I like what you''ve got. I
don''t just take any woman. What if you''ve got a disease?"
Heather was at her breaking point. If it weren''t for the slim hope of survival, she would never have
consented!
"Fine, I''ll strip, I''ll strip..."
Chapter 826
Chapter 826
Heather had been solitary for years, her romantic life as barren as a desert, save for one terrifying
kidnapping¡
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Thus, this whole exchange had left her body aching from head to toe.
The stocky guard was nothing short of a sadist. He gnawed at her skin with a ferocity that sought to
leave a mark, a stamp of his brutality.
As he attempted to pull out, Heather''s legs clung to his waist with desperate strength.
"Don''t go..."
"Fuck! Let go! You fucking..."
His protest was toote.
Momentster, both were panting heavily, sprawled on the cold floor of the dank basement.
After catching her breath, the guard, clearly not pleased, pped her hard across the face and
stood up. He locked the chain around her once more and left.
Lying there, staring at the moldy ceiling, Heather couldn''t help butugh bitterly.
"Think you can get rid of me that easily, Dorothy? Dream on!" She cursed inwardly.
She had to get pregnant, and fast. It didn''t matter whose child it was. If she was carrying a baby
when extradited back home, she wouldn''t face the death penalty, no matter the sentence.
To be alive was to have a chance at everything.
...
The Everglow City Resort was a joint venture between Lopez Corporation and East Star
Enterprises. Though East Star had since been absorbed by Lopez Corp, the names of both
companies still graced the contractor''s board at the entrance.
Dorothy was struck by nostalgia upon revisiting the resort.
Thest time she had set foot here, the ce was a construction site. Now, she returned as a
visitor.
"Abigail and Langston, look, a Ferris wheel!" Karen eximed, her excitement surpassing even that
of the kids.
At first, Jeffrey joined in the fun, but soon, he became her careful guardian, making sure she didn''t
run or jump too much.
The four of them were like kids let loose in a candy store, rushing from one attraction to another.
Only Everett and Dorothy strolled leisurely behind, hand in hand.
"If we''d dated in middle school, we''d probably be walking like this around the schoolyard," Everett
suddenly mused, indulging in a bit of fantasy.
Dorothy scoffed. "And get a day-long lecture from the dean? No thanks!"
She never dated in middle school, but she had heard the dean scolding young couples as she
passed by his office.
Everett smirked. "He wouldn''t dare."
Indeed, Everett was an exception at school. His family had clout, yet he never coasted on it. He was
consistently at the top of his ss, excelled in sports, and was charming to boot ¨C the model
student every teacher loved.
Even if he was found to be dating, he would, at most, get a warning.
"Ever miss those school days?" he asked.
Dorothy shook her head. "Not at all. Those days were too tough."
Winter clothes too thin, long walks to and from school, summers spent washing dishes by a
sweltering stove in a diner kitchen.
"I''ve got regrets, you know," Everett suddenly said.
She stopped and looked up at him. "Oh?"
"I should''ve been by your side sooner," he said.
Not years of hesitation over a single letter. She could have been spared so much hardship.
"Everett, the fact that you came at all is more than I could''ve hoped for."
It was a luxury Dorothy never allowed herself to dream of.
Squeezing her hand tighter, he pulled her close. "Then, Dorothy... how about spending a lifetime
with me?"
Chapter 827
Chapter 827
Dorothy''s body quivered, her voice muffled. "Just wait a bit longer. I''ll give you an answer."
"Okay."
In the distance, Jeffrey shouted their way, "Hey, keep up! Karen''s saying she''s starving and fancies
some barbecue!"
"Coming!" Dorothy hurriedly extracted herself from his embrace; her cheeks tinged with a bashful
glow.
She was still not quite ustomed to public disys of affection with Everett, especially in front of
friends¡ªit always felt a bit off.
But he seemed so at ease with it, casually taking her hand as they walked forward together.
It kind of felt like that sweet, electrifying rush of young love.
The resort was sprawling, divided into several thematic areas, and they had only explored three
spots when Karen, along with Abigail and Langston, began toin about being tired.
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ncing at her watch, Dorothy knew it was almost nap time for the kids. Plus, Karen was already a
bit of a sleepyhead, clearly just trying to power through.
"Should we head back for a rest? I''m beat, too."
Dorothy stepped up and gently lifted Abigail, who was fighting off sleep with every blink, into her
arms.
Everett kept pace, lifting his son beside him. "Sounds good. Let''s head back."
The consensus was unanimous, and Jeffrey secured a resort cart to take them back to their hotel
amodations.
Since the resort was newly opened, it was bustling with tourists.
As they got out of the cart, their little group attracted quite a few nces.
Dorothy instinctively shielded Abigail''s face, quickening her pace.
Everett, ever the protector, was quick to follow, and in a swift move, he was inside Dorothy''s room.
Dorothy settled the now-snoozing Abigail down and was about to tend to Langston when she
realized Everett was right behind her.
Startled for a moment, Dorothy said, "Jeffrey... he got you a separate room."
"Yeah, I''ll help you get the kids settled first."
Langston, not yet asleep, got the gist and immediately waved them off. "I don''t need tucking in. You
go ahead with Mom!"
He was used to being with his sister, taking care of her with practiced ease. Abigail was easy to
soothe; a cartoon would keep her content, and if she got cranky, a single candy would do the trick.
Langston himself never cared much for sweets, saving the treats his parents also bought for him to
coax a smile from his sister.
Her son''s innocentment sent a blush creeping across Dorothy''s cheeks.
To Abigail and Langston, she and Everett were the picture of a loving couple, always sharing a
room when it was time to sleep.
"nning to sneak in someputer games?" Everett, not looking at Dorothy, settled Langston into
another kiddie bed, "Nope, eyes closed and off to sleep."
Langston pouted. "Fine!"
Dorothy breathed a sigh of relief; with Everett around, she could change clothes and organize her
luggage without worry.
Everglow City was warmer than Eldorria City, so she could shed the long sleeves that were starting
to stick ufortably to her skin.
After freshening up and reapplying her makeup, she was just stepping out of the bathroom when
she saw Everett leaning casually against the door frame, watching her.
"Is Langston asleep?"
She hadn''t noticed when he arrived or whether he had been watching her apply makeup, which
made her a bit self-conscious.
Everett didn''t answer her question but walked over, grasped her wrist, and pressed her between the
cool bathroom tiles and his chest.
The chill from the tiles made Dorothy instinctively want to move away, only to find herself even
closer to his body.
"Everett, what are you¡ªmmhm!"
Chapter 828
Chapter 828
His kiss caught herpletely off guard, sealing her lips in a sudden embrace.
Dorothy could only clutch at his shirt, tilting her head back to savor the warmth of his lips.
This kiss was different from the others; Everett was gentle, as if afraid he would break her, starting
with a tender peck and gradually deepening...
When the kiss ended, he didn''t let go of Dorothy, merely pulling back slightly.
"Dolled up for someone special, huh?" he teased.
Flushed and unable to meet his gaze, she mumbled, "I just thought... you know, for a trip, one ought
to... spruce up a bit..."
"Not for me?"
"Definitely not."
Everett smirked. "Then you''re confined to this room today."
Dorothy blinked. "Why?"
"If it''s not for me, then no one else gets a look."
"That bossy? Mr. Lopez, been binge-reading those CEO romance novelstely?"
He raised an eyebrow. "You into that?"
Shaking her head, she replied, "Not really."
But her friend Karen sure was! Especially the steamy ones, and she would pull Dorothy aside at
The Prosperity Consortium the next day to rave about them.
So... Dorothy had skimmed a few.
"Do you like roses?"
She pondered for a moment, then shook her head again. "Not particrly."
Everett frowned, his long fingers tilting her chin to force her eyes to his. "Then why ept the roses
from Keh?"
"You know about that too?"
"So you knew they were from Keh, huh?"
Dorothy realized she had walked right into his trap and pouted.
"I found outter... At first, I thought they were from you."
"You told me not to send them."
As if he couldn''t afford a bunch of flowers.
What was Keh''s giftpared to him? He could fill the entire project team''s office with roses!
"I didn''t know he would send them! He didn''t even tell me, just sent them over."
In that, Dorothy felt wronged.
Of course, Everett trusted that she wouldn''t have asked Keh for flowers.
"How did he even know you like them?"
"Somebody at The Lopez Corporation forum snapped a photo of me, and Karen, without thinking
much, shared it with me and showed Keh too."
Who would have guessed Keh would make such a move?
Dorothy suddenly narrowed her eyes at him. "Everett, you didn''t rush back because you heard
Keh sent me flowers, did you?"
"Can you not mention Keh in every other sentence?" Dorothy found herself both annoyed and
amused. This man could be so childish!
"Because I only see him as a friend, just Karen''s cousin. Do you want me to see you just as a
friend, too?"
Everett pursed his lips, falling silent.
Speaking of which, Dorothy had tomend the swift moderation on The Lopez Corporation forum.
They were quite quick with deleting posts!
"By the way, is there someone managing the forum? My post got deleted so quickly! And all the
rted content was gone, too!" Shemented.
Then, Dorothy suddenly realized and asked Everett, "Did you do that?"
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"I just figured you wouldn''t want your personal business floating around the office."
She frowned slightly. "You''re halfway across the world in Liberty City, and you''re keeping up with
every detail about me? Mr. Lopez, you should be focused on your work!"
He snorted softly. "There are too many people thinking about you; I wish I could focus."
Just when he took his eyes off for a moment, another man¡¯s roses had been delivered straight to
her office!
Chapter 829
Chapter 829
Dorothy smoothed the worry lines creasing Everett''s brow with a gentle touch.
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"Mr. Lopez, you should know I''m not easily swayed. Did you really think a single rose would do the
trick?"
There was no point for him to be worried about those things! She had already made it clear that
there was nothing more than friendship between her and Keh, yet Everett refused to ept it,
always on guard.
"I saw the forum posts; you''ve got quite the fan club wanting to get to know you."
"You went through those?"
"Just nced over them during the meeting."
Quite the "nce," huh?
Drawing in a deep breath, Dorothy recalled Karen''s words, "Men are just boys in grown bodies."
That saying couldn''t be more urate.
"Abigail and Langston are fast asleep. Why don''t you head back and catch some z''s? Karen and
Jeffrey are bound to have more ns for the night."
She was concerned about him pulling an all-nighter when he was still under the weather. Seeing
how he didn''t take care of himself, her heart ached.
"Go back... and sleep? Without you?" Everett raised an eyebrow, yfully emphasizing ''go back'' as
he wrapped his arms around her.
"It''s not right... leaving Abigail and Langston here alone."
"Langston can take care of Abigail. Besides, my room is just across the hall."
Everett had noticed it the moment they arrived. He knew precisely what his good friend had in mind
¡ªconvenience for, perhaps a midnight rendezvous.
Jeffrey might as well have given Dorothy''s room key to him.
"Everett, this isn''t right, is it?"
"What''s not right with it? You''re my girlfriend now, aren''t you? You agreed to it."
Everett may not have mastered Jeffrey''s aggressive tactics in love, but he certainly had picked up a
thing or two about being stubborn.
He had put his pride on the line, even calling in favors, so he was determined to make every bit
count.
Dorothy was about to protest when she found herself swept up in Everett''s arms.
"Don''t worry, we''re just going to sleep for a bit."
Some things were better left for the night...
...
In the basement, Heather had only intended to use the stocky man as a means to survive. But she
hadn''t anticipated that this was the start of her nightmare!
That evening, it was supposed to be the tall, thin man watching her, but the short, stocky one
insisted on taking over.
Once alone, he unlocked the door and tore at Heather''s clothes!
"What are you doing? Let me go!"
"Let you go? Weren''t you all over me before? Don''t you know what I want?"
When Heather tried to resist, he pped her across the face with such force her cheek immediately
swelled.
Taking advantage of her dazed state, he forced himself on her.
"I heard you were once the belle the Lopez family wanted to marry off."
Heather clenched her teeth, refusing to utter a word.
The man hated her silence, grabbing her hair and forcing her to look at him.
"Deaf, are you? Can''t hear me?"
"Let go of me! It hurts!"
"You know pain? Then take care of me, make me feel good, or else... the orders from above are
clear: anything goes as long as you don''t end up dead."
A flicker of shock crossed Heather''s eyes. "Orders from above? Whose orders? Everett''s?"
"Whoever sent you here, that''s who!"
Chapter 830
Chapter 830
"No way, no way! Everett wouldn''t let anyone treat me like trash..."
The man chuckled. "Me, treating you like trash? Wasn''t it you who lured me in? You women crack
me up, you know? When you need something from me, you''re all over me, and when you''re done,
you say I''m the one disrespecting you! Pfft!"
He was a rough man, and if she said he was mistreating her, then he would show her what
mistreatment really felt like!
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Maybe it was the force behind that p he had just delivered, or perhaps the despair of knowing
this was all under Everett''s orders. Either way, Heather felt a buzzing in her ears, rendering her deaf
to the world.
Her body, being pinched and bitten by the man, couldn''t even register the pain anymore!
One thought dominated her mind¡ªthe knife she had driven into Everett should have been more
forceful, more brutal! So severe that he couldn''t have survived, so grave that he would have died on
the spot!
Then, she wouldn''t have to suffer like this, wouldn''t have to struggle so desperately to keep living.
If Everett were dead, she would have no more attachment to this world.
To follow Everett in death would have been her heart''s desire.
...
And as Dorothy had predicted, the moment she and Everett woke up, Karen was already moring
for a backyard barbecue in the group chat!
Karen: [Are you guys still asleep? What time is it?!]
Karen: [If you don''t wake up soon, I''m gonnae looking for you in your room!]
Jeffrey : [Everett was up all night; they had a marathon meeting; let him sleep a little longer! I¡¯ll be
right back with the BBQ goodies! Got your favorite tri-tip.]
Karen: [Oh, OKOK! Love ya~]
Thest message was sent thirteen minutes ago.
Dorothy quickly got out of bed and freshened up, and as she and Everett opened the door to Abigail
and Langston''s room. They were already wide awake, ying happily.
"Mommy, Daddy! Hug!" Abigail, as always, was the most affectionate.
"We''re going to have a barbecue. Come on, mommy will take you."
Everett stood behind his wife and children, a hint of a smile on his lips.
He immediately dered that Everglow City, this resort, was his favorite getaway.
The family of four made their way out of the hotel, and Jeffrey had already picked out the perfect
spot for the backyard barbecue! This ce used to be the construction project site for the Lopez
Corporation, and now that it had been cleared, it was an open field.
Though there was nown, the ground was even, ideal for the kids to run and y.
"Wow! This smells amazing. I love this BBQ sauce!" Karen eximed the moment she saw the
texture of the sauce.
Dorothy sat down next to her and softly warned, "You shouldn''t have too much. It''s not good for
pregnant women."
"It''s fine, it''s fine! Jeffrey''s kid is tough as nails; a little barbecue isn''t going to hurt!"
"Still, better be careful."
"Dorothy, you''re starting to sound like my mom!"
Dorothy sighed in resignation. She really turned into an old mother! After all, Karen would be too
reckless without her constant reminders! Today, she even dared to run and jump on thewn with
Abigail and Langston!
Just as Dorothy was about to continue, her peripheral vision caught Everett approaching.
He was carrying a bouquet of roses that was twice the size of the one Keh had brought. It was
so heavy he had to cradle it with both arms.
Dorothy raised her hand to rub her temples.
Men and their ridiculous sense ofpetition...
Chapter 831
Chapter 831
"Ouch! Mr. Lopez, where on earth did you pick up those roses?" Dorothy remained silent, but it was
Karen who covered her mouth to stifle augh, "Feeling a bit jealous that my girl Dorothy got
flowers from someone?"
Everett stepped forward, cing the bouquet at Dorothy''s feet.
Dorothy thought Everett wouldn''t indulge Karen''s teasing, but to her surprise, he nodded. "Yeah, a
little."
Karen opened her mouth to retort, but Jeffrey swiftly whisked her away.
"Come on, don''t be a third wheel!"
With Karen and Jeffrey around, Dorothy hadn''t felt too embarrassed. But once they were gone, she
was so flustered she couldn''t even look Everett in the eye.
"I told you, you didn''t have to buy flowers."
"I know, but I couldn''t let someone else show me up."
Hopelessly, Dorothy''s gaze fell on the lush roses. "You just got to Everglow City. When did you even
have time to order flowers?"
"Before boarding the ne."
"That early?"
Back then, he hadn''t even discussed the idea of exchanging favors for dating her! So, he must have
been certain she would agree all along.
"Dorothy, whatever you want, just let me know."
If it were within his power, he wouldn''t hesitate. Not for roses or anything...
"Yeah, I get it."
"You don''t get it." Everett raised his hand, gently caressing her cheek. "I mean everything. Anything
you want."
He never wanted Dorothy to give him anything; he just wanted her to believe that for her, he would
do anything.
...
Jeffrey not only arranged for a barbecue but also set up a bonfire.
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Trust a party pro to set the mood!
After the meal, they sat around the fire, and Karen suggested, "How about we y a game?"
"Sure thing!" Jeffrey agreed, then quickly added, "But Karen, no extreme sports for you!"
"Don''t worry, I got this!" After saying that, she turned to Dorothy. "Truth or Dare, okay with you?"
Dorothy nodded; she usually wasn''t a party pooper. "Fine by me."
"What about Mr. Lopez?"
"I''m game."
Karen shed an ''OK'' sign, stood up, and picked up an empty soda bottle from the ground, cing
it in the center.
"Whoever the bottle points to has to choose truth or dare. The person who spun the bottle asks the
question or makes a dare. And then, the one who answers spins next! Alright, let''s get started!"
Karen rubbed her hands together and gave the bottle a twirl.
After several spins, the bottle pointed straight at Jeffrey!
"Huh? Me first?"
Karenughed. "Choose, truth or dare?"
"Let''s start with truth, test the waters!" Jeffrey assumed Karen would ask something like whether he
truly loved someone.
But after a moment''s thought, Karen blurted out, "Jeffrey, how old were you when you had sex for
the first time?"
Not just Jeffrey but Everett and Dorothy were taken aback, turning their gaze to Jeffrey.
"Come on! Don''t tell me you can''t handle the question?"
Seeing the amusement in Karen''s eyes, Jeffrey felt a pounding in his temples. After what seemed
like an eternity, he muttered, "Sixteen."
"Jeffrey, you dog! We''ve all underestimated you!" Karen punched him yfully, no sign of anger on
her face. "Sixteen and already chasing girls!"
Not wanting to dwell on the topic, Jeffrey quickly spun the bottle.
Next up, it pointed to Everett.
"Truth," he said without hesitation.
"Alright! Then tell me, the first time you masturbated, were you thinking of Dorothy?"
Chapter 832
Chapter 832
With Karen''s query "setting the mood", Jeffrey''s question didn''t seem so jarring or enigmatic.
It elevated the tone of our game of Truth or Dare into a no-holds-barred confessional for grown-ups.
Karen showed no signs of wanting to stop Jeffrey. Instead, her eyes bulged with excitement, mes
of gossip fanned by her eagerness.
Dorothy felt the question was too sensitive to broach and was about to suggest Jeffrey pick another
when Everett spoke up beside her¡ª
"Not her."
Silence fell over the group.
The crackling of the campfire''s embers was the only sound punctuating the hush.
Everett just smirked, his gaze locking with Dorothy''s without a hint of evasion, and said, "Then
who?"
He was doing it on purpose. Dorothy knew it. It was so unlike him to joke around at a time like this!
Karen burst intoughter and immediately pressed on, "How old were you back then? A teenager?
In your twenties?"
"That''s another question. Wait for the bottle toe back to me."
"Deal!"
Karen was keen to keep the spotlight on Everett to satisfy her curiosity.
But the bottle, stubbornly, would either point to Jeffrey ornd on Dorothy!
As the night grew denser, with only the flickering firelight dancing around...
"Last round! Time to hit the hay," Jeffrey, concerned about Karen''s sleep, suggested we call it a
night.
"Alright!"
Finally, after several spins, the bottle pointed straight at Everett.
But it was Dorothy who had spun it!
"Yay! Dorothy, ask him!" Karen was so excited she could hardly keep from leaping forward to ask
herself.
But Dorothy just smiled. She wasn''t curious about that.
"Everett, truth or dare?" she inquired.
He looked up at her. "Do you want me to choose truth or dare?"
Dorothy thought for a moment. "Dare."
"Alright." Everett agreed without hesitation.
"Can I save this dare forter? You''ll owe me one, no questions asked."
Jeffrey and Karen expected him to agree right away.
But Everett just looked at her, his eyes deepening, pondering for a long moment before responding.
"You''re nning to have me vanish from your world one day, aren''t you?"
His question was rhetorical, but the humility in his voice was unmistakable.N?velDrama.Org holds this content.
This was Everett, after all! Such humility should never havee from him.
They locked eyes for nearly a minute before Dorothy chuckled. "No, I''d never ask for that."
"Then I agree," he said.
Dorothy extended her pinky. "Pinky swear."
"Yeah, pinky swear." Everett linked his finger with hers.
...
Jeffrey and Karen, hand in hand, headed back to their room.
Behind them, Everett, holding his daughter and leading Langston by the hand, followed Dorothy to
her room.
"Dad, Mom, go get some sleep. I''ve got the baby sister covered!" No sooner had they entered than
Langston volunteered himself.
Putting his sister to bed was his forte! Once she was asleep, he could y on theputer to his
heart''s content!
Everett, without any pretense of politeness, nodded, pulling a still-dazed Dorothy back to his room.
"Everett, isn''t it a bit inappropriate to leave them alone?"
"We''re the only two rooms on this floor. What could happen?"
Dorothy had no response.
Everett wrapped her in his arms, gently kissing her forehead. "Dorothy, about that question Karen
asked, do you want to know the answer?"
Chapter 833
Chapter 833
Dorothy tilted her head back to look at Everett, a mix of curiosity and challenge in her eyes.
"Do you... want to tell me?"
Everett''s lips curled into a half-smile, but he didn''t say a word. Instead, he took her hand in his and,
with a deft flick of his wrist, unbuttoned his shirt to reveal a string of tattooed numbers across his
chest. Then, he ced her palm over the inked skin.
Dorothy was confused.
"Get the message?"
Dorothy''s eyes widened in disbelief. "You actually went and!"
"Good thing you didn''t get my letter back then or agree to anything. Otherwise... I doubt I would''ve
made it past twenty without losing my cool."
"Everett, we were just kids back then, and you were already thinking about that sort of thing?"
"It''s normal for guys, Dorothy. What''s the big deal?"
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Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson. "I don''t need a biology lesson, thanks."
"Alright, how about we explore a different subject then?"
"Like what?"
Little did Dorothy know that those two words would be thest ones she uttered that day.
Everett was, of course, keen to provide a practical demonstration of some, let''s say, advanced
positions!
At three in the morning, the bed finally stilled.
Everett got up to shower. When he returned, toweling off, he intended to clean up Dorothy as well,
who by this time usually would be sound asleep. But today, he found her eyes glistening in the dark.
"Not tired?"
"Exhausted."
"Then close your eyes and rest. I''ll take care of you."
Dorothy quickly reached out. "Hand me the towel. I can do it."
"You''re better off pretending to be asleep right now," he suggested.
"Why''s that?"
"Because I''ve still got energy to burn."
He was just worried she wouldn''t be able to roll out of bed the next day!
Hearing this, Dorothy promptly shut her eyes. "Fine, then I''m asleep."
Everett chuckled helplessly and began to gently wipe her down.
When he touched a particrly sensitive spot, Dorothy shivered involuntarily...
"Oh!"
"Ufortable?"
She shook her head.
"So, it''s the opposite, then? Toofortable?"
"Everett!" Dorothy huffed, trying to kick him in frustration.
But Everett caught her ankle with ease and pulled her closer.
"Why be shy with me?"
"I don''t want to hear any of your raunchy talk. I''m tired, and I want to sleep."
Setting aside the towel, Everett scooped Dorothy up with one arm.
The sudden sensation of being airborne made Dorothy wrap her arms tightly around Everett''s neck,
her heartbeat racing.
"Everett!"
"Just hold on to me, don''t let go."
Annoyed and flustered, Dorothy bit down on the spot where his tattooy.
He relished the pain. It made him feel that the person in his arms was real, not a figment of his
dreams.
"Bite harder!" he encouraged.
"Are you crazy? Doesn''t it hurt?"
"It''s better when it hurts," Everett smirked. "Pain reminds me I''m alive."
Dorothy pursed her lips, said nothing more, and didn''t bite again. But her grip around him tightened.
...
When Dorothy woke up the next day, it was nearly nine o''clock.
Her first thought was that Karen must have blown up their WhatsApp group with messages!
But when she checked her phone, it was eerily quiet. Not a single message.
Sitting up, Dorothy didn''t see Everett but heard the sound of typing from the living room. He was
probably avoiding conversation to not wake her, opting to work silently instead.
She was about to shuffle over in her slippers to find him when Everett''s phone started to ring.
Then, his voice, low and subdued, carried faintly.
"As long as she''s not dead and can still talk, that''s fine. Everything else is up to you guys."
Chapter 834
Chapter 834
Dorothy sensed that Everett was talking about Heather, but the cold fury in his eyes was something
unfamiliar to her. Usually, he was either stoic and unapproachable or gentle and patient when
dealing with her. This harsh, bone-chilling demeanor was new.
Perhaps alerted by the sound of her footsteps, Everett''s gaze lifted to meet hers, and in an instant,
all traces of anger vanished. It was as if he had always been thisposed gentleman, unppable
in his emotions.
"You''re up," he noted.
"Yeah," she replied.
Everett finished transferring a file on hisptop and then stood up. "Do you want the breakfast
delivered by the hotel, or should I make something?"
"The hotel''s fine," Dorothy said. Her taste wasn''t picky; she didn''t need him to go through any
trouble for her.
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"I guessed wrong, then. I thought you''d prefer my cooking."
"Huh?"
Everett wheeled in a breakfast cart from the doorway, clearly the result of his own culinary efforts.
"When did you get up to make all this?"
"Woke at seven. Figured you wouldn''t be up that early and I didn''t want it to get cold, so I dealt with
somepany stuff first."
He effortlessly wrapped his arms around her, drawing her close.
Dorothy noticed that Everett was getting more clingy. He wasn''t like this before.
"What about the kids..."
"Abigail and Langston had their breakfast and are off to the y castle. I''ve got someone keeping
an eye on them. They''ll be fine."
Feeling Everett''s gaze turning somewhat less innocent, Dorothy quickly interjected, "I''m hungry. I
want to eat breakfast!"
"Alright, I''ll serve you some bread."
No sooner had Dorothy finished breakfast than her phone buzzed with activity from her friends''
group chat.
Karen was tagging everyone!
Karen: [Where is everybody? You didn''t all go out and leave me behind, did you?]
Dorothy: [Nope, waiting for you.]
Karen: [OKOK, let''s go hiking today! Get ready. Meet you at the front in a bit~]
Dorothy couldn''t help but admire Karen''s stamina ¨C bouncing around full of life even during her
pregnancy. Dorothy''s own experience had been different. She had struggled with morning sickness
only to be followed by swollen legs that made it impossible to even walk properly in theter stages,
let alone go hiking.
Putting her phone down, Dorothy looked up to see that Everett, ever the neat freak, had already
washed and put away the breakfast dishes.
Noticing her gaze, he approached. "What did Karen say?"
"We''re going hiking today."
"Worried you won''t be able to keep up?" he asked with a smile. "I could carry you."
Dorothy waved off the suggestion. "I''ll manage. I''m more concerned about your health. Are you fully
recovered?"
"I''m totally fine now. Didn''t you noticest night?"
She blushed, unable to utter a word.
Everett''s lips curved into a slight grin as he took her hand and led her out of the room.
Dorothy didn''t really want to ask, but her curiosity got the better of her.
"Everett..."
"Yeah?"
"When I woke up and you were on a call, was the person on the other end talking about Heather?"
Everett''s brow furrowed slightly, his voice deepening, "Don''t worry, she won''t get away."
"I''m not worried about her escaping. I''m wondering... what happened to her?"
"Better if you don''t know."
"Everett, please tell me." She tugged at the hem of his shirt, a yful pout on her lips. "I''m just
curious."
He sighed heavily. "It''s nothing much. She tried to seduce one of the guards and ended up getting
beaten."
Chapter 835
Chapter 835
Everett''s offhand remark about "getting beaten" was all Dorothy needed to know that it wasn''t just a
light tap.
Otherwise, he wouldn''t have bothered to mention it.
"Heather''s lost her marbles. To think she''d stoop to messing around with a guard..."
In Dorothy''s mind, Heather had always been too proud to bow down to anyone. In Heather''s world,
Everett was the only one worthy of her; she never even considered Jeffrey a contender, let alone
throwing herself at some lowly guard!
"She''s not crazy," Everett said, not even wanting to utter her name anymore, "this is herst shot."
Dorothy paused. "Last shot at what?"
"Death row doesn''t apply to pregnant women."
"You mean she wants to..."
Everett raised his hand and tapped her forehead lightly. "Don''t worry, whatever tricks she pulls, they
won''t work on me."
If Heather could "identally" get pregnant, he could make sure she "identally" miscarried.
His patience and good nature were reserved for Dorothy alone. For everyone else, he wasn''t nearly
as forgiving.
...
Everglow City was surrounded by many hills. Most of the area was undeveloped, a vast expanse of
wilderness.
Only in recent years had innovation brought a more urban look to the ce, turning it into a
burgeoning tourist spot.
At the entrance of the resort, Jeffrey waited in a minivan.
Leaning casually against the vehicle, he was feeding Karen pineapple chunks with a cocktail fork.
Dorothy couldn''t help butugh from a distance. "Karen''s really got Jeffrey wrapped around her little
finger."
That was surprising to her. Even now, watching them together felt a bit... off.
"What can he do when he''s head over heels?"
Back in the day, Jeffrey loved to rib him about chasing after one girl, leaving the whole ¡®forest¡¯
behind! Once he got the chance, he would have to throw those words right back at him.
"Dorothy! Over here!" Karen spotted them¡ªa family of four¡ªand waved them over excitedly.
"Easy there, you''re pregnant!" Dorothy was genuinely worried about her!
"It''s all good! Any kid lucky enough to be born to me won''t be some delicate flower!"
Dorothy was at a loss for words.
Beside her, Jeffrey spread his hands helplessly. "Now you see why I have to keep a constant eye
on her? Look away for a second, and who knows!"
"Comining to Dorothy won''t help! I''ve read the pregnancy guide, and it says as long as the mom-
to-be is happy, it''s better than any supplement!" Karen winked and giggled, "C''mon, let''s hit the
road! Abigail and Langston, follow me!"
"Yay!"
"We love Aunt Karen!"
The title of ''children''s favorite'' was well deserved by her.
Behind them, Everett held Dorothy''s hand softly, murmuring, "Suddenly, I don''t want to get that
vasectomy anymore."
Dorothy stopped in her tracks. "Huh?"
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She had never intended for Everett to go through with it, so why bring it up now?
He smiled. "I want to be there with you, to witness everything from pregnancy to birth."
He regretted missing it with Abigail and Langston. That was Everett''s greatest regret.
"Don''t let Karen''s enthusiasm rub off on you. Get in the car."
They spent a delightful day in the hills¡ªcamping on green meadows and catching fish in the
streams¡ªuntil they watched the sunset from the peak and then drove back to the resort, chatting
andughing.
As soon as the car entered the resort, Everett was the first to sense something was amiss.
He spotted a car parked at the entrance.
It belonged to his father Jonathan Lopez.
Chapter 836
Chapter 836
"Are you telling me you dropped everything at the office for Dorothy?"
In a gazebo nestled within the resort, Jonathan sat with a ramrod-straight posture, hoping for a
candid conversation with his son. However, as he began to speak, an usatory tone slipped
through despite his efforts.
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Although Jonathan had stepped back from the day-to-day operations of Lopez Corporation, he was
acutely aware of the demands of a CEO''s schedule. And yet, his son had abandoned pressing
business matters to chase after some woman, returning stateside from Liberty City ahead of
schedule, only to traipse around the countryside on some silly hiking expedition!
"You didn''te all this way just for this, did you?" Everett didn''t respond to his father''s question,
standing aloof at the gazebo entrance, d in a ck coat, not even bothering to sit. It was clear he
had no intention of staying long.
"You''re too smart not to have seen thising," Jonathan sighed deeply. "Everett, are you really
willing to turn your back on your own parents for Dorothy? I know you love her, I can see that, but
the people who raised you aren''t her!"
With that, Jonathan picked up a thick stack of photo albums he had brought along and flipped it
open.
"Here you are, just three days old, wailing nonstop because of jaundice, and your mom stayed up
all night by your side. She wouldn''t let the maids or even the doctors touch you!
And this, when you were a month old, your mom captured you smiling in your sleep. She used to
say her son was the most beautiful child in the whole world!
Look at this one. When you turned one, your mom was so protective of you, you wouldn''t go to
anyone else. She had to hold you and soothe you before you''d calm down!"
Everett simply frowned, his body rigid, refusing to look at the photographs. He remained tight-
lipped.
"s," Jonathan exhaled a weary sigh. "These photos don''t just show your mother''s love for you;
they also reveal how she''s aged over the years. She''s changed so much in appearance and
personality. I''m well aware that she''s truly messed up this time, Everett. She crossed a line, and it''s
right for you to be angry. But she''ll always be your mother."
That was an undeniable truth.
"Just as she''s my wife. Do you think I''m not angry about what happened? I''m furious at her
foolishness, her shortsightedness! But I have to step in and help her navigate this mess because
she''s married to me, and it''s my duty to take responsibility for her. I can''t stand by and watch her die
in jail."
"The person she hurt is Dorothy''s mother. I have no right to forgive on her behalf." Everett
maintained his stance, though his voice had lost the edge it held when they first met.
"You don''t need her forgiveness. If Dorothy wants to sue, if she wants a verdict tofort her
mother''s spirit, I understand. Thewsuit can proceed. I''m just hoping you can step back and not
get involved any further," said Jonathan.
Everett regarded him, "What are you suggesting now?"
"Don''t get worked up! Look, Dorothy''s mother is dead, an eye for an eye, right? If Heather takes on
all the me and pays for her crime, isn''t that enough?"
Why should two lives be ruined over this?
Jonathan couldn''t believe his son didn''t understand that if his mother went to prison, she wouldn''t
last until her execution date¡ªshe would die behind bars.
"You want Heather to take all the me."
"It was her mess from the start. She should face the consequences! Everett, please, give your
mother a chance at life."
Chapter 837
Chapter 837
A chance at life?
Did Everett not want that?
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Thest thing he wanted was his mother''s involvement in the whole mess!
If it were just Heather, Dorothy wouldn¡¯t need to be so worn out with litigation, draining her energy.
Everett could personally dice Heather up and feed her to the dogs!
"The surveince video clearly shows my mom giving the injection order. She can''t deny her
involvement."
"I know! But didn''t you hack the video? You must have the source code to delete it!" Jonathan stood
up abruptly, walking over to his son.
"Just help your mom this one time, okay? I can talk her around and get her to ept Dorothy into
the Lopez family as a daughter-inw! I can even get your mom to testify in court to prove Heather
had premeditated murder!"
With that, Heather would be convicted swiftly, her life for a life! Dorothy''s aim would be achieved as
well!
Seeing his son silent, Jonathan thought he was wavering and quickly added, "Everett, think about it.
If both I and your mom agree to Dorothy marrying into the family, we''ll be one big happy family!
We''ll put the past behind us and never speak of it again. Isn¡¯t that great? Why push it to the point
where everything breaks down?"
"I won''t destroy the video." Everett took a step back without once ncing at the photos. "I''ve said it
before: whatever Dorothy wants to do to avenge her mother, I won''t interfere."
"Everett!" Jonathan eximed in frustration, "Then just wait to bury your mother! For the sake of
Dorothy''s deceased mom, you''re risking the life of your own mother, who is very much alive. Great,
you¡¯ve got some nerve! Let''s see how, after your mom dies in jail, as her son, whom she nearly died
bringing into this world, you can just forget all this and elope with Dorothy!"
Everett''s lips quivered slightly, his gaze dropping. "Of course... I can''t."
Dorothy could feel that Everett had been in low spirits ever since he came back.
Even though he was going through his work as usual, taking his regr showers, and engaging in
normal conversation, the atmosphere was just off.
After tucking the kids into bed, she returned to their room to find Everett sitting in front of the
computer, a contract in hand, his eyes not really seeing it.
"What''s wrong?" She couldn''t help but ask.
He shook his head. "Nothing."
"Tell me, what is it? Is there some trouble at thepany? You should head back if there''s urgent
business!"
Everett looked into her eyes, wanting to speak, yet unable to utter a word.
How could he ask Dorothy to spare his mother?
"It''s not about thepany." In the end, Everett couldn''t say it.
"What is it then?" Dorothy asked, immediately realizing the gravity of the situation.
Anything that could render Everett silent and at a loss for words must be rted to thewsuit.
"Everett, do you regret helping me get the surveince video?"
"No." He would do it again without hesitation.
"Do you regret meeting me?"
Everett raised his eyes, first shaking his head, then nodding. "I do. If it weren''t for me, your mother
wouldn''t have died."
Even if he wasn''t the instigator, he had triggered the oue.
"But I don''t regret meeting you! You''ve shown me that I can be treasured and held close to
someone''s heart." Dorothy gave a small smile and leaned into his embrace. "Everett, stop
shouldering the pressure. Let me walk the rest of this path on my own. Whatever the oue of the
trial, good or bad, I¡¯ve prepared myself. It''s time for you to step back."
Chapter 838
Chapter 838
Everett watched her silently for a long time before he finally spoke up, his voice slow and deliberate.
"But... what if, and I''m just saying what if, the verdict isn''t what you''re hoping for?"
Like, say, only Heather gets the death sentence.
Dorothy''s eyes twinkled briefly before she smiled. "Look, you don''t need to worry about it. I''ve told
you I''m prepared for any oue. You should back out of this."
"I''m notfortable with leaving you to handle this alone."
"If you keep getting involved, you''ll never have peace of mind." She knew all too well how busy he
was and the kind of pressure he was under. She didn''t want to add to it, and she didn''t want to be a
part of it.
"So, are you still going to give me an answer once this is all over? Will you still honor that promise?"
"Absolutely!" Dorothyughed. "I won''t go back on my word, rest assured."
"Alright."
Dorothy had no idea that Jonathan had returned from abroad nor that he had met with his son. So,
it was aplete surprise when Jonathan suddenly reached out to her!
Jonathan: [Meet me at the entrance of the resort. Don''t let Everett find out.]
Dorothy really didn''t want to go. But she knew if she kept avoiding Jonathan, he would just make
things difficult for Everett! Thus, might as well meet andy things out clearly.
While Everett was tied up in a video conference, Dorothy threw on a coat and hurried to the resort
entrance.
Sure enough, from a distance, she could see Jonathan''s car.
Ever since theirst encounter in Swevia Country, they hadn''t been in touch. Seeing him now,
Dorothy was taken aback.
Jonathan had lost a lot of weight since theirst meeting. Was it because of the trouble with
Everett''s mother?
"Ms. Sanchez," Jonathan began, the moment she approached, "you promised me that a month after
Swevia Country, you''d hand over the children to the Lopez family and cut all ties with my son."
"Well, you should be talking to your son about that."
She had kept her end of the bargain. It wasn''t her fault Everett hadn''t.
Jonathan didn''t seem angry; he actually smiled. "I can see that you truly love Everett. It''s clear to
me. That''s why it''s so hard for you two to sever tiespletely."
"So, what''s your point?"
He got straight to the point. "If you''re willing to drop the charges against Everett''s mother, then the
Lopez family is ready to wee you into the fold."
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Dorothy didn''t reply.
Jonathan crossed his arms, watching her intently, each word heavy with meaning. "I understand the
pain of losing a mother, so I figured, since you care so much for Everett, you wouldn''t want him to
go through that kind of pain, right?"
Once again, he brought out those photos from the car and spread them out before Dorothy.
"Everett has lived a life that''s different from yours from the start. He''s been the center of attention,
loved by his father, and adored by his mother. You can let go of so many things without a second
thought; he can''t."
Unlike Everett, Dorothy took a moment to look at every photo in the album seriously.
It was evident that he had been pampered from a young age. Every smile, every birthday, and every
holiday was captured, preserving his image on each of those days.
Dorothy''s fingers gently traced Everett''s cheek in the photos. From his youthful innocence to his
adolescent charm, his features hadn''t changed much. He was consistently handsome and refined.
"Have you shown these photos to Everett?" she asked.
"Yes, but he didn''t look at them," Jonathan admitted. "There''s a lot he can''t face right now, and it''s
all because of you."
"I''ve never had a family portrait." Dorothy suddenly spoke up. "You''re right. Everett and I, we''ve
always been different from the start."
Chapter 839
Chapter 839
Be was everything to Dorothy. She was thest of her kin, her rock, the one person she had
grown up with and relied on through thick and thin.
In the realm of family, Dorothy had no other choice. She had just this one blood tie.
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Even if Be wasn''t the best at expressing herself, with more scolding than soothing, Dorothy knew
every harsh word was rooted in love.
As for Maxton Sanchez, as far as Dorothy was concerned, he might as well have been six feet
under.
But Everett was different. He was blessed with a father''s love, a mother''s favor, the support of
friends who were like brothers, and the admiration of countless others...
Each of these bonds weighed heavily on him.
Dorothy couldn''t bear to think of the pain Everett must feel, forcing his eyes shut and pushing aside
the weight of these ties to help her out.
"The case hasn''t gone to court yet; there''s still a chance to turn things around! If you want revenge,
Heather''s life is yours for the taking! Even if you don''t want it, I won''t let her off the hook. As for
Everett''s mother¡ you just need to let go of the pursuit, and I''ll handle the rest."
Jonathan had thought it through. He couldn''t ask his son to say these things to Dorothy; it was
something he had to do himself.
"But the one who asked for the injection was her, not Heather."
"That''s because Everett''s mother was kept in the dark! You know how maniptive Heather can be!
She''s constantly using favors to trap people, pretending to look out for Everett while convincing his
mother to take you out. Meanwhile, she''s scheming to drag the whole Lopez family into her mess,
thinking they''ll be her shield if the truthes out!"
If only Jonathan had the power to turn back time! He would have dealt with Heather first thing to
stop her from causing any more chaos.
"I''m sorry, but I''m afraid I can''t agree," Dorothy said after a few seconds of silence, still unswayed. "I
made a promise to my mom that I wouldn''t let the person who killed her get away."
"But your mom''s gone!"
"Does that mean a promise to the dead doesn''t count?"
Jonathan frowned. "Think it over and get back to me; you don''t have to decide right now. You know
whether you''re happy with Everett, whether it''s been a good time. Think about him; think about your
children. All it takes is for you to agree, and you can spend your life with him. Consider what''s truly
worthwhile."
He had said all he could.
That was why Jonathan didn''t interfere with Dorothy and Everett getting tangled up again after he
hade back from abroad.
A promise to the dead versus a lifetime of happiness; Jonathan believed Dorothy would make the
right choice.
Of course, this was hisst card to y...
Dorothy pulled her clothes around her, staying silent as she watched Jonathan''s car drive away until
it disappeared from her sight.
She stood there for a long time before slowly making her way back.
As she entered the room, she saw Everett about to rush out in search of her.
"Where have you been?"
"Just needed some fresh air, went for a walk," she lied, concealing her meeting with Jonathan.
"Why didn''t you answer your phone? I was worried," Everett said, his expression anxious. His tone
held a hint of reprimand, but it wasced with concern.
Suddenly, Dorothy reached out, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"You''re too tall. Can you lower your head a bit?"
"Huh?" Everett was puzzled butplied.
Seizing the moment, Dorothy pulled his neck down and nted a kiss on his lips!
Chapter 840
Chapter 840
The height difference made Dorothy''s attempts at stealing kisses a bit of a challenge; she couldn''t
pin him against the wall like Everett could, kissing her however he pleased.
Standing on tiptoe until her calves ached, it barelysted a minute!
Feeling a tad disheartened, Dorothy was about to give up when suddenly a firm hand sped her
waist, pinning her in ce.
"Getting bold? You haven''t been sneaking off to see Keh, have you?" Everett''s voice teased.
Dorothy was so flustered by his usation she couldn''t find her words.
"Hit a nerve, did I?" Everett''s grip tightened.
She sighed in resignation. "I''m amazed you''re bringing him up again! If I saw Keh, why would I
need to sneak around?"
"Dorothy!"
"It''s true! I just went for a walk, came back, and suddenly I really wanted to kiss you! If you don''t
want to, then fine."
She feigned leaving, but the strong hand on her waist wasn''t letting go anytime soon.
"I want to," he murmured into her ear, his voice deep and husky, "I want to kiss only you."
Dorothy''s cheeks flushed, and she pushed against him instinctively.
"I don''t want to kiss you now, I... I''m going to take a shower!"
"Then I''ll kiss you."
Everett bent down, scooped her up sideways, and tossed her onto the bed.
After the world stopped spinning, Dorothy found herself nestled in theforter, the brief dizziness
making her forget to struggle to sit up.
Soon, his kisses descended like rain on her lips, her face, her forehead, and many... unexpected
ces.
Feeling ticklish, Dorothy squirmed.
"Everett..."
"Today, since you''re so forward, why don''t we try something different?"
She opened her eyes to meet his intense gaze. "Different, how?"
He smirked, his hands gripping her waist, and with a swift move, Dorothy found herself straddling
his lower abdomen. The heat from his body was undeniable.
"Tonight, you''re on top."
Dorothy''s hands scrambled for something to hold onto, panic rising within her.
"No, I don''t want to..."
"Just this once, I''ll be quick."
Before she could protest, her voice turned into a soft, fragmented whisper.
After that, Dorothy no longer believed Everett''s promise to "be quick."
Fool her once, shame on him; fool her twice, shame on her, but surely not every time!
After a tumultuous night, the room finally quieted down.
Dorothyy on her side, clutching her belly, her brows furrowed in difort.
Everett, realizing he had been a bit too rough, quickly pulled her into his arms to soothe her.
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"I''m sorry... I didn''t control my strength..."
"Hmph!"
Dorothy didn''t want to deal with him, feeling a painful soreness in her abdomen that made it hard to
even rise.
"Stop being mad. I''ll carry you to the shower."
"No need."
"Then how about I wash a cloth and wipe you down?"
Dorothy buried her head deeper into the pillow. "I said no need. I''ll lie here for a bit and then go
shower myself."
She dared not join Everett in the shower again!
The memory of theirst encounter in the slippery bathroom, with no support to hold onto and
completely at his mercy, was still too vivid.
"I swear, I won''t do anything."
Hearing this, Dorothy finally peeked out. "Really?"
"Really."
"Alright then." She extended her arms to loop around his neck.
Everett lifted her straight out of the covers, one hand supporting her, the other gently washing her
hair under the shower.
Dorothy had no strength left, simply resting against him.
And Everett kept his promise. Even though he was tempted several times, he spared her in the end.
Chapter 841
Chapter 841
After a warm shower, Everett lifted Dorothy back to bed.
Usually, by this time, she would be fighting to keep her eyes open, but tonight, despite her fatigue,
sleep seemed to dodge her.
"Everett, do you still have work to do?"
"Just a contract to review; I''ll be done soon. Why do you ask?"
Dorothy shook her head. "I''ll wait for you."
Something in her tone caught Everett''s attention, so he didn''t get up. Instead, hey down beside
her.
"Is there something on your mind? The contract can wait till morning."
Dorothy''s concerns were always his priority. She let out a resignedugh. "No, really, it''s nothing. I
just wanted to talk, that''s all! Every time... I fall asleep before we get the chance to chat."
"Alright then, wait for me. I''ll be right back." Everett pushed himself up, grabbed his robe, and
headed to hisputer.
Afraid she might doze off, Dorothy sat up against the headboard and watched him work. It felt like a
throwback to their early days in Swevia Country.
He worked; she watched.
Suddenly, Jonathan''s words echoed in her mind. "All it takes is for you to agree, and you can spend
your life with him."
Had she really won the Lopez family''s blessing? But it was under such circumstances.
Still, if she hadn''t been of use to them, would they have stooped to acknowledge her? Even now,
their consent hinged on Everett''s presence.
Otherwise, outmaneuvering an ordinary person like her would be too easy for them.
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Thewsuit wouldn''t have made it this far! And without any evidence, what chance did she stand
against the Lopez family?
The video on the sh drive that she had clung to turned out to be nothing but a trap set by Heather.
What leverage did she have against the Lopez empire?
"I''m done with work." Everett''s voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
Dorothy looked up. "That quick?"
He chuckled. "A man doesn''t like it when his woman says he''s too quick."
Dorothy was speechless.
Everett shrugged off the robe and slipped under the covers.
"So, what did you want to talk about?"
"Um... I want to know about your childhood."
He frowned slightly. "My childhood?"
"Yeah!" Dorothy settled back, staring at the ceiling. "It must have been different from mine. You were
happy, right?"
Everett, aware of her troubled upbringing, gently stroked her hair. "I won''t lie to you. I did grow up
under the intense gaze of many, and there were happy moments, but the pressure was immense,
too."
She turned to him. "You felt pressure even as a child?"
"Of course. I was the only heir to the Lopez family, groomed from an early age."
From table manners tomunication skills, even his sleeping posture had to be perfect. There
was no room for error or personal whims.
"So, you must have been very obedient, right?"
"Not exactly. Most of the time, my parents... they had their way of teaching, and I had no objections,
so there was no need for rebuttals."
The subjects and courses they arranged were for his own good, crucial for the business world he
was to enter. Everett took his studies seriously, requiring no supervision, so the question of
obedience hardly arose.
Dorothy smiled. "So you rebelling over me must have been a shock for your parents."
"Your arrival was indeed unexpected."
Chapter 842
Chapter 842
Dorothy was, without a doubt, the most dazzling person to ever cross paths with Everett''s life.
The desire to have her was crystal clear in his mind, just like Everett had always known he was
destined for the business world.
He was a man who trusted his gut instincts. Once he made a decision, it was for life.
During the days when Dorothy was out of reach, Jeffrey tried countless times to drag him out for
some fun, even going as far as vividly describing how thrilling flings could be and the pleasure one
could find in thepany of women. But the moment Everett closed his eyes, Dorothy''s face filled
his mind.
The thought of anyone else left him cold; his desire would vanish instantly.
Jeffrey even started calling him "the monk" behind his back!
Everett didn''t bother to argue. He just kept on watching Dorothy from afar, kept her safe in his heart.
"You regret meeting me," Dorothy asked.
"I don''t."
Dorothy pouted. "You''ve said it before, that you regret meeting me."
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Everett sighed softly. "I just feel that if I hadn''t barged into your world, turned everything upside
down, you would''ve had a great future ahead."
Even without him to guide her and teach her, Dorothy had potential. She was bright ¨C that had been
obvious since middle school! Plus, she was always hard-working, never cking off when it came to
her job. She could''ve made something of herself in investment banking.
She could''ve made enough money to take care of her mother''s medical bills and then find a suitable
man to settle down with, instead of being caught in this difficult situation.
"Everett, life doesn''t give do-overs. We met, and that''s that."
"Yeah."
"What matters is whates next." Dorothy squeezed his hand. "Think about all the effort and
hardship you''ve put in since you were young; think about your future ns and the empire you built
with The Lopez Corporation. Everett, you shouldn''t be wasting all your energy on me."
Everett frowned. "What are you saying?"
"Stop wasting time on my issues. Your work shoulde first."
He finally understood. Dorothy had gone in circles just to tell him to stop meddling in her affairs.
He asked, "So tell me, when you say you''re ready for anything, what does that mean?"
"See! I told you to leave it alone, and you''re still asking." Dorothy turned away, feigning sleep with
her eyes closed. "I''m tired, I want to sleep."
"Dorothy..."
"Let''s sleep. When we wake up, Karen will have ns for us."
Everett''s gaze deepened, knowing he wouldn''t get any answers today.
...
At the same time, in the early hours, Jonathan was lying awake in his hotel room.
Judging by Dorothy''s demeanor, she wasn''t the type to back down easily! Even after heid all his
cards on the table, she still insisted on proceeding with thewsuit.
His phone was littered with missed calls from his wife. He hadn''t picked up, mainly because he
didn''t know what to say.
The situation with Dorothy had been the cause of too many arguments between themtely,
tensions ring at the slightest provocation.
As dawn was breaking, Jonathan had his housekeeper book a flight back to Elysian Country. He
nned to pack up and check out when his phone buzzed to life.
Expecting his wife, he was surprised to see Everett''s name on the disy.
"At this hour? Why aren''t you asleep, Everett? You can''t keep burning the midnight oil."
"Did you go see Dorothy?"
After coaxing her to sleep, Everett had been pondering the reason for her unusual behavior. But he
didn''t need to think too hard about it; his guess was spot on.
Chapter 843
Chapter 843
Jonathan instinctively defended himself, "I haven''t done a thing to her."
"You shouldn''t be bothering her in the first ce."
Jonathan remained silent.
"Dorothy is off-limits. Don''t try to cross me by going behind my back with her!" Everett said. From
the other end of the line, the flick of a lighter could be heard.
As the first light of dawn began to filter through the windows, Jonathan furrowed his brow, falling
into a long silence before letting out a sigh. "Everett, go get some sleep. Quit smoking, will ya? We
can hash this out, father to son."
He only had this one boy, his own flesh and blood. How could his heart not ache?
"There''s no hashing out, and don''t you dare pressure Dorothy into giving in." Everett''s tone was
resolute, clearly indicating he hadn''t broached the subject with Dorothy.
Because Jonathan knew that if Everett asked her outright, Dorothy would agree, even if she didn''t
want to.
Out of affection or the years of Everett''s unwavering devotion, she would rathery beside her
mother in the family plot than refuse him. And that was exactly why Everett hadn''t asked. He didn''t
want to put Dorothy in a tough spot.
Jonathan said, "I just don''t get it, Everett. Even if your mom and Heather are gone, Dorothy''s mom
isn''ting back! You all should grasp this ¨C how the living move on is what truly matters!"
"I won''t interfere with Dorothy''s choices. Whatever she decides, that''s how it''ll be."
"And what about you two? Are you just going to call it quits?"
Everett paused, likely taking a drag from his cigarette. "Dorothy said she''ll give me her answer after
the trial."
"And what if your mom dies in prison, and Dorothy says with her vengeance fulfilled, she can be
with you? You think you''ll really be free of all bitterness?"
There was silence on the other end.
"Everett, I''ve said my piece. You need to think this through on your own!"
Everett didn''t respond, merely ending the call.
Staring at the darkened screen of his phone, Jonathan lit up a cigarette, taking a few puffs, but it
brought no relief.
Amanda''s call came through again, and this time, Jonathan answered, knowing she hadn''t slept a
wink either.
"What did Everett say?" She asked.
"The same old story."
After a few seconds of silence, Amanda suddenly shouted, "He''s willing to disregard even his own
mother''s life for that woman! Honey, I think it''s time to cut the Gordian knot ¨C there''s no other way!"
"What are you nning now?"
"It''s Dorothy''s life that needs to be taken!" Amanda was clearly on the edge, her voice quivering with
malice. "With her gone, everything will return to normal! My son will be my son, and I won''t have to
fear prison anymore!"
Jonathan massaged his temples. "Calm down."
"How can I calm down, Jonathan? Have you stopped wanting to help me? Are you going to
abandon me too?"
"I haven''t."
Amanda''s hysteria escted. "You''re lying! Why didn''t you answer the phone earlier? You''re tired of
me! Fine, fine! Just throw me in prison. Let me die there! Maybe when I was kidnapped, you
should''ve never rescued me! Jonathan, I''m tired too. Just let me die."
"Don''t talk nonsense! Nothing''s over until it''s over. There''s always a way out." Knowing his wife was
having an episode, Jonathan hurriedly hung up and contacted the doctor over at Elysian Country to
check on her.
She had been having these attacks more frequently, each more severe than thest, sometimes
even convulsing and slipping into deepas!
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Jonathan truly feared his wife might notst much longer.
Chapter 844
Chapter 844
The next morning, Karen didn''t peel her eyes open until the sun was high in the sky.
Every bone in her body ached, and every muscle groaned in protest. It was as if her limbs were
staging a mutiny for the foolish decision to climb that mountain the day before.
"Hurting?" Jeffrey, lying beside her, had developed this sixth sense of waking up the moment Karen
so much as twitched.
"Ugh, I''m pretty sure I''m bedridden today."
Jeffrey let out a resigned chuckle and pinched her cheek affectionately. "Told you to pace yourself,
didn''t I? But no, you had to be the Energizer Bunny."
Karen pouted. "When you''re out having fun, you gotta go all in, right?"
"I surrender to your logic. What do you fancy for breakfast? I''ll run out and grab it."
"Craving some of that egg and bacon sandwich from Heber''s back on one of Everglow City''s
streets. Stumbled upon itst time I was visiting Dorothy."
Jeffrey''s fingers danced over his phone, pulling up the address, and then he pushed himself out of
bed. "Hang tight. I''ll go fetch it for you."
Her heart warmed, Karen giggled. "Thanks, hubby!"
That endearment was music to Jeffrey''s ears. He would fly back to Eldorria City if it meant bringing
back a smile on Karen''s face.
Watching him dress and dash out, Karen took her time freshening up before bombarding Dorothy
with messages.
Karen: [Post-hike syndrome is real. Ouch!]
Karen: [Dorothy, you up yet?]
Everett: [She''s sleeping. What''s up?]
Seeing Everett pop up in the chat was a surprise.
Karen tried to add him as a friend, but no dice ¨C his settings blocked friend requests.
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"Tsk, a man of principles, huh?"
Dressed and restless, Karen decided to step out for a bit. She had barely entered the elevator when
a familiar voice called her name.
"Karen?"
She instinctively turned towards the voice.
"Tristan? What are you doing here?"
Her heart sank. Of all ces, bumping into her first love in a holiday resort!
"Oh, you know, the folks wanted to check out this new resort. Thought we''d spend a few days. What
about you?" Tristan''s smile was easy, devoid of any awkwardness as if he had just run into an old
friend.
"Same here, just with some friends."
Karen''s smile was strained, her mind racing for the elevator to hit the lobby so she could escape.
Tristan, oblivious, handed her his phone. "You changed your number, right? Let me have the new
one."
Karen hesitated before pushing the phone back. "I don''t think that''s necessary. We don''t really need
to stay in touch, do we?"
Tristan''s warm smile faltered. "I just wanted to be friends."
"I don''t, so no number."
The elevator dinged open, and Karen made a beeline for the exit.
Tristan, quick on his feet, grabbed her arm. "Karen, wait!"
"Let go of me!" she snapped, ice in her voice. "Don''t touch me. We''re nothing to each other, and if
youy hands on me again, I''m calling the cops!"
Tristan hadn''t expected such a fierce reaction. Sure, their breakup had been his fault, but the Karen
he remembered was caring and kind. He had thought she would still have some feelings for him.
"Okay, okay, I''m not touching!" He released her quickly. "I just wanted to talk, that''s all. Don''t go."
"There''s nothing to talk about."
Tristan took a deep breath, his gaze serious. "Karen, I owe you an apology. Let me say I''m sorry,
will you?"
"An apology? I''d like to hear this."
Suddenly, a deep voice sounded from above Karen''s head.
Chapter 845
Chapter 845
Karen looked up as Tristan did the same.
"Who the heck are you?"
Jeffrey couldn''t care less, simply lifting the bag of takeout he had brought back and shing a smile
at Karen.
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"Got us some sandwiches. Were youing down to meet me?"
Karen''s heart raced with panic; she knew Jeffrey was a hothead. If he found out who Tristan was,
fists were bound to fly!
So she nodded vigorously. "Uh, yeah! Let''s head upstairs, I''m starving."
"Alright."
Tristan watched them as they were about to leave and felt a surge of urgency. Instinctively, he
stepped forward, reaching out for Karen.
But Jeffrey, caught off-guard, swung a punch straight at him!
"Keep your fucking hands off my girl."
Tristan was floored, literally, taking a moment to gather his wits on the ground.
This was exactly the scenario Karen feared! She quickly grabbed Jeffrey. "Stop it, he just wanted to
talk to me!"
"Talk about what?" Jeffrey''s gaze was piercing, his anger barely contained.
No wonder he was mad.
While he was out fetching sandwiches, his wife was getting chatted up! And clearly, there had been
some kind of past entanglement between her and this guy. He wasn''t blind; he could see it.
He hadn''t wanted to make a scene, to ruin the mood, but this guy had the nerve to touch Karen right
in front of him! That was like dancing on andmine.
"Karen, is he your boyfriend?" Tristan managed, sitting up from the ground.
"No." Karen, fearing another outburst from Jeffrey, quickly clung to his arm. "This is my husband.
We''re married, officially."
Tristan frowned.
Seeing Karen acknowledge their rtionship cooled Jeffrey''s rage a little.
"Got it? Fuck off before you get hurt, and stop bothering us."
"Let''s just go, okay?"
Karen didn''t want things to escte, pulling Jeffrey away.
But Tristan, behind them, suddenly sprang up and shouted as if goaded. "Karen, I''ve never
forgotten you since we broke up. I remember every tear you shed for me, every time you''d rush to
see me after ss, all the little ways you..."
He never got to finish his sentence; Jeffrey had floored him again, this time with a force that drew
blood.
Karen was terrified, and the hotel security rushed over, trying to separate them.
But they were no match for Jeffrey''s strength, especially in his fury. He was like a man possessed!
"Jeffrey! Stop, you''re gonna kill him!"
"Jeffrey! He''s out cold!"
Karen knew her pleas were in vain, and the guards couldn''t hold him back, so she frantically called
Dorothy!
Thankfully, she picked up, and Everett soon came down the elevator. With a steady gaze, he
grabbed Jeffrey¡¯s wrist, his voice stern. "Don''tmit murder in broad daylight."
Jeffrey''s hands were covered in blood, both his and Tristan''s.
After a look at Everett, the red in Jeffrey''s eyes faded slightly, "Got it."
Dorothy quickly took Karen''s hand, pulling her back. "What happened? Karen, don''t cry, stop
crying..."
"Dorothy... I''m... I''m scared..."
"It''s okay, don''t be scared! Security, call an ambnce, now!"
Tristany unconscious on the ground, teeth likely knocked out¡ªsome were visible on the
pavement. As for the rest of his injuries, they were anyone''s guess.
Chapter 846
Chapter 846
Worried about Karen''s condition, Dorothy gently guided her friend back to their room.
After all, Everett was there to take care of everything that followed.
Karen had been frightened by the violent encounter and couldn''t stop crying, tears continuously
streaming down her face, even without sobs.
"It''s okay, Karen, the guy will be fine," Dorothy reassured her, patting her back soothingly.
"But... but there was so much blood... What if he''s dead? Then Jeffrey will be a murderer!"
"People don''t die that easily; he was just knocked out cold!"
Karen wiped her tears, her emotions a mix of anger and fear. "If he''s dead, he asked for it, the
lunatic! Provoking Jeffrey like that, what was he thinking? He... he didn''t know who Jeffrey was or
what kind of temper he has. If he had known, I bet he wouldn''t have dared."
After all, not many people were truly seeking their demise.
Karen gradually calmed down and looked up at Dorothy. "Dorothy, do you think... do you think
Jeffrey will be mad at me?"
"Why would he be? You didn''t do anything wrong."
"But he must have figured out my past with Tristan."
"So what? It''s not like he hasn''t had exes. You never hid the fact that you''ve had past rtionships,"
Dorothyforted her with a hug. "Now, stop worrying! I''ll call Everett to check on the situation."
Karen nodded in agreement.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.
Dorothy walked over to the window with her phone in hand and dialed Everett''s number. He picked
up after just two rings.
"He''s alive; don''t worry."
Everett knew exactly what Dorothy was concerned about.
Relieved, Dorothy responded, "That''s a relief! And Jeffrey? Send him up to calm Karen down. She''s
pregnant and quite shaken."
"Will do."
Not long after hanging up, there was a knock on the door. Jeffrey stood there when they opened it,
his right hand covered in dried, dark red blood - a stark reminder of the earlier altercation.
"Should I call a doctor for that?"
"No need," Jeffrey replied, his voice still strained.
Dorothy whispered urgently, "Karen''s pregnant, so please, be gentle with your words and actions."
"Got it."
"I''ll go find Everett. You two talk." Dorothy left, closing the door behind her for some privacy.
Back downstairs, the bloodstains had been cleaned up, and Everett was speaking with a man and a
woman, his expression stern and imposing. Dorothy guessed these were Tristan''s parents, and
Everett was likely offering a settlement.
She didn''t intrude, choosing to wait at a distance instead. Soon after, Everett saw her and walked
over with his long strides.
"Hope I didn''t scare you?"
Dorothy shook her head. "No, did you sort everything out?"
"Yeah, paid them off."
Karen had told her the whole story. The guy had iting, challenging Jeffrey with his infamous
temper.
"I couldn''t stand that either," Everett interjected.
Dorothy instinctively looked up at him.
Everett smirked slightly, reaching out to y with her hair. "So, I assume you don''t have any ex-
boyfriends lurking around, right?"
"I''ll have to think about that."
His eyebrows lifted questioningly.
Dorothy squinted her eyes yfully. "Just kidding! With you keeping such a close watch on me, I''d
need an opportunity to even consider it."
"And yet, there are still plenty hovering around you, aren''t there?"
The conversation had somehow circled back to her. How they went from talking about Jeffrey to
discussing her own situation was a mystery!
Chapter 847
Chapter 847
Everett pulled her into his arms, "Even though Jeffrey going off half-cocked like that was rash, if
someone came at me with those words, we wouldn''t be calling 911."
Dorothy blinked. "Then what would we be calling?"
"The hearse."
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Dorothy was at a loss for words.
The terrifying thing about Everett wasn''t the harsh words he spoke, it was that when he said
something, nobody doubted whether he meant it.
"After all thismotion, looks like their evening ns are shot. Got any ces you wanna hit up in
Everglow City?"
To Dorothy, Everglow City was just another ce to work, nothing special. But after a moment''s
hesitation, a location did spring to mind!
Both looked at each other, saying in unison.
"Dreamscape Hotel!"
"Dreamscape Hotel."
...
Returning here, Dorothy couldn''t help but feel a little sentimental. She took out her phone and
snapped a picture of the entrance.
"The first time I saw Abigail here, I thought her eyes were so much like yours." At the time, Everett
didn''t dare to think too much about it, let alone guess that Abigail was his daughter with Dorothy!
"True, Abigail''s eyes do remind me of mine, but she''s got your facial structure. That''s why I worry
about being spotted when she''s with me."
And as for Langston, well, he might as well have been a carbon copy of Everett; anyone who saw
him would start second-guessing.
"What''s the worst that could happen if we''re found out? Dorothy, you always take on too much,
always ying the tough gal."
Ever since he''d first met Dorothy, she was like this!
Back in school, everyone from the teachers to the students knew her situation. She could have
easily asked the teacher for a pass to skip out on ssroom chores or activities, but she never did.
After fulfilling her duties like everyone else, she would miss thest direct bus to the hospital, too
frugal to take a cab, ending up walking the entire way.
Summer was one thing, but winter... Havenbrook City''s winters were brutal.
"Everett, I thought after the divorce, we''d go our separate ways."
Which was exactly why she couldn''t let Everett find out about the kids!
"No. We were never going to go our separate ways."
Dorothyughed. "I know that now."
Their entanglement seemed destined to remain a tangled web for life.
Everett took a deep breath and held her tight. "Dorothy, when will you learn to rely on me?"
Not to always shoulder everything alone after the fact.
"What if I never learn?" She mumbled from his embrace.
"Then I''ll teach you over and over until you do," He said with a smile.
She looked up at him with a smile. The next second, Dorothy''s phone rang. ncing down, it was a
call from Karen.
Dorothy quickly stepped out of Everett''s embrace and hit the answer button.
"Hello, Karen!"
"Dorothy..." Karen''s voice trembled as she spoke, "Where are you... you need toe quickly..."
Dorothy''s heart sank, "What''s wrong? Stop crying and tell me what happened."
"I had a row with Jeffrey. He got angry, mmed the door, and left. And then... then I realized I''m
bleeding!"
Bleeding...
Dorothy stiffened.
"Stay put at the hotel. I''m on my way back! I''ll call an ambnce for you right now! Karen, don''t be
scared. I''ll be there in no time!"
Chapter 848
Chapter 848
After hanging up the phone, Everett had already hailed a cab. He was a sharp one, and from
Dorothy''s few frantic words, he grasped the gravity of the situation.
Once in the car, Dorothy''s hands were trembling uncontrobly.
Everett gently rubbed her back. "Don''t worry, it''s going to be okay. The resort has a doctor on call,
and Jeffrey had made arrangements just in case something happened to Karen."
Dorothy looked up at him with concern in her eyes. "Will Karen''s baby be okay?"
"Let''s see what the doctor says," he replied cautiously, not wanting to jump to conclusions.
"I''ll call Jeffrey! He should be around the resort, not far off."
Dorothy nodded, "Don''t rush into lecturing him. Let''s make sure Karen is alright first."
"Yeah."
Everett dialed Jeffrey''s number several times to no avail ¨C either he didn''t have his phone on him, or
it was on silent.
Luckily, the cab got them to the resort quickly, and the ambnce was right on their heels.
Dorothy rushed into the room to find Karen in shock, copsed on the carpet with blood all around
her.
"Dorothy... am I having a miscarriage?" Karen''s voice broke through the chaos.
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"Stop, don''t say that! The doctor''s here, we''re going to the hospital," Dorothy said, knowing she had
to hold it together and keep Karen calm.
"It''s going to be fine, remember what you said? Any kid lucky enough to be born to you won''t be
some delicate flower."
Karen nodded vigorously, her eyes red. "Okay."
...
The emergency room doors at Everglow City Hospital were closed, leaving everyone in the dark
about Karen''s condition.
Dorothy paced back and forth, unable to sit still. "Still no word from Jeffrey?"
"He turned his phone off," Everett said, scowling as he got up to join her. "Don''t panic. I''ve got
someone checking the security footage to see where he might have gone."
How could Dorothy not worry? Karen was still inside, and the fate of the baby was uncertain.
"Jeffrey can be such a child when he''s upset! How could he not think about Karen being pregnant?"
Dorothy was fuming at Jeffrey!
The whole thing with Tristan was an ident, not something Karen sought out. And whatever
Tristan said or did was beyond her control!
Even if you backtrack a mile, Jeffrey and Karen both had their pasts. Why couldn''t he just ept
that?
"Could it be... did Jeffreyy his hands on her?" Dorothy''s mind raced back to Karen''s words.
She said they had a row!
"That, he would never. Jeffrey wouldn''t go that far. He''s just jealous."
"Just over jealousy? That''s a bit much! And he already had his go at Tristan. Why go after Karen? I
should never have..."
Dorothy was filled with regret for leaving them alone.
Karen was headstrong and wouldn''t bow easily. With Jeffrey''s reckless streak, he was far from
acting like a soon-to-be father.
"Enough, Dorothy. You can''t me yourself for everything. What should you never have done?
Anyone would''ve given them space to talk. Don''t keep taking all the me," Everett chastised her
gently.
Chapter 849
Chapter 849
Everett was always the rock, unshakable, but even he couldn''t hide his distress at Dorothy''s
panicked state. He did not want her to be so bothered by this incident.
The world was a roulette wheel of chance, and nobody could predict where the ball wouldnd, so
why torment herself with the ifs and buts after the fact?
"I... I''m just so scared something''s going to go wrong," Dorothy fretted, wringing her hands. "They''re
supposed to be getting married soon."
Her emotions were a tangled mess, a whirlwind of worries that refused to settle. The images that
crowded her mind were too messy to make sense of.
Compounding her anxiety was the fact that Jeffrey was missing, and there had been no update on
Karen from the emergency room.
Without any resolution in sight, Dorothy couldn''t find peace.
Everett wrapped his arms around her in an attempt to soothe her nerves. Before he could utter a
word offort, the sound of hurried footsteps approached.
Both turned towards themotion.
It was Jeffrey.
"Everett!"
Jeffrey was a mess, stumbling as he ran towards them, gripping Everett''s shirt as if it were a lifeline.
"Karen, how is she?"N?velDrama.Org holds this content.
Everett''s brow furrowed, his tone full of reproach. "She''s still in the ER. No word yet. Where the hell
have you been?"
"I..." Jeffrey''s gaze fell, his jaw clenched. "I was so mad at myself, and I didn''t want to take it out on
Karen, so I went for a walk around the resort gardens."
He had returned only to find an empty room and a carpet stained with blood¡ªKaren was gone. It
was the hotel staff who had informed him that everyone had rushed to the hospital, and so he
followed suit.
"What did you two even fight about?" Dorothy couldn''t help her frustration, though she sensed it
might not be the best time for a lecture. "I specifically told you to keep it together before I left!"
"It was... Karen said I was too hot-headed and that I shouldn''t have beat up her ex. It made me so
angry, thinking she was defending him, so I just..."
"They broke up years ago! And it was her ex who couldn''t let go, can''t you see that? Karen''s
pregnant, for heaven''s sake! Didn''t you know?" Dorothy couldn''t hold back, her words spilling out
before Everett gave her wrist a gentle squeeze, signaling her to stop.
Jeffrey had been staring at the ground, but now visible teardrops were falling on the tile beneath
him.
"I''m sorry... I was too impulsive..."
"Let''s just wait for Karen," Everett finally said, his voice steady. "See what the doctor says."
He guided Dorothy to take a seat while Jeffrey remained standing, lost in thought until he suddenly
turned to her. "Did you tell her parents?"
"No, what could I say?"
They had all set out for a joyful vacation, and now they were here, in a hospital, with the baby''s life
hanging in the bnce?
Jeffrey hung his head again. "I never imagined it woulde to this. I remembered your words, so I
didn''t argue with Karen! It was just her lecturing me, calling me impulsive and immature... she even
said she needed to reconsider marrying me. I was so mad I just had to get out."
Dorothy could imagine the scene, and somehow, she couldn''tpletely fault Jeffrey for walking
away. Karen was always quick to speak her mind, never pondering how her words mightnd.
"Let''s not tell her parents just yet. No need to worry them until we know more. Things might not be
as bad as they seem."
"But I saw so much blood on the carpet." Jeffrey was genuinely terrified! He had braced himself to
return and apologize to Karen, but now this...
"Family of Karen Miller, please?"
Finally, the ER doors swung open.
Chapter 850
Chapter 850
The doctor had barely stepped out when he was suddenly met with an anxious Jeffrey.
¡°I am! I am her husband! How¡¯s Karen doing?¡±
The doctor nced at him. ¡°The patient is stable for now, and the bleeding has stopped.¡±
Dorothy chimed in with urgency, ¡°And the baby?¡±
¡°The baby is safe for the moment, but¡ it''s going to need her cooperation. She should stay in bed
until the birth, keep up with regr check-ups, and maintain a happy disposition. No more
emotional roller coasters.¡±
Hearing the baby was safe brought a wave of relief over Dorothy.
Jeffrey¡¯s mind was fixated on Karen as he pressed on, ¡°Where is she? When can shee out?¡±
¡°She¡¯ll be wheeled out shortly, don¡¯t worry.¡±
With that, the doctor returned to the emergency room.
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Jeffrey stood rooted to the spot, eyes peeled for the moment Karen would emerge.
Behind him, Dorothy let out a sigh. Everett gently squeezed her hand.
¡°The doctor said it¡¯s all right.¡±
¡°Yeah.¡±
¡°You haven¡¯t eaten anything since you woke up. I''ll get someone to bring over some food,¡± Everett
said, still mindful of her stomach issues.
Dorothy shook her head. ¡°I can¡¯t eat anything right now. I¡¯ll wait until I see Karen.¡±
¡°No way. I don¡¯t want you getting sick before Karenes out.¡± Everett was adamant.
¡°If you don¡¯t feel like eating, at least drink some milk.¡±
¡°Okay then.¡± Dorothy didn¡¯t dare refuse again.
After a while, Karen was finally wheeled out of the emergency room.
Jeffrey hurried over and took her hand. ¡°Karen, I¡¯m so sorry...¡±
But clearly, Karen wasn¡¯t in the mood to talk, silently pulling her hand back. Her hand still sported an
IV needle; Jeffrey didn¡¯t dare force it and simply let her be.
¡°Karen, how are you feeling?¡± Dorothy followed the gurney into the room before asking the first
question.
¡°I¡¯m okay.¡± Karen¡¯s lips were pale, and she looked weak. ¡°I¡¯m sorry you¡¯re worried.¡±
¡°What are you talking about?¡± Dorothy replied, then nced over at Jeffrey, who stood there looking
lost, ¡°Karen, you rest up now. The doctor said you need to focus on keeping the baby safe. You
can¡¯t afford any more ups and downs. You need to keep yourself in check, okay?¡±
Karen nodded. ¡°Mhm, can you guys ask Jeffrey to leave? I don¡¯t want to see him.¡±
¡°I¡¯m not leaving, Karen. I''ll stay right here with you!¡± At her words, Jeffrey rushed to the bedside.
¡°You can yell at me, hit me; I won¡¯t say another word!¡±
But Karen just pulled the nket over her face. ¡°Dorothy, make him leave.¡±
¡°I¡¯m not going!¡±
Dorothy felt helpless and turned to Everett with a pleading look.
He stepped forward and took hold of Jeffrey¡¯s wrist. ¡°Jeffrey,e with me for a moment.¡±
¡°But...¡±
¡°Aren¡¯t you listening to me either?¡±
After Everett spoke, Jeffrey reluctantly bowed his head and followed him out of the room.
With the door closed, Dorothy spoke softly, ¡°Okay, you can stop hiding now. The air¡¯s not good
under there, and he¡¯s gone.¡±
Karen finally emerged from under the nket upon hearing that.
¡°Dorothy... with his temper, his impulse, and his resorting to violence... sometimes I really feel like I
can¡¯t spend my life with him.¡±
¡°Jeffrey just cares about you too much; he can¡¯t stand the thought of any other man being involved
with you.¡±
Chapter 851
Chapter 851
"I haven''t been in touch with Tristan for, like, centuries, I told him that!"
As Karen''s temper began to re, Dorothy quickly stepped in to soothe her.
"Hey, hey, easy, Karen. If not for anything else, think about the bun in the oven, huh? The doc says
you need to chill and take care of yourself, or else..."
Karen pursed her lips tightly, and then, after a long pause, she let out a soft sigh. "If only Jeffrey
could be half as level-headed as Everett. Sometimes I swear that guy''s still in short pants."
If anyone else had said that, Dorothy would''ve nodded in agreement.
Buting from Karen...
"You''re not exactly the picture of maturity yourselfpared to Jeffrey."
They were like two kids ying house.
Karen pouted. "Well, at least I don''t go around throwing punches like he does, acting all innocent
afterward! Every time he does that, it feels like we''re worlds apart."
Jeffrey had zero respect for others, let alone any kind of moralpass. If he liked someone, they
could do no wrong in his eyes. But if he didn''t? He''d run them into the ground.
Karen was afraid that one day, Jeffrey''s ways would lead to disaster.
"Don''t get all worked up. No matter what, Jeffrey cares about you, and that''s enough."
"Dorothy, do you think Jeffrey and I will make it to the end? I''m really... I just have no clue."
"Who can tell these things? You just keep walking the path to find out." Dorothy offered aforting
smile.
"Like me and Everett, do you think we''llst?"
Karen blinked, taken aback. "I guess... You guys seem so in love."
But Dorothy shook her head. "I don''t think so."
Yet, she hoped they would.
So everything was uncertain, and she neither wanted to nor could she conclude anything.
...
Outside the hospital room.
Jeffrey followed Everett out reluctantly, looking thoroughly dejected.
"Everett, what''s up? Spit it out, will you? I gotta get back to Karen and make things right."
"Think about what you''re gonna say first, then go back." Everett knew Jeffrey all too well. "The
doctor said Karen can''t have any more emotional fluctuations."
"She can hit me and scold me all she wants! As long as she''s not mad afterward."
"You''re still not getting it." Everett massaged his temples. "Think about why you and Karen always
end up fighting."
Jeffrey furrowed his brow, genuinely pondering.
"It''s because of that Tristan guy! Can you believe it? He confessed his feelings for Karen right in
front of me! Like I was six feet under or something!"
What guy could handle that kind of provocation?
"But Karen doesn''t like it when you get physical."
That was the crux of the issue.
"I know she hates it, but I can''t control myself!" Jeffrey nced at Everett and grimaced. "I gotta
hand it to you, though. When ites to patience, I could learn a thing or two from you."
Everett frowned. "Learn what from me?"
"To be like you! You even put up with Keh! I could never stand having a rival like that around my
girl all the time! If it were me, I''d have knocked Keh into next week."
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Everett paused for a moment, his voice growing heavy. "You think I don''t want to?"
Chapter 852
Chapter 852
Jeffrey''s eyes bulged; he blinked furiously for a long moment before he pursed his lips in frustration.
"Even you can only barely keep your cool, so of course, I couldn''t stand by when Tristan started his
nonsense!"
He honestly hadn''t expected things to escte like this!
Thank goodness Karen''s baby was alright. Otherwise...
Jeffrey felt like he could kick himself.
The two men stood out like sore thumbs in the hospital corridor, drawing curious nces from
passersby.
Fortunately, Dorothy soon emerged from the hospital room.
"Karen''s asleep."
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"I''ll go keep watch over her!" Jeffrey was ready to barge into the room.
Dorothy instinctively wanted to remind him of something, but Everett cut in before she could speak.
"Let them work it out. Rtionships need to go through some friction. It''s not something we can fix
by talking too much."
"Alright then."
Dorothy wasn''t one to meddle too much in other people''s affairs anyway. She was just worried
about the baby Karen was carrying.
But since Everett had spoken, he must have already had a word with Jeffrey.
"Let them take their time. Shall we head back?"
Abigail and Langston were still at the resort hotel.
Dorothy nodded. "Yeah."
...
The trip was initially nned for a week, but with Karen''s emergency, nobody felt like continuing the
vacation. And since she needed to stay in the hospital, the holiday was cut short.
They decided to fly Karen back to Eldorria City, where she could have ess to better medical
facilities.
Jeffrey had already arranged a top-notch medical team to escort her from the airport. To an outsider,
it might have looked like she had a severe illness.
Seeing how carefully Jeffrey was taking care of Karen, Dorothy finally felt relieved.
...
Kevin drove them back to Bay Residence and then headed back to the office.
After ying with Abigail and Langston for a while, Dorothy stepped out of the yroom to find
Everett with furrowed brows, apparently in a tough phone call.
Catching sight of her, Everett spoke in a hushed tone and ended the call. "Are you hungry?"
"I ate plenty on the ne; I''m good." Dorothy approached him and softly asked, "Is it something to
do with Liberty City?"
Everett paused before nodding. "Yeah, there''s a situation I need to handle."
"Go take care of it," she said, looking him in the eye earnestly. "I told you, let me handle my part on
my own, don''t get involved."
"I still don''t like the idea of you dealing with it alone. Why don''t youe with me to Liberty City?"
"Everett, your boyfriend experience voucher has expired."
Everett was at a loss for words.
She chuckled. "We should go back to our own lives."
Everett gazed into her eyes and suddenly stepped closer, forcing her to meet his stare.
"Have you really decided to push me away?"
"Everett, she''s your mother."
"But we..."
"There will be other girls you like besides me. You just haven''t met them yet. But if you betray the
Lopez family for me, you will be condemned by everyone. I don''t want that."
Everett just stared at her face, unblinking. Suddenly, he smiled. "Do you even know what you''re
talking about?"
"I do."
"Dorothy! You''ve pushed me away too many times. Think it over, because I won''t keeping back
to you!"
He thought... He thought that this time, she had changed her attitude.
Chapter 853
Chapter 853
Dorothy lingered in silence so long that she feared the voice that would eventually break it wouldn''t
even sound like her own.
"Then... don''te back."
Everett remained silent.
"Everett, go back to where you belong," she added.
He clenched his fists so tightly that the veins on the back of his hands stood out like angry rivers.
"How do you do it? How can you say something so heartless without batting an eysh? Huh?"
His voice was hoarse, dripping with despair.
Dorothy had a knack for smashing his slowly gathered courage, his glimmers of hope, into oblivion,
leaving nothing behind!
And just moments ago, everything was fine. They were holding hands in the cab back from the
airport!
"Because I''m just a rock, I don''t have warmth," Dorothy replied, her gaze piercing through him as
she enunciated every word. "You should''ve known this by now. I''m incapable of love; I only stick to
my convictions."
"I never asked you to change!" He had been trying his whole life to reshape himself! He was
chiseling away, just hoping to fit into the mold she desired.
"But I truly don''t want to respond to your feelings anymore. I''m exhausted. And Everett, doesn''t it
bother you?" Dorothy inhaled deeply, deciding toy it all out. "Your father came to see me. Even
though I didn''t admit it, I think you knew. The photos he showed me, you''ve seen them, haven''t
you?"
Everett''s lips pressed into a thin line. "Yes."
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"Then, that day after you saw them, I noticed something off about you." Dorothy''s smile was a
twisted mimicry of warmth. "Tell me the truth, were you also trying to convince me to drop the
criminal charges against your mother?"
"Yes..." He had considered it.
Because they were just one step away, just one! The Lopez family was finally ready to ept
Dorothy. They could be together atst, and he could proudly im Dorothy as his own, proim
her to everyone!
To say he wasn''t tempted would be a lie.
"I won''t drop the charges," said Dorothy.
"I know."
That was why he hadn''t voiced it.
"What do you know? You know nothing! This is exactly why I always see you as the opposition!"
Dorothy''s nails dug into her flesh, grounding her enough to get the words out. "I can trust Karen,
even Kehpletely, because their parents aren''t involved in this mess. But you, you''re
different! It was your mother who deliberately murdered thest of my kin! And then you ask me to
trust you, to be with you? Don''t you see how absurd that is?"
Everett''s lips quivered. "I never once helped my mother in this..."
Even after those photos shook him, even when his father Jonathan''s offer was tempting, he hadn''t
spoken a single word in his mother''s defense.
"So what, I should be grateful? Overlook all the animosity and be with you? Everett, there''s no
reconciliation. Even if you killed your mother with your own hands, it won''t change the fact that you
are her son."
Just like now...
The Lopez family, despite their influence, couldn''t change the fact that Everett''s mother murdered
Be.
What''s done is done.
"If that''s what you truly think, then why did you go on vacation with me? Why did you share a bed
with me?" Everett was desperate, grasping at her arms as if he were clinging to life itself. "There''s
still a part of you that''s mine, right?"
"Yes." Dorothy knew denying it outright would be futile. "But honestly, the way you treat me, it''s
exhausting, it''s suffocating."
Chapter 854
Chapter 854
Everett''s grip was unwavering, a silent sentinel refusing to release her.
At this moment, this man was unable to hide his desperation and pleading despite his best efforts to
conceal them.
Everett knew that if a crack appeared in his tightly wound emotions, there would be no way to reel
them back in.
He was clinging to thest shred of his dignity. That was until faintughter from the children''s room
drifted over...
In an instant, as if his strength had been siphoned away, Everett staggered forward, pulling Dorothy
into a fierce embrace.
"What about the kids? We''ve got kids; can''t you think about them?"
Dorothy struggled a few times, aiming to break free from his hold. But he was relentless, crazed
almost, pressing her against him to feel the heartbeat in his chest.
"Everett, the kids... I''ve left them with the Lopez family. I''ve signed an agreement with your father."
"You''re giving up on Abigail and Langston, too?"
"Yes." Dorothy''s reply was crisp as if fearing a second''s dy would render her unable to speak
again.
"Everett, I no longer want anything to do with the Lopez family. Let me go, please."
Everett didn''t budge, but he no longer applied force.
With a gentle push, Dorothy easily set herself free. "Everett..."N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.
"Just go." He didn''t look up, his body frozen in the previous pose, his voice calm. "Go, leave now."
"Alright." Dorothy didn''t say goodbye; she just walked straight out of Bay Residence.
In Everett''s eyes, her request upon returning from Eldorria City seemed abrupt, but in truth on the
flight back, Dorothy had made up her mind.
She had to separate from Everett.
...
After leaving Bay Residence, Dorothy didn''t return to Karen''s apartment. Instead, she went straight
to Be''s grave site.
Along the way, she picked up a bouquet. Be was never fond of white; she preferred pink, but she
never admitted it.
Perhaps for Be, the choices of her youth had brought a lifetime of suffering, causing her to detest
everything about those years.
Dorothy bought pink roses.
When she arrived at the cemetery, the sky was clear, but soon after her arrival, it began to cloud
over. It looked like rain was on its way.
"Mom, I''m here to see you." Dorothy ced the flowers down and slowly knelt before the
gravestone.
"I''m sorry... I couldn''t heed your advice, and I fell for the son of the man who killed you. I know if you
were still here, you''d scold me fiercely! But what can I do? I can''t control myself."
Dorothy lowered her gaze and pulled out awsuit notification from her bag, cing it in front of the
gravestone.
"Mom, the trial has begun. Rest assured, whether I win or lose, I''m prepared for either."
After speaking, she took a deep breath, her eyes reddening, fighting back the tears with several
blinks.
"If the court grants me a fair trial and sentences them to the ultimate penalty, I might have to
continue defying your teachings. I''ll go after Everett because I love him.
If not... then I''ll take matters into my own hands. I will make sure they both meet you! It''s my duty as
your daughter."
So, right now, she couldn''t give Everett any answers. Nor could she ask Everett to intervene and
demand a death sentence for his mother.
All she could do was push Everett away, let him return to his rightful ce, and wait for the
oue.
Chapter 855
Chapter 855
Everett took off to Liberty City the next day with Abigail and Langston in tow.
Dorothy''s life suddenly felt like a throwback to her days at the Prosperity Consortium. Her world
narrowed down to her apartment and the office ¡ª a very predictable routine.
Only on weekends, there was no longer a need to visit Be at the hospital.
The Lopez Corporation''s projects were moving along as scheduled. Sure, there were hups here
and there, but nothing that teamwork couldn''t iron out.
Before she knew it, winter had given way to a stealthy spring.
Eldorria City''s weather couldn''t make up its mind, swinging from rain to snow, leaving everyone
baffled about what to wear.
Karen''s baby bump was starting to show, and she had put on a noticeable amount of weight. She
was the picture of a little mama-to-be, hands constantly supporting her lower back as she walked.
Her wedding with Jeffrey was postponed. There was no helping it; they didn''t want to wear her out,
and the doctor advised bed rest during this critical phase of pregnancy.
"Dorothy, why don''t youe over for some barbecue after work today?" Karen''s voice came
through the phone.
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Even with the doctor''s orders to rest, Karen couldn''t sit still.
If she couldn''t go out, people would just have toe to her!
Dorothy answered the call while printing out thetest project report, ready to submit it shortly.
"I might bete today. You and Jeffrey start without me!"
"We haven''t seen each other in a week, and I miss you! Juste over; I''ll wait up no matter how
late," Karen whined.
Boredom was her constantpanion these days. Even with Jeffrey''spany, seeing the same
handsome face day in and day out could be tiresome.
"Alright," Dorothy couldn''t resist her friend''s pleading. "If you get hungry, eat first. I''ll contact you
after work."
"Deal!"
After hanging up, Dorothy handed the printed documents to Austin.
"Everyone''s been working hard on the project. There''s been no dy, and I''ve made sure the
progress reports are urate."
Austin nodded, giving the papers a cursory nce before fixing his gaze on Dorothy. "Say, Ms.
Sanchez... you''re about to resign, right?"
Dorothy paused, then nodded. "Yes, but it''s not for a while yet. Why do you ask?"
"Well, just checking! After all, we need someone to fill your shoes, right? What''s going to happen to
the project otherwise?"
"Thepany should appoint a recement," Dorothy affirmed. Everett... he must be aware of her
resignation date.
"That''s the usual procedure, but so far, there''s been no word! And considering you''ll be leaving
soon, we''re still in the dark," sighed Austin.
He then added in a negotiating tone, "Ms. Sanchez, how about this? If thepany doesn''t send a
recement by the time you''re set to leave, would you stay on and oversee the project until they
do?"
Dorothy frowned slightly. "That wouldn''t be appropriate. Once I resign, my contract with the
company is terminated. I shouldn''t be involved in the project as a director. If you''re worried about
the transition, it might be best to inquire about thepany''s ns in advance."
"Alright then," Austin conceded, seeing her determination. "You can get back to your tasks. That''s
all for now."
"Okay."
Leaving Austin''s office, Dorothy returned to her desk and noticed a new WhatsApp message on her
phone screen.
It was from Keh.
[Dorothy, I''m going on a blind date today. Do you think this girl and I look like a match? My mom
insists we''re meant to be!]
She opened the photo and looked.
The girl in the photo had a gentle demeanor with a clean, sweet smile.
[Keh, you better make the most of this. She seems perfect for you, and your mom''s right!]
[If you say so too, then I''ve got to spruce myself up. Here''s hoping I can bring her home and make
her my wife.]
Chapter 856
Chapter 856
Keh had finally found his groove, and Dorothy couldn''t help but feel genuinely happy for him.
Deep down, she really hoped he¡¯d stumble upon someone who''d be his perfect match.
Knowing that Karen was waiting, Dorothy decided to put off some non-urgent work until tomorrow.
She hurried off to Jeffrey¡¯s estate.
"Dorothy¡¯s here! Jeffrey, go open the door for her." Karen¡¯s voice boomed from inside, its strength
unaltered even by her pregnancy.
The sound of slippers shuffling closer preceded the opening of the door. There stood Jeffrey, d in
cozy home wear, his hair a casual mess, holding a tiny pink garment in his hand.
"Dorothy! You''re just in time. Take a look at these hideous baby clothes Jeffrey picked out. Why are
guys so clueless when ites to shopping?"
Dorothy nced at Jeffrey¡¯s expression, which bore no hint of offense ¨C he seemed utterly
ustomed to Karen¡¯s ribbing ¨C and she rxed.
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"Don''t be too harsh on him. You might hurt his feelings."
"He won''t mind," Karen quipped, though she continued showing each piece of clothing to Dorothy
with evident excitement for her impending motherhood.
"Now that Dorothy¡¯s here, should I get the kitchen to start on the fondue?" Jeffrey interjected, neatly
folding the previously scattered clothes.
"Sure, go ahead!" Karen waved him off with the air of a duchess directing her butler.
Once Jeffrey was out of earshot, Dorothy whispered, "Don¡¯t be too hard on him. Jeffrey¡¯s been
pampered all his life, and here you are treating him like he''s the help."
"He asked for it. I turned him down so many times, and he just wouldn¡¯t have the breakup. What can
I do?" Karen smirked, her hand resting naturally on her belly.
"Besides, I''ve got to train him now, so he''s ready to take care of me and the baby when the time
comes."
Dorothy thought about it and had to agree. She was always the worrywart. If the couple was happy
with their arrangement, who was she to judge?
"What about you?" asked Karen.
"Me? Just the usual grind at work, you know that."
Karen pped her leg yfully. "I''m not asking about your job. I mean, you and..."
Dorothy hesitated, a wry smile on her lips. "No contact."
"Not at all?"
Dorothy nodded.
Everett hadn''t even sent her videos of Abigail and Langston anymore.
Complete radio silence.
"Do you think Everett has really given up on you?" Karen asked, her lips pursed.
"Dorothy, what are you thinking? I mean, Jeffrey and Everett talk, but only about work. Whenever
they chat off-topic, your name neveres up. I¡¯ve even snooped on their messages ¨C all
business."
"If he''s given up, isn''t that a good thing?"
"Good? Are you kidding? Everett¡¯s stacked. He could snap his fingers and have a line of women
ready to remarry. What then?"
Dorothy paused, her voice soft. "I¡¯d wish him well."
Karen smacked her forehead without mercy. "Wish him well? So you''d be okay with some other
woman bing Abigail and Langston¡¯s stepmom?"
"Karen, I pushed him away. More than once. He''s under no obligation to wait for me."
Chapter 857
Chapter 857
"So, how''s yourwsuit going? Any progress?" Karen asked, pausing her movements as she flipped
a pancake.
"Yeah," Dorothy nodded, her voice steady. "The preliminary hearing ising up."
Karen''s hand froze mid-flip. "Has Everett''s mom been detained?"
"No, but the trial can proceed without her. The court has already issued the summons."
Karen''s mouth hung open for a moment, struggling to find the words. "You''ve reallye to this...
Everett''s mom is just vile! Without her, you and Everett could have been such a happy couple."
Everett wasn''t like Jeffrey, all rash and impulsive. He was career-driven, responsible, and always
thorough. He would have taken care of Dorothy well.
"There are no ''what-ifs''."
From thest time she walked away from Bay Residence, Dorothy had made up her mind.
If Be had followed Maxton Sanchez''s wishes back then, she wouldn''t even exist, let alone all that
followed!
Without her, maybe Be would have remarried, found happiness sooner, and escaped the shadow
of that scumbag, not ending up dying alone from an overdose.
Her life was owed to her mother; it was she who had burdened Be.
So whether it was seeing justice served through legal means or taking matters into her own hands,
that was Dorothy''s priority.
All other disputes and grievances were secondary.
"What about after thewsuit? Once you get the oue you''re looking for, will you..."
"I might," Dorothy cut her off, knowing what Karen was about to ask.
"If Everett''s still single by then, I guess I should get a taste of what it''s like to pursue him after all
these years he''s been after me."
It was another debt to repay.
Karen''s eyes widenedically. "You, chasing after him?"
Dorothy coughed awkwardly, a sheepish smile on her face. "Is it that surprising?"
"Yes," Karen nodded earnestly. "But I''d love to see it."
Dorothy tugged at her lip. "Don''t get your hopes up. I can''t even picture what I''d look like chasing
someone!"
Karen clicked her tongue, letting out a sigh.
"Yeah, I guess. I mean, I can see you talking a big game about pursuing someone, but the minute
Everett says something even slightly harsh, you''d probably shrink back to where he can''t see you
and then bless him with some ridiculous well wishes! Dorothy, you just don''t have that relentless
grip that Everett has."
Karen knew Dorothy too well. Taking the initiative was not in her nature.
Even when Karen had wanted to befriend Dorothy, it took a lot of warm persistence and many cold
shoulders before Dorothy finally opened up.
"The fondue''s ready!" Before Dorothy could respond, Jeffrey called from the kitchen.
"Great, let''s eat. I''m starving," Karen said, trying to sit up, but Jeffrey was already there, lifting her in
his arms.
"Don''t move, I''ll carry you."
Karen blushed slightly, ncing at Dorothy. "Dorothy''s still here!"
"So what? We''re married."
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Dorothy quickly interjected, "Just pretend I''m not here. I''m blind to it all."
As long as the two of them were getting along fine, that was all that mattered.
After dinner at Jeffrey''s, Dorothy stayed for a chat with Karen until it got toote, and she didn''t want
to impose any further.
"Let Jeffrey drive you home!" Karen insisted.
"No need, I can take a cab back," Dorothy replied.
"Not at this time of night," Karen turned to Jeffrey. "You go, make sure Dorothy gets home safe."
With a nod, Jeffrey grabbed his keys and looked at Dorothy. "Let''s go."
Chapter 858
Chapter 858
Had it not been for Karen''s worrying, Dorothy might have outright refused the ride in Jeffrey''s car.
It wasn''t personal¡ªshe just felt awkward alone with any man who wasn''t Everett. There was
something about it that made her skin crawl, a difort she couldn''t quite shake off.
So, she sat silently in the back seat, her gaze fixed on the parade of neon signs that streaked past
the window, their colors dancing across her face.
Jeffrey seemed to get it. He didn''t push for conversation, respecting her quiet mood.
At a red light, he nced at Dorothy through the rear-view mirror, cleared his throat hesitantly, and
finally spoke up.
"Did you hear about Everett putting the Bay Residence on the market?"
Dorothy''s hand twitched. She met his eyes in the mirror and shook her head slightly.
"No, we haven''t been in touch."
"He texted mest week and asked me to handle the sale of the ce."
"Oh."
Jeffrey frowned, dissatisfied with her indifferent response. "What went down between you two after
you got back from Everglow City?"
He wasn''t one to gossip, but curiosity was eating at him.
As Everett''s friend, Jeffrey knew all too well how much Everett cared for Dorothy.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.
They''d had their fair share of conflicts and arguments. Everett had imed to move on more than
once, but at the slightest hint of Dorothy''s presence, he''de running back.
But now...
Selling the Bay Residence?
Jeffrey was certain Dorothy understood what that meant.
"I told him to leave me alone."
"That''s it?"
"Yeah."
Jeffrey snorted softly. "I don''t buy it."
Dorothy looked down, reying the conversation in her head. She really hadn''t said much, just...
once again chose to push him away.
"Dorothy, do you even love Everett? Because you''re really dragging him through the mud."
Her eyes drifted outside, avoiding the question.
Since Jeffrey had broached the subject, he pressed on, "I know his mom''s been a thorn in your
side, making things tough for you both. But when you''re together, you can fix it! There was no need
to be so harsh, to break his heart."
"It''s not fixable."
Dorothy wouldn''t entangle herself with Everett any longer.
The oue of the uing court case would determine whether she had a future at all.
She was tired, too tired to even think about all the things weighing on her.
Sometimes, she even wished for a swift verdict, win or lose, just to have closure. Even if it meant
losing, at least she could face her mother''s murderer with clear intent and meet her own end without
regret, rather than living like a mindless body, a shell of herself.
"Is that so, or do you just not want to fix it?" Jeffrey was blunt, not bothering to pick up on Dorothy''s
mood.
"Look, in the end, you just don''t love Everett enough, do you? You''re not willing to drop everything
for him; you can''t love him as selflessly as he loves you."
"Maybe." Faced with Jeffrey''s relentless probing, Dorothy had no defense. After all, she felt the
weight of Everett''s devotion and her own failure to reciprocate.
Suddenly, Jeffrey mmed on the brakes and pulled over, turning to face her.
"You''re just going to admit it?"
Caught off guard, Dorothy nodded faintly. "Yeah."
"Wow, heartless!" Jeffrey bit back his anger.
"Do you have any idea what Everett has done for you? You''re alive today because he''s been
shouldering your burdens! You want revenge for your mother''s death, but Everett didn''t kill her! How
innocent is he? Did you ever think about that?"
Chapter 859
Chapter 859
"Jeffrey, my mom was innocent, too."
Jeffrey was rendered speechless.
Dorothy peered at him, her voice edged with resolve. "I owe Everett a lot, but I''ve got debts to repay
to my mom first."
Jeffrey''s lips quivered, struggling to find his voice amid the tension.
"So you used Everett, got your mom''swsuit up and running smoothly, and then, when he''s no
longer of use, you just kick him back into the abyss, leaving him to fend for himself, right?"
"Interpret it how you want."
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Maybe it was thete hour or the stress of hashing out these issues, but Dorothy decided to just let
it go.
No exnations, nothing to exin.
"Fucking hell, you really are¡ªreally something! Everett deserved better from you!" Jeffrey cursed,
his anger boiling over at her attitude.
Dorothy felt too restless to remain in the car any longer, so she abruptly pushed open the rear door
and stepped out without a second thought.
She quickened her pace, hoping to find a reprieve, but fate had other ns; no cabs were in sight.
Before she had gone far, Jeffrey''s car pulled up beside her, blocking her path.
"Dorothy, do you want Karen to have my head when you get back?" he called out, his voice tinged
with concern.
"I won''t tell her," she replied tersely.
"But if something happens to you, it won''t just be Karen after me; Everett will have my hide, too!"
Jeffrey might not have liked Dorothy''s defeatist attitude or her flippant tone, but he knew he had to
ensure her safety. That much sense he still had, or else he might well be signing his own death
warrant.
"I don''t need your help," Dorothy insisted, "I can hail a cab myself."
She wanted to avoid further discussion about Everett with Jeffrey, preferring to be alone with her
thoughts.
"I just need to keep it together, not break down, until the trial''s over."
"Dorothy, I''m not Everett; I don''t have endless patience for you! You''ve hurt my friend, and I can''t
even call you out on it without you getting upset? Aren''t I speaking the truth? Everett is Everett, his
mother is his mother¡ªtwo different people! Hasn''t Everett always been impartial with his mom? I
just don''t get it... Hey! Dorothy, what are you doing?"
Jeffrey was cut off mid-sentence as Dorothy spotted an empty cab, gged it down, and slipped
inside.
By the time he got out of his car to chase after her, she was already gone.
With a frustrated frown, Jeffrey had no choice but to return to his car and follow her, making sure
she got to her apartment safely.
...
When Jeffrey got back, Karen was still up, waiting for him in the bedroom. Upon seeing him, she let
out a sigh of relief.
"What took so long?"
"Had a few words with Dorothy, that''s all," Jeffrey didn''t tell her about Dorothy getting out of the car.
He didn''t want to incite Karen''s wrath.
"What did you talk about?" Karen''s brow furrowed even at the vague exnation. "You don''t know
her, Jeffrey. Can''t you just avoid small talk with her?"
"It wasn''t just small talk... It was about Everett."
"That''s exactly what I''m afraid of! Do you think I''m jealous and that''s why I don''t want you talking to
her?" Karen''s voice dropped, exasperated. "Dorothy''s already stressed out enough, and you''re just
adding fuel to the fire!"
Jeffrey felt a twinge of annoyance at her words.
"She''s stressed? Is Everett having the time of his life, then? Dorothy''s the one who''s hurt him over
and over, and now she''s the one who''s stressed?"
Karen stood up, hands on hips, and looked up at him defiantly. "Are you ying the knight in
shining armor here? Let me ask you this: if my mom killed your mom, would you be able to let it go,
say it doesn''t matter, and then carry on with me without a grudge?"
Jeffrey was at a loss for words.
Chapter 860
Chapter 860
"You and I, we''re not like Dorothy. The stress she''s under, the worries from all sides, we can''t truly
grasp it. So no one''s got the right to judge her," said Karen.
Jeffrey snorted. "But when ites down to it, what did Everett do wrong?"
Mulling it over seriously, Karen concluded, "He didn''t keep his mom in check."
"That''s a bit biased, isn''t it? His mom''s actions aren''t something Everett gets to call the shots on!"
"So what if I''m biased?" Karen retorted with a shrug. "She''s my bestie. Am I supposed to take
Everett''s side? You say he''s innocent, but isn''t Dorothy? If it hadn''t been for Everett chasing after
her, dragging her into this whole mess, maybe Dorothy''s life would''ve been a bit tough, but at least
her family would''ve been safe, not poisoned to death! With Dorothy''s looks, snagging a rich guy
would''ve been a cakewalk. Take Keh, for example ¨C he''d have said ''I do'' in a heartbeat!"
Even now, if Dorothy agreed to marry him, Keh wouldy down his entire fortune at her feet
without a second thought, willing and eager.
"My friend''s no slouch either! He''s the CEO of Lopez Corp; he could have any woman he wanted."
"Exactly! So why''s he got this secret torch for Dorothy?"
Jeffrey had no answer.
Karen huffed. "Don''t try to argue this with me. I know you''re tight with Everett. But in my eyes, as
long as Dorothy hasn''t betrayed our nation, she can do no wrong!"
...
Returning to her apartment, Dorothy was exhausted from the day''s events, but sleep eluded her.
Not wanting to waste time on idle thoughts, she washed her face and booted up herptop to work.
She logged onto the Lopez Corp''s software out of habit and nced at the meeting channel.
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Everett was in a meeting.
Although she couldn''t see his ount online, she knew he was in a meeting because no one but
the CEO had ess to conference room 1.
The meeting''s topic was about the ''Sunset'' domestic project. Dorothy remembered Jeffrey
mentioning that Everett was selling the Bay Residence. It seemed that the vi in Snowfall City
would likely go too, but the ''Sunset'' project was already underway and couldn''t be shelved.
After logging out of the channel, Dorothy opened her project files and began summarizing.
With her departure from Lopez Corp drawing near, she wanted to ensure she left nothing unfinished
to avoid causing problems for her sessor.
Head down, she worked straight through the night.
Now she understood why Everett drowned himself in work¡ªit was a good distraction.
At seven in the morning, Dorothy stood up from herputer, shaking off the numbness in her
arms and legs before freshening up to head to the office.
But on the way, she felt a sharp pain in her stomach! It started as a mild difort but soon
intensified.
The burning sensation made Dorothy break out in a cold sweat.
After the taxi pulled up to Lopez Corp, she clenched her teeth, paid the fare, and crouched by the
parking lot entrance, hoping to ease the pain enough to go inside.
Suddenly, a pair of ck leather shoes came into view, stopping right in front of her.
Dorothy''s mind buzzed, her heart skipping a beat as the pain seemed to vanish.
With her body frozen, she slowly looked up...
"Ms. Sanchez, stomachache?"
Chapter 861
Chapter 861
It wasn''t Everett.
It was Kevin.
"I''m fine," Dorothy said, her eyes dimming before she mustered a strained smile. "I just need to rest
here for a bit. Don''t worry about me."
Kevin hesitated, but he didn''t leave. "Should I get you some antacid?"
"No need. I''ve got some in my bag, and I''ve already taken it. Really, I''m okay."
"Alright then." Seeing her so insistent on not needing help, Kevin nodded and began to walk away.
N?velDrama.Org holds this content.
He hadn''t gotten far when Dorothy suddenly called out to him.
"Kevin, wait a second!"
He turned around to see Dorothy clench her teeth and stand up straight, walking towards him.
"Could you... not mention this to him?" she asked.
She didn''t want Everett to know anything about her, not even a stomachache.
Kevin, being the sharp guy he was, knew exactly who ''he'' was.
"Don''t worry. Mr. Lopez is off to Liberty City, and he didn''t bring me along. I don''t bother him outside
of work hours." The implication was clear ¨C he wouldn''t have the chance to tell Everett anything.
Dorothy nodded. "Thank you."
"No need to thank me. Besides, Mr. Lopez hardly checks in domestically anymore. The surveince
and bodyguards he had around you before... they''ve all been called off."
In other words, Dorothy could do whatever she wanted without Everett knowing immediately, like
before.
She had sensed it, too.
It was one thing to figure it out herself, but hearing it from someone else stirred different emotions.
"That''s good, isn''t it? Now I''m free."
Kevin forced a smile. "If you see it that way, that''s good. I should get back to work."
"Sure."
Watching Kevin walk away, Dorothy let out a heavy sigh and clutched her stomach, only to realize
that the pain was not just there anymore.
She made her way back to the office, took out the antacid from her bag, and swallowed it down, but
it barely helped. She then took an ibuprofen.
Lately, her bag was stocked with more than just antacids; she also carried painkillers because
sometimes the stomach medicine wasn''t enough. To get through the workday, she needed
something stronger.
"Ms. Sanchez, the morning meeting is starting." Her assistant knocked on the door.
"Coming." Dorothy took a few deep breaths and stood up to leave her office.
At the conference room door, she ran into Austin.
"Ms. Sanchez, perfect timing. After the meeting,e by my office."
"Hm?" Dorothy couldn''t recall anything that required a private discussion with Austin today.
Austin smiled, "Thepany has appointed a new director to take over the project. They should be
arriving in the next few days. It''ll give you both some time to handover properly."
"Oh, so that''s it. Alright, after the meeting, I''ll bring the documentation I''ve prepared for the new
director to review."
Seeing her so calm and collected about it, Austin couldn''t help but speak up, "Ms. Sanchez, are you
really okay with letting go of this project? You even gave up your credit on it! This project... it''s a big
deal."
In the Lopez Corporation, a project of this magnitude wasmonce, but elsewhere... just this
one project could sustain an entirepany.
"If I didn''t give up my credit, what would the new director do?"
"That''s easy. You could ask Mr. Lopez..."
"Austin." Dorothy cut him off sharply, "We''re discussing my business here; it has nothing to do with
Mr. Lopez."
Chapter 862
Chapter 862
Austin slumped in his chair, his tone tinged with frustration.
"I''m just looking out for you, you know? You''re about to leave the Lopez Corporation, but you''ll still
need to work, right? Are you done with investment banking altogether?"
A resume alwayses in handy when job hunting!
Austin truly had Dorothy''s best interests at heart.
"I''ve already made ns for all that, but thanks for your concern, Austin." Dorothy offered a distant
smile and then strode into the conference room.
Clearly, she didn''t want to discuss it any further.
"Man, I just don''t get it," Austin sighed before following her in.
The morning meeting was pretty standard stuff: everyone shared updates, nothing out of the
ordinary.
After the meeting, Dorothy returned to her office, gathered the documents she had organized and
headed over to Austin''s.
"I''ve sorted everything that needs the director''s attention into different folders for easy ess," she
exined. "This way, it''s easier to manage, and the new director can hit the ground running."
Seeing how thoroughly she had prepared everything, Austin felt even more indignant on her behalf.
"Once you''ve done all the heavy lifting, any Tom, Dick, or Harry could step in as director without
breaking a sweat!"
"It''s only right to leave everything in order for the next person. I don''t want to hold up the project."
Even though she wouldn''t see it through to the end, Dorothy had poured her heart into the project
and naturally wanted it to seed¡ªshe wanted everyone on the fourth project team to get their
holiday bonus!
"What can I say about you?" Austin shook his head, perplexed. Maybe this was the confidence of
the Lopez Corporation boss''sdy?
"Alright, leave this stuff with me. I''ll pass it on to the new director. When your notice period is up, just
wrap things up with HR."
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"Got it." Dorothy nodded and left Austin''s office.
Back at her desk, she felt her stomachache had subsided enough to start working. She stood up,
poured herself a warm cup of water, and instinctively checked her phone, only to see a tweet from
Keh at the top of her feed.
[Got a girlfriend.]
The picture showed a man''s hand holding a woman''s.
Dorothy had never paid much attention to Keh''s hands, so she couldn''t tell if it was really him.
But his quick announcement took her by surprise!
It looked like the blind date went well!
Karen was the first toment: [What? Bro, when did you get a girlfriend? That came out of
nowhere!]
Sure enough, Keh replied: [Met her yesterday, made it official today.]
Karen replied: [Epic! Set up a date; I wanna meet her!]
Keh responded, [OK]
Dorothy didn''t really know what to say, so she just liked the tweet and put down her phone.
Keh taking the step to find a girlfriend was a weight off her shoulders¡ªno need to carry that
heavy stone around anymore.
She looked at herputer screen, filled with construction material details and price lists from
vendors. She took a deep breath before diving into the sea of numbers.
Several hours passed with Dorothy engrossed in her work until, finally, it was time for lunch.
She stretched and checked her phone again, spotting a few unread messages from Karen.
[Keh really got a girlfriend?]
[Keh''s serious about this? Did he tell you?]
[I can''t help but feel he just randomly picked a girl. It''s like he doesn''t care who he marries as long
as it''s not you. It seems so rushed!]
Chapter 863
Chapter 863
Rushed?
It did seem a bit hasty, but wasn''t that the very nature of a blind date? If things click, you''re suddenly
in a boyfriend-girlfriend rtionship, and the next step could be walking down the aisle.
Dorothy''s fingers paused over her keyboard before typing a response.
Dorothy: [You better not go spreading that around. Keh''s finally ready to take this step.]
Karen: [I know, I know! I''m just whispering to you. I''d never say that to Keh.]
What she truly feared was that her cousin would hastily pick someone to marry and end up
unhappy. Whether they stuck it out or ended in divorce, neither oue boded well.
After exchanging a few more messages with Karen about pregnancy tips, Dorothy tidied up her
desk and stood up to head to thepany cafeteria.
She had missed breakfast in the morning rush and needed to grab something substantial for lunch
to avoid a trip to the ER by evening!
Upon reaching the bustling cafeteria, Dorothy scanned the options, but her appetite was missing.
She settled for a small te of sd and a couple of mini sandwiches, finding a quiet corner to sit
down.
The lunch crowd was in full swing, with colleagues gathered in small groups, mostly discussing
work matters.
Dorothy ate quietly, overhearing two guys behind her talking about the recent uptick in stress.
"Tond a job at Lopez Corporation, you gotta expect high pressure, right? Have you seen our
CEO? Rolled up his sleeves and snagged several major cross-industry projects in the past month
alone - from telmunications to renewable energy. Talk about a learning curve! If we''re not
careful, we''ll be left in the dust!"
"s... Sure, it''s a learning experience, but it''s exhausting too! I haven''t had more than five hours of
sleep per night for almost a month, and my weekends are spent working overtime!"
"Dude, Lopez Corporation pays tenfold for weekend overtime."
"I love overtime."
Dorothy figured they must be from the project management department.
She was well aware of Everett''s work capabilities and how relentlessly he pursued projects, leaving
no room for personal downtime.
She worried about his health, and suddenly, she didn''t have the stomach for her meal anymore. She
bagged up her food and decided to take it back to the office.
Once back at her desk, she called a colleague scheduled to conduct due diligence on the market
pricing of project materials. "I''ll join you. When I was verifying prices earlier, I noticed discrepancies
in two areas."
Usually, such discrepancies meant either an error in the submitted pricing data or someone
tampering with prices to skim some profits.
Whereas another director might have skimmed over the details, Dorothy was meticulous, checking
every item and naturally spotting the irregrities.
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"Okay, I got it, Ms. Sanchez," her colleague replied after a pause.
After confirming the markets they needed to visit, Dorothy left Lopez Corporation to meet up with
her colleague.
At the construction materials market, she discovered that not only Gideon, the main person in
charge, was there, but also Ophelia.
"Ms. Sanchez," Ophelia greeted her upon arrival.
Dorothy nodded slightly in acknowledgment, not particrly surprised.
Ophelia being there probably meant Austin had sent her to gain some field experience. The hands-
on task of price due diligence in construction projects was foundational yet challenging, with many
nuances to keep track of. Mastery required practical application and the umtion of
experience.
Chapter 864
Chapter 864
"Ms. Sanchez, could you point out where you think there''s an issue with this quote? I''ll have a look."
Gideon was the one who had just taken the call, and he hurried over to Dorothy, looking all kinds of
anxious.
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"I''ve put together a detailed spreadsheet," Dorothy exined, her voice tinged with concern.
"Comparing it to the quote thispany gave to the Lopez Corporationst time, the prices haven''t
gone down¡ªthey''ve actually gone up. There haven''t been any whispers about a price hiketely, so
scarcity isn''t an issue. What''s with the sudden spike?"
Before Dorothy could continue, Ophelia shed her a smile, "Ms. Sanchez, could I have a word with
you in private, please?"
Dorothy was confused. She nced at Gideon and then back at Ophelia, a seed of doubt nted
firmly in her mind.
She couldn''t fathom why she and Ophelia would need a private chat. Even though Ophelia had sent
her flowers as an apology and Dorothy had reciprocated with a thank-you gift, theirmunication
hadn''t gone beyond that.
Without waiting for Dorothy''s consent, Ophelia took her aside.
"Ms. Sanchez, here''s the thing... The issue with the pricing¡ªit''s not Gideon''s fault. It''s on me. I was
helping him out with the price list and identally entered the wrong figures!"
Dorothy frowned, "Entered the wrong figures?"
"Yeah."
"Do you realize that if I hadn''t caught this mistake, just with these two materials alone, your error
could haveted Gideon two million, maybe even more?"
Ophelia''s guilt was written all over her face as she awkwardly fiddled with her lip, "I¡ªI had no
idea..."
"That''s quite the oversight, don''t you think? I might not be so inclined to believe you." Dorothy was
no stranger to this sort of thing. There had been others who tried to funnelpany funds into their
pockets, so her mind naturally went there first.
"It''s true! As soon as Gideon pointed it out, I double-checked and realized it was my mistake! Ms.
Sanchez... please, could you possibly not report this? Let it slide?"
If Dorothy pushed for an official investigation, then even if Ophelia''s mistake was just that¡ªan
ident¡ªshe''d likely be reassigned and wouldn''t have a chance to work on financially sensitive
projects ever again.
Dorothy paused but ultimately decided to go by the book. "I''m sorry, but I can''t let it slide. Someone
has to be held ountable for this blunder."
"But it was just a mistake! Can''t I just correct it now?"
"Do I need to repeat myself?" Dorothy''s stance was firm and stubborn, "What you did could be
construed as tampering with the quotes. This isn''t a trivial matter."
Otherwise, she wouldn''t have dropped everything to check the material costs in the market
personally.
"Why can''t it be a trivial matter? As long as you don''t talk today, it''s like it never happened!" Ophelia
was desperate, speaking without thinking, "Ms. Sanchez, you''re on your way out anyway; why do
you have to be so by the book? Why not leave us with a good impression, huh?"
A good impression?
Dorothy couldn''t help butugh. "And when did you consider leaving a good impression on me?"
Ophelia was rendered speechless.
"Ophelia, from the moment I stepped out of the car, and you pulled me aside, your so-called
honesty lost all credibility with me! But whateveres of the investigation is not my concern. It''s
up to thepany to deal with it. I''m only responsible for reporting the situation."
Seeing Dorothy was determined to blow the whistle, Ophelia lost her temper, too. "Do you really
think you''re above it all, Ms. Sanchez? That''s called being heartless! You''re like a cold-blooded
creature! No wonder everyone''s whispering that Mr. Lopez has dumped you. I think you''re just not
good enough for him!"
Chapter 865
Chapter 865
Gideon was by Ophelia''s side when he heard her raising her voice, and he hurried over.
"Ophelia, what are you going on about?"
"I..."
"I''m sorry, Ms. Sanchez! She''s just a little hot-headed, didn''t mean anything by it, don''t take it
personally!" said Gideon.
Dorothy''s gaze swept over the two, piecing together a bit of the puzzle in her mind.
They clearly had something more between them; she figured they were probably an item.
Ophelia was clearly trying to dump the me on Gideon, cozying up to Dorothy in hopes of
smoothing things over.
"What''s going on with me and Everett is none of your business, right?"
"Since you''re reporting it anyway, it''s no use for me to try to negotiate with you, is it? I''ll say what I
want! Mr. Lopez hasn''t been here in ages, obviously avoiding you. What are you ying at, acting
all boss-like when you''re on your way out? Go ahead, report me; I''ll face the music if I have to!"
"Ophelia!" Gideon wished he could just gag her right then and there.
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But Dorothy didn''t care about her rants; she just turned her cool gaze to Gideon and spoke calmly.
"Since you''re both here, I suggest youe with me and take a tour of the marketce. That way,
if there''s an inquiry from upstairs, you can say you discovered the problems during your visit.
Otherwise, if I report that I found the issues, it''ll look a lot worse for you."
"Got it! I understand!" Gideon nodded, nudging Ophelia covertly.
Dorothy was being as merciful as she could be.
It wasn''t that she was afraid of Ophelia; she just didn''t want to get entangled in a pointless dispute.
It was exhausting.
The three of them walked through the material market with their own agendas, after which Dorothy
hailed a cab and left.
Just as she settled back into her office topile her report, her vision suddenly went dark!
Thankfully, she was sitting down and didn''t fall over. After a moment, her vision cleared up.
Dorothy realized it was probably due to pulling an all-nighter and decided she needed to wrap up
her work quickly and catch up on sleep back at her apartment.
Turning on herputer and starting to import data, she watched the progress bar inch forward
when her phone rang.
Looking down, she saw it was Ephraim from West Legal Services.
"Ms. Sanchez, we''ve got a court date set! Early next month! Just got the word from the court."
"That''s great news. Are the suspects... in custody?"
"Yeah, the suspect''s family is being cooperative. Her son agreed to extradition, just asking for a
medical escort."
Dorothy remained silent.
"Ms. Sanchez?" Ephraim called softly.
Dorothy snapped back, forcing a dryugh. "That''s good, very good..."
"We just wait for the trial now. I''ll keep you updated on any developments."
"Thanks, Ephraim. I appreciate it."
"It''s no trouble at all. Just doing my job."
After hanging up, Dorothy covered her heart with her hand, feeling a dull ache starting to set in.
Everett, always making her feel indebted.
She had told him not to get involved under all this stress!
Suddenly, that thread that had been fraying for so long finally snapped.
Dorothy, as if possessed, desperately wanted to hear Everett''s voice, even if it was just a word.
Reaching for her phone in a daze, she opened Everett''s WhatsApp.
Before sending a voice message, Dorothy had her story straight. She''d just say she was missing
the kids and wanted to check in on Abigail and Langston.
That way, Everett wouldn''t suspect a thing.
But after steeling herself with countless justifications, when she finally pressed the call button, the
screen shed.
[You are not his/her friend.]
Chapter 866
Chapter 866
Everett had deleted her, and somehow, Dorothy felt a wave of relief wash over her.
Thank goodness... thank goodness the call didn''t go through.
Dorothy was convinced she had lost her mind; the more she thought about it, the more certain she
became.
From the moment she wanted to hear his voice, she knew she wasn''t herself; she was bewitched!
If the call had connected, the fallout would have been unimaginable. All the harsh words she''d
previously hurled at Everett would have been overturned, and even worse... he might have caught
on to her scheme.
She quickly set her phone aside as if it were a hot potato.
...
Liberty City.
Everett was driving back to his residence after wrapping up a meeting. He was no longer shacking
up with Abigail and Langston at a hotel but had instead purchased a property in the area.
As he was about to reach home, his phone rang with a call from Jeffrey.
"What is it?"
Everett answered through his hands-free headset.
"Man, why do you always greet me with that line?" Jeffrey sounded a bit miffed, "As if I can''t call you
unless there''s something pressing!"
"Because you rarely call about something serious, and I rarely have time to chat about trivia."
Jeffrey couldn''t help butugh at his friend''s blunt manner.
"Alright, alright. But I do have something this time."
"Spill it."
"You asked me to help you sell Bay Residence, right? I got contacted by a couple who had just
returned to Eldorria City from abroad. They really like the tranquil vibe of Bay Residence."
Everett''s grip on the steering wheel tightened ever so slightly before he replied, "Handle it as you
see fit."
"I hope you''re serious about selling it, man. Don''t make me take a deposit and then you get cold
feet. You know what Bay Residence means to you."
"I won''t change my mind." Everett''s voice was firm, "I won''t be returning to Eldorria City for the next
few years so that property is of no use to me now."
"Whoa, you''re nning to stay in Liberty City for years?!"
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"If all goes as nned."
His work was more essible here, and many high-end tech conferences chose this city as their
venue. Staying in Liberty City saved Everett the trouble of constant travel.
"Dude, you''re not seriously moving halfway across the world just to avoid her, are you?"
Jeffrey was taken aback by his friend''s decisiveness.
"I''m not avoiding anyone." Everett''s response was calm.
But Jeffrey wasn''t buying it, not a single word.
"Okay, okay, Mr. Lopez has spoken! I''ll go and sign the contract with the buyers of Bay Residence
tomorrow. You''re leaving behind the furniture and appliances as well, correct?"
"Yeah, anything I wanted has already been taken care of."
"Alright then! So, it looks like you won''t being back even when Karen has our baby?"
After all, if Karen was giving birth, Dorothy would surely be there! It was obvious Everett didn''t want
to see Dorothy again.
"I''lle back for that. Just inform Karen about my return; she''ll take care of the rest."
Karen would definitely tell Dorothy, which meant she wouldn''t visit the newborn on the same day
Everett was there, avoiding any awkward encounters.
It took Jeffrey a moment to catch on to his friend''s n.
"OK, that''s settled then!"
After ending the call, Everett noticed a missed call from the person keeping an eye on Heather.
He dialed back.
"Mr. Lopez, we have a date for the suspect''s extradition. As for the child she''s carrying..."
Everett''s voice was ice-cold. "Deal with it before she''s extradited. Make sure it''s done cleanly."
"Understood! You can trust us; it won''t dy the sentencing."
Chapter 867
Chapter 867
Everett ended the call with the same detachment one might show when instructing an underling to
take out the trash.
In his eyes, Heather was probably less than that. She was the instigator of all this mess.
Had it not been for Dorothy''s insistence on a verdict demanding the death penalty, Everett would
never have let Heather live this long with all her limbs intact.
...
In the dimly lit basement, a musty, moldy stench hung heavy in the air.
Heather had be a shadow of her former self, all skin and bones, save for the slight bulge of
her pregnant belly. It was clear she was with child.
Her seduction of a guard and the subsequent pregnancy had been reported to Everett promptly.
After all, such matters were serious business, and no one wanted to be held ountable should
things go south.
But Everett showed no interest, saying only to let her be as long as she didn''t die.
This led the guards to specte that he intended for the child to be born. But it turned out it was just
another means to torment her...
"Heather, take this pill," a guard ordered, part of the new rotation put in ce to ensure no further...
indiscretions. They feared being responsible for her death on their watch.
Heather looked up, her eyes dull, her face etched with defeat. "What''s that? I won''t take it..."
"You''re in no position to bargain," the guard said with an exasperated eye roll. "Your choice is
simple: take it willingly, or we''ll make sure you swallow it."
"You want to harm my baby!" Heather clutched her belly and shook her head vehemently. "Please,
no! I''m begging you!"
"We''re just following orders. If we don''t do it, we can''t do our jobs," the guard confessed, revealing
the pill''s purpose. "And don''t kid yourself into thinking that kid will save you."
Shock flooded Heather''s features.
She had thought her pregnancy would be her salvation since Everett had known about it for so long
and yet had done nothing. But was it all just a cruel game?
"I want to see Everett. I need to speak with him personally! Tell him I have information about
Dorothy!"
"Nobody cares about what you have to say," the guard dismissed her plea and signaled for two
other men.
"Hold her down. I''m going to administer the medication."
"Understood."
As the two burly men approached, Heather''s desperate struggles and pleas were in vain. Her hands
were restrained, rendering her helpless.
"You should''ve listened and not resisted," the guard scolded. "You crossed the Lopez family, and
you think you''re gonna get off easy? That''s just wishful thinking."
"I never wronged the Lopez family!"
"Save your breath; if you were innocent, you wouldn''t be here." The guard grasped her jaw and
forced the pill down her throat.
Heather choked, coughing violently.
"My child... you''remitting murder!" Her cries were heart-wrenching.
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She sounded truly like a mother in agony over the loss of her child, but her anguish swayed no one.
"Cut the act! We all know how that child came to be. Did you actually fall for that guard? You''re just
trying to save your own skin!"
Chapter 868
Chapter 868
Heather was shoved back into the corner after they force-fed her the pills.
Soon, the drugs took effect, and the pain came crashing down upon her...
She clutched her stomach, her face a mask of agony.
"Please," she begged, "call a doctor, I''m dying. It hurts so much!"
"Of course, the miscarriage hurts. Just bear with it, you won''t die."
Heather''s face was ghostly pale, like someone just dragged out of ake, her clothes drenched with
sweat.
"It hurts... it hurts so bad... I don''t wanna die, please, I don''t wanna die..."
Her continuous wails finally got to the guard, who stood watch for over an hour before he felt she
was too weak to scream and went to fetch a doctor.
They had their orders, after all¡ªshe wasn''t supposed to die.
...
Dorothy didn''t expect the new director to arrive so quickly.
Just three days after she handed over the files, the new director had already made his way to the
fourth project team.
When Austin saw Dorothying to work, he enthusiastically pulled her over to introduce her, "Ms.
Sanchez, meet Stephen, your recement as project director."
Dorothy paused, then saw Stephen extending his hand, "Pleased to meet you, Ms. Sanchez."
"Hello," she smiled faintly, only lightly touching his hand. "I assume Austin has transferred all the
project details to you? If you have any questions, feel free to ask."
Stephen nodded, his voice deep and resonant, like the sound of a cello.
"Thanks, Ms. Sanchez! How about we add friends on WhatsApp? It''ll makemunication easier."
WhatsApp...
Dorothy was reluctant. But rejecting him now would make the situation awkward.
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After a moment''s hesitation, she agreed, "Sure, I''ll scan your code."
She reassured herself internally, just be sociable for now, and once he fully took over the project,
she could delete him.
Once they were friends on WhatsApp, she pocketed her phone and said, "Well, I should get back to
work! And Mr. Stephen, if you want to take over sooner, you can tell me directly."
"I need some time to familiarize myself, to get a better grip on the project before taking over!"
Stephen''s gaze lingered on Dorothy, his admiration clear.
Austin, noticing his intent, coughed lightly. "Um... Ms. Sanchez, you should get going. I have a few
things to discuss with Mr. Stephen."
"Alright." Dorothy nodded, gave Stephen a polite smile, and then turned to leave.
After she left, Stephen couldn''t help but ask Austin about her. "Is Ms. Sanchez single?"
"She seems to be, but I''d advise against getting your hopes up," Austin knew about the fate that
befell Lane; he wouldn''t dare entertain thoughts about Dorothy.
Stephen''s interest was piqued, his eyebrows lifting. "Why? Is there someone she likes?"
"I can''t really say more. Just don''t set your sights on her; it won''t end well."
"Can''t say?"
The more Austin held back, the more intrigued Stephen became.
Men! Always the same.
"Ahem, let me put it this way," Austin began, "ever heard of Lane from East Star Enterprises?"
"Sure, the one acquired by the Lopez Corporation?"
Austin nodded. "He pursued Ms. Sanchez."
"Oh?"
"And you see where he ended up? His massivepany gone, just like that. Pretty tragic, right?"
Chapter 869
Chapter 869
Stephen''s eyes bulged in shock! "East Star Enterprises got bought out because of Ms. Sanchez?"
How ludicrous!
"Yep, all because of her," said Austin.
Stephen blinked and thenughed, waving his hand dismissively. "Come on, Austin, you''reying it
on thick! Even if you don''t want me to go after Ms. Sanchez, there''s no need to scare me off!"
"Hey, you think I''m trying to scare you?" Austin smacked his lips. "Then go ahead, give it a shot. I
wish you luck, man."
As long as it doesn''t affect the fourth project team, that''s cool.
"Pfft, challenge epted!"
...
Dorothy returned to her office and finished all her work for the morning. When lunch break rolled
around, she started packing up her personal belongings, making it easier to leave when her
resignation came through.
Truth be told, she didn''t have much to pack. After all, she knew when she joined the fourth project
team that she''d be leaving in six months.
Once everything was packed, Dorothy wasn''t in the mood to eat. She decided to just sit in her chair
and check her phone.
Before she could even open her news app, Karen''s call came through.
"Dorothy!"
If it were anyone else on the receiving end of Karen''s booming voice, they might think some
catastrophe had struck. But Dorothy was used to it.
"What''s up?"
"How can you be so calm? Brace yourself because what I''m about to tell you is big news!"
Dorothy''s brow furrowed slightly. What was with the mystery?
"Go ahead, I''m ready."
"Everett! He actually sold Bay Residence! The buyer finalized the payment today, and I saw the
transaction on Jeffrey''s ount with my own eyes!"
"Oh, didn''t you already tell me about that?"
Bay Residence was a peaceful and spacious ce, a real gem, so it was no surprise it sold easily.
"You''re this calm?" In contrast, Karen sounded more like she was the one involved. "Dorothy, this
means Everett''s truly let go of what you two had. After all, wasn''t Bay Residence practically your
love nest?"
Dorothy thought for a moment.
That seemed about right. Bay Residence held too many memories of her and Everett.
Each and every one now felt like they were fresh in her mind, though things had changed.
"Karen, I told him to move on and stop wasting his energy on me."
"But just because you told him doesn''t mean he should actually give up!" Karen had always thought
the two of them were just going through a rough patch. She figured, sure, the grudges between the
older generations weren''t easy to settle, but since they both held a ce in each other''s hearts,
there woulde a day when all would be resolved, and they would inevitably reunite.
But now... Everett''s actions made it clear he had truly let go.
What''s more, it had been months since he had returned to Eldorria City, and he hadn''t asked Jeffrey
for any information about Dorothy!
All the signs were hard to ignore.
"Why can''t he let go for real? He''s Everett."
The value of his time was beyond words! He shouldn''t have been waiting for her all this time.
"Dorothy, didn''t you say before that if thewsuit went well, you''d go after him?"
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"I did say that, but not to make him be with me. It''s to repay the effort and time he invested in me, to
experience the bitterness of longing for someone," Dorothy pressed her lips together, "I can''t just
chase him and expect him to agree."
Besides, the closer the court date got, the more she felt the chances of pursuing him postwsuit
were slim.
As the trial approached, she had nightmares repeatedly, dreaming of losing the case, of seeing
Amanda''s face twisted in a smug, taunting smile.
Chapter 870
Chapter 870
Dorothy dreamed Amanda taunted her with that typical snooty tone of hers, "See, even if I killed
your mom, you couldn''t do a thing about it!"
Every time, that nightmare jolted her awake, leaving her staring at the ceiling until dawn''s early light.
"I really thought you two were inseparable," Karen confessed after seeing the Bay Residence listing
marked as ''sold''. That was when she began to believe their story wasing to an end.
Dorothy pondered for a moment, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Truth be told, right from the start,
I felt we were never meant to be."
Such a vast chasm between them, so many hurdles; how could itst with only Everett hacking
through the brambles alone?
"Let''s drop the gloom and doom! From now on, I won''t even mention that name around you. Besties
forever, right? So, let''s put this behind us. Are you dropping by after work?"
"Not today, got ns."
Thest thing Dorothy wanted was another ufortable run-in with Jeffrey after theirst bitter
encounter.
"Alright then, you''re busy; I won''t keep you."
"Alright."
After hanging up, Dorothy noticed several WhatsApp messages from Stephen.
Stephen: [Ms. Sanchez, I came across a few points in the due diligence files that I''m unclear about.
Would you be able to rify?]
Dorothy frowned slightly but replied: [Send them over.]
Stephen: [It''s a bitplicated. I think it might be easier to discuss in person. Can I swing by your
office?]
Her office? Dorothy definitely wouldn''t agree to that.
[Wait for me at Austin''s office, I''lle to you.]
She wasn''t keen on being alone with a man, especially since she''d be more aware of the
undercurrents in the workce over the years.
After all, a new acquaintance asking to meet privately in her office? Anyone could guess what
Stephen was insinuating.
A whileter, Stephen replied: [No need to trouble yourself then; I''ll ask Austin for help. You carry on
with your work, Ms. Sanchez. Sorry to bother you.]
Dorothy snorted softly and put down her phone. Leaning back in her chair, her thoughts were a
jumbled mess, feeling empty, unable to grasp onto anything solid. Her gaze caught the calendar on
her desk.
Seven days left at Lopez Corporation, seventeen until the court date.
...
At the vi, Karen lounged on the couch, sighing deeply. Her belly was growingrger by the day,
and she found the bedroom lessfortable, preferring the softness and back support of the
couch.
"What''s wrong? Feeling ufortable?" Jeffrey approached with freshly cut fruit, "Need help sitting
up?"
"No need," Karen waved him off, not even in the mood for fruit. "I saw your phone."
Jeffrey froze, then quickly responded, "What on my phone upset you? Or did someone say
something out of line?"
Since the Paige incident, his fair-weather friends had mostly kept their distance.
"Look at you, all guilty. Got something to hide?" Karen eyed him skeptically, arching an eyebrow.
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"Absolutely not! My phone''s pass code is even your birthday! I''m just worried you''re upset about
something and not telling me. Just say the word, and I''ll make it right."
Karen settled back down. "You can''t fix this."
"I can! Just tell me!"
"I don''t want Everett to give up on Dorothy."
Chapter 871
Chapter 871
"Well... You''re right. I can''t fix that." Jeffrey sprawled on the couch, his lips curling into a wry smile.
"Seriously, the way Dorothy speaks and acts, it''s downright hurtful. If I were Everett, I''d have thrown
in the towel ages ago¡ªwouldn''t have waited until now!"
Karen''s eyes turned into slits of disapproval upon hearing him criticize her best friend. "What did
you just say?"
"Truth hurts, doesn''t it?" Jeffrey feltpelled to speak up for his buddy. "Come on, tell me where
Everett has ever done Dorothy wrong? Sure, he was sneaky, not exactly upfront about marrying
Dorothy, and yes, he used the fact that Dorothy''s mom needed money for medical bills. But once he
won her over, he treated her like a freaking treasure! Have you ever seen someone as rich as him
grovel for a woman''s affection like that?"
Jeffrey was bbergasted, to say the least. He''d watched Everett morph from a cold and aloof blue-
blooded gentleman into Dorothy''s devoted littlepdog!
"I¡ªuh," Karen started but couldn''t quite pin down any faults in Everett.
Jeffrey crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow at her. "Go on, I''m all ears."
"He wants to marry Dorothy but can''t handle his own parents. Isn''t that on him?"
"That doesn''t mean he''s mistreated her, does it? His parents aren''t him. Who can control others?
Can you dictate your own parents'' actions? Besides, Dorothy''s been safe all these years. Who do
you think the Lopez elders are wary of? Dorothy? They''re scared of Everett turning his back on
them!"
Jeffrey spread his hands in exasperation. "Anything else?"
"She shouldn''t have been dragged into this in the first ce," said Karen.
"Now you''re just being unreasonable," he countered.
Fuming, Karen grabbed a throw pillow and chucked it at him. "Look at you, Jeffrey! Arguing back at
me now, huh? For every word I say, you''ve got ten ready!"
Jeffrey caught the pillow smoothly, letting out a sigh. "I can give in on other things, but when it
comes to Everett, I won''t let the me fall solely on him. He''s not just a friend to me; he''s a brother,
and he saved my life!"
Without Everett pulling him back from the brink time and again, having his back, and solving his
problems, Jeffrey had no clue where he''d be today!
Back in the day, Jeffrey''s reckless lifestyle had made him no shortage of enemies. With his parents
overseas, only scolding and preaching, he never listened! Then, that one time, his loose lips got him
tied up and taken to the shore, nearly tossed into the sea. It was Everett who came personally to
the rescue, taking him back and smoothing everything over. From then on, Jeffrey knew Everett was
the brother he''d choose for life.
Karen cocked her foot. "So tell me, who''s more important to you, me or Everett?"
That was a no-win question!
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"You''re hesitating?" Karen pressed.
Jeffrey raked his hand through his hair, visibly distressed. "Karen, you''re not gonna like the answer
to that question."
"Everett is more important, right?" Karen sat up straight. "Fine, then you go live with Everett! Let him
have your babies!"
As she moved to leave, Jeffrey hurried over, apologizing profusely. "I''m sorry, all right? It''s just that
Everett... he''s like family, even more than my own parents. But I swear you''re definitely my number
two!"
"Get lost, don''t talk to me."
Chapter 872
Chapter 872
Dorothy thought that after turning Stephen down, he would take the hint and back off. But the very
next day, he didn''t even bother to text her on WhatsApp before showing up unannounced at her
office door.
¡°Ms. Sanchez, do you have a moment?¡± His voice preceded his presence.
Looking up from the price list she was scrutinizing, Dorothy caught sight of him standing just outside
her door.
Stephen had clearly made an effort today, dressed to the nines in a sharp suit, and it seemed he''d
even spritzed on some cologne¡ªa scent that wafted her way as she approached.
But no matter how dapper he appeared, Everett firmly held the title of ''best-dressed''. At least in
Dorothy''s heart, that was an unshakeable truth.
"What?" Dorothy asked, clearly not intending to invite him in, opting to converse right at the
doorway.
Clutching a few sheets of paper in his hand, Stephen revealed his concerns about the project, all
neatly written out.
"Yeah, could you take a look at this and maybe clear up some things for me? Austin''s tied up today
and isn''t in the office, so I had no choice but toe to you," Stephen said, shing what he
believed to be his most charming smile.
Any other woman might have swooned by now; after all, his looks were above average.
But Dorothy? She barely nced at him, her focus fixed on the content of the papers.
Truth be told, Stephen was nitpicking. A little thought and he would have grasped the issues at
hand, especially since Dorothy had already annotated the documents thoroughly to ease the
transition for the new director.
"Mr. Stephen, haven''t you managed a project before?" she asked, looking up at him.
Stephen mistook her inquiry as a sign of interest and promptly responded, ¡°I''ve led a few projects at
the Lopez Corporation. In fact, I was the one who steered my previous team to sess."
¡°Mr. Stephen, I really shouldn''t be questioning your capabilities. After all, if the higher-ups at the
Lopez Corporation entrusted you with this project, you must have some exceptional qualities. But...
seeing the questions you''ve brought to me, I can''t help but wonder if you''re eithercking in
professional knowledge or if this is some kind of ploy?¡±
¡°I¡ªI''m just getting to grips with the project; that¡¯s why I''m a bit unfamiliar.¡±
¡°Too unfamiliar to understand a product pricing sheet?¡± Dorothy pointed at a line on the document.
¡°That shouldn''t be the case, Mr. Stephen.¡±
Stephen hadn''t expected her to be so forthright and felt a twinge of embarrassment. He knew his
question was a stretch, but wasn''t it all just an attempt to get closer to her?
¡°Maybe I was careless, didn¡¯t look closely enough. I¡¯ll go over it again,¡± he conceded.
¡°I''ve annotated everything that could be annotated. If you still don''t understand, Mr. Stephen, I
suggest you ask Austin. If he can''t exin it, tell him toe to me.¡±
Dorothy didn''t have time for Stephen''s subtle advances. Her rejection was clear as day.
Stephen was starting to see why Austin had warned him that she was a tough nut to crack...
The icy beauty was utterly unapproachable!
¡°Ms. Sanchez, our conversations seem a bit off. Is there a misunderstanding between us?¡±
¡°Whether there is a misunderstanding or not is irrelevant,¡± Dorothy said. After all, she was on her
way out.
¡°I think it''s quite important,¡± Stephen said, deciding toy his cards on the table. ¡°From the first time
I saw you, my heart raced. So... I wanted to pursue you. That¡¯s why I made up those questions¡ªto
have a chance to talk to you alone.¡±
Dorothy nced at him and smirked. ¡°Didn¡¯t Austin tell you?¡±
¡°Tell me what?¡±
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¡°I¡¯m married.¡±
Chapter 873
Chapter 873
Dorothy thought Everett''s way of turning down women was pure gold, and she filed it away for
future use.
"What?" Stephen was taken aback. "But Austin said you¡"
"Mr. Stephen, are you under the impression that I might be single?"
Stephen was speechless.
Without wasting another breath on him, Dorothy spun on her heel and returned to her desk,
dismissing him entirely.
A few secondster, Stephen sulkily walked away.
She wrapped up her workload, and it was nearly time to clock out. Just as she was about to leave,
her phone buzzed with a call from Keh.
"Dorothy, you off work yet?"
"Almost! What''s up?"
"My girlfriend wants to meet you and Karen. And with Karen being heavily pregnant, it''s not easy for
her, so I was thinking¡ How about you join us for dinner?"
Keh''s tone was casual, as ifpletely wrapped up in the throes of love.
"Another time, perhaps. I''ve got to swing by West Legal Services."
"Oh, is it about thewsuit?"
"Kind of."
There was a pause on the line. "Alright then! If you need anything, just give me a ring."
"Sure will."
Hanging up, Dorothy grabbed her purse and left the Lopez Building, hailing a cab straight to West
Legal Services.
Upon entering, she spotted Ephraim chatting with some clients.
Seeing Dorothy, he quickly wrapped up the conversation and headed her way.
"Ms. Sanchez, were you looking for me?"
"Yes," Dorothy nodded. "I was wondering¡ who will be attending the trial on the other side? Will
Everett be there?"
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Could she actually see him? After all, this might be herst chance.
"I''m not sure yet. If you want, I can find out who has requested to attend from their side."
"If you inquire, wouldn''t the defendant get wind of it?"
She didn''t want Everett to know she was keeping tabs on him, but she couldn''t just exin that to
Ephraim! She wasn''t sure if Ephraim was in Everett''s pocket; after all, he was thewyer Everett
had found for her.
"Ms. Sanchez, if you tell me why you''re asking, I might be able to figure out a better way to handle
it."
Dorothy remained silent.
"Like¡ is there someone you don''t want to see in court?"
Dorothy hesitated, then chuckled. "Just curious, that''s all."
"Then there''s no need to ask. I can''t guarantee that the other party won''t find out."
"Okay, then don''t bother. Thanks anyway, Ephraim! I''m heading out."
After a slight bow to Ephraim, Dorothy left thew firm.
Ephraim watched her sudden arrival and swift departure, baffled.
After a moment''s hesitation, he picked up his phone, scrolled through his contacts, and dialed a
number.
"Hello? Mr. Lopez!"
"Yeah." The voice on the other end was cool. "What is it?"
"Well, Ms. Sanchez just stopped by! She seemed to want to know who will be attending the
hearing."
Ephraim waited a few seconds for a response, then continued, "I asked her if there was someone
she didn''t want to meet in court."
"And what did she say?"
"Ms. Sanchez hesitated."
After a long pause, Everett finally spoke in a low voice, "The next time she asks, tell her I won''t be
attending. She doesn''t need to worry about seeing me in court."
"Understood, Mr. Lopez."
Chapter 874
Chapter 874
The day Dorothy left the Lopez Corporation, she rose with the sun. She wanted no fuss, no fanfare.
Catching a cab, she headed straight to the office. Bypassing her usual workspace, she made a
beeline for the HR department to formalize her departure.
"Ms. Sanchez, just fill out this form, and you''ll be all set," said the HR assistant, sliding a piece of
paper across the desk.
Dorothy nced at it - a standard exit survey for employees choosing to leave thepany.
"Alright," she said, taking the pen and methodically filling in each section.
The assistant watched her curiously. "If you don''t mind me asking, Ms. Sanchez, why are you
leaving the Lopez Corporation?"
Dorothy hesitated, searching for a diplomatic answer. "It just doesn''t feel like the right fit for me."
She couldn''t very well say that she was about to sue thepany¡¯s CEO¡¯s family and it was no
longer appropriate to stay.
"You know, in all my time here, you''re one of the few who''ve chosen to leave voluntarily."
Dorothy''s pen paused as she offered an awkward smile. "Yes, it''s quite rare to leave the Lopez
Corporation."
The perks here were second to none - great benefits, a dynamic work environment, and plenty of
opportunities for advancement.
Landing a job here was no small feat. Who would willingly walk away?
If it weren''t for her connections with Everett, Dorothy might have needed years, maybe even a
decade, to gain enough experience to be considered for a position here.
She finished the survey and reached the final section: suggestions for thepany.
Dorothy pondered for a moment, then wrote slowly: [May Everett always find peace and joy.]
...
Leaving the building, Dorothy''s heart was a mix of heavy and light.
Her phone rang; it was Karen.
"Dorothy, I have a prenatal appointment today. Will youe with me?"
"Me? What about Jeffrey?"
"I don''t want him toe. We''re not on the best terms right now!" Karen didn''t mention to Dorothy
that their argument was mainly about Everett. She reminded herself never to bring up anything
about Everett around Dorothy again.
Dorothy paused, not pressing for details. "Okay, I''lle and get you."
"Now? Aren''t you working today?"
Dorothy sighed. "As of today, I''m officially no longer with the Lopez Corporation."
Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
Karen was taken aback. "So, yourwsuit is going to court soon?"
"Yeah."
"That''s great, you''ve finally reached this day."
Dorothy''s smile was forced, and she quickly changed the subject. After hanging up, she hailed a
cab to Jeffrey''s ce.
Expecting to find Karen and Jeffrey in the midst of a cold war, Dorothy was surprised to find Jeffrey
at home, trying to make amends.
"Please, let mee with you! I want to hear our baby''s heartbeat!"
"No need, Dorothy''sing with me!"
"It''s not like one more person will hurt! I''ll just stand there and be quiet, okay?" Jeffrey pleaded, his
pride scattered like dust at their feet.
As soon as Karen saw Dorothy, she rushed over. "Dorothy, let''s just go."
Dorothy felt awkward. "Um... maybe Jeffrey should go with you? I just remembered I have
something else to do."
"Exactly, I''ll go with you! Don''t bother her, Karen. I''m sorry, okay? From now on, you''re my number
one, Evere..."
Jeffrey''s words were cut off as Karen mped a hand over his mouth.
"Don''t you dare mention that name in front of Dorothy!"
Chapter 875
Chapter 875
If Karen hadn''t thrown such a curveball, Dorothy might have been none the wiser. She dashed over
and mped a hand over Jeffrey''s mouth, which only ended up making Dorothy feel awkward. As if
she had been gossiping about Everett behind Karen''s back...
"Today, it''s just going to be a girls'' day out for Dorothy and me. You can stay home!" Karen said as
she looped her arm through Dorothy''s.
Jeffrey''s handsome face turned into a picture of sorrow, "Honey... Karen..."
"Get lost!" Karen snapped, grabbing the car keys from the hall table and handing them to Dorothy.
"You drive, Dorothy!"
"Are you sure we shouldn''t bring him along? What if we need some muscle for something, like
climbing up and down the hospital stairs."
Dorothy, who had been through childbirth, knew all too well what a prenatal checkup entailed.
"No need! Jeffrey arranged for VIP service. We won''t need your help; yourpany is all I need."
Dorothy shot Jeffrey a sympathetic look.
She cautiously ventured only after they got in the car, "Did you guys have a fight over something?"
"Nah, it''s trivial!"
"Is it... about me?"
"No way! It has nothing to do with you!" Karen was resolute, refusing to bring up Everett''s name and
add to Dorothy''s concerns.
Seeing Karen''s certainty, Dorothy felt a bit relieved.
Approaching the hospital, Dorothy could see Jeffrey''s car stealthily trailing them in the rear-view
mirror.
Karen didn''t need to guess; she knew that man would follow.
"Jeez, Jeffrey''s like bubblegum stuck to our shoe¡ªimpossible to shake off."
Dorothy sighed resignedly, "He''s worried about you! How about I head off and you let him keep you
company?"
"No way, I want my best gal by my side!" Karen chuckled. "Hey, when your court datees up,
can Ie with you? I want to be there in the gallery!"
"You''re pregnant, honey. That''s no ce for you."
Courtrooms weren''t exactly cheerful ces, and going through a security scan would bring
radiation, which wasn''t ideal for someone expecting.
"But I want to be there for you! I''ve watched you pour your heart and soul into this case. Now that
it''s crunch time, I want to stand by you."
"Karen, just bringing that baby into the world safe and sound is my biggest wish. Forget the rest,"
Dorothy said, gripping the steering wheel and forcing a smile. "As for the trial, I''m ready for
whateveres. Don''t worry about me." She imed.
On hearing this, Karen frowned slightly. "If... I mean if it doesn''t go our way, would you give up, or
would you appeal again?"
"I''ve thought it through. Whatever the verdict of the first trial, I won''t appeal. Karen, I''m out of
steam."
If the verdict went against them, she''d enact her n. Should Everett''s mother be acquitted or
sentenced to a mere p on the wrist, the Lopez family surely wouldn''t appeal, as that would be the
oue they desired.
For Dorothy, if she still lost despite the overwhelming evidence, any appeal would only prolong the
agony. She didn''t want to suffer any longer.
It was all too exhausting. She yearned to wrap it all up.
"So you''d just ept it?" Karen was taken aback. "You used to say..."
"Karen, I want this trial over so I can finally rest."
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And rest forever.
Karen didn''t catch the gravity in her words and nodded earnestly, "You''re right, after all these years
of battling, you deserve a break! As long as you''re at peace with it, I''ll support whatever you
decide!"
Chapter 876
Chapter 876
Karen''s words usually made Dorothy chuckle in response. But this time, she looked at Karen with
earnest eyes.
"You''ll support me no matter what I do?" she asked.
"Absolutely!"
"Good." Dorothy shed a smile. Having someone in her corner was all she needed.
In the end, Dorothy still had Jeffrey apany Karen for the check-up.
The two bickered yfully as they went, but as a father, Jeffrey didn''t want to miss a single moment
of his little one''s growth. That was a feeling Dorothy understood all too well.
After all, if you let such a regret fester, it couldst a lifetime.
Dorothy stepped out of the hospital alone and looked up at the sky instinctively.
The weather was splendid today with an endless expanse of azure, dotted leisurely with a few
carefree clouds.
A sudden impulse struck her.
She wanted to escape the muddle of life, to forget who she was, and before the final verdict was in,
to gallop across the prairies, to race freely in vast open spaces.
Her phone was already in hand, the ticketing app open, and yet Dorothy ultimately backed out.
True freedom wasn''t something she could im in this lifetime. She couldn''t really forget who she
was as well as the responsibilities weighing on her shoulders.
...
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Before she knew it, only three days remained until the court hearing.
Dorothy could scarcely sleep more than three hours straight, exhaustion be damned. When she did
manage to close her eyes, a mere two hours passed before nightmares jolted her awake.
The more restless her nights, the more drained she felt by day, her weight plummeting nearly ten
pounds.
Thank goodness for Karen. Noticing her best friend out of sorts, she insisted on a pretext of meeting
Keh''s girlfriend to coax Dorothy out of her apartment.
Karen chided Dorothy for neglecting her meals all the way there.
"Are you trying to starve yourself to death? Lose any more weight and you''ll be a walking
skeleton!"
"It''s not that dramatic." Dorothy chuckled, having donned a swipe of lipstick for Keh''s girlfriend''s
sake, adding a touch of color to her otherwise pallidplexion, "I''ve been eating, just not much
appetite."
"Why don''t you move in with me?" Karen asked.
Dorothy shook her head quickly, "I don''t want to intrude on your love nest."
Karen pouted, "You mean more to me than Jeffrey!"
Jeffrey, who was driving, instantly nced at her through the rear-view mirror.
"Hey. Why you must be my top priority and I¡¯m not yours?" He had, after all, reluctantly demoted his
best bud to second ce.
"No reason. You should be grateful I haven''tpletely written you off!"
Jeffrey quickly shrank back and fell silent.
As they approached the agreed-upon diner, Dorothy spotted Keh''s car parked on the curb. He
seemed to arrive early
"I still can''t believe Keh has moved on!" Karen whispered to Dorothy.
"Be nice," Dorothy urged.
"Of course!"
The trio entered the diner to find Keh waiting by the door with a gentle-looking girl at his side.
She had a clean look and there was a warm aura about her.
Karen was about to wave when she saw Keh leaving his girlfriend''s side and striding towards
them, his gaze fixed on Dorothy, his brow furrowed slightly.
"Dorothy, what happened? You''ve gotten so thin."
Chapter 877
Chapter 877
He blurted it out without thinking, his concern as instinctive as breathing. It was as though it was
etched deep in his bones, he waspletely oblivious to how his eagerness might be putting his
girlfriend next to him in an awkward spot.
Dorothy was the first to recover, clearing her throat with a subtle cough and offering a light chuckle,
"Been caught up in a bit of a whirlwindtely. Thanks for your and your girlfriend¡¯s concern."
It was only then that Keh remembered he had brought his girlfriend along. An awkward grin
tugged at his lips as he took a step back and pulled his girlfriend into the introduction, "This is
Eleanor, my girlfriend. This is my cousin Karen, and that''s her husband, Jeffrey. And this is..."
He paused for a moment before finding the right words, "Karen''s bestie, Dorothy."
"Nice to meet you all!" Eleanor seemed unfazed by the earlier awkwardness, her greeting warm and
friendly, "Karen, Keh always talks about those childhood capers of yours."
Karen squinted her eyes in a yful smile, "Well, you might want to take his stories with a grain of
salt. Keh surely hasn''t painted a verydylike picture of me."
Keh rolled his eyes in resignation, "Mainly because you''re rarely everdylike."
"Hmph!"
The group moved into the private room,ughter and banter flowing easily. The table was already
set with a feast of pre-ordered dishes.
Dorothy chose a seat near the door, nning her exit strategy for when the conversation lulled¡ª
she felt out of ce and was so exhausted that she wanted to go home and rest. After a restless
night filled with intermittent awakenings and vivid dreams that still clung to her memory, she
slumped into her chair, her mind drifting in and out of the ongoing chatter.
"Dorothy?"
Keh''s voice snapped her back to the present.
"Oh, what''s up?"
"Dig in, will ya? All your favorites are here. You should eat more and stop wasting away." His words
wereden with genuine concern.
She felt like a deer in headlights, "Yeah, sure! I''m just gonna hit the restroom real quick. You guys
carry on."
With that, she bolted from the room¡ªnot so much fleeing as needing a moment to breathe, ssh
some water on her face to elevate her spirit¡ªor she¡¯d just sit there and fall into sleep.
After getting directions from a server, Dorothy found the restroom was a bit of a walk away, which
suited her just fine¡ªit meant she could dy her return.
She sshed cold water on her face and rummaged through her purse for a disposable towel to dry
off. Before she could find it, a towel was handed to her.
"Here, use mine."
"Thanks!" She mumbled, not quite making out the face without her sses. She patted her face dry,
then put her sses back on to see Eleanor, Keh''s girlfriend, holding out the towel.
"You look a bit off-color. Are you feeling alright?" Eleanor''s voice wasced with concern.
"Just a rough night''s sleep, that''s all."
Eleanor nodded with a smile, "I was worried you were avoiding me."
"Why would I?" Dorothy couldn''t be happier to see Keh with someone else.
Eleanor didn''t linger by the sink. After washing her hands, she turned to face Dorothy, "I know about
you and Keh and the fact that he''s waited for you for years."
Dorothy didn¡¯t reply.
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"I don''t mind." Eleanor said.
Dorothy''s expression was the very picture of embarrassment.
"I don''t even mind that in bed, he insists on calling me Dorothy. I know he''s not calling out for me."
Dorothy was at a loss for words.
"He doesn''t really like me, but that''s okay. I don''t really like him either."
Chapter 878
Chapter 878
Eleanor''s smile was incongruous with her otherwise demure appearance. It held an air of
nonchnce that seemed out of ce on her gentle features.
"I mean, the guy I had a thing for got hitched years ago. So, I totally understand his feeling. I see
you''re flying solo too, Dorothy. Ever thought about¡?"
Dorothy cut in swiftly, eager to set the record straight, "Keh is just a friend to me, nothing more.
I''m already into someone else and that''s not going to change."
Eleanor arched an eyebrow, "Must be quite the catch to snag your attention."
"He is exceptional."
Exceptional to the point where she felt unworthy.
"Well, here''s to hoping things work out with your Mr. Right!"
"Thanks," Dorothy said with a small smile. "And you and Keh¡ªare wedding bells in your
future?"
Eleanor paused, mulling it over seriously. "I guess so. I mean, I''m not about to be the other woman
and steal someone else''s man. If Keh pops the question, I''d say yes." She said.
Dorothy wanted to warn her that marriages of convenience might notst, that she might regret it,
but she held back. After all, marriage itself was a kind of fate, wasn''t it? She had been in love with
Everett, and yet, they were divorced. Who could predict the future?
For adults, all that mattered was to take responsibility for their own choices.
"I just hope I''ll get an invite to your wedding." Dorothy concluded.
Eleanor missed the deeper meaning behind Dorothy''s words, assuming she was just offering
reassurance.
"No need to be so cautious with your words. Like I said, it''s all good."
Dorothy just smiled, offering no exnation.
The two women returned to the private dining room, where the tension was palpable. Their friends
seemed on edge, as if bracing for a confrontation between them that never came. But there was
harmony between Dorothy and Eleanor, and after their chat, Dorothy even no longer felt like she
was on pins and needles.
...
After dinner, Karen and Jeffrey dropped Dorothy back at her apartment before heading to their own
ce. On the way, Jeffrey received a call from Everett.
"The spring tech conference ising up. Can you make it? You''d have to be out of Eldorria City
for three days." Everett was aware of Karen''s situation and wanted to give Jeffrey the choice.
Jeffrey nced at Karen and, sensing her approval, agreed, "Yeah, I can make it."
"Good, I''ll have Kevin sort out your flight," Everett said, ready to hang up, but Jeffrey interrupted.
"Everett, do you know what we just did?"
"No clue," his reply was always extremely simple.
Jeffrey sighed dramatically, "Karen''s cousin Keh has got himself a girlfriend! We just had dinner
with them. She''s a looker, and they seem well-matched."
Everett on the other end clearly wasn''t interested in the gossip, "And your point?"
"Dorothy''s the one I feel sorry for. She used to have you and Keh, both treating her like she
was the center of the universe. Now you two have split, and Keh''s taken. Poor Dorothy''s left on
her own."
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Karen, sitting in the passenger seat, bristled at thement, "Hold on there. Dorothy would have
Keh back in a heartbeat if she just gave the word. He''d drop that new girl like a hot potato."
Jeffrey quickly signaled her to y along. He was trying to get a rise out of Everett, to see if there
was a chance for reconciliation, but Karen wasn''t catching on.
Before Jeffrey could say another word, Everett''s deep voice cut through the conversation.
"I don''t need updates on her life."
Chapter 879
Chapter 879
The line went dead before Jeffrey could get another word out.
Karen rolled her eyes, "Stop mentioning Dorothy to Everett, will you? The way you talk is like she''s
some damsel in distress without a suitor in sight. There''s a whole line of guys just waiting for a
chance with her!"
Men would be practically queuing up at her door with her face.
"I''m just thinking of giving Everett a nudge to reconsider, that''s all. Don''t you want Abigail and
Langston to grow up in a home with both parents around?"
"Of course, I do! But not by making Dorothy look pitiful! Besides, Everett''s sold the Bay Residence;
his intentions are clear as day. Give it a rest. Considering all the drama between those two, I reckon
they''re better off apart. They''ll hurt for a while, sure, but they''ll get over it."
Jeffrey bit his lips.
"And didn''t you use to disapprove of Dorothy? What''s with the matchmaking all of a sudden?" Karen
pressed.
Jeffrey looked as if he was about to cry, "I just said she could be a bit harsh on Everett! It¡¯s always
been Dorothy dumping him during these years. That''s true, isn''t it?"
"Well, yes, but if you find it cruel, then don''t meddle! Have you ever thought that maybe Everett''s
willing to put up with it? It''s not your ce to feel sorry for him!" Karen bit back.
"You have a point."
"As for Dorothy and Everett''s situation, I''ve already spoken to Dorothy. She seems to have her own
n, so let''s just stay out of it."
At that, Jeffrey raised an eyebrow, "What sort of n? I''m really curious."
"Like I''d tell you. If you know, it means Everett knows!" Karen shrugged. "Besides, I don''t know the
details. I didn''t pry."
She felt Dorothy had enough on her te without her digging for more.
...
Dorothy visited the cemetery the day before the court session.
This time she didn''t speak a word, just stood silently and gazed at the photo of Be on the
tombstone from dawn until thete afternoon. It wasn''t until the sun was about to set that Dorothy
finally moved her numb legs.
"Dorothy? I knew I''d find you here!"
Hearing the voice, Dorothy slowly lifted her head to meet Keh''s worried gaze. "Karen called and
said she couldn''t find you anywhere. I guessed you''d be here." He exined.
Her voice was hoarse as she spoke, "I put my phone on silent."
She felt the ringtone would disturb the sleeping souls in the cemetery.
"How long have you been standing here? Come on, let''s get you home," Keh made sure that
she must have arrived early from her look.
"Keh, don''t worry about me. Just go on home." Keh had a girlfriend now, and whether she
minded or not, Dorothy knew it was best to keep her distance.
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"How can I leave you like this?" he replied, then hesitated before adding, "Eleanor doesn''t know I''m
here. She''s working overtime today."
Dorothy gave a weak smile, looking up at him, "If she doesn''t know, that''s all the more reason I
shouldn''t be alone with you."
"I''ve always seen you as a sister!"
"That''s easy for you to say, but it''s everyone else who has to believe it," Dorothy said with a sigh,
her voice gravelly. "Keh, if you''ve found someone right for you, hold on to her and don''t live with
regrets. I''m an adult; I know what I''m saying, what I''m doing, where I''m going. Even without you, I
won''t get lost, and I certainly won''t die."
Chapter 880
Chapter 880
Everyone knew those truths.
But Keh couldn''t bear the thought that he might fade from her world.
After a prolonged silence, his voice was tender, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Dorothy. I¡¯ve been a burden for too long,
right.¡±
¡°You don¡¯t have to put yourself down like that,¡± she replied. ¡°I just hope that someone as good-
hearted as you will get the happy ending you deserve.¡±
¡°Yeah, I will. I¡¯m going to spend some more time with Eleanor and then I¡¯m going to propose,¡±
Keh said, his gaze fixed on her, never allowing his tumult of emotions to spill into harsh words.
He always honored all her wishes. ¡°Would youe to the wedding?¡± he asked.
¡°I might. If I''m around, I''ll be there.¡±
He nodded, ¡°Okay.¡±
After he left the cemetery, Dorothy lingered a while longer, speaking softly to her mother¡¯s
gravestone, ¡°I¡¯lle back on the day of the verdict.¡±
Descending the hill, Dorothy didn''t hail a taxi back to her apartment. Instead, she headed straight to
the supermarket. She needed a drink.
The court session wasn''t until the next afternoon, so even if she got wasted tonight, it wouldn''t mess
with anything.
Without a drink, she¡¯d face another sleepless night. It would be unbearable watching the clock tick
towards dawn.
But after aimlessly wandering the supermarket aisles, Dorothy left empty-handed. She then
grabbed a cab and made a beeline for the local bar.
If she was going to drown her sorrows, she might as well do it surrounded by others looking to do
the same. It made her feel less conspicuous.
As soon as she walked in, Dorothy caught the eye of a lot of men. She didn''t look like your typical
club-goer, but that didn¡¯t matter. Her innocent yet alluring face and slender figure exuded a
challenging aura.
Men are drawn to challenges, after all.
¡°Miss, may I have the pleasure of buying you a drink?¡±
The first suitor approached swiftly, not-so-subtly shing his exclusive credit card.
Dorothy merely nced at it, not chasing him away but not engaging either. She just downed her
drink and took out her phone, dialing a number.
¡°The number you have dialed is not in service¡¡±
As the man realized she wasn''t interested, he left with his ego slightly bruised.
The second and third attempts by other men yielded the same results.
Dorothy kept her head down, stubbornly dialing the same number over and over. If it didn''t go
through, she''d take another drink and try again.
Finally, when she didn''t know which attempt it was, a young man, probably a college student,
approached, ¡°Flying solo tonight, miss?¡±
It was then she finally looked up, her voice tinged with inebriation, ¡°Got a cell phone?¡±
¡°Of course!¡±
¡°Lend it to me.¡± She said, pushing a hundred-dor bill towards him. ¡°For the call. It¡¯s yours.¡±
The young man had never encountered such a situation before. He smiled and found it amusing.
¡°I wouldn''t dream of taking your money just for lending out my phone. But... after I lend you my
phone, could you give me your number?¡±
¡°No.¡± Her reply was blunt.
Surprisingly, he grinned at her candor, ¡°I like your straightforward rejection. Here, use my phone all
you want.¡±
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Dorothy took it, dialing the familiar sequence of numbers.
This time, the call connected immediately ¨C that confirmed her number had been blocked.
A deep male voice answered promptly, ¡°Hello, who is this?¡±
¡°Everett... I''m drunk again. Why haven¡¯t you shown up yet¡¡±
Chapter 881
Chapter 881
The silence on the other end of the phone hung heavy in the air for what felt like an eternity.
Dorothy was tipsy, her vision blurring as she peered at the screen, half-convinced the call had
disconnected.
¡°Right¡ we broke up ages ago; he¡¯s noting.¡± she slurred to herself.
¡°Miss, are you drunk-dialing your ex?¡± The guy noticed her staggering attempt to stand and reached
out to steady her.
She shook her head, instinctively recoiling from his touch, ¡°Here, take your phone back! The money
is yours.¡±
¡°Whoa, you¡¯re giving me all this? I¡¯d feel like a real jerk taking your cash without making sure you
get home safe,¡± he said, his voice dropping yfully as he chuckled, ¡°This bar¡¯s full of guys eyeing
you like a b of prime rib. So, you gonna stroll out with me or take your chances with them?¡±
The alcohol clouded her mind, and Dorothy struggled to keep up with his banter.
But a sliver of sobriety clung on, reminding her that after the drinks, home was the destination.
Even with her tongue tied in knots, she managed to furrow her brow and say with deliberate rity,
¡°To my ce.¡±
¡°Alright! Off to your ce we go.¡±
The rest of the night was a blur to Dorothy. She vaguely remembered stumbling out of the bar,
dodging his attempts to guide her more than once, and then hearing him mutter behind her, ¡°Jeez,
the call¡¯s still going!¡±
When consciousness returned, she found herself on her apartment¡¯s couch! Relieved to see her
clothes and bag in their proper ces, she breathed easier. It seemed she had managed to get
herself home, albeit not without some drama.
...
The next day.
Dorothy turned over, only to roll off the couch and onto the floor with a hiss.
¡°Ouch¡¡± Her elbow had collided with the coffee table, and the pain creased her face.
Inspecting the injury revealed a red mark, but nothing serious.
Pushing herself up, the hangover was kicking in with a vengeance, so she rifled through her bag for
some ibuprofen. Not caring if it was a good mix with the residual alcohol, she swallowed a pill with
water.
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She grabbed her phone and saw missed calls fromwyer Ephraim and Karen, and not much else.
She returned Ephraim''s call first. It was nothing serious, just a reminder about a court date to note
that she shouldn¡¯t bete.
She was washing up in the bathroom when she dialed Karen. While brushing her teeth, she was
also listening to her friend''s pep talk, ¡°You¡¯re gonna nail this, Dorothy! Keep your chin up!¡±
¡°Mhm.¡±
Because she was drunkst night, Dorothy slept for a long time. Although she had a headache
today, she was still in good spirits.
Karen rambled on until Dorothy was all set, then she finally said, ¡°I won''t hold you up. Grab some
breakfast, and I''m waiting for good news!¡±
Dorothy was a bit helpless, ¡°It''s not like they¡¯re handing down a verdict today.¡±
¡°But today you finally get to drag those creeps to court! Isn''t that what you''ve been after all these
years?¡±
¡°That''s true,¡± Dorothy conceded, her mood dipping as a hazy memory flickered briefly, ¡°Karen¡
how¡¯s Jeffrey?¡±
¡°Huh?¡± It was rare for Dorothy to bring up Jeffrey, and it threw Karen off, ¡°He¡¯s packing for a
business trip. Hispany needs him out of town.¡±
¡°Oh.¡±
¡°Is something wrong?¡±
Quickly, Dorothy forced augh, ¡°Nothing, just asking! I gotta go.¡±
As she hung up, her hand lingered over her chest. It seemed the memory was just a figment of her
imagination; she hadn''t called Everett after all.
Chapter 882
Chapter 882
However, the very next second, she unlocked her phone and pulled up the call history, nearly
choking on her own spit.
There were many calls made to Everett''s number.
"I really can''t handle my liquor." She coughed as she mused.
Thankfully, Dorothy remembered thatst night, it seemed like Everett had cklisted her number.
Just to be sure, she shakily dialed once more.
"Hello, the number you have dialed has¡ª"
Dorothy didn''t even wait to hear the rest from the robotic voice of the customer service before she
hung up in a hurry.
Yeah, that''s right, cklisted. Her memory was still on point. That was a close call!
...
Inside the ck Maybach.
Kevin sneaked a cautious nce at his boss through the rear-view mirror and spoke up, "Mr. Lopez,
Mr. Turner has taken your ce at the conference."
"Mhm."Everett''s gaze lingered on hisptop screen, his thick eyebrows slightly furrowed, paying no
mind to Kevin''s words. He dared not say anything further and drove straight to the office.
The Lopez Corporation''s recent projects had beenrgely focused on high-tech electronic products,
which meant Everett''s attention was mostly there, resulting in a myriad of scattered tasks.
"If TSP Corp. can develop a newer driving energy source, then I''m definitely in, but right now
everyone is working on electric energy, and that has already hit the market. In that case, I''m sitting
this one out."
Everett stepped out of the car, striding into the building and heading straight for the CEO''s private
elevator, all the while on the phone with a partner.
The person on the other end sounded desperate to convince him to invest, "Although our TSP is
working on electric energy, our cars have many advantages and patented projects! Shall I have my
secretary send you the details for review?"
"No need for that, just give me the gist of it now."
"Many customers hesitate to buy electric cars mainly because of the battery issues! We at TSP
have conquered this challenge. We guarantee our batteries for over five years, and any problems
within this period, ourpany will recall the vehicles!"
It was indeed a catchy selling point.
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But...
Everett smirked faintly, "Kevin, the points you just mentioned would attract people to buy TSP''s
cars, not investors."
If they were to recall vehicles unconditionally at the sign of trouble as he mentioned, it would be
great for customers, but the investment costs and profit margins would certainly take a hit.
The Lopez Corporation was in the business of investing, not charity; profits were still the priority.
"But more people will trust TSP, and that''s an advantage in itself!"
"I''ll consider it," Everett replied, which was nearly synonymous with a polite refusal.
After hanging up, the elevator reached the executive office floor.
He pushed the door open and entered, finding the ce as immacte as it was when he left
Eldorria City months ago.
"Mr. Lopez, the reason for your sudden return to the country is..." Kevin couldn''t contain his curiosity
any longer.
After all, Jeffrey had been sent to attend the conference, which ordinarily meant Mr. Lopez wouldn''t
be back so soon. He was utterly baffled when he received Mr. Lopez''s call early in the morning
asking him to pick him up at the airport!
"It''s because today is my mother''s court hearing."
"Oh!" So that was it. "Do you need me to arrange a ride to the courthouse for you?"
"No need." Everett raised his hand to massage his temples. "Don''t tell anyone about my return,
including Jeffrey."
"Understood."
Just as Kevin was about to leave, Everett suddenly spoke up again. "Go buy a second-hand Passat
and park it in my garageter."
Chapter 883
Chapter 883
It¡¯s a quirk of Mr. Lopez that Kevin couldn''t quite fathom, yet he knew better than to question it.
"Sure thing, Mr. Lopez."
Leaving the office, Kevin hopped into his car and headed straight for the used car lot.
As a seasoned executive assistant, he had a knack for picking up on Mr. Lopez¡¯s subtleties¡ªthe
emphasis was on "second-hand." The car couldn¡¯t be too new, otherwise, Mr. Lopez would''ve just
asked for a brand-spanking-new one. But it couldn''t be a clunker either; Mr. Lopez was used to
cruising in luxury and wouldn''t settle for less.
"Hey there, can this baby be customized?" Kevin asked the used car dealer.
"Absolutely! What''s your vision?" The dealer was literallyughing to his ears as he heard that. "As
long as the price is right, we can make it happen!"
Kevin nodded, considering, "Fit it out like a Maybach on the inside, would you? And make it snappy.
Money''s no object."
The dealer was speechless,
If Kevin hadn''t pped down a 20-grand deposit on the spot, the dealer might have punched his
face.
...
Dorothy arrived at the Eldorria City Courthouse precisely on time that afternoon. Stepping out of the
cab, she spotted Ephraim and his legal team approaching.
"Ms. Sanchez, the day has finallye! Rest assured, we''re pulling out all the stops."
She gave a small smile, "I trust you guys."
"We''ve gone over this case with a fine-toothb, and we''ve got a decent shot at a full victory. At
the very least, Heather won''t escape the harshest sentence. As the victim, you''ll make a powerful
statement in court, and we''ve also filed for civil damages¡ªwhatever happens, we''re winning
something."
Dorothy just nodded along, oddly detached as if she weren''t personally involved.
Ephraim, with years under his belt, had seen all sorts of clients and wasn''t fazed by Dorothy''s
demeanor.
"And if we''re not satisfied with the verdict, we can always appeal to the State Court. The appeal is
where it''s really at."
"Ephraim, I don''t n on appealing," Dorothy interjected, pausing, "Whatever the oue, I won''t
appeal."
Ephraim was taken aback. "Why not? Don''t be scared, if we appeal, our West Legal Services will
handle everything. It won''t be any trouble for you¡ª"
"I''ve made up my mind, let''s see how the trial goes."
...
Ephraim initially thought Dorothy was a gentle soul, but working with her proved she was stubborn
and resolute. She trusted West Legal Servicespletely in professional matters but was
immovable on decisions she could make herself. She never sought counsel for personal decisions,
like whether to appeal after the first trial. She simply made her mind up and dismissed any advice
offered.
After passing through security, they entered the courtroom together.
As Dorothy settled in, her gaze fixed on the "Defendant" card across the room.
Mom, can you see this? I''ve finally made it here and brought them all to justice. She said to herself.
For a moment, herposure began to crumble, and a sourness pricked at her eyes.
But Dorothy didn''t cry. She felt she should be happy!
Soon, the judge entered the courtroom with a solemn and dignified air.
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Clearing his throat, he sat down and announced, "Bring in the defendant."
Chapter 884
Chapter 884
When Dorothy caught sight of Heather, she couldn''t help but do a double-take.
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The once poised and professional chief attorney of the Lopez Corporation now looked like a
shadow of her former self, her figure gaunt and haggard. Had Heather not been seated at the
defendant¡¯s bench, Dorothy might have struggled to recognize that face... a face that bore some
resemnce to her own.
Compared to Heather, Amanda appeared much more dignified, yet she too had noticeably lost
weight, perhaps due to the stress of thewsuit. But her pride was intact. She wouldn''t spare
Dorothy the slightest nce, as if she were beneath her notice.
Not that Dorothy cared.
The trial dragged on since it was crammed with evidence. And some evidence needed to be verified
on the spot, making cross-examination particrly challenging.
The Lopez family, eager to win and disassociate themselves from the scandal, had even summoned
the doctors from the hospital to testify.
Throughout, Dorothy remained detached, her attention flitting between Ephraim and the parade of
prosecutors and defense attorneys jostling with objections and usations. Her gaze drifted to the
gallery for the umpteenth time.
Everett wasn''t there.
That was probably for the best. His presence would have only added to the awkwardness. But a
part of her wished he''de, just so she could catch a glimpse of him. Suddenly, the
embarrassment didn''t seem all that important.
"Now, the defendant will make a final statement," the judge announced.
This was it¡ªthest part of the hearing.
Dorothy nced at Ephraim, who nodded reassuringly at her to show that everything went fine. She
offered a small, grateful smile in return.
Heather''s final statement was tearful and full of remorse. As awyer, she knew the power of this
moment. The juries held the keys to her freedom, and a moving speech could influence the
sentencing.
Amanda''s statement, on the other hand, was read verbatim from what herwyer had prepared. It
lacked emotion,cked expression, as if she had never feared the oue of this so-called trial.
She seemed convinced of her imminent exoneration.
"Court is now adjourned. All rise."
Hearing these words, Dorothy stiffly rose from her chair and offered a formal gesture of thanks.
As they stepped out of the courtroom, Ephraim bombarded her with advice that were mainly
regarding the consideration of an appeal. Though it seemed premature, given that the verdict was
still pending, Ephraim wanted her to think it over carefully.
"No need to bother yourself any further, Ephraim." Dorothy said.
"It''s no trouble! Most criminal cases go to appeal; it''s standard practice."
"Not this one." Dorothy smiled and walked out of the courthouse. Descending the grand steps, she
looked up at the sky one more time.
It was as blue and boundless as ever. So vast, it seemed to swallow all the inequity and filth of the
world, and it made her feel inconsequential in its expanse.
"Dorothy!"
A voice pulled her back to reality.
She turned and saw Karen standing a short distance away, waving at her.
"What are you doing here?"
"How could I miss out on such an important day?" Karen approached and embraced her, handing
over a bouquet of flowers. "Dorothy, when I said I''d always be there for you, I wasn''t joking."
Atst, the tears Dorothy had held back in the courtroom began to fall.
"Thank you, Karen."
"Enough of that! Shall we head to my ce for a little celebration?"
Dorothy wiped her tears with the back of her hand and nodded, "Sounds good to me."
Chapter 885
Chapter 885
Watching Karen about to slide behind the wheel, Dorothy quickly tugged her away from the driver''s
side.
"Let me drive. You shouldn''t be driving in your condition." She said.
"When you were pregnant with the twins, you still went to meetings and worked with your big belly.
And I''m not that delicate as well!"
"It''s different. You''ve got someone to love you."
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Karen pouted, "You had someone too. It¡¯s just that you didn''t want him."
Back then, all it would have taken was a singlemand and Keh would have spoiled her like
a real princess, not caring one bit that the baby in her belly belonged to Everett.
"Let''s not dredge up the past. Get in the car."
"Okay." Karen settled into the passenger seat, shaking her head wistfully, "If only I wasn''t pregnant.
We could hit the bar for a nightcap and get blissfully wasted¡ªthat''d be the life!"
Dorothy cast a sidelong nce at her but didn''t mention her own bar escapade the previous night.
"Jeffrey wouldn''t let you near a bar as well if you weren¡¯t pregnant."
That ce, with men prowling around like hawks, eyeing every woman who walked in as prey¡ªif
Karen stepped foot in there, Jeffrey would probably have the bar shut down on the spot.
"I just wouldn''t tell him. He''s bound to go on business trips now and then, like now." Karen stuck out
her tongue. "Honestly, I used to think Jeffrey was so handsome, the perfect catch. But now that I''ve
seen him day in and day out, he just seems... ordinary. Guess that''s what they call getting used to
someone."
Dorothy smiled resignedly, her thoughts involuntarily drifting to Everett. She... didn''t seem to tire of
his image. Everett remained as striking and noble as ever.
"Ah... I could really use a drink! How about we grab one, Dorothy?" Karen quipped.
"No way." If Dorothy agreed to that, she''d be the crazy one.
But inside, she was contemting whether to hit the bar herself again that night.
After all, she no longer feared making a drunken call to Everett¡ªnot since she''d confirmed that he''d
blocked her number.
The main thing was getting drunk meant she could sleep soundly. She desperately needed that rest,
the kind where you didn¡¯t think about anything and where your mind was blissfully empty.
"Hey? Dorothy, it looks like there''s a car following us," Karen suddenly said as she pointed to the
rear-view mirror.
Dorothy nced back.
It was a nondescript ck car with an obscured license te, definitely not a luxury model.
"You''re probably overthinking it. Why would someone be following us?"
"Maybe it''s Jeffrey''s goons tracking me! I''m going to call and grill him." Karen whipped out her
phone and fiercely interrogated Jeffrey.
Only after she was convinced that he wasn''t behind it did she hang up.
"Could be just a coincidence." Dorothy said.
Karen nodded, "Yeah, I just found it suspicious. We were driving so slow and I saw that car didn''t
overtake us like it was dead set on tailing us."
Dorothy chuckled, "Karen, I remember you used to say you liked clingy, handsome guys. You said
they''re a rare breed with their love-struck brains, hard toe by. But now it seems like you can''t
stand Jeffrey''s clinginess."
"Him? He''s over the top! And I think he''s nuts; he''s a lunatic."
Jeffrey was a walking contradiction. With Karen, he was the epitome of obedience, like a well-
trained Labrador with the asional temper tantrum that he''d quickly self-soothe.
But with others, he was nothing short of a brute. Getting into fights was like a daily routine for him,
as if even the most basic sense of morality had no hold on him.
Chapter 886
Chapter 886
"Girl, you''re a piece of work, you know that?" Dorothy poked fun at her friend with a sly grin, her
eyes narrowing in mock usation. "Back when you were single, you were all about how great
possessive guys are. Now you''ve snagged one, and you''re nitpicking left and right! Karen, you''re
totally showing off your love life."
Karen chuckled mischievously, "That''s not it, I swear! Why would I unt my rtionship in front of
you? If I''m going to show off, it''ll be after you''ve found your Mr. Right. Consider it a preview for you
and your future beau."
Dorothy fell silent.
Mr. Right.
Dorothy wasn''t even sure what this word meant anymore. Maybe there just wasn''t anyone in the
world who was right for her.
...
Drinking with Karen was definitely out of the question. But they did have a fabulous time at Jeffrey''s
vi, where Dorothy threw on an apron and whipped up a hearty meal.
The two friends reminisced about the good old days, about the tough times at the Prosperity
Consortium, Mr. Percy''s challenges, the office politics, and the subtle jockeying with colleagues.
Karen deliberately steered clear of any talk about romance, changing the subject anytime it veered
too close. She had said she wouldn''t mention Everett in front of Dorothy, and she kept her word.
It was evening by the time Karen, who was visibly worn out, needed to rest, and Dorothy finally left.
Instead of heading back to her apartment, she hailed a cab to the bar they had visited the night
before.
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Oddly enough, the bar, which had been bustling yesterday, had a notice pped on the door
announcing it was selling out!
Dorothy had actually enjoyed the bartender''s concoctions there ¨C tangy and sweet, not the slightest
bit harsh on the throat.
Already out of the taxi, she leaned against the wall outside the bar, pulling out her phone to search
for another nearby watering hole.
Going back to her apartment alone was thest thing Dorothy wanted. But she wasn''t keen on
taking another cab ride, so she looked for a bar within walking distance.
"Miss?"
Dorothy heard the voice but didn''t react. After all, she wasn''t expecting anyone to call her here and
now until the man approached and tapped her on the shoulder, "I thought it was you from a
distance, and now that I''m close, I see I was right!" The man squinted his eyes with a youthful grin,
"Your face is too beautiful to forget, and not many can be mistaken for you."
"Ugh¡" Dorothy looked at him rambling in front of her, utterly bewildered, "Who are you?"
She was certain she didn''t know him.
"Forgotten me? That hurts!" The manughed helplessly, "It was justst night at this bar where we
met! I''m the one who walked you out."
Dorothy was a tad embarrassed, her memories post-drinks were fuzzy at best, with only snippets
coming back to her. She vaguely remembered someone leaving the bar with her and also tried to
help her, but she had avoided that.
"Then, thanks for that."
"Do you really not remember anything? Were you that ckout drunk?"
Dorothy nodded, "Yeah."
The man wasn''t upset at all; in fact, he found her amnesia rather endearing, ¡°So, then you don''t
remember borrowing my phone to call your ex?"
Her ex?
Borrowing his phone?
Dorothy was taken aback, her brows furrowed in confusion, "I borrowed your phone?"
"Yeah! You even gave me money for the call," the man said, pulling out his phone to show her the
dialed number fromst night, "Here, this one. Your ex''s number."
Dorothy blinked.
Chapter 887
Chapter 887
Dorothy grabbed the phone with a sense of dread. Her mind seemed to freeze over. The number on
the screen belonged to no one but Everett.
"What... what did I say?" she stammered.
"You kinda slurred that you''d had one too many, and asked him to pick you up!" the young man
reminded her.
Dorothy''s fingertips twitched, "And then?"
"And then?" he paused, looking puzzled. "That''s it. He didn''t say anything else, and you just handed
the phone back to me."
"He... didn''t try to contact you again?"
He shook his head, "Nope."
"Okay."
So, he really didn''t want anything to do with her anymore.
But that wasn''t surprising.
Everett was also a man with pride.
But suddenly, Dorothy found the whole drunken episode ratherical, yet utterly pathetic. She
had insisted on reaching out to Everett; she had to use someone else''s phone even when her
number was blocked! Nevertheless, he had clearly shown enough signs of wanting to keep his
distance!
What if Everett had already moved on and found someone new? Was she unintentionally messing
up his love life?
"You still hung up on your ex-boyfriend?" the young man inquired, observing the myriad of
expressions crossing Dorothy''s face and also finding himself somewhat intrigued by this man who
had won her heart.
"He''s not my ex-boyfriend."
As soon as Dorothy spoke, the young man looked taken aback.
"So you two are..."
"He''s my ex-husband," she said with a forced smile. "So, little boy, don''t waste your time on me. Go
find someone your own age to hang out with!"
The man was left speechless.
Dorothy deleted Everett''s number from the phone and handed it back, "Thanks for letting me borrow
your phonest night. Goodbye."
With those final words, she turned and walked away without the slightest hesitation.
The man wasn''t ready to give up so easily. He felt that bumping into her again today had to mean
something. The least he could do was ask for her WhatsApp.
"Hey! Miss¡ª" He started to follow her, but suddenly a sleek ck car pulled up, cutting him off and
widening the gap between him and Dorothy.
By the time the light turned green, Dorothy had already vanished from sight.
"Hey! Do you even know how to drive?" he snapped, frustrated. "The light was green, and you just
sat there?"
His annoyance froze on his face as the window of the ck car rolled down, revealing the driver.
"You, you''re Ever¡ª"
The man in the car gave him a cold nce, his thin lips barely moving as he said, "She''s out of your
league."
...
Dorothy decided she wouldn''t be going back to that bar again to avoid the temptation of borrowing
phones. Harassing people wasn''t her style.
But that didn''t mean she couldn''t pick up some booze to enjoy back at her apartment!
Once she locked the door and turned off her phone¡ªno, actually, even if she left it on, it wouldn''t
matter since she was already blocked¡ªshe wouldn''t be able to disturb Everett again.
She was just pushing a shopping cart into the grocery store when her friend Karen called.
"Dorothy, you home yet?"
"Not yet, I''m at the store picking up a few things before I head back."
"Oh! I was wondering why you hadn''t checked in."
Dorothyughed helplessly, "You should be sleeping! You were yawning up a storm when I left.
Remember, you''re pregnant."
"Don''t worry, I''ll head to bed as soon as I know you''re safe in your apartment! Can''t help worrying
about you, you know. It''s not safe for a beauty like you to walk the streets alone."
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"Stop it!" As they bantered, Dorothy tossed a few bottles of beer into her cart.
After a moment''s thought, she also grabbed a bottle of vodka. Just in case the beer wasn''t enough
to drown her sorrows, the vodka would surely give her the extra kick she needed.
Chapter 888
Chapter 888
"Alright then, after you''re done with your grocery run, try to get some shut-eye early, will you? And if
anything''s up, give me a ring ¨C don''t worry about being a bother, got it?"
"Mmhmm."
"Good, I''m off to bed! Just so you know, I''ve got my ringer on for your calls only, so don''t hesitate to
reach out if you miss me!"
"Got it! Sleep tight, mama-to-be. You''re the one who really needs to take care."
Dorothy, despite her lecture, felt a warm glow in her heart.
To have someone like Karen in her life, a friend who was like a ray of sunshine, was a stroke of luck
amid life''s mishaps.
Karen and Everett were both beacons of light for her.
After hanging up the phone, Dorothy was almost done with her liquor shopping and making her way
to the checkout line to pay. But when it was her turn, the cashier suddenly said just as she started
cing bottles on the counter, "I''m sorry, miss, but we''ve got a limit on beer purchases now ¨C two
bottles per person."
"What?" Dorothy''s surprise was genuine; after all, there wasn''t any prohibition going on in her state.
Since when were there limits on beer?
"We just got the notice ourselves that you can only take two," the cashier said apologetically with a
smile, "So¡"
"Alright then, two it is." Dorothy was puzzled, but rules were rules, and there was no point in giving
the cashier a hard time.
Besides, there was still whiskey, which was as good as any. A bit harsher on the pte, sure, but
nothing a ssh of juice or soda couldn¡¯t smooth out.
"I''m sorry, miss, but we''re not selling any hard liquor today either!"
Dorothy frowned slightly, "Whiskey''s limited as well?"
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"Not limited ¨C we''re not selling it at all."
"What about wine?"
"Wine''s off the table today too! Maybe try again tomorrow?"
Dorothy felt like she couldn''t catch a break. Even grabbing a drink had turned into an ordeal!
"Just ring up the rest, thanks." Not one to waste words, she paid for her two bottles of beer and a
bunch of juice drinks and walked out of the supermarket.
Taking a deep breath, Dorothy scanned the area for any other convenience stores.
The main problem was, what good were two bottles of beer going to do? They certainly weren''t
going to knock her out!
She was desperately yearning for a long, deep sleep after getting drunk ¨C if she didn''t get it soon,
she might just drop dead before the verdict was in.
Spotting a tobo and spirits shop across the street, she hurried over. She hadn¡¯t even reached
the shop when her phone rang.
Expecting another nudge from Karen to head back to her apartment, she pulled it out to find it was
Kevin!
What could he want thiste at night?
A heavy feeling sank in Dorothy¡¯s chest.
Could it be something about Everett?
"Hey, Kevin!" she answered immediately.
"Ms. Sanchez, have you turned in for the night?" Kevin''s voice was steady and not the rush kind,
which eased some of Dorothy''s anxiety.
"Not yet. What''s up?"
"Umm... it''s like this. There''s an issue with a project you previously led in the fourth project team.
The current director can¡¯t sort it out, and I was hoping we could meet so you could rify a few
things for me?"
So it was work-rted.
"I can exin, but it''ste now. How about tomorrow? Or if it''s urgent, email me the details, and I''ll
sort it out when I get back to my apartment."
"It''s urgent! It won''t do unless we meet in person."
"Alright then,e pick me up."
Dorothy was skeptical that the handover could have been so problematic, but to avoid dying the
project, she agreed.
Chapter 889
Chapter 889
When Dorothy left her position at Lopez Corporation, she thought she''d never set foot in there
again.
Yet, things didn¡¯t over between her and this ce.
"Let''s chat in my office?"
Following Kevin into the elevator, Dorothy nodded, "Sure."
During her time as Kevin''s prot¨¦g¨¦, she was a frequent visitor to his office and so she found the
ce easily and felt much easier.
Upon entering, he poured her a ss of coffee and nced at the bag she was carrying.
"What''s in the bag? It looks heavy." He asked.
"Just some drinks from the grocery store."
"Really? What did you get? Is it any good? I''ve been meaning to pick up some beverages myself!"
Kevin seemed genuinely interested in the contents of her bag.
Embarrassed as though she was being cheap, Dorothy quickly offered him a look, "Take anything
you''d like."
She thought he wouldn''t be interested in the two bottles of beer amid the mostly fruit juices, seeing
as Kevin was usually all about his work.
However, he went straight for the canned beers, "These look tempting!"
"You''ve got work, Kevin. That''s beer."
"I wouldn''t have noticed if you didn¡¯t say that! Perfect timing. I fancied a small indulgence tonight.
Thanks, Ms. Sanchez," he said as he ced the beers on his desk.
The story had unfolded to a point where Dorothy wanted to feign ignorance, but Kevin¡¯s act was
less than convincing.
Thebel clearly read ''Wheat Brew,'' and he didn''t realize it was beer?
Maybe she should have seen iting. She should have known when the supermarket suddenly
put a limit on alcohol sales.
"Kevin, there''s no issue with the project, is there?" she asked.
"Of course there is!"
"Then why did you rush me here and only to fixate on those two cans of beer once we arrived?"
A guilty flicker crossed Kevin''s face as his mind raced, "Ms. Sanchez, surely you don''t think I
brought you all the way back to thepany just for two cans of beer, right? I definitely needed to
consult you on a project matter! Look, these are all questions¡ª"
With that, he picked up some papers from his desk and pointed at a line of text.
Dorothy forced a smile and stared intently at him without blinking, "I might be overthinking it, then. I
can answer any project-rted questions, but I''d like those beers back. I was looking forward to
them tonight, and those were the only ones I could find. If you want, I can pick up some more for
you tomorrow."
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"Well, that''s..."
"So, in the end, you were after the beer, right?" Dorothy''s tone became assertive, her voice lower,
"Or should I say, the person behind you wanted you to get those two cans from me."
"No, it''s really not like that..."
Dorothy''s brow furrowed as an indescribable bitterness welled within her.
A stifling pain slowly crept over her mind as she said, "Kevin, I know it''s tough being caught in the
middle. You have to do what you''re told, and it''s part of your job, not a reflection of who you are
personally. I''m not upset with you."
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her emotions, "Please send my message that I apologize for
drunk dialing him. It was my mistake, and I sincerely regret it. I promise it won''t happen again."
Chapter 890
Chapter 890
The unfolding of events had spiraled way beyond what Kevin had imagined. Even with his quick wit,
he found himself flustered in the face of the unexpected.
"Ms. Sanchez, what on earth are you talking about?" Kevin stammered.
"Just tell me, did Everett put you up to this?" she pressed.
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"I swear, that''s not¡ª"
"Then call him right now and put it on speaker," Dorothy cut him off.
Kevin gasped.
Dorothy¡¯s hands clenched into fists, and that was the only way to keep her surging emotions at bay.
Tears welled up before she could finish her sentence, threatening to roll down her cheeks.
Especially in front of Kevin, showing red, puffy eyes was just as humiliating as crying in front of
Everett himself!
"I admit, it was wrong of me to call him from someone else''s phone after a few drinks. I''m not trying
to justify it. If he feels harassed, that''s fair. I''ve got nothing to say. I''m truly sorry. But, for him to send
you to spy on me, to interfere with my right to buy a bottle of wine¡ªwell, that''s just overkill."
Kevin finally began to piece things together. He had been utterly baffled when the orders hade
down from above, which was why his act had been so unconvincingly overdone.
Licking his cracked lips and coughing a few times, Kevin said, "I''m not spying on you, and I don''t
think Mr. Lopez meant it that way..."
"Then what did he mean?"
"Uh..."
Before Kevin could respond, Dorothy waved her hand dismissively and made her way to his office
door, trying to maintain a calm tone, "Never mind. I don¡¯t care what he meant now! I was the one
who crossed the line first and disturbed him. It''s my fault, and I have no right to me anyone else.
If he feels offended and wants to stop me from drinking to avoid further harassment, that''s his
prerogative. Tell him not to worry, if I, Dorothy, ever call him again, I''ll¡ª"
"Dorothy!"
The office door suddenly burst open from the outside, banging against the wall with a loud ''bang!''
In the next second, a tall and imposing figure filled her entire field of vision.
His interruption was abrupt, the usual stoic and cool features now barely holding itself.
The one lost for words now shifted from Kevin to Dorothy.
He...
Wasn''t Everett supposed to be abroad?
"I set you free so you could focus on yourwsuit, on what you wanted to do, not so you could
spend your days bar-hopping and flirting! Knowing full well I couldn''t make it back from overseas,
you still call me drunk in the middle of the night, expecting me toe get you. And now you have
the audacity to turn it around on me?"
Dorothy blinked.
"If you want to drink at home, I''ve already tolerated the grocery store selling you those two cans, but
you still had to go elsewhere. Do you have any idea how severe your stomach issues are?! Dorothy,
you''re really something. Trying to drink yourself to death and make me regret it for the rest of my
life, huh?!"
"I didn''t mean to."
"I think you damn well did!" Even Everett, always the gentleman, was pushed to swear, "Speak up!
You were so eloquent just a moment ago?"
Frustrated, he yanked at his tie so fiercely that the top button of his shirt popped off.
Dorothy''s lips parted, but no words came out.
That was mainly because her mind was still in a state of shock.
If she wasn''t standing so upright without the need to lean against the wall, Dorothy would have
thought she was drunk and hallucinating.
"Dorothy, there''s the liquor. Go drink it then," he said.
Dorothy was taken aback.
"Touch it, and I''ll shut down that distillery. Try to buy alcohol anywhere, and I''ll have that ce
closed. Go ahead, try me."
For the first time, Dorothy heard the grinding of his teeth as he spoke.
Chapter 891
Chapter 891
Two people locked eyes, neither willing to break the silent standoff.
After a lengthy pause, Dorothy spoke first, "Did you rush back home because of that phone call I
made?"
"No." Everett replied sharply, looking down at her, "It was because of my mother''s trial."
The air between them tinged with a strange tension with that sentence.
"Oh." Dorothy muttered.
"I''m involved with you only because you''re the mother of Abigail and Langston. Don''t read too much
into it."
Dorothy nodded with a cool demeanor, "I wasn''t overthinking."
Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.
Everett didn¡¯t say anything in reply.
"Like I said before, it was wrong of me to disturb you after having a few too many. It won''t happen
again," Dorothy dered with a straightforward bow, devoid of any coyness or emotion, "I''m sorry."
Her bow seemed to suggest that Everett had gone to great lengths to bring her here just to see her
genuflect.
They hadn''t seen each other for months, and this was how they reunited.
Everett''s temper red even more because of that, "Dorothy, what''s the point of this performance?"
"No point," she replied, tugging at her lips slightly, "Though I promised it won''t happen again, if
you''re still worried, you could... change your number."
That would settle things once and for all. And she wouldn''t seek out his new number.
"Do you know how much of a hassle it is for me to change my number? This whole situation could
be avoided if you just stopped drinking."
"I want to drink." Dorothy craved a peaceful, deep sleep.
Showing a rare resolution, she met Everett''s gaze and said, "Everett, getting drunk is my right. I
hope you won''t arbitrarily take that away from me."
"Then give me one good reason you need to drink."
Everett remembered Dorothy rarely touched alcohol. Even at business functions where she couldn''t
avoid it, she''d dodge it if possible or drink as little as she could.
"Why do I need to give you a reason? I believe it''s sufficient that I ensure and deliver on not
bothering you anymore."
The rest was her freedom.
"Dorothy!"
"Everett, I''m trying to reason with you calmly," Dorothy inhaled deeply, her voice tinged with a hint of
frustration, "Whether I drink at my apartment or go to a bar, or even if I find some guy to drink with,
it''s none of your business. We''ve been divorced for years. It has nothing to do with you."
That stung ¨C ''nothing to do with you.''
Everett could never outdo her in harsh words. While he might sound angry and loud, Dorothy''s
cutting remarks were delivered expressionlessly, giving no face, quarter or emotional preparation.
Having said her piece, Dorothy turned to leave, not caring about Everett''s darkening expression.
Kevin, who had been watching the drama unfold, quickly intercepted her, "Ms. Sanchez, Mr. Lopez
is just concerned about your wellbeing..."
He couldn''t fathom why these two were at loggerheads.
Clearly, neither had moved on.
Dorothy remained silent, but Everett spoke up, "What does her health have to do with me? I''m only
worried about Abigail and Langston getting hurt!"
"Mr. Lopez! Oh,e on!" Kevin snapped.
"I won''t die before the verdict is in, so spare me the concern," she pressed her lips together. She
paused after stepping away, "And stop having people follow me. I''d appreciate it if you could be a
decent ex."
Everett said nothing.
"Hey? Ms. Sanchez!" Kevin started to follow her, but nced at Mr. Lopez for direction.
With a stern face and clenched teeth, Everett ordered, "It''s dark out. Make sure she gets home
safely."
Chapter 892
Chapter 892
Dorothy wasn''t sure if Everett had taken her words to heart, but he had indeed stopped showing up.
To confirm this, she even made a point of shopping for wine at a remote supermarket.
It took a few trips before she was convinced that Everett had stopped having her followed.
Good riddance.
She was finally free.
Holding a bottle of wine, Dorothy cracked a half-smile and filled the ss in front of her to the brim.
The verdict hade unexpectedly.
Dorothy had braced herself for at least a month¡¯s wait given the cases piling up on the judge¡¯s table.
But less than a month had passed when Ephraim''s call came through.
"Ms. Sanchez, it''s not over and we can appeal! The court of state is where the final decision is
made!"
From his opening words, Dorothy guessed the oue. She pulled out a bottle of chilled
Chardonnay she''d bought the day before, poured a ss, and settled onto the couch. "Heather got
the death sentence?" she asked.
"Yeah, she''s not getting out of it! It''s just..." Ephraim hesitated before continuing, "It''s just that I didn''t
expect Heather to suddenly change her statement, iming she coerced Mrs. Lopez with past
favors, and that she waspletely unaware of the whole affair, let alone the consequences of that
drug injection!"
"It was the Lopez family pulling strings to meet up with Heather, wasn''t it?"
"That''s what I think too." Ephraim sighed, "But don''t be discouraged. We still have a chance! I will
find the gaps in Heather''s testimony¡ª"
"No need."
Her interjection alerted Ephraim that something was off.
Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
Dorothy was eerily calm, her voice steady without a trace of fluctuation. It was as if she had
anticipated this result.
He had seen many clients, some emotionally charged, some who would faint and need an
ambnce.
But this was his first time encountering such indifference.
Even Ephraim himself had been furious for a few minutes when he received the verdict, and the
otherwyers at the firm were quite upset too. How could the client herself be so detached?
"Our evidence is solid! Honestly, this verdict caught me off guard! I won''t spell out the dirty tricks...
you know the score. But if we appeal, we''ll be going to the state court! It won''t be so easy for them
to tamper, and if I can break down Heather''s statement, we can overturn the initial judgment!"
Dorothy could see that Ephraim genuinely had her best interests at heart. He was a goodwyer.
"Thank you, Ephraim."
"So, you''lle to the office? I''m drafting the appeal right now. You just need to sign it."
"I won''t being." Dorothy downed her ss of wine, feeling the slight buzz. "I won''t appeal, I''ve
said as much."
"Ms. Sanchez¡ª"
"But let''s keep my decision not to appeal between us for now, okay? Pretend I''m still considering it."
Ephraim, sensing her tone, took it she really wanted to think it over, so he didn''t push further.
"Alright! Once you''ve made up your mind, let me know as soon as possible. Don''t miss the appeal
deadline."
"Sure."
After hanging up, Dorothy scrolled to the very bottom of her phone''s contacts, found a number, and
dialed¡ª
The call was answered quickly.
"Dorothy?"
"Yeah, it''s me." Her voice was indifferent, "You''ve been acquitted?"
Amanda scoffed, "Ha! You should have known that would happen."
"I want to meet you."
"What a joke! You think I''m someone you can just see whenever you want?!"
"Don''t forget, I can still appeal. If we meet ande to an agreement, I''ll drop the appeal."
Chapter 893
Chapter 893
Amanda was nobody''s fool. She eyed Dorothy''s sudden offer of reconciliation with suspicion,
"You''re actually willing to drop the appeal?"
Dorothy smiled, "Yeah! I was naive before and wanted to fight for justice. But now, I see the light.
You can''t fight a hopeless battle."
"You should''ve realized that sooner! Maybe I''ll consider your years of dedication to the Lopez kids
and throw a little extra cash your way," Amanda said, her tone always reeking of haughty
entitlement, as if speaking with her was a divine favor.
At this point, Dorothy couldn''t care less about Amanda''s tone.
"How about the day after tomorrow? I''ll send you the address. Come alone."
"Alone?" Amanda''s instincts kicked in. "What are you nning?"
"What can I do to you in broad daylight? If I harm you, I''m signing my own death warrant, especially
since I don''t have the mighty Lopez family''s power to hide behind."
Byying it out so bluntly, Dorothy aimed to quell Amanda''s doubts.
"Ha! As if you''d dare! But why insist on meing alone?"
"It¡¯s just given my history with Everett. You know how it is¡ªif he finds out, this won''t end quietly. I''m
tired, and I don''t want to deal with him. I just want to take the money and vanish."
Perhaps thinking of her son, Amanda weighed her options and agreed, "Fine, the day after
tomorrow it is! But don''t try anything funny. Eldorria City isn''t your yground."
"Rx, no ce is my yground. I''m well aware."
Otherwise, she wouldn''t have lost such a clear-cut case.
...
Dorothy had to down an entire bottle before she felt the buzz.
Over the past month, her tolerance had increased, and it was getting harder to get drunk.
Now, she was careful¡ªlocking the apartment door and stashing her phone to avoid drunken dialing.
Waking the next morning with a hangover, Dorothy stumbled out of the bedroom only to find two
unexpected guests on her couch¡ªKaren and Keh.
Seeing Dorothy, Keh bolted up, "You''re awake, Dorothy."
"Uh-huh." She nodded and was a bit out of the loop, "What brings you guys here...?"
"You have the nerve to ask! I tried calling you, but you didn''t answer, and then your phone was off.
Keh heard about the verdict and we were scared you''d do something rash, so we rushed over!"
Karen had been so worried she nearly had a prematurebor.
"I''m okay, just had a few drinks," Dorothy said, embarrassed. "Sorry for scaring you, Karen,
Keh."
"No need to apologize; we understand you''re upset," Karen walked over and hugged her. "But don''t
do anything foolish! Keh said there''s still a chance to appeal."
"Absolutely!" Keh chimed in eagerly. "We can find a betterwyer, make an appeal! There''s
always a way to seek justice!"
Dorothy nodded nomittally, "Yeah, there''s always a way. I believe that. Don''t worry."
"I''ll go grab us some breakfast so you don''t get an upset stomach."
After everyone had their say, Keh felt a bit awkward lingering, so he made an excuse to step
out.
Once he left, Karen let out a sigh. "Ah! Can you imagine Keh marrying someone like Eleanor? If
I were her, I''d never marry a guy like him!"Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.
Chapter 894
Chapter 894
"If she''s willing to tie the knot, Keh would make a good husband."
Karen nodded in agreement, "Yeah, Keh is a real sweetheart and attentive, too. My aunt used
to say that once he''s hitched, he''ll be the kind of guy who''d be totally whipped."
Karen couldn''t resist sneaking a nce at Dorothy for her reaction.
Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.
Dorothy shot a look right back at her, "Drop it, Karen. Stop trying to set me up with him."
"Well, I¡¯m not!" Karen rubbed her baby bump, "Dorothy, this little rascal inside''s been kicking up a
storm and thus messing with my sleep. I''m a bit on edge because of that. Could youe over and
keep mepany?"
Dorothy knew what she was really asking. But she had more pressing things on her mind.
"Karen, you don''t need to worry about me. I¡¯m all grown up. Whatever I do, it''s after careful thought.
Right now, your priority is to have that baby safe and sound."
"Oh,e on, what could possibly happen to me? Jeffrey''s got that doctor on call practically 24/7!
Seriously, he''s downstairs right now, ready to jump at a moment''s notice."
Despite Karen''s yfulints, Dorothy could see that Jeffrey was looking after her really well.
That gave her some peace of mind.
Keh came back with breakfast, and for once, Dorothy didn''t put up a fuss. She sat down and
joined Karen for a bite.
As they were leaving, Dorothy stopped Keh, "Eyes are in front of us for a reason, Keh.
You''ve got to look ahead. No sense in always looking back, right?"
Keh paused for a moment, then let out a resigned chuckle, "Yeah, you''re right."
After sending them off, Dorothy headed to West Legal Services, pulled out a court verdict, and then
made a beeline for the cemetery.
"Mom, I feel so helpless. I¡¯m just unable to do anything right." Dorothy squatted down and lit the
court document with her lighter.
The me took hold, and the smoke began to rise, twirling into the air before dispersing...
"While you were alive, I couldn''t make enough money to cure your illness on my own. In the end, I
had to sell myself to get the money. So, you had every right to be mad at me. I know you were just
disappointed."
"Now that you''re gone, I''ve been scrambling for years just to uncover the truth, to bring the one who
hurt you to justice! And yet, I''ve failed. Heather might be facing the death penalty, but the one who
really gave the orders got only a year, and is serving it from home because of ''medical issues.''"
This punishment was as good as none!
To Amanda, it was nothing.
"Mom, I''ve let you down. I couldn''t fulfill your hopes. But don''t worry, some debts of vengeance don''t
have to be settled in court. If they refuse to give us justice, then I''ll get it my own way."
With that, she knelt down, bowed deeply twice, and slowly stood up.
"Mom, I''ll be going now, but... we''ll be seeing each other again soon."
...
When Everett heard the verdict, he was in the middle of a meeting in Liberty City. He immediately
announced a recess and stepped out to call his father, "So you pulled some strings after all!"
"Is that what you call ''pulling strings''?" Jonathan retorted. "This is Heather telling the truth! She was
the one dragging your mother into this mess. Now she''s willing to confess in public to exonerate
your mother. Isn''t that a good thing?"
"How did you manage to get the message to Heather and to have her plead guilty without pulling
some strings?"
"She could''ve figured it out on her own, couldn''t she? Your mother just had to give Heather a few
meaningful looks in court, and she got the message," Jonathan was naturally ted, knowing his
wife was off the hook, "Everett, you weren¡¯t hoping for your mother to get the death penalty, were
you?"
Chapter 895
Chapter 895
Everett frowned, "But things aren''t exactly like Heather imed."
"Close enough! Your mom''s just been brainwashed by her, otherwise what beef would she have
with Dorothy''s mom?" Jonathan rambled on, "Now we just wait for Dorothy''s next move, to see if
she''ll appeal. I bet she will."
"She definitely will," Everett knew Dorothy''s stubborn streak all too well.
She was as stubborn as a mule, the kind to hit a wall and not turn back. She would never ept the
verdict.
Jonathan sighed, "Then you gotta talk some sense into her, man. No point in making a scene!
Everyone looks bad if the glovese off. Your mom got a year with probation, a p on the wrist,
really. She won''t dare step out of line again! If Dorothy drops this appeal nonsense, I promise to
stay out of you two''s business, and I can handle your mother on my end."
It was his way of conceding to Dorothy.
The main issue was that if she did take it to the State Court, and with his son watching him like a
hawk, ensuring no foul y, the oue was anyone''s guess!
Better to step back now and make peace.
Everett was silent for a long while before finally speaking, "We''ve already broken up."
"Then why you are still meddling in her business?"
"I have to." His voice was firm, "Appealing is her right."
Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.
...
When Everett got the call from Dorothy, it was early morning in Liberty City.
He had just left the kids'' room, nning to ask Kevin to book a flight back to Eldorria City.
He couldn''t help but worry about her.
Even if Everett himself thought it was pretty pathetic.
Hesitating at the unfamiliar number, he finally picked up.
"Everett, it''s me."
He was silent for a few seconds, his tone unfriendly, "You''re drinking again?"
Otherwise, with Dorothy''s temperament, Everett figured he''d never in his life get a call from her out
of the blue.
"No, I''m sober," Dorothy''s voice didn''t sound intoxicated; each word was clear and concise as she
uttered, "Sorry to bother you again. I''m not trying to make things difficult, just... could you send me
some videos of Abigail and Langston? I want to see them."
Everett nced at the door to the kids'' room, "They''re still asleep."
"No rush, just send them when they wake up. You don''t have to unblock me. Just email it to my
work."
"What''s going on?" Irritation somehow upsurged in Everett''s chest, "Why the sudden need to see
the kids?"
"Nothing''s up! Just missing them. I may have given them to you, but as their mother, I have the right
to see them, don''t I?"
Everett was sure now she hadn''t been drinking.
Rights, rights, rights!
She was treating him like the enemy, being overly cautious with her words.
"You''ve received the first trial''s verdict," Everett ignored her talk of rights and steered the
conversation elsewhere. He was keen on finding out the reason behind Dorothy''s abnormal
behavior!
Something was definitely off with her.
"Yeah," but Dorothy clearly didn''t want to linger on the call, "That''s it. Just send themter, thanks."
And with that, she hung up before Everett could get another word in.
When he tried calling back, her phone was switched off!
Everett tried Dorothy''s number again; it rang once but then went to voicemail and soon after, it too
was off.
He immediately turned to Kevin, "Book me the next flight to Eldorria City!"
"Mr. Lopez, the earliest flight back homends in other ce first, then you''d fly to Eldorria City. If
you can wait till tomorrow, there''s a direct flight¡ª"
"I''ll take that one."
Chapter 896
Chapter 896
The night before her meeting with Amanda, Dorothy didn''t resort to her usual ss of wine to coax
herself into slumber. Instead, she allowed insomnia to be her bedfellow until the break of dawn. Her
mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, so many that it felt like her head might explode, so overwhelming
that she had to pop an aspirin to dull the throbbing pain.
Finally, the appointed time arrived.
Dorothy lingered in front of her wardrobe for what felt like an eternity before settling on a crimson
dress.
Her skin, already fair, seemed to glow against the red fabric, entuating her hourss figure
without a hint of vulgarity. Instead, she exuded an air of untainted desire, her petite face delicate
and unmarred by the toils of motherhood to her two children.
She arrived at the agreed-upon restaurant to find Amanda hadn''t yet made an appearance.
Dorothy knew this was likely a power y. It was a deliberate tardiness meant to assert dominance
and remind Dorothy of her ce.
"I''ll have a Blue Mountain coffee, thanks." Dorothy was unfazed. She was even sitting on her seat
with a stoic expression.
Nearly thirty minutes passed before Amanda made her fashionablyte entrance. She carried the
same regal aura she had in the courtroom, looking down her nose with an air of haughty disdain.
"Let''s cut to the chase. How much do you want?"
Amanda didn''t bother with apologies for herteness. She got straight to the point upon sitting
down.
"That can wait. What I want to know is why you were so hell-bent on seeing my mother dead."
Dorothy had her theories, but she wanted to hear it straight from Amanda''s lips.
"Why would I need a reason?" Amanda had done her homework; there were no cameras here, so
she spoke freely. "The life of amoner holds no value to me. Why would I waste time
contemting it?"
Dorothy didn¡¯t speak.
"The real person responsible for your mother''s death is you! You are way over your head by
dreaming of being with my son, and that brought this upon her. You have no one to me but
yourself!"
A chill settled at the bottom of Dorothy''s eyes as she nodded in agreement, "Yes, to people like you,
our lives are indeed worthless."
...
Everett''s ne touched down in Lumina Bay for ayover, and he took the opportunity to call Kevin
to check in on Dorothy for any unusual behavior.
Relieved to hear she had been acting normally by just casually strolling downstairs and even giving
her apartment a thorough cleaning, he felt a measure of peace.
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When he finally arrived at Eldorria City Airport, he received a call from Ephraim.
"Mr. Lopez, there''s something I need to tell you! Ms. Sanchez instructed me not to speak of it, but I
think it''s best you know."
"Go ahead."
"Ms. Sanchez''s decision to forgo an appeal was quite unequivocal. She mentioned it even before
the first trial."
Dorothy was giving up her appeal?!
"Did she say anything else?"
"No, that''s all. But after the verdict, Ms. Sanchez seemed exceptionally detached, as if thewsuit
had nothing to do with her!"
Everett strode out of the airport with long, purposeful steps, sliding into the car Kevin had driven to
pick him up.
After a brief pause, he asked in a deep tone, "Did you exin the rules and benefits of an appeal to
her?"
"I did! I tried to encourage her not to lose heart, but she insisted on not appealing."
Everett''s brows furrowed deeply.
Suddenly¡ª
A sense of foreboding rapidly took hold of him.
He ended the call and dialed his father''s number.
"Dad, where''s Mom?"
Jonathan paused, "Not sure. She said someone wanted to talk business, and she left on her own."
Chapter 897
Chapter 897
"Get her location and send it to me! Now!"
"What''s wrong?"
Everett didn''t have time to exin, "Just do it!" his voice suddenly escted.
Jonathan jumped at the urgency, "Ah, okay! I''m on it!"
...
"You know, I''m rather curious about how you managed to snag my son."
With things already out in the open, Amanda figured she might as well clear up her own confusion.
Dorothy was undoubtedly attractive, that much was undeniable. But Everett''s social circle was a
veritable runway of beauties! There were plenty more dazzling and beautiful than her.
"I didn''t snag him. He was the one who came after me." Dorothy also spoke the truth.
But Amanda wasn''t buying it, "You expect me to believe that you didn''t scheme from the get-go to
marry my son for his money?"
"For the money, yes."
Amanda let out a derisive snort, "So there you have it! You still deny that you were the one who
lured my son in? Maybe he came after you first, but if you weren''t intending on having him spend
his money on you, none of this would''ve started!"
Dorothy''s gaze fell as she picked up her coffee cup and took a sip.
Bitter with a tang of sour.
It wasn''t to her taste.
"I don''t have the time to waste on you," Amanda came over without even ordering a drink, clearly
nning on making a swift exit. In her eyes, Dorothy wasn''t worth lingering over, "So, name your
price. As long as it''s not outrageous, I¡¯ll consider it money well spent to rid myself of a nuisance."
Money was the only thing that the Lopez family was nevercking.
"I don''t want your money."
Dorothy''s reply was just as blunt. Her smile was wry, "Haven''t you ever considered? If I was after
money, I could''ve just asked Everett directly. Given how much he loves me, would he ever refuse
me anything?"
It was at that moment Amanda realized something was amiss! Her guard went up a notch, but not
by much.
After all, Dorothy hade alone; what was the worst she could do?
"If not money, then what do you want?" she paused, squinting her eyes, "You want to marry into the
Lopez family, don''t you? Well, let me tell you, I''ll never consent to it! Even if Everett''s father agrees,
I''ll never ept you as my daughter-inw!"
But Dorothy just shook her head, "That''s not it either."
"Then what in the world do you want?"
"Don''t you know what you owe?" Dorothy suddenly lifted her gaze and smiled, "Have you ever
heard the saying? ''The blood must be answered with¡ªblood."
Exactly. Today was the day Dorothy intended to exact that reckoning on Amanda!
Since the court couldn''t punish her crimes, Dorothy would personally escort her to meet Be.
As Dorothy spoke, a knife appeared in her hand out of nowhere. She had already been eyeing
Amanda''s heart, even shifted her chair for the perfect angle to strike!
There was only one chance, and she couldn''t miss.
Amanda, terrified, barely had time to react before Dorothy had firmly seized her arm.
"If ourmon lives are so worthless, then just join me in death, you high and mightydy!"
Dorothy bit down hard, driving the knife with fierce determination¡ª
She felt the de pierce flesh, but the body wasn''t Amanda''s!
Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
"Dorothy!" Everett''s voice thundered, halting her like a blow to the head.
She hadn''t expected him to arrive at the crucial moment, stepping in to take the knife meant for his
mother!
In her panic, Dorothy instinctively withdrew the de.
Blood gushed forth, spraying her face! And sttering all around.
It showed a blinding crimson red...
Chapter 898
Chapter 898
"Everett! My son!" Amanda''s voice pierced the chaos with an agonizing scream.
Bystanders caught on to the urgency, some calling for an ambnce, others dialing the police.
Only Dorothy was still clutching the knife so tightly. She watched as the blood slid down the de
and then strained her trembling hands crimson.
This was the second time in a short span that Everett had been injured.
The searing pain drained the color from his handsome face, yet his gaze remained locked on
Dorothy.
Everett reached out as if to pull her close.
But Dorothy stepped back. "Why did you have to show up, Everett? Why couldn''t you just let me
be? I was so close to being free, to ending it all!" she yelled.
Gritting his teeth, Everett didn''t answer. One hand pressed against his wound, the other stubbornly
tried to grasp her wrist.
"I can''t take this anymore. I''m really tired! Just think of it as my fault and my debt to you, Everett. I''ll
make it up to you in another life!"
Dorothy struggled fiercely, not caring about Everett''s injury as she fought to break free from his grip.
In the next second, she turned the knife towards herself!
Everett''s pupils constricted, "Dorothy! Don''t you dare¡ª"
But his words were drowned out by her resolve, and without hesitation, she aimed for her own
heart.
Everett had no time to react; he could only reach out and grapple for the knife. His fresh blood
surged once more, and she couldn¡¯t tell where did the bloode from.
Thrown off bnce by his force, Dorothy stumbled and fell solid on the ground with him.
Everett''s blood soaked her red dress and bit by bit, became a growing stain.
"Everett... Everett!"
"I''m not gone yet..." His lips, now pale, twisted into a grimace of a smile, "Dorothy..."
Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
She let go of the knife and wrapped her arms around him as tears streamed down her face, "Are
you insane? Why would you do this? Everett, I''m so tired. Can''t you just let me be free?!"
"No..." He still managed a smile, "You look¡ so beautiful in that red dress..."
Dorothy didn¡¯t say anything.
"Don''t wear it again." He added.
...
When Jeffrey arrived at the police station, Dorothy had already been in custody for several hours.
"Hey there, officer!" he greeted with a grin, pulling up a chair to sit, "I''m here to pick up Dorothy."
"That''s not possible; she''s suspected of intentional harm¡ª"
Jeffrey cut him off with an earnest look, "There was no intentional harm, just a lovers'' spat that got a
bit out of hand. I''m here on behalf of the victim to clear things up!"
The officer eyed him with suspicion.
After all, he had seen the extent of the victim''s injuries himself. If the guy ended up dying in the
hospital, this could escte to suspected murder.
"The victim''s alright now?" the officer asked.
"He''ll need stitches, so probably not in the best shape toe here himself. If you need
confirmation, you can go ask him at the hospital! Do I look like I''m lying?"
"They''re married?" the officer asked.
Jeffrey nodded, "Yeah! Can you believe it, they''ve already got two kids and still find time to argue!
It''s beyond me, really."
To bolster his im, he even pulled out a photo from a vacation in Everglow City.
There, Abigail and Langston''s faces were unmistakably those of their children.
The officer clucked his tongue, "Their arguments sound pretty fierce."
"They manage."
"This is managing?"
Jeffrey pursed his lips, sighed, and shook his head, "What can I say? My buddy''s got it bad for love.
His wife could kill him, and he''d thank her for it."
Chapter 899
Chapter 899
Everett was utterly smitten¡ªthat was a line only Jeffrey had the guts to say.
For the sake of thoroughness, the officer apanied Jeffrey to the hospital to hear Everett himself
dere he wouldn''t press charges. Only after Everett had signed the settlement did they agree to
release Dorothy.
She was injured, too.
Her red dress was torn at the chest, revealing a wound underneath where the blood had already
dried. It was clear from the cut that Dorothy had truly wished for death.
She followed Jeffrey to the car with a vacant stride, silent and head bowed.
Thankfully, Jeffrey was certain she no longer had any weapons; otherwise, he''d still be worried she
might try something drastic again.
"Hospital?" Jeffrey finally broke the long silence with a probing question.
At the sound of his voice, Dorothy lifted her head slightly, "No."
"What about your wound? It looks... pretty deep," Jeffrey coughed awkwardly, shifting his gaze
away. The location of her injury was somewhat awkward, and he couldn''t very well keep staring.
"I won''t die from it."
"Don''t talk about dying! If something happened to you today, Karen would have her baby right now!"
Jeffrey shuddered at the thought. "I just don''t get it! How did I not see this extreme side of you
before?"
Who in their right mind would think about a murder-suicide?Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
The case was only at the first trial; it wasn''t as if there was no chance to turn things around!
Even Jeffrey knew that once Everett saw the verdict of the first trial, he''d definitely get involved. He
might say he was done with Dorothy and didn''t care if she lived or died, but his true feelings were
almost written all over his face!
Speaking of Karen, Dorothy''s expression finally showed some life.
"Did you tell Karen?"
"Of course not! She''s in her third trimester and was already on bed rest! If she found out, she might
go into prematurebor!"
"Don''t tell her."
Jeffrey snorted, "You don''t have to tell me that."
"Mhm." Dorothy murmured in response, then fell silent again.
After a long while, Dorothy spoke up again. "How is he... doing?"
"How is he doing? He¡¯s in big trouble!" Jeffrey surely knew she was asking about Everett.
Dorothy looked up at him, her eyes clearly filled with concern.
Jeffrey nearly rolled his eyes hard enough to toss them at her.
"My buddy just recovered from old wounds, and now he''s got new ones. Knife wounds would be
one thing, but on top of that, he''s been diagnosed withte-stage cancer!"
Dorothy''s mind went nk for a moment, "Everett has...te-stage cancer?"
"Yep! No misdiagnosis! Pure, unadulterated love-struck cancer."
Dorothy fell silent.
"Well. Right now, practically the whole Lopez family is at the hospital, so it wouldn''t be right for you
to go. Wait until they leave, then I''ll take you to see him."
Jeffrey had been tasked with keeping an eye on Dorothy, so he couldn''t let her out of his sight.
Everett was worried she might despair again.
"I''m not going to see him," Dorothy said after a moment of silence.
Jeffrey was taken aback, "Why not?"
"I have nothing to say to him."
Knowing that he was alright andmanding Jeffrey to watch her was enough for her.
"Ah! In the end, you did stab him. Isn''t it only right to go see how he''s doing?"
"I didn''t do it for him."
"I know! But the guy lying in the hospital is him!" Jeffrey rubbed his temple and let out a heavy sigh.
"Dorothy, let me be frank. I know you''re struggling and exhausted, but Everett... he''s always going
to suffer more in those respects!"
Dorothy still refused to talk.
"Just be a little patient. Make your decision after the final verdict, okay?"
Dorothy''s pale lips quivered, "There''s no final verdict. I''m not appealing."
"You might not be appealing, but Everett is appealing on behalf of his mother!"
Chapter 900
Chapter 900
"Everett appealed?"
Jeff nodded, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "Yeah, you should have seen it. His mother was
so mad back at the hospital that she almost went for round two with a knife!"
In criminal cases, both the intiff and the defendant have the right to appeal if they''re dissatisfied
with the verdict.
But clearly, the Lopez family was quite content with the initial sentence of one year of probation¡ªno
way they''d appeal.
Now Everett was essentially dragging his own mother back into the courtroom, risking a harsher
sentence!
He knew that could mean Amanda might face a much longer sentence, maybe even the death
penalty, yet he went ahead with it.
"I pushed him away because I didn''t want him to carry that burden."
If he sent his biological mother to prison, the weight of public condemnation on Everett''s shoulders
would just be too much!
This wasn''t what Dorothy wanted. She had thought of many ways to clear Everett''s name and still
get her revenge!
That was why, after the first trial, she decided not to appeal. Instead, she resolved to take Amanda
down with her, so the scandal wouldn''t taint Everett''s reputation.
Once everything settled, Everett would still be the CEO of Lopez Corporation, and nobody would
whisper about him betraying his own mother.
"Dorothy, do you have any idea how much he loves you?"
She was silent.
"If this keeps up, I swear Everett''s going to keel over. Why don''t you just end it at the hospital? Go
out with a bang, together!"
Jeffrey was damn tired of it all. Time and again, he genuinely feared for Everett''s life.
He''de to a grim understanding: falling for Dorothy was a one-way ticket to heartache.
This woman''s thought process was just not in sync with normal people! All Everett ever wanted was
her trust, and she just wouldn''t give him an inch.
Even after everything he''d done, Dorothy still didn''t trust that he would ensure a fair trial.
She wasn''t oblivious to Jeffrey''s sarcasm, but she wasn''t in the mood to retort.
"Go take care of Karen," she said, reaching for the car door.
Jeffrey was quicker, locking the doors before she could bail.
"Do you think I can let you out of my sight? What if you try to off yourself¡ª"
Then Everett would be out for blood.
"I just need some peace."
"Well, you can find your peace right here in my car. No other options! You might want to die, but I
n on staying alive."
With that, Jeffrey fished a pack of cigarettes from the glovepartment, lit one up, and took a
drag.
"You''re not going to see Everett?"
Dorothy paused for a few seconds, then shook her head.
"The knife you stabbed him with didn''t hit the heart. The docs said they could tell you pulled back
when you saw him jump in the way," Jeff took another drag, "But his hand... it''s bad. His old man
flew Quincy in from overseas¡ªsaid the tendons in his palm are severed. He might never be able to
lift anything heavy with that hand again."
Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
The thought of Everett being disabled in one hand...
"Why don''t you go see him? You have no idea how broken he''d be if you didn''t. When he woke up,
the first thing he did was call me to find you, to keep an eye on you."
Dorothy bit her lip, silent.
Jeffrey could only sigh, "Love sure has a way of making fools of us all."
"Can you drive me to get some booze, Jeffrey?"
"Huh?"
She looked at him and repeated, "I want to buy some alcohol."
"Why?"
"Because I don''t know how to face him sober."
Chapter 901
Chapter 901
At the hospital in Eldorria City.
Quincy had barely touched down before she was rushed into the operating room.
This time was different from thest. Previously, Everett had been unconscious, sparing her the
need for any eye contact. But now¡
¡°Mr. Lopez, I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m going to have to invade your personal space a bit here.¡±
Everett¡¯s hand was secured on the operating table, and since it was a local anesthetic, he was
awake, though his face was pale.
¡°Did shee?¡±
He didn¡¯t respond to Quincy¡¯s remark, his mind clearly elsewhere, probably outside the operating
room.
¡°Ms. Sanchez? I¡¯m not sure. I didn¡¯t see anyone when I came in.¡± Quincy, now in her scrubs, began
to apply disinfectant, revealing a long, deep cut.
Even though she was no stranger to the OR, the sight still made her wince.
¡°Ms. Sanchez did this?¡±
Everett nced at her but remained silent.
¡°She really went all out. This looks as bad as what that guy did.¡±
Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.
¡°You talk too much.¡±
It was the first time Quincy had received such feedback. She fell silent, focusing on the surgery,
stitching the torn tendon back together.
As seconds turned into minutes, sweat beaded on Quincy¡¯s forehead, wiped away only to form
again.
¡°Will my hand ever fully recover?¡±
Perhaps feeling a bit grateful for Quincy¡¯s rushed effort and immediate surgery without rest, and for
putting up with his gruffness, Everett initiated a conversation.
Quincy was momentarily taken aback.
¡°I¡¯ll do my best. Physical therapy afterwards will be crucial too.¡±
¡°Hmm.¡±
Everett didn¡¯t say more and just closed his eyes.
Time passed, and finally, Quincy finished thest stitch. She breathed a sigh of relief and
unintentionally caught Everett¡¯s eyes.
He had fallen asleep.
His features were so perfect they seemed divine, breathtaking even in sleep.
This was a man with looks, pedigree, and rare loyalty ¨C aplete fantasy.
¡°Dr. Quincy?¡±
Her assistant¡¯s nudge brought her back to reality.
She cleared her throat softly and whispered, ¡°He¡¯s asleep. Let¡¯s try to keep it down and not disturb
him. Take him back to his room quietly.¡±
¡°Got it!¡±
As Everett was wheeled out, Quincy turned to clean up and change out of her scrubs.
She was just leaving when Jonathan approached.
¡°Jonathan.¡±
¡°Yeah! How¡¯s Everett¡¯s hand¡?¡± Jonathan was worried about his son, despite thetter¡¯s rash
actions.
Quincy removed her mask, offering a reassuring smile.
¡°The surgery went well, but the level of recovery depends on his physio. The repaired tendon won¡¯t
be the same as before.¡±
Jonathan sighed upon hearing this, his emotions a mix of relief and concern.
¡°Jonathan, I came back to perform this surgery for Everett. Can I ask you for a favor?¡±
¡°What is it?¡±
¡°Please, stop pressuring my family. I can¡¯t marry Mr. Lopez if there¡¯s no love between us, not out of
business convenience.¡±
Chapter 902
Chapter 902
Quincy couldn''t imagine marrying as a sacrifice to her family!
Even though the Quincy family had raised her, marriage was for life. Quincy wasn''t about to rush
into it only to end up in a swift divorce once the two families had no more use for each other.
She knew it all too well.
And truth be told, her social standing didn''t exactly make her an ideal match for Everett.
Butpared to Dorothy, she had a slight edge.
Deep down, she was also painfully aware that Everett would never fall for her.
If... if she ended up falling for Everett, she''d be ruining her entire life.
After all, he was irreceable.
¡°I haven''t pressured your family, Quincy, what are you talking about? You know how close I am with
your dad!¡± Jonathan merelyughed, outright denying any involvement.
But Quincy wasn''t surprised. She had decided to confront the issue head-on, anticipating these very
responses.
The back-and-forth, the silent battles of the business world were beyond Quincy. Subtlety wasn''t her
strong suit; it would likely be thrown right back in her face.
¡°Let''s just agree to disagree then. Just please, stop talking about me marrying Everett, promise me
that.¡±
¡°I haven¡¯t pressured your family, that''s the truth. But wanting you to be part of our family, the
Lopez family, that''s also true!¡± Jonathan took a deep breath and continued, ¡°I thought once the
¡°But Mr. Lopez doesn''t have me in his heart.¡±
¡°Once you''re married, over time, feelings will develop!¡± Jonathan looked into her eyes, a slight curve
to his lips, ¡°You can see, my son is stubborn. If he falls in love, he''s incredibly devoted. Don''t you
want to be that person he¡¯s devoted to?¡±
Quincy paused, her lips parting slightly.
¡°I know it seems hard to change his mind right now, but see it as a high-stakes gamble! Even if you
lose, you''d still be Everett''s wife in name, thedy of the Lopez family. We won¡¯t let you or your
family down. And if you win... well, you''d be the happiest woman in the world! You''ve seen how
good Everett is to Dorothy, haven¡¯t you?¡±
If she could rece Dorothy, all that could be hers.
...
Why hadn''t Dorothy realized that she could drink so well before?
Five beers down, and after two trips to the bathroom, she was still crystal clear!
Jeffrey watched her down another, her cheeks flushed, yet she still refused to go to the hospital. He
couldn''t help but speak up, ¡°Why don''t you just switch to liquor? It hits faster!¡±
¡°Liquor leaves a smell.¡±
¡°Tsk! So, how long do you n on drinking? If it''s too much, just pretend you''re drunk! Everett won¡¯t
know the difference anyway.¡±
Dorothy gave him a nce. ¡°I¡¯m not drinking because I¡¯m afraid of him realizing anything.¡±
Shecked the courage.
In this situation, what could she possibly say to Everett?
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How could she, the instigator, show concern for his wounds?
Jeffrey was at a loss with Dorothy. ¡°So, there¡¯s no more drinks. Are we continuing or not?¡±
¡°Let''s go now.¡±
Dorothy bit her lip. Facing Everett was inevitable.
Chapter 903
Chapter 903
Everett was absolutely wiped out when he finally drifted off to sleep.
After enduring a grueling series of flights, includingyovers, then rushing straight to Dorothy only to
get hurt for a couple of emergency surgeries that left him bleeding profusely, anyone''s body would
have reached its limit.
By the time Jeffrey and Dorothy arrived at the hospital, he hadn''t yet woken up.
Jonathan had to leave, his wife hade down with the flu badly, leaving Quincy behind to look
after Everett.
"When''s he gonna wake up?" Jeffrey needed to be absolutely sure Everett was just sleeping, not
passed out, before he could ease his worry.
"No telling, really. He''ll wake up when he''s had enough rest," Quincy replied. She wasn¡¯t in her
usual scrubs since this wasn''t her hospital, but in a simple white tee and jeans, looking fresh-faced
like she just graduated from college.
Dorothy, noticing Jeffrey''s furrowed brow, gently suggested, "Why don''t you head back? You''ve
been out long enough, and Karen might start worrying."
"That''s exactly what I''m worried about! But with Everett here..."
"I''ll stay until he wakes up."
Jeffrey looked at her, paused for a few seconds, then nodded. "Alright, I''ll head back then. I''ll sort
things out with Karen ande back. Call me if anything happens!"
"Will do."Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.
As he hurried out of the hospital, Dorothy turned her attention back to Quincy.
"Dr. Quincy, you have something to say."
It wasn''t a question.
"How''d you know?" Quincy was genuinely surprised.
"If it wasn''t important, you wouldn''t still be standing here." Even after Jeffrey had left, she hadn¡¯t
moved an inch.
"What is it? Is it about Everett?" Dorothy prodded.
"Yeah." Quincy hesitated before speaking, "I just wanted to ask, is this situation really what you
wanted?"
Dorothy didn¡¯t answer.
"Causing such a scene, nearly turning Mr. Lopez into a cripple, almost getting him killed... How are
your actions any different from what Heather did?" Quincy''s gaze was firm, her tone calm, not
usatory, "Back in Swevia Country, I really thought you loved Mr. Lopez. I thought you two were in
love, but now... I feel like you don''t love him at all. You just love yourself."
Even with the alcohol in her system, Dorothy couldn''t find the words to argue.
"I don''t want to know the details, and I''m not interested. But looking at the whole situation, as an
outsider, I genuinely believe Mr. Lopez has done too much for you. So much that it''s not worth it."
"Yes, I''m not worth it."
"I''m not saying this to scold you, and I certainly don''t have the right or position to do so. I just hope
you''ll think it over. Don''t wait until Mr. Lopez is taken by someone else and then regret it. By then,
no one would be willing to give him back to you."
Whoever finds a treasure never returns it.
After saying her piece, Quincy walked away.
Dorothy stood there for a long time before finally pushing open the door to the hospital room.
Everett was still asleep on the bed, the room dimly lit to keep it soothing. Dorothy approached
cautiously, not wanting to disturb him.
His breathing was steady, his torso bare, showing bandages stained with hints of medicine and
blood.
Despite her efforts to be silent, he still slowly opened his eyes as she drew closer.
"Dorothy."
Everett''s voice was raspy, parched.
Dorothy froze.
"Yeah, how did you... know it was me?"
He attempted a smile and said, "I just dreamed you were here. Am I still dreaming?"
Chapter 904
Chapter 904
"If you wish it to be real, it''s real. If you think it''s a dream, then it''s just a dream."
Everett reached out his surgically repaired hand, slowly extending it forward.
Dorothy, afraid of hurting him, merely touched his fingers, but he insisted on grabbing her hand!
Soon, signs of blood seeping through became evident!
"Everett, let go! Have you lost your mind? Your hand just underwent surgery; you can''t exert force
like this!"
Now, the mere sight of red triggered Dorothy, and she turned to look for a doctor.
Because of a tendon injury, his hand was weak, but Everett grabbed her with his other hand,
refusing to let go.
"Then don''t leave."
"I won''t leave, I promise I won''t!" Dorothy was genuinely scared; she hurriedly cradled his hand,
looking at it under the dim light of the hospital room, her eyes welling up, "Everett, I really don''t
deserve you to do this... I''ve lost all attachment to this world. Life has been so exhausting."
Everett looked at her weakly, his eyes not blinking.
"What about me, Abigail, and Langston? You don''t care for us?"
"I know you''ll take good care of them."
"And what about me?"
Everett had asked Dorothy "And what about me?" many times, and each time, she failed to give him
the answer he hoped for.
This time was no different.
"Without me, you''ll have a broader horizon, a soulmate who resonates more with you! Everett, we
were a mistake from the start. The fault isn''t yours; it''s mine. I can''t go on."
Every day was a mental torment. The sleepless nights, every minute and every second brought her
to the brink of copse!
"I promised you justice for your mother''s case... trust me this once." He never forgot his promise.
"Everett, she''s the woman who gave birth to you!"
"But she did something wrong, and she must be punished."
"Even so, the person to bring her to justice shouldn''t be you. It can''t be you!" Dorothy took a deep
breath before saying, "Withdraw the appeal."
She couldn''t let Everett be the son who sends his mother to prison.
"And then?" His gaze was urgent, pressing for an answer, "You n to seek vengeance in your own
way?"
"That''s my business."
"Dorothy!"
She pursed her lips. "Everett, don''t think that by taking that stab for your mother, the public won''t
criticize you anymore. If you proceed with the appeal, they''llbel you unfilial! I can already imagine
how the media will portray you!"
Everett had been free of scandals up till now, and Dorothy didn''t want to be the reason for his first.
He didn''t speak, just quietly watched her.
After a moment, Everett suddenly managed a self-mocking smile.
"You think I took that stab for my mother."
"What else?"
"Do you realize, if you had actually killed someone that day, everything would have been over?"
Dorothy was shocked, finally understanding. "So you were afraid I would¡"
"Of course, I was!" Everett felt a bitter sweetness in his throat, making it hard for him to breathe, "If
the person your knife had hit wasn''t me, you''d be in jail right now, not here in the hospital. Dorothy,
how good do I have to be to you, for you to trust that I''m always on your side, no matter what?"
The sarcasm in Everett''s smile deepened as he asked, "Tell me, can no one really enter your
heart?"
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"I''m sorry, I¡ª"
He interrupted her coldly, "Answer my question! Can I ever have a ce in your heart? If I can''t, for
the rest of my life, then just pity me now and tell me, so I can brace myself for it."
Chapter 905
Chapter 905
Dorothy tried to speak several times, but in the end, she couldn''t muster even a whisper.
"You said before, once this is all over, you''d give me closure. Does it mean ending it all with your
death?" asked Everett.
"Yes."
As long as she was gone, everything would be over.
Dorothy knew Everett would be devastated and fall apart, but she believed the acute pain of loss
would eventually pass. After all, once she was gone, there was nothing he could do.
Maybe it would take ten years, maybe twenty, but eventually, he would move on.
And then, he might meet someone new to grow old with...
Given Everett''s intense, loyal nature, she was certain he would find an incredible partner.
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All Dorothy wished for was that once she passed away, that would be the end of her story. She
hoped not to linger as a ghost, haunting the living...
She couldn''t bear the thought of seeing Everett with another woman.
"Sometimes I wonder if you and I could ever spend a lifetime together..." He was staring at the
hospital room ceiling, as if talking to Dorothy, but also as if speaking to himself, "Who can give me
that answer? If it could end well, then I don''t care how difficult or painful the journey is."
"As long as the person in your heart isn''t me, you can be happy. You just need to find someone else
to love!" said Dorothy.
Everett looked at her and asked, "Why do you suggest I find someone else, instead of you trying to
meet me halfway for once? Wouldn''t it be simpler if you held me in your heart?"
Dorothy didn¡¯t answer.
"All these times, I''ve been the one reaching out to you. Just this once, can you step towards me?"
He sighed lightly, "Even if I am determined, I still long for some response from you."
If she nodded, Everett was ready to take not just the next thousand steps, but ten thousand!
He didn''t care what others thought; he was all in!
If people back home whispered behind their backs, he would take Dorothy and the kids and move
abroad.
If people abroad did the same, he would abandon his identity and run away with her.
As long as she was by his side, what did material possessions or social status matter?
Having said so much already, Everett figured he might as welly it all out.
"Can you, or can you not, give me a clear answer?"
"Do I have to?"
"Yes."
Dorothy clenched her fists, took a deep breath, and said, "Then no, I can''t."
Compared to Everett''s overwhelming love, she... she longed for liberation.
Death seemed too easy, too enticing as a way out.
"I''m sorry, Everett..."
"Enough, I don''t want to hear it." His voice went cold, and he looked away.
"Leave."
Dorothy stood there for a long while. She wanted to exin her choice, to make Everett understand
her desire for eternal freedom, but as the words reached her lips, Dorothy felt she couldn''t persuade
him.
Everett was as stubborn as she was.
"I''m leaving. You take care of yourself."
Dorothy took a few steps back and reached for the door of the hospital room.
Behind her, Everett suddenly spoke in a chilling tone, "You won''t get another chance to kill her."
"I know."
"As punishment for betraying me, I won''t let you die!"
Dorothy listened.
"I want you to live! Even if it means chaining you to a bed every day, I won''t let you take your own
life!"
Dorothy froze, turning slightly to look at him. "You want to control me?"
"Yes! And as long as I wish, I can." His lips curved into a cruel smile. "If I''m still enduring this
torment, why should I let you find peace?"
Chapter 906
Chapter 906
"Everett! You can''t do this to me! My life is my own to decide!"
"We''ll see about that, won''t we?"
For the first time, Dorothy heard a chilling tone in Everett''s voice.
The terrifying thing about him was that if he said he could do something, he undoubtedly would.
"If you die today, I''ll make sure everyone you care about joins you. Including myself."
"Are you insane?"
Dorothy couldn''t even recall how she managed to walk out of the hospital room. Her legs felt like
two heavy hammers, stiff and numb.
What was she thinking?
Honestly, Dorothy wondered if death truly meant the end of everything.
And she had no clue whether Everett would join her in death!
"Ms. Sanchez?"
Quincy found Dorothy standing motionless, seemingly lost, and guided her back to a temporary
lounge.
Once inside, she handed Dorothy a bottle of water.
Taking a sip and sitting down, it took Dorothy a moment to speak up, "Dr. Quincy, do you believe an
afterlife?"
"I''m a materialist," Quincy replied, looking at her. "Why? You think suicide will reunite you with your
mother?"
Dorothy shook her head. "Honestly, I don''t want to meet anyone. You''re right, I am selfish. I can only
think about my own feelings."
Quincy frowned slightly, her tone bing grave, "I''ve begged Jonathan in private to stop
pressuring my family so I could avoid a business marriage and not end up with a zombie like Mr.
Lopez."
Dorothy was taken aback. She didn''t understand why Quincy was suddenly sharing this with her.
"But Jonathan refused! However, he mentioned if you drop thewsuit and give Everett''s mom a
way out, he could arrange for you to marry Mr. Lopez. That way, I could stay out of it and continue
living freely as a doctor. Ms. Sanchez, I''m sorry, but I came here to persuade you to give up."
Quincy knew their grudge was irreconcble, but decisions were made by people. As long as
Dorothy wished, she could.
"No one can persuade me." Dorothy managed a weak smile. "If I could give up, I would have done
so long ago. You''re not the first to try."
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Quincy looked at her, blinking slowly.
"Are you sure you want to take this to the end?"
"Yes." Since Everett wouldn''t let her die, she''d fight thewsuit to the very end.
Quincy frowned, a tumult of emotions swirling in her eyes.
"You''re too stubborn! You can''t win against the capital! Ms. Sanchez, I really don''t want to get
involved. Please, just drop the appeal, marry Mr. Lopez, and have a good life with your family!"
"But she was my mom!"
"But she''s been dead for years!"
Dorothy pressed her lips together and then said, "I''m sorry, I can''t think like you do."
Quincy sighed heavily, seemingly making a helpless decision.
"Well, Ms. Sanchez, this is your choice. I hope you can always believe it''s the right one."
Dorothy looked up at her and asked, "Would you... marry Everett?"
Quincy nodded. "Yes, because I don''t have your courage to face death, nor your strength to let go
of everything and fight against the capital! I need to live, and so does my family."
Chapter 907
Chapter 907
Dorothy remained silent.
Quincy continued, "Don''t go giving me your blessings or wishing me a lifetime of happiness with Mr.
Lopez. Honestly, I''m not even sure he likes me."
"Everett... he''s a good man."
"That''s to you!" Quincy''s usually gentle tone now carried an unmistakable hint of irritation and
resentment. "Ms. Sanchez, Everett is a corporate CEO. You can''t possibly think he''s a saint, right?
The business world may not be a battlefield, but it''s full of cunning and chaos! To stand at the peak
of power in that world, his methods must be beyond what ordinary people can imagine. Marrying
Everett and being by his side means I have to be on my toes constantly. If the Lopez family takes a
disliking to me, I can''t even bear to think about the consequences! He loves you, and he can protect
you, so naturally, you don''t need to worry about these things. But he doesn''t love me. If I marry into
their family, all I can do is pray for peace."
In marriages of business, how many are truly in love till old age? It''s all just calctions.
As long as there''s mutual benefit, the rtionshipsts. Once the benefits disappear, so does the
marriage. Even if they don''t divorce, the couple has long been estranged, living their separate lives.
And if there are children involved, they are the tragic next generation, doomed to repeat the cycle.
Quincy distanced herself from her family, avoiding business and finance, choosing medicine
instead, all to escape this fate.
Yet, in the end, she finds herself about to be sacrificed.
It''s not that Everett isn''t a good person; it''s that his heart belongs to someone else, and she doesn''t
feel capable of taking Dorothy''s ce.
"Oh, right! You two have kids, don''t you? Think about them, why don''t you?"
Dorothy didn''t respond but stood up to leave.
Quincy was momentarily stunned, then followed.
"Ms. Sanchez! If you''ve made up your mind, I won''t try to persuade you any longer! But if you ever
regret this and want to return to Mr. Lopez, we''ll be on opposite sides."
Dorothy lowered her head but didn''t look back, continuing to walk away.
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Quincy frowned, her voice trailing off in ast-ditch attempt, "I''m not joking! I''ll do everything to
defend my marriage, Ms. Sanchez!"
...
A weekter, Dorothy reached out to Ephraim.
"I want to file for an appeal. Please help me with that."
"Sure! I''ll get on it right away."
"Thanks, and please let Everett know he doesn''t need to file on my behalf. I''ll handle it myself."
Ephraim felt a bit awkward.
This was essentiallyying bare the rtionship between him and Everett, revealing that she knew
whose side he was on all along.
After hanging up, Dorothy kicked aside a bottle at her feet, making room to stand up.
Leaving the hospital that day, she didn''t return to Karen''s apartment but checked into a hotel
instead.
She thought, if she ever drank too much and got the courage to end it all, it couldn''t be in Karen''s
house.
But a week passed, and she had to admit, Everett''s threats were effective.
Outside, night had fallen.
Dorothy wrapped herself in a coat and headed to the hotel''s rooftop.
The weather in Eldorria City hadn''t been great recently, windy, with frequent storms. Today seemed
like it might rain again soon.
Approaching the railing, she looked down.
Truth be told, the dizzying height of a hundred meters would make anyone''s heart skip.
Dorothy''s grip tightened as she suddenly envisioned her mother smiling and waving at her from
below.
She said, just one leap, and everything would end.
Almost involuntarily, Dorothy''s hands found themselves on the waist-high barrier.
The next second¡ª
She felt herself being pulled back by a strong force.
Chapter 908
Chapter 908
For days, Dorothy had barely eaten a thing, so when she was suddenly pulled into a warm
embrace, she didn''t have the strength to resist!
Before she could even see who it was, she heard a man''s pained intake of breath¡ª
She had identally bumped into his injured chest.
"Everett, you¡ªmmph!"
Her protest was cut short as her lips were imed in a fierce, punishing kiss.
Everett''s kiss was desperate, biting, as if he was venting all his frustrations on her!
Tears sprung to Dorothy''s eyes as she struggled, but she ceased her movements when she
detected what seemed to be the metallic scent of blood.
He was so tall, she had to tilt her head back to meet his kiss.
"Why did you stop resisting?" Everett''s voice was husky, like gravel scraping together.
"Let me go!"
"You care about my pain, don''t you?"
"That''s not it!"
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Everett''s eyes were clear and cold, his lips stained with blood, making them appear even redder. "I
told you, you''re not allowed to die."
"Yes, and here I am, alive, aren''t I?"
"But you were about to jump!"
Dorothy''s vision had cleared significantly, the illusions shattered by his presence, allowing her
reason to partially return.
"I wasn''t. I was just looking."
"I can''t trust your words anymore. You''re lying to me; you want to die. You want to leave me!"
Everett''s grip on her didn''t loosen, pressing her close to him, even though it caused him immense
pain.
He even thought the pain was good, a sign that both were still alive.
Dorothy slowly looked up at him, finally softening, exhausted.
"Everett, I think¡ I might be sick¡ I can''t control my actions."
"It''s okay to be sick; I''ll take care of you. Come with me." He took Dorothy''s hand. "I''ve brought
Abigail and Langston back from Liberty City. Don''t you want to see them?"
Hearing about the kids softened Dorothy''s gaze, pulling her out from her stubborn stance.
"Where are they?"
"Bay Residence."
She paused. "Haven¡¯t you already¡ª"
"I couldn''t let go."
Everett felt like he hadpletely lost to Dorothy in this lifetime! Seeing her lean forward on the
rooftop, as if about to jump, his only thought was that he couldn''t retain even thest bit of his pride.
Even if she hurt him time and again, pushing him away, dragging him through the mud, he couldn''t
me her.
He was willingly submissive.
Call him a fool or whatever, he was ready to beg her, as long as he could hold her warm body, that
was enough.
¡
Jonathan was furious the moment he heard about Dorothy''s appeal.
"Dorothy is so ungrateful! If she''s going to be like this, then I can''t let her have an easy time!"
He immediately called Quincy''s father, his tone no longer negotiable but almostmanding!
"I want your daughter to marry into the Lopez family! Otherwise, consider the consequences."
Minutes after hanging up, a call from an unknown number came through.
Jonathan frowned before answering.
"Jonathan, it''s me, Quincy."
"Speak."
"I can marry Everett, but on one condition."
Jonathan was displeased. "You''re not in a position to threaten me."
"It''s not a threat." Quincy paused, "Just give me some time, and I''ll make Mr. Lopez willingly marry
me."
Chapter 909
Chapter 909
"Oh? You''ve got a n?" Jonathan knew all too well what his son was like. "You''re not just stalling
me, are you?"
"With my family''s reputation, you shouldn''t have such doubts."
Jonathanughed, "You are always the visionary! Alright, I''ll agree to your terms, but don''t take too
long. Jonathan''s not the patient type."
"I''ve got it under control."
...
Dorothy didn''t immediately return to the Bay Residence with Everett.
She was all too aware of her disheveled state. She feared that Abigail and Langston would be
scared if they saw her like this.
Back in the hotel suite, Everett, with his penchant for cleanliness, couldn''t help but frown deeply at
the sight of beer cans littered all over the floor.
"You should get some sleep."
"And you?" Dorothy looked up at him.
"I''ll clean up a bit."
"I can do it myself. You''re hurt."
Everett stood still, repeating with amanding tone, "Go to sleep."
"Okay."
He watched Dorothy curl up in bed, her small figure forming a lump under the covers, let out a
shallow sigh, and then bent down to pick up the beer cans.
It was clear Dorothy was now relying heavily on alcohol. She never used to be like this! In fact, she
used to hate drinking.
Because of his injuries, Everett''s movements were slow. Thinking Dorothy had fallen asleep, he
didn''t call for hotel cleaning services. Of course, he also wanted to spend more time alone with
Dorothy.
Who knew, the next second she might turn cold again, hurl harsh words, and ask him to leave.
A bitter smile tugged at Everett''s lips.
To havee to this point in life, he wondered if he was too sessful or too much of a failure.
After tidying up the room, it was already deep into the night.
He slowly approached the bed, about to reach out, when he saw Dorothy''s clear eyes looking back
at him.
"Can''t sleep?"
She nodded. "Yeah...I have insomnia."
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"Is that why you drank so much?"
After hesitating, she nodded in admission. "Yes."
"Tomorrow, let''s go see a doctor, okay?" Everett sat by her bed, gently stroking her hair repeatedly.
"If there''s an illness, we treat it. But let''s not think about ending everything, okay? Just stick with me
like this, forever."
Dorothy''s body rxed from its initial stiffness, leaning against Everett''s leg.
After a while, she spoke up.
"Everett, I appealed."
"I know." His lips moved slightly. "Ephraim told me."
After receiving the call, Everett rushed to Dorothy''s hotel immediately. He couldn''t afford to overlook
any detail about Dorothy now, fearing one day he might receive news of her demise...
"You can withdraw your appeal now."
"No need, let it be."
"Everett, you withdraw it." Dorothy''s tone hardened.
He paused for a second and then nodded. "As you wish."
"Dr. Quincy said I''m selfish." She stared at the ceiling, dimly lit by the neon lights outside, her gaze
gradually bing distant. "She wasn''t wrong. I am selfish."
"No matter what kind of person you are, I still want to keep you by my side, so it doesn''t matter."
"There are so many better options out there..."
"Don''t you get it?" Everett''s hand in her hair gentled. "It can only be you."
There were better options, but he wouldn''t choose them, nor did he want to see them.
Chapter 910
Chapter 910
Dorothy bit her lip, remaining silent as they leaned into each other, listening to the rhythm of their
heartbeats.
She was surprisingly starting to feel drowsy.
Before drifting off, Dorothy mumbled, ¡°When ites to being stubborn, nobody beats you.¡±
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Everett just chuckled, his hand softly stroking her hair, her back.
To others, he mighte off as tough and temperamental.
But with Dorothy, all that was left was tenderness.
As time ticked by, Everett maintained his posture, enduring the pain from his wounds and the ache
in his back, all without moving, until he heard Dorothy''s steady breathing.
He slowly stood up from the bed, stretching his stiff back, and walked out of the room.
"Seal off the hotel rooftoppletely. No one gets in or out."
...
Karen found out about Everett''s return through Jeffrey''s phone.
"Why did you keep it from me?"
"I didn¡¯t! You never asked, so I didn¡¯t mention it." Jeffrey, hesitant to bring up the fact that Dorothy
was considering a dramatic end with Amanda, naturally couldn''t mention Everett''s injury either, so
he didn¡¯t even bring up Everett¡¯s return.
Keeping the baby was a big deal for Karen. Despite her casual dismissals, saying this and that were
fine, she cared deeply! Now, she was treading carefully, avoiding going out unless absolutely
necessary.
"Forget it, I don¡¯t really want to know about his business anyway," Karen waved it off. "I¡¯m nning
to find out the baby¡¯s gender at today¡¯s check-up. We could have found outst time!"
Jeffrey frowned slightly. "Why? It¡¯d be more exciting to find out at birth."
"It¡¯s better to know early so we can prepare! Look at you, buying double of everything for both a boy
and a girl. What a waste."
"It¡¯s not about the money." Jeffrey was skillfully peeling an apple for Karen, a task he''d mastered
since the doctor rmended she eat more apples.
Karen rolled her eyes at him. "Fine, if you don''t want to know, I''ll just ask Dorothy toe with me!
We¡¯ll keep it a secret from you, and you can wait until the birth to find out."
As she reached for her phone, Jeffrey quickly intervened, "Maybe you shouldn¡¯t reach out to
Dorothy right now."
"Why not?"
"She''s probably not in the best of moods, so let her have some space." Jeffrey, not the best liar,
especially in spur-of-the-moment situations, almost immediately gave himself away.
"If Dorothy¡¯s feeling down, I should be there for her even more!" Karen¡¯s gaze fixed on him as she
demanded, "Tell me, has something happened that I don¡¯t know about? Something to do with
Dorothy?"
"No, nothing!"
"Did Everette back because of Dorothy?" Karen frowned. "Is he trying to win her back?"
Jeffrey hesitated, unsure of where to start.
"Their rtionship has always been on and off, who knows."
"Everett even sold Bay Residence! Wasn''t that to cut ties with Dorothypletely? What''s he doing
back now after the verdict?"
"Ah, let''s not meddle in their affairs. Here, have an apple."
Jeffrey handed over the apple, but Karen turned her face away. "I don¡¯t want it. I¡¯m going to find
Dorothy."
"Don¡¯t! She probably doesn¡¯t want to see anyone right now."
"Why not?" Karen, sensing Jeffrey was deliberately hiding something, was determined to find out.
Dorothy¡¯s matters were of utmost importance to her.
Chapter 911
Chapter 911
"You know as well as I do how thatwsuit turned out. How could she possibly be in good spirits?
Everett flew back just to handle it," Jeffrey sighed, wrapping an arm around Karen''s shoulders. "Let
me put it to you this way, anyone in the world could hurt Dorothy, but not Everett. He''d rather take a
bullet than cause her the slightest harm. You can trust me on that."
Karen seemed to want to argue, but... Jeffrey''s point was hard to dispute.
Karen was well aware of just how much Everett cared for Dorothy.
"Suddenly, I''m dying to know if we''re having a boy or a girl! Why don''t we head to the hospital right
now and find out?" Feeling overwhelmed, he quickly changed the subject.
Karen nodded. "Sure!"
...
Even with Everett by her side, Dorothy''s sleep was fitful - a cycle of waking and dozing.
Thankfully, Everett hadn''t drawn the curtains, keeping the room shrouded in darkness, which helped
Dorothy avoid waking uppletely once daylight broke.
Thest time Dorothy opened her eyes, it was the aroma of chicken soup that stirred her from
sleep.
The soup Everett made had a unique vor, distinctly different from anyone else''s. She couldn''t
pinpoint what he added, but it was irresistibly fragrant.
"You¡¯re awake? Freshen up, and let''s have something to eat."
Dorothy blinked a few times, fully awakening, and nodded slightly.
After freshening up, she approached the table, her gaze lingering on Everett''s bandaged hand, faint
traces of blood seeping through...
"Please, stop cooking. I don''t enjoy it," she said, fearing he wouldn''t listen otherwise.
"How about just a little bit for today?" Everett replied, unbothered, pushing the bowl and spoon a bit
closer to her with his left hand. "From now on, we''ll get room service."
"Okay."
Dorothy sat down, slowly spooning the soup into her mouth. She had virtually no appetite and even
felt a wave of nausea she had to suppress.
Her aversion to food had grown so severe that she appeared visibly thinner and somewhat listless.
"After we eat, how about we take a little walk? Sound good?"
Instead of heading straight to the hospital, Everett had arranged to meet the doctor in a suburban
park.
Having dealt with Amanda''s depression and mental health issues for years, Everett had some
insight into the matter. He knew that ces like hospitals often made people feel more confined and
struggled to emerge from their own emotions.
"I don''t want to go out."
"Dorothy, don''t you want to get better soon and see Abigail and Langston? They''ve been asking to
see their mommy a lot."
Dorothy didn¡¯t reply.
Taking her silence as consent, Everett didn''t want to always bring the kids into the conversation, but
it seemed that Dorothy, aside from her attachment to Abigail and Langston, appeared indifferent to
everything else, perhaps even including himself.
Watching her struggle to finish even half a bowl of soup, Everett couldn''t help but intervene.
"If you really can''t eat, don''t force yourself. You probably haven''t eaten much in days. Eating too
much now might make you feel sick."
Dorothy showed little reaction, simply nodding and putting down her spoon.
"Let me clean up here, and you go wait on the bed. I''ll apply some ointment for you."
"Ointment?"
Everett gestured towards her chest. "That wound, you definitely haven''t treated it."
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Though she was clothed and he couldn''t see anything, Everett''s observations didn''t miss a beat. He
noticed Dorothy flinch slightly when her spoon brushed against her skin under her clothes.
Chapter 912
Chapter 912
Since Dorothy cut herself, several days had passed, yet the wound hadn''t healed. The slightest
brush of clothing against it caused her pain, suggesting it was probably inmed, maybe even
infected.
"No need, I can take care of it myself."
Dorothy immediately refused, even taking a step back, a hint of wariness in her movements.
Seeing her like this, Everett quickly spoke up to soothe her, "Alright, I won''t touch your wound. How
about I get you some medicine, and you can apply it yourself?"
"I don''t need to put anything on it."
"Come on," he said, frowning slightly. "You need to work with me if you want to get better sooner."
Dorothy clearly didn''t want topromise or get too close, struggling to find a way to reject his offer
without offending him.
Everett sighed deeply, then stepped forward to take her hand, patting her head as if she were a
child. "Hey, rx. I''lly everything you want at your feet. So, just take it easy, and trust me, okay?"
She tensed up, trying to pull her hand away.
But Dorothy pulled, and Everett pulled back harder.
"So, you don''t trust me, is that it? Fine, you don''t have to trust me. Keep seeing me as the enemy if
you want!"
"Everett, your father said if I don''t drop thewsuit, he''d arrange for Dr. Quincy to marry you."
Everett was taken aback as he asked, "Is that what this is about?"
"Not entirely."
"They tried to get me to marry Heather, and I didn''t, did I? Who I want to marry... don''t you know
that by now?"
Dorothy frowned. "But I don''t want to drop thewsuit."
"You don''t have to listen to them. Just listen to me, okay?" Everett said, looking at her worn-out
state, his mind clear of anything but concern for her well-being.
He just wanted her to be healthy.
He wanted her to be as vibrant and determined as she was when they first met at the Prosperity
Consortium, fighting passionately for her projects, brainstorming tirelessly to seal a deal.
That''s the Dorothy he knew.
Just as she was about to respond, her phone suddenly rang.
Both of them looked over¡ª
It was Karen.
"Dorothy! Jeffrey and I just found out the baby''s gender. Guess if it¡¯s a boy or a girl!"
Karen''s voice was always so full of energy, effortlessly spreading happiness, as if she never had a
bad day or a worry in the world.
Dorothy thought for a moment, then answered softly, "A boy?"
"Hehe!" Karenughed mischievously, "Wrong, it''s a girl! Haha, who knows, maybe we will end up
being inws! I''d love to see my daughter marry Langston! Oh, but what if Langston thinks she''s not
pretty enough? He''s just too handsome. There will be so many girls after him."
"Nonsense, my daughter will be the most beautiful!" Jeffrey immediately protested over the phone.
"My girl''s not marrying anyone! I''ll take care of her for life!"
"That''s going to make her an old maid!"
Listening to their yful banter, Dorothy suddenly felt the warmth of everyday life seeping in.
"Dorothy, let''s meet up, okay? I miss you!"
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Karen suddenly suggested.
"No..."
Before Dorothy could get another word out, Karen started to wheedle, "Come on, let''s just have
dinner together! Please, I''m begging you. I''m going stir-crazy at home, and you never text or miss
me!"
Dorothy didn¡¯t know how to reply.
"Come out with us! Jeffrey and I will pick you up!"
Just as Dorothy was about to respond, Everett beat her to it.
"No need to pick her up. I''ll drive her there."
Chapter 913
Chapter 913
"Everett!" Karen''s voice pitched up in surprise, "Howe you''re hanging out with Dorothy..."
Jeffrey quipped back without missing a beat, "You''d only be shocked if she was with another guy,
right?"
"...Suppose you''re right."
...
Since Karen was heavily pregnant and found it hard to move around, Everett had Kevin drive them
to the restaurant.
Settled down, Karen began to frown at the sight of Dorothy.
"Are you punishing yourself? Dorothy, if you keep losing weight like this, I''ll have Jeffrey tie you up
and bring you to my ce. I''ll make sure you eat every day!"
Jeffrey, who was in the middle of a drink, coughed twice and smirked, "No need for tying up! Who
dares to mess with that?"
Karen shot him a re, leaving Jeffrey close his mouth.
Discuss tying Dorothy up in front of Everett? Was he looking for trouble?
"Are you hungry? How about something to drink? Milk?" Everett was unperturbed by their banter,
his concern solely on Dorothy.
He knew she didn''t feel like eating, but in front of Karen, she didn''t want to show her difort.
Dorothy nodded slightly and said, "Okay."
Karen, ever straightforward, wanted to press on.
Everett timely intervened, "She''s not feeling well. Let''s change the subject."
With that, even the least observant could grasp the situation.
"Right! Let''s talk about something else! Karen and I went for a prenatal checkup today. We''re having
a daughter! Everett, let me tell you, if your son ever thinks about whisking away my daughter, you
better prepare a hefty dowry!"
Everett chuckled, readily agreeing, "Sure thing."
"I''m not joking! We might be buddies, but when ites to my daughter''s wedding, it has to be
grand!"
"Jeffrey, the baby isn''t even born yet, and you''re thinking way ahead!" Karen could barely stop
herself from rolling her eyes at him.
Jeffrey shrugged. "Of course, I have to think ahead! Ah, just the thought of marrying off my daughter
one day... My heart feels so cold!"
"Just pray your daughter doesn''t end up with a man like you."
Karen''s casual remark made Jeffrey suddenly remember something Arthur had said.
"Jeffrey, oh Jeffrey, karma is a real thing! Aren''t you getting engaged? I''ll be here waiting for the day
you have a daughter. I can''t wait for her to be yed by men, then abandoned, just like how you
yed with Paige!"
N?velDrama.Org ? content.
Just recalling these words gave Jeffrey goosebumps.
No way!
He had to find Arthur and make that jerk take back his curse!
Or else, he''d kill Arthur himself!
"Feeling really bad?" Everett didn''t interrupt their conversation, instead, he turned to Dorothy and
asked softly. He could tell she wasn''t in a good state.
Dorothy shook her head. "Don''t worry about me."
She was forcing herself to interact more with the outside world.
Trying to observe and learn from the way Jeffrey and Karen were with each other, to feel the good
things in this world.
Maybe that could help her manage her emotions.
"Okay, I''m going to the restroom for a bit." Everett gently tapped her shoulder before standing up to
leave.
He left his phone on the table.
Soon, the screen lit up a few times.
No details were visible, except that someone kept sending him messages, one after another.
Chapter 914
Chapter 914
Dorothy barely noticed the sh of Everett¡¯s phone screen, giving it a subconscious nce but not
really paying attention.
As a CEO, his days were typically swamped, and people constantly sought him out.
Lately, she couldn''t help but think that Everett must have been putting off a lot of work because of
her.
The thought made her heart heavy, as if something was squeezing her throat, making it hard to
breathe.
If she were gone, then Everett wouldn''t have to waste his time on her anymore...
Everything could just end.
"Dorothy? Dorothy!"
Karen''s voice sharply pulled her back to reality.
Dorothy''s body jerked, and she broke out in a cold sweat.
Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.
"What''s up?" she tried to sound as normal as possible.
Karen pointed at Dorothy¡¯s purse. "Your phone''s been ringing. Didn''t you hear it?"
Indeed, she hadn''t noticed at all.
Pulling out her phone, she saw it was a call from Dr. Quincy.
Why would she suddenly reach out to her?
Worried Karen might overhear something and get the wrong idea, Dorothy stood up to take the call
a little away.
"Hello, Dr. Quincy."
"I''ve been trying to reach you! I''ve been calling Mr. Lopez, no answer, and you weren''t picking up
either," Quincy''s voice, even in a rush, was still gentle and soothing, like clear, calming waters, "Did
Mr. Lopez see the rehab instructions I sent him?"
Dorothy paused for a moment.
Thinking back to earlier, when Everett''s phone screen lit up repeatedly, was it Quincy messaging
him?
"I''m not sure, you should wait for his reply," Dorothy couldn''t confirm whether Everett saw the
messages or not.
Maybe she was overthinking it.
If it was...
She was quite surprised that Everett would actually use his personal ount to add Quincy.
"Aren''t you two together?" Quincy asked again.
"He''s in the restroom."
"Oh! That exins it. I asked him this morning, and he said he was taking care of you."
Dorothy forced a smile. Catching a glimpse of Everett returning from the restroom, she spoke softly,
"He should get back to you soon."
"Okay, sure!"
After hanging up, she returned to her seat.
Dorothy was about to remind Everett to check his phone when Karen''s conversation sidetracked
her!
By the time she remembered again, Everett was already typing on his phone.
It wasn''t that she meant to snoop, maybe just out of curiosity, she wanted to confirm her earlier
thoughts.
Pretending it was idental, Dorothy nced over.
It was indeed Quincy. She recognized the WhatsApp profile picture.
The next second, Everett suddenly looked up, their eyes meeting.
Dorothy blinked, feeling the embarrassment of being caught.
But Everett didn''t seem upset; instead, he slid his phone across the table to her. "She sent me
some post-surgery rehab tips and methods."
Everything on there was about his injury.
Not a single word gave away any other clues or hints. It was just a doctor''s advice to her patient.
[Use warmpresses to improve blood cirction, start massaging gently with your other hand,
increasing pressure gradually. It''ll hurt, but you need to endure and ovee it.]
[During recovery, it''s normal to asionally feel numbness in the area where the tendon is healing
due to nerve damage. It shouldn''tst too long, but if it persists for more than two days, contact me.]
Everett''s response was sinct.
Just one word.
[Okay.]
Chapter 915
Chapter 915
"If you''re not happy, I''ll just delete her."
Saying that, Everett reached out his hand.
Dorothy quickly stopped him, "No, wait! What are you doing? I was just... looking, that''s all. Don''t
read too much into it."
Not to mention that Everett''s hand hadn''t fully healed yet and that he would still need Quincy¡¯s help,
but thinking about the future... who knows when they might need Quincy''s help again?
If he deleted Quincy from his contacts, how awkward would it be if that got out? How would they
face each other then?
"After she stitched me up, she''s leaving the country. She said she''s worried about whether I''m doing
my exercises correctly for my tendon recovery, and also worried about the expertise of the doctors
here. So, she added me on WhatsApp, telling me to send her a photo of the wound in a few days."
Everett rarely spoke in such a long, hurried exnation.
Dorothy nodded. "Dr. Quincy is very responsible. You should really listen to her."
He''s the CEO of a corporation, after all. His hands are crucial to him!
"Dorothy, if you''re not happy, don''t keep it to yourself. Tell me."
"I''m really okay," Dorothy said, almost helplessly, "Everett, it''s your choice! Just like I advocate for
my own freedom, you know? Freedom means not being interfered with."
He didn''t want that kind of freedom. Nor did he want to give Dorothy that freedom.
After dinner with Karen, Jeffrey took her back to continue with her pregnancy care.
Knowing they were having a daughter, Jeffrey acted like he wanted to vet every boy in the world
suitable for his daughter. Hmph, any guy thinking of getting close to his daughter would have to get
past him first.
Dorothy watched them get into the car and leave before turning back to Everett.
"I don''t feel like seeing the doctor today. Can we reschedule?"
Although Everett hadn''t explicitly mentioned taking her to see a doctor, Dorothy had a hunch.
"Of course," he replied without hesitation,pletely amodating her.
On the way back to the hotel, Dorothy started feeling dizzy.
Her face turned even paler.
He kept ncing at her, hesitating before finally saying, "Maybe we should have a doctore
check on you?"
"It''s okay. I''m probably just carsick. I''ll feel better after resting a bit."
N?velDrama.Org ? content.
Dorothy truly thought it was just ack of food that caused her dizziness, but before they even
arrived, she had lost consciousness and slipped into aa.
...
Everett, worried about his hand and feeling helpless about not being able to do things himself, had
called Jeffrey for help.
After dropping Karen off, Jeffrey rushed to the hospital upon receiving a call from Everett.
"Did you settle Karen okay?"
"I told her it was work-rted, and since she saw it was your call, she didn''t suspect anything,"
Jeffrey said, frowning and ncing at the emergency room''s red light. "Dorothy''s really putting you
through the wringer! Wasn''t she just fine? How did she suddenly faint?"
"The doctor checked her, said it might be due to not eating properly andck of sleep, which could
lead to low blood pressure and sugar levels, but I have a feeling it''s not that simple with her."
A gut feeling.
With no solid evidence.
Jeffrey patted Everett¡¯s shoulder. "Buddy, don''t pressure yourself too much! I know Dorothy means
the world to you, but there''s no need for wild guesses! Fainting from low blood sugar is normal,
right? Look at how thin Dorothy has gotten!"
"She''s not sleeping well."
"If you ask me, you should just enforce some love! Otherwise, you''re wasting your god-given
talents!"
Chapter 916
Chapter 916
Everett, the CEO of Lopez Corporation, was not known for taking the humble road in love. Yet, here
he was, head over heels for a woman for more than a decade, enough time for men like Jeffrey to
father a ser team¡¯s worth of children...
¡°I can¡¯t stand seeing fear in her eyes,¡± Everett admitted.
Everett had tried to be more assertive. He had thought about keeping Dorothy close, disregarding
her personality and her fears, making her his and his alone. But all it took was a glimpse of panic in
her eyes, and he was defeated.
No strategy could work against that.
¡°Man, you are totally whipped,¡± Jeffrey couldn¡¯t help but admire, ¡°Remember how I had to pull some
crazy stunts to make Karen my wife? I was pretty proud of myself until I saw you. Next to you, I look
like a brute, as if I don¡¯t love Karen.¡±
¡°Karen and Dorothy are entirely different,¡± Everett pointed out.
Just byparing their upbringing, the difference was night and day.
Karen was the apple of her parents¡¯ eye. While Dorothy had carried the weight of her family on her
shoulders from a young age.
¡°Everett, whenever I see how far you¡¯re willing to go for Dorothy, it¡¯s like you¡¯re radiating motherly
love,¡± Jeffrey teased. ¡°I never imagined that capturing your heart required a damsel in need of
saving.¡±
Everett frowned at him. ¡°I only want to save her. Everyone else is irrelevant to me.¡±
...
This time Dorothy¡¯s unconsciousness was different from any before.
It was as if the TV suddenly lost power, Dorothy waspletely devoid of consciousness. When
she woke up, she even thought she was still in the car, heading back to the hotel with Everett.
¡°How did I end up here?¡±
Trying to sit up, Dorothy noticed the IV needles in each of her arms. Her movement caused a bit of
blood to backflow...
¡°Don¡¯t move,¡± Everett gently pushed her back onto the bed, waiting for the blood to disappear
before rxing. ¡°You fainted. The doctor said you need to eat well and rest.¡±
¡°How long was I out? What time is it?¡±
¡°Not long. It¡¯s seven in the evening now.¡±
Dorothy looked at him, feeling as if she was floating or walking on clouds. Everything seemed
surreal.
¡°I¡¯ve been asleep for so long.¡±
¡°Yeah, once you¡¯ve had your IV, you can get out of bed, but rest a bit more first.¡±
Everett got up to fetch the warm milk he had prepared for her. ¡°Have some. It¡¯ll give you a bit of
strength.¡±
Dorothy didn¡¯t feel like eating anything, but seeing how he was going out of his way to take care of
her, it was hard to say no.
Watching her slowly sip the milk, Everett felt a weight lift off his chest.
¡°Am I staying in the hospital tonight?¡± She noticed it was already dark outside.
¡°The doctor suggested it, in case you feel unwell again.¡±
¡°But I want to go back. I don¡¯t like the smell here.¡±
She had smelled it too often throughout her life!
¡°Alright, then we¡¯ll go back,¡± Everett checked her forehead for fever. ¡°You¡¯re not feverish, so it
should be okay.¡±
¡°I meant back to the hotel,¡± Dorothy¡¯s lips cracked as she spoke, ¡°Not Bay Residence.¡±
N?velDrama.Org ? content.
He still smiled, gently running his fingers through her hair.
¡°I know.¡±
¡°I want... to be alone at the hotel.¡±
¡°That¡¯s not an option,¡± Everett¡¯s refusal was gentle. ¡°You¡¯re sick, so try to be good.¡±
Chapter 917
Chapter 917
Everett had been the one looking after the kidstely, so he had be quite the pro at soothing
little ones.
Seeing Dorothy''s furrowed brow, he reached over and smoothed it out forcefully.
"I''m not Abigail and Langston."
"You''re right; you''re not." Everett chuckled. "Abigail and Langston are much more obedient than you
are."
Dorothy said nothing.
He pulled out his phone, scrolled through his photo album, and handed it over to her. "I''ve
documented every day. I told them Mommy''s sick and needs some rest, so they won''t be surprised
if youe back to Bay Residence now."
Taking the phone, Dorothy browsed through a few videos and then it hit her.
"So, you never nned on giving up on me?"
"Of course I''ve thought about it! Every time you made me mad, I thought, ''I''m never going to fall for
this heartless woman again.''"
There was a hint of yful resentment in Everett''s tone, a stark contrast to his handsome face.
Dorothy couldn''t help butugh as her gaze returned to the videos.
Everett took great care of them. In the videos, he was always holding Abigail with Langston sitting
beside him as he told them stories or read from a book.
It was so harmonious and adorable.
It was a family atmosphere Dorothy had never experienced before.
As a child, she often fantasized about having loving parents who would take her to and from school,
where she could be daddy¡¯s little girl and share her school stories with her mom.
But those were dreams of her early elementary school years.
After middle school, she stopped dreaming, even wishing at times for Maxton to just pass away
earlier. Perhaps her mother could finally let go and heal if he did.
As Dorothy scrolled, a notification popped up at the top of the screen. It noted a message from
Quincy.
She hadn''t meant to snoop. But the message was right there on the unlocked screen.
[Did you call me, Mr. Lopez? Is everything okay?]
Everett had reached out to Quincy on his own? At least it seemed that way from the message.
Dorothy paused, then handed back the phone, "My IV''s almost done. Can you ask the doctor to
come and remove it?"
Everett pocketed his phone and stood up. "Sure."
...
Leaving the hospital, they stepped outside just as it began to rain.
Dorothy leaned against the car window, lost in thought as she watched the raindrops race each
other down the ss.
Everett didn''t disturb her. He was focusing on his phone, typing.N?velDrama.Org ? content.
Arriving at the hotel, Kevin opened the door for Dorothy. She got out and turned to look at Everett,
who was still busy swiping on his screen.
Since only his left hand could move and his right hand only served the purpose of holding the
phone, he typed in a somewhat awkward manner and often pressed the wrong buttons.
"Mr. Lopez, we''re here," Kevin reminded him.
"Right," Everett said, finally looking up and pocketing his phone before following Dorothy into the
hotel.
"You... nning to stay here too?" Once in the room, Dorothy saw Everett making no move to leave
and asked, albeit hesitantly.
"Yeah, I''ll crash on the couch."
He couldn''t bear the thought of letting Dorothy out of his sight, not even for a second.
Seeing the tiredness in Everett''s eyes, Dorothy''s heart finally softened, "Don''t sleep on the couch,
the bed''s big enough. I won''t take up much space."
"No, I shouldn''t." Surprisingly, Everett declined.
Dorothy asked without thinking, "Why not?"
"¡Because you''re not well."
Chapter 918
Chapter 918
"What does this have to do with my well-being?" Dorothy blurted out the question, her eyes clear
and innocent.
Everett couldn''t help himself; in a swift motion, he pulled her close, his head dipping down to
capture her lips in a passionate kiss.
His hands firmly held her slender waist to pin her in ce as Dorothy could do nothing but tilt her
head back and surrender to his fervent exploration...
As the kiss broke, Everett deliberately pressed himself against her lower abdomen, his voice husky
with unmasked desire.
"Get it now?"
"You¡!" Dorothy''s delicate face flushed a deep shade of red with a mix of anger and
embarrassment painting her features.
How could he even think of that when she¡¯s like this? She could never figure it out.
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She couldn''t believe that even in her current state, Everett''s mind was still wandering to such
thoughts!
"What about it? You kept asking," he chuckled, releasing her and casually running a hand through
her hair. "Dorothy, it''s been months since we haven¡¯t slept together. This is just a natural response."
If he didn''t feel anything, that would be the real issue.
Dorothy decided not to engage further to avoid another lesson in biology. She grabbed some
clothes and retreated to the bathroom.
When she emerged, she found Everett standing by the French doors, deep in conversation on the
phone.
His brows were furrowed, his tone cool and distant, a stark contrast to the warmth he''d shown her
earlier. "Are you sure there''s nothing wrong?" he asked the other side.
"From the medical results you''ve sent me, Mr. Lopez, I can''t see anything rming. No need to
worry too much."
"Mmhmm." Everett hung up, turning to see Dorothy standing at the bathroom door.
"Was that Dr. Quincy?"
"Yeah." He nodded, stepping towards her. "Asked her to review your medical files."
"I''m fine, really. Just not feeling hungry, that''s all. Don''t make a fuss," Dorothy paused, then added,
"And stop always bothering Dr. Quincy about it."
Everett raised an eyebrow, "Jealous?"
"Jealous? Of Dr. Quincy?" Dorothy met his gaze, unflinching. "You''re imagining things. I just don''t
think she should be obligated to check for me."
"Well, you wouldn''t be jealous, would you?" Everett''s lips twitched into a smile. "The Lopez family
pays her sry, after all."
"But I''m not one of the Lopez family."
Wanting to avoid further conflict, Everett didn¡¯t say anything. He simply led her back to bed and
tucked her in. "Get some rest."
But Dorothy was far from sleepy.
Yet, she closed her eyes, knowing that iming insomnia would only keep him up out of concern for
her. After all the day''s drama, he was the one who truly needed rest.
Without looking, she heard Everett moving about quietly.
He showered, changed into his robe, and, not wanting to disturb her further, merely patted his hair
dry with a towel.
Laying on the couch, Everett finished returning Kevin''s work that he had to give an answer to today
before he put his phone down and closed his eyes.
Luckily, the couch in this room wasrge and long enough that he could at least stretch his legs out
even though he was filling it up.
Dorothy waited a while before quietly getting out of bed, barefoot to avoid making any noise, and
tiptoed over to him.
Everett, lying there, appeared a little childlike in his sleep. Hisrge frame was neatly arranged, his
hands were by his sides, and he was breathing evenly...
Dorothy reached out to touch his bandaged hand, hesitated, and then withdrew.
Suddenly¡ª
Everett''s deep voice broke the silence, "Dorothy, I think you do love me, right?"
Chapter 919
Chapter 919
"Um, didn¡¯t you fall asleep?" Dorothy was startled by Everett''s sudden movement.
Everett opened his eyes, and even in the dim moonlit room, he could precisely lock onto her gaze.
"Answer my question."
"I was heading to bed."
As Dorothy turned to leave, he caught her wrist as his tall figure rose abruptly from the couch, "Tell
me, I want to hear it."
"Just because you want to hear it means I have to answer?"
"Yes." Everett''s tone was unusuallymanding when he forced a direct response from her.
Dorothy knew she couldn''t dodge this, and after a moment, her demeanor softened slightly, "You
want my trust, and I can''t give it."
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"What if you don''t have to trust me? Can you be at peace by my side then?" he asked.
She frowned, "Everett, you have too much in your hand and that brings you to the height others
wouldn''t dare dream of in their lifetime! But being with me, you''d lose so much! You''d even... bear
the stigma of being an unfilial son for life!"
"But¡"
"Let me finish."
"Alright."
Dorothy took a deep breath, eyes downcast as she said, "I''m torn, too. I know if I give up clearing
my mother''s name, I could gain the approval of the Lopez family; I could be with you and also our
kids. But... wouldn''t that be like stepping over my mom''s body to enter the Lopez family? I just can''t
do it!"
She even felt that any slight wavering in her resolve was a sin! Like she''d be damned to the deepest
hell!
"You don''t need their approval. If I acknowledge you as my wife, that''s enough." He imed.
"I want to end all this, and death seems the only way out," she replied.
After Dorothy''s first failed attempt on Amanda, she hadn''t thought about it again.
It wasn''t forck of opportunity but aplete loss of will. She just wanted to be free, to leave this
world forever, where none of its turmoil could touch her. She¡¯d be blind about others¡¯ life or death
after she closed her eyes forever.
That attraction became increasingly overwhelming, and was beyond her control.
Eventually, her hallucinations began.
Standing on a high ce, she could see her mother waving her over from below.
She saw daggers and sharp knives, and she could read the lines carved on them, "Pierce me into
your body, and you''ll be free."
Revenge,wsuits, love¡ªnone would matter to her anymore.
As Dorothy calmly voiced these thoughts, a boundless fear spread through Everett.
His entire being was enveloped in dread as he said, "Dorothy, I can give up everything. Let''s take
Abigail and Langston and find somewhere secluded, okay?"
"How could we? You''re the CEO of the Lopez Corporation¡ª"
He frowned, his gaze intense and serious, "If I have you by my side every day, if I can make you the
first person I see after opening my eyes and thest person I see before going to bed, what else
matters?"
"But Everett, you''re not like Jeffrey. You¡¯d suffer without work." Dorothy knew Everett''s dedication to
his career and the effort he''d put into the Lopez Corporation.
Putting other things aside, his hard study for years was not something that could be exchanged by
mere wealth. He must have reached the pinnacle through years of effort.
She wouldn''t want him to give that up for her.
"But without you, I''d suffer more." Everett tightened his grip on her hand, his voice calm but each
word heavy, "If you die, I will go with you."
Chapter 920
Chapter 920
"Everett!" Dorothy felt a shiver run through her entire body.
"I''m here."
"You''re just in your thirties! You can''t throw away your future because of me! We''re from different
worlds. I''m just another face in the crowd, but you, you''re like the shining star that¡¯s so unique and
irreceable!"
She wasn''t born into expectations. She was devoid of loving parents or a happy childhood, not even
the average family life most kids take for granted.
Despite trying hard, she ended up attending just an average high school and university.
Dorothy always thought of herself as too ordinary.
Lost in the crowd and easily receable.
But Everett was different. He was the sole heir to the Lopez family, the CEO of Lopez Corporation,
and the decision-maker for over a hundred subsidiaries.
How could she everpare?
Without him, the future of Lopez Corporation could hardly be deemed bright.
"Forget about whether I''m the star or not, I¡¯m giving you this conclusion."
Dorothy didn¡¯t say a word.
"I don''t want to hear about the gaps between us. I can''t deny the big differences in our social
standings. But remember this, if you die, let your soul wait for me just a little bit, and I''ll surelye
find you."
Dorothy frowned, "Everett..."
"So, do you want us to die together?" he pressed.
"You''ve lost your mind."
Everett chuckled, "I lost it a long time ago, not just now."
Ever since he had eyes only for Dorothy, Jeffrey had called him crazy. And who in their right mind
would take their own mother to court?
Everett didn''t deny it. He was crazy to the bone.
Dorothy tried to persuade him to change his mind, but Everett''s gaze already conveyed his answer.
It took her a moment to gather her thoughts, "Is this... some kind of threat?"
"If you think it is, then it is."
"Everett, I really think you''re the one who needs to see a shrink."
Everett shrugged, "I don''t need one. I''ve got the best medicine."
Dorothy was confused.
"As long as you''re alive, I''m fine." He exined.
"I mean that YOU are too obsessive! Have you ever considered that you just have your eyes on me
because you''ve never really been with other women? If you tried to be with someone else¡"
Everett interrupted softly, "Dorothy, I''ve told you before that I''m a clean freak."
"You mean you have a thing for virgins?" Dorothy bluntly interpreted, "Then you could easily find
someone untouched!"
With Everett''s status, finding a woman who hadn''t been with someone else wouldn''t be hard at all.
"No." He sounded helpless, "Strictly speaking, I have a thing for being someone''s first and only. The
first time I''m with someone, I''mmitted to them for life and unable to touch another."
Dorothy was speechless.
This was a first for her.
"What if I never let you touch me?" she asked.
Everett gave a wry smile, "I''ll wait."
It''s not like he hadn''t waited before. Years had passed this way.
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"And what if, hypothetically, I died? Wouldn''t you be alone forever?" she pressed.
"I told you, if you die, I''d die too."
Dorothy opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for words.
Everett pondered and then said gravely, "I wonder this is all karma."
Chapter 921
Chapter 921
"Don''t be ridiculous!"
"I''m dead serious." There wasn''t a hint of jest in Everett''s eyes.
He had truly considered this way, and thought that¡¯s why he pursued so relentlessly in his life, never
straying and never letting go.
Dorothy fell silent, perhaps because she found herself at a loss for words.
To others, his words might seem like pie in the sky, but Dorothy knew he wasn''t joking.
This man could truly do anything.
"So, can you answer my question now?"
"What question?"
"That you love me."
Everett''s gaze was fixed on her delicate face. His left hand was cupping her chin, not allowing her to
look away.
After a few seconds of eye contact, she finally caved.
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"Yes, I love you."
The moment Everett heard those words, his eyes suddenly began to sting and get teary.
"I finally heard it."
He felt like he could die right then without any regrets.
"But I''m afraid I''ll still disappoint you in terms of giving you trust." Dorothy''s past life was self-
contained and guarded. Asking her to open uppletely and depend on someone for everything
was a tall order.
Sometimes, hurting Everett wasn''t her intention.
Maybe¡ her knack for harsh words was inherited from Be. She never knew how to talk softly.
"No worries, I''ll just stop listening to anything you say from now on."
"Everett." Since they were opening up, Dorothy decided to ask what she''d been wondering, "Tell me
the truth. Why does it have to be me?"
It was such a struggle and such torment. Any other woman would have made Everett''s life so much
easier! He wouldn''t even have to lift a finger; women would flock to him.
She was serious about the question.
Everett thought seriously too before answering, "Maybe... I have a tendency for self-punishment?"
Dorothy red at him, "I thought as much."
Heughed and pulled her into his embrace, "I''m really happy today."
Dorothy raised an eyebrow, "You sure I''m not deceiving you?"
"Then deceive me every day, will you?"
"No, I''m tired. I want to sleep."
As Dorothy made to leave, Everett immediately leaned in close, "The couch is a bit hard."
"So?"
"Let''s sleep in the bed together then." He said.
She paused, "You said that¡"
"I''ll restrain myself."
Since Everett always kept his word, Dorothy didn''t suspect anything.
But his hands started wandering the moment theyy down.
Dorothy, unable to bear it any longer, pinned his hand to her waist!
"Everett!"
"I feel safer this way."
"Just keep it there. Don¡¯t move it around!"
His roaming hands made people hard to believe his words.
"Pfff." His soft sigh came from behind her, "Go to sleep. I won''t touch you. I''ll restrain myself. Once
you''re asleep, I''ll go take a cold shower."
Dorothy paused, then turned to face him, "You want to catch a cold?"
"What should I do then?" In the darkness, Everett held her hand against him, "It''s quite hard for
me."
Especially at night. Especially with her by his side.
It felt like just the scent of her hair was enough to set him aze.
"Then... then I..." Dorothy was finally swayed by his plea for sympathy.
But Everett just smiled, "Your health isn''t great right now. We have all the time in the world. Go to
sleep, don''t worry about me."
"Still, you seem about to burst." Dorothy could feel that his boxers were barely containing it.
Chapter 922
Chapter 922
Everett let go of her hand, pulling her back, not allowing her to face him directly. He didn¡¯t want her
to see the expression on his face.
"Alright, time for bed. Goodnight." He said.
"I really can¡"
"Dorothy!" Everett''s voice hinted at frustration, "You can''t! I''ve been holding back for too long."
So, once the floodgates of desire opened, there was no turning back.
At least for tonight, she wouldn''t be able to handle it.
Hearing his husky and strained voice, Dorothy wisely decided to drop the subject, "Oh, then
goodnight."
...
After ending her call with Everett, Quincy put her phone aside. Herptop screen was filled withb
data and cell culture results.
This was her umpteenth failure. She was getting irked despite her patience.
Failures weren''t new to her, but this time, it felt especially frustrating. Or let¡¯s say it wasn''t just
because of the failed experiments...
Finally unable to bear it any longer, Quincy stood up and walked to the window, opening it for some
fresh air.
Her phone rang again.
It was her father Ronin calling.
"All thanks to you, our family had pulled through this crisis! If the Lopez family hadn''te through
with the money on time, our family would''ve faced disaster!"
Ronin was ecstatic, but Quincy found his words grating.
"Do you even realize what I had to give up for this?" she asked.
"Ah, sweetie, you were going to marry someday anyway. Now that you have a chance to marry into
the Lopez family, so what''s there toin about? Forget about our country, how many families
can stand shoulder to shoulder with the Lopez family in the entire world? How many men can
compare to Everett?" Ronin''s tone was almost as if he expected Quincy to be grateful, "The Lopez
family has only one heir, and countless people would kill for the chance to be his wife."
"But what I wanted was a lifetime partner."
"That''s a fantasy!" Ronin could sense what his daughter meant, but given her current situation, he
couldn''t be too harsh. He tried to speak earnestly, "Sweetie, you''ve lived in luxury in our family from
the moment you were born. Do you know how much your medical education cost? I''ve never
comined! Our family really needed help this time."
Ronin had ns to acquire severalpanies to monopolize the market.
But then the financial chain broke, and the bank demanded the remaining payment. Failing to pay
would mean losing the coteral. The only ones capable of providing such arge cash flow were
the Lopez family.
If the needed amount was smaller, he could have asked for a loan, and Jonathan might have
agreed, given their many years of friendship. But the gap was too vast to bridge with a simple loan.
"Dad will promise you something. Once this merger isplete and our family is back on its feet, if
you truly don''t want to stay with Everett, I''ll support you. You can divorce him then!"
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Quincy almostughed at that.
"Do you really mean that?"
"Why wouldn''t I? You are my own daughter!"
"The Lopez family just casually dropped a billion to cover your losses. Jonathan isn''t a fool. You
must have promised him a share of your project, or you''ve agreed to permanently bind me to the
Lopez family. Otherwise, Jonathan wouldn''t have simply handed over the money. He''s not known
for charity without seeing a benefit." Quincy said.
He would either sign a contract or get profit. Wasn¡¯t that how the business world worked?
Either contracts or benefits. Who would part with their money without a reason? A saint?
"Sweetie..."
"If I''m not mistaken, you chose thetter option because you didn''t want to share your profit."
Chapter 923
Chapter 923
Ronin instinctively wanted to argue when his daughter guessed it right.
"But that¡¯ll all be yours after I pass away, right? If our family can do well, then you can hold your
ground when you''re married."
Quincy didn''t want to hear any of it. She sighed softly, "Dad, I''m only helping our family this once.
After that, I want nothing to do with any of the family affairs."
"You¡"
"I don''t want your money, and clearly, you never nned to give it to me. I just want my freedom!
Since you''ve basically sold me to the Lopez family, consider me as someone you never had." With
that, Quincy hung up the phone.
She thought she would feel terrible after saying those harsh words, maybe even cry.
But, surprisingly, not even a hint of sourness came to her eyes.
Maybe he was right. Every gift had its price tagged secretly, and since she had her share by
enjoying her family''s privileges, paying her dues was only fair.
¡
The following day, Dorothy woke up to find Everett rarely still in bed, leaning against the headboard
and working on his phone.
Feeling her stir, he nced down, "What do you fancy for breakfast?"
Dorothy took a moment to gather her thoughts, remembering everything that had happened the
night before.
"I''m not really hungry¡" she muttered.
"That''s not an option. You need to eat."
"Then, something light, I guess." Dorothy propped herself and sat up. "I''ll go freshen up."
In the bathroom, she could tell Everett had just taken a shower not long ago. Although he had dried
the ce, the air still held a hint of dampness.
And the thermostat was undoubtedly set to cold showers, turned all the way down.
He seriously did this in the early morning?
Dorothy felt her cheeks warming up. She quickly patted them, and began to freshen up.
When she came out, Everett was already dressed in his suit, waiting on the couch with his long legs
crossed.
"Are you heading to the office?" she asked.
"No, I''m taking you to see a doctor."
Dorothy frowned, "I don''t want to go to the hospital."
"We''re not going to the hospital." Everett stood up, taking her hand. "We won''t go anywhere you
don''t want to."
She didn''t respond; she just heard him sigh above her head.
"Dorothy, be a good girl. You still have to stay with me for life."
"But¡"
"No buts, just do as I say."
Dorothy couldn''t help butugh, "Now you''re being bossy."
"If I had known being bossy worked on you, I wouldn''t have held back."
Finally, sheughed, changed her clothes, and let him take her to see a doctor in the countryside.
Everett had gone to such lengths, so the least she could do was to take a step as what he just
wanted.
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She owed him that much.
Upon arrival, the doctor Everett had arranged was already waiting.
"Dorothy, rx and cooperate with the doctor." He paused, then added, "Dr. Quincy rmended
her."
"Oh." Dorothy nodded and then smiled at the female psychologist, "Hello."
"Hello, Ms. Sanchez! Dr. Quincy briefed me on your situation. Here''s the thing, if we can manage
your suicidal tendencies without it, I''d advise against MECT treatment due to its side effects. Let''s
try medication for a while and see how it goes," the shrink said softly, her smile reassuring.
Dorothy frowned slightly, "Can we make it so I don''t have hallucinations first?"
"You''re having hallucinations?" The shrink looked surprised, murmuring, "It shouldn''t be this
severe¡"
Chapter 924
Chapter 924
"What was that? Sorry, I didn''t catch it."
The shrink shook her head, "Nothing major, let''s start with medication and see how it goes. Does
that work for you, Mr. Lopez and Ms. Sanchez?"
Everett stood by Dorothy''s side, his hand firmly sping hers as if to transfer his strength to her,
"That''s fine, whatever it takes to get her well again."
The shrink smiled, her response seemed to be loaded with subtexts, "Curing this illness indeed
requires quite a bit from you, Mr. Lopez."
Leaving the shrink and getting into the car, Dorothy kept gazing out of the window and was lost in
her thoughts.
As they neared the hotel, she suddenly grasped Everett''s hand, "Can she really cure me?"
"Of course," he replied without hesitation.
After a brief silence, Dorothy said, "Let''s¡ go back to the Bay Residence."
Everett''s voice was soft and warm, "Missing them?"
She nodded, "Yeah."
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"Good, Abigail and Langston will be thrilled."
Seeing the smile on his face, Dorothy mimicked it, though her heart wasn''t in it. She didn''t feel any
joy at the thought of seeing the kids; in fact, she was even somewhat resistant.
These were the very ties that kept her from finding peace!
She didn''t want to see anyone, including Everett.
But as long as she was alive, the show must go on, and freedom would remain elusive.
She had many roles to y and many scenes to enact.
Especially in front of Everett, she had to act normal, pretend she was living a typical life, and show
that she had many things in this world to hold onto. Only then could he be at ease.
As for herself, she could only hope that the medication prescribed would really work.
...
Returning to Bay Residence felt like stepping back in time.
Upon entering, Abigail and Langston rushed to their mom, hugging and kissing her.
"Mommy! I missed you so much!" Abigail yelled.
"Uh-huh." Dorothy gently touched her daughter''s hair, but she was unable to reciprocate the
sentiment no matter how hard she tried.
Even Langston, usually glued to hisputer, came over to inspect, "Mommy, dad said you were
sick. Is it serious?"
"It''s not serious. I''m almost better."
"That''s great! Then Mom and Dad can be both around."
Everett came out of the kitchen with freshly washed fruit and ced it on the table, "Don''t bother
your mom too much, she needs her rest."
"It''s okay." Dorothy smiled, picking up Abigail, "What fruit do you want?"
"Apple!" Abigail pointed at a shiny red one on top.
"Alright, I will peel it for you." She pulled up a chair, grabbed the apple, and the paring knife beside
it.
The kids resumed their yful chase around the living room.
Dorothy forced a smile, but as she looked down at the knife, her body seemed to move on its own,
her fingertips brushing against the sharp edge.
It hurt, and she could feel it.
The blood that followed was visible to her eyes.
Yet, Dorothy felt no panic, no fear, only a peculiar sense of relief as if her entire being was
immersed infort.
It was as if something tempted her to cut deeper and more fiercely, to let the blood flow more freely.
"Dorothy!"
Suddenly¡ª
The knife was snatched from her hand by Everett!
Dorothy looked up nkly, her vision slowly clearing, "I... I was just trying to peel the apple, and I
identally..."
"From now on, stay away from these things!"
Chapter 925
Chapter 925
He had barely turned around when he saw her slicing her finger with the knife!
Dorothy shrunk a bit under his loud voice, looking down, "I''m sorry, I lied. I just couldn''t help
myself..."
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Everett tossed the knife aside and pulled her into a tight embrace, gently patting her back tofort
her.
"You haven''t done anything wrong. It''s on me for raising my voice and for not putting the knife away
safely. We''ll get through your illness together step by step."
"Yeah." She would do her best to cooperate.
After holding her for a while, Everett stood up to grab the first-aid kit to bandage her finger.
The cut wasn''t deep, and it hardly bledpared to the injuries Everett had seen her endure, but
he still applied the antiseptic with great care, asking if it hurt.
Dorothy felt like she was on the edge of a cliff, too resigned to even struggle. Nevertheless, he was
desperately calling her back! That made her feel like she couldn''t justify it even if she wanted to
jump.
...
As night fell, Dorothy took the medication the shrink prescribed and soon felt drowsy.
Everett waited until she was truly asleep before leaving the bedroom.
"Dad, is Mommy''s sickness not getting better?" Langston looked troubled when he saw him,
hesitantly asking.
Everett ruffled his hair, "Why do you ask?"
"It''s just... Mommy feels both close and yet so far away," Langston couldn''t quite articte his
feelings, but that''s how he felt.
"She''ll get better. With Dad here, she won''t be sick forever."
Langston nodded, "Then Abigail and I will be good and not make Mommy mad. Whatever Mommy
asks, we''ll do."
"That''s my boy." Everett stayed in the kids'' room until both children were asleep before heading
back to the living room.
He nced at his phone and noticed a missed call.
From Quincy.
He called back, and Quincy picked up quickly.
"Mr. Lopez, I heard from a friend that Ms. Sanchez is now so ill she''s having hallucinations?"
"Yeah, some of her behavior seems involuntary, not just simple depression."
Quincy was silent for a moment before sighing, "Don''t put too much pressure on her for mental
illness takes a long time to heal. And her emotional wounds haven''t healed yet, so making recovery
even harder."
"I have a feeling her condition isn''t just psychological."
"Did you find out something else, Mr. Lopez?"
"No."
It was just his intuition and conjecture. After all, the issues with Dorothy''s mother had been dragging
on for years. Though hard to ept, Dorothy still had enough time to buffer, so it seemed unlikely
her depression would lead to severe hallucinations.
"Don''t overthink it! Once I''m done here, I''ll head over to Eldorria City to check on her condition."
Everett frowned, not responding to her offer but instead suddenly asking, "Did you know about my
father taking out arge sum of money to help your family?"
"...Yes."
"What did you promise him?"
Everett knew his father well enough to know he wouldn''t just give away arge sum of money out of
pure friendship.
Quincy chuckled, "Don¡¯t you know? Jonathan wanted me to marry you."
Everett said nothing.
"But... unless you agree, it won''t happen. Who am I to register with by myself?"
"I can''t marry you."
Chapter 926
Chapter 926
Naturally, Quincy wasn''t surprised by the response.
"I wish I could stay out of all this drama too if I can."
All she wanted was to be a doctor, to heal and to be free.
So Quincy tried to persuade Dorothy to drop the case, to give in to Jonathan''s demands and make
things work with Everett.
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But unfortunately, everyone had their reasons. She had reasons she couldn''t forgive, and Quincy
had reasons she couldn''t refuse.
...
The prescription worked wonders.
Dorothy slept through the night without a single dream.
She was slowly waking up the next morning to the familiar ceiling of the Bay Residence''s master
bedroom, momentarily unsure if she was still trapped in a dream.
"You''re awake." Everett''s voice broke the silence.
Dorothy followed the sound, taking a few seconds before her face showed recognition.
"Yeah."
"Did you sleep well?" Everett asked, pulling her up from the bed like he was treating a kid.
Dorothy smiled, "It''s been a while since I''ve slept that long."
"I had someone check the medication you were prescribed. It''s good for treating your condition, but
it''s not meant for long-term use. I''m worried about dependency. So tonight, we''ll try a different
method to help you sleep."
A different method?
Dorothy blinked, her gaze meeting Everett''s curling eyes.
"What are you thinking? I mean, like using aromatherapy or doing some light exercise before bed."
Her cheeks flushed, "I...I wasn''t thinking anything."
Everett didn''t tease her further. He stepped back and said, "Go freshen up, thene out for
breakfast. I have a meeting at the office today and it''ll take about three hours. Call me if you need
anything."
"Go ahead, don''t worry about me."
Dorothy knew she had be a burden to Everett and didn''t want to drag down his work too.
After breakfast, she helped Everett with his tie and watched him leave Bay Residence.
Turning back to the bedroom, Dorothy noticed that Everett had child-proofed the entire house, even
padding the sharp corners of furniture thoroughly. He was genuinely afraid of her harming herself
again.
Dorothy touched the padded corners repeatedly, lost in thought until her phone rang.
It was Dr. Quincy.
Seeing the caller ID, she was a bit surprised but not really.
Due to her condition, Everett and Dr. Quincy had been in touch more frequently.
"Hello, Dr. Quincy."
"Hey, it''s me! Just checking in on you." Quincy''s chuckled. "Did you sleep wellst night?"
"Very well. I was dreamless."
"Sleep as much as you need. Being run-down affects recovery from any illness! Mr. Lopez is truly
concerned about you; he was constantly checking in and putting even me under pressure! Justst
night, after I left the hospital, I found several missed calls from him."
Dorothy frowned slightly. She just had an indescribable emotion. But she knew Everett''s concern
was for her.
"Sorry for the trouble, Dr. Quincy."
"Now you''re calling me doctor too, but isn''t treating patients part of my job?" Quincy''s voice
remained soothing. "If you feel like you''re bothering me, then get well soon! Otherwise, Mr. Lopez
might just drag me to Eldorria City himself!"
Chapter 927
Chapter 927
Dorothy suddenly realized that Dr. Quincy couldn''t stop mentioning Mr. Lopez in their conversation.
Every mention was due to her illness, but the familiarity in their talks was a far cry from the
alienation she felt back in the days of Swevia Country.
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"It seems he''s really gotten to you. When he gets back from the office, I''ll have a word with him and
tell him not to bother you all the time."
"He''s just looking out for you. Seeing a loved one in pain and not being able to do anything about it
is tough. I can understand Mr. Lopez''s feelings! It''s fine, I only check my phone when I''m free, and if
I see a missed call from him, I just call back." Quincy''s tone was polite and was also brought no
arrogance that Heather had, making Dorothy feel a bit guilty for suspecting her.
Maybe it was the depression that made her overthink?
Dorothy tried to curb her wandering thoughts and smiled, "I do have to thank you, though. Not just
for my illness, but for you were Everett¡¯s lifesaver every time he got hurt."
"No need to thank me on Mr. Lopez''s behalf!" Quincy paused, "Strictly speaking, it''s a transaction. I
save him, and he has to give me something I want in return. It''s an even exchange."
Dorothy kept thinking about Quincy''s words even after they hung up.
What she wanted.
What could it be?
It didn''t sound like it was just about the sry the Lopez family offered her.
...
"Quincy, your father should have called you by now, right?"
Jonathan had his reasons for hurrying Quincy. After all, the appeal for the court case hadn''t been
granted yet. If Dorothy could be swayed or regret her decisions before then, there was room for
negotiation.
That would make his arrangement for Quincy even more meaningful.
If the appeal was epted, then the trial would be inevitable.
"Yeah, he told me," Quincy''s voice was firm but not overbearing, "Don''t worry, Jonathan, I''ll do what
I promised."
"I trust you! But... it''s been quite a while," Jonathan chuckled, "Look, the money I gave to your family
was quick, or else we couldn''t have saved your father''s situation! I''m in a tight spot now, and I can''t
wait much longer."
Quincy was silent for a few seconds before speaking, "Give me three more days, and I''ll get Mr.
Lopez to agree to marry me."
"Alright! I''ll wait three more days." Jonathan wasn''t worried about Quincy''s family taking the money
and not delivering. After all, if they dared to y games, they couldn''t bear the consequences.
Quincy knew this very well.
"Quincy, I''m really looking forward to you marrying into our Lopez family! You''re much better than
Dorothy in every way."
If Quincy didn''t understand his intentions now, she would be really foolish.
Jonathan was just trying to protect his wife, which she understood. But if she couldn''t persuade
Dorothy, she would have to handle it her way.
"Stop teasing me, Jonathan! I just hope Mr. Lopez doesn''t tear me to pieces when the timees."
"I believe you''ve already prepared a way out if you already made a move! Your father, a smart man,
must have a clever daughter."
"Well, you could say that."
A safety was indeed in ce. In this dangerous game, she just hoped toe out unscathed
and notplicate matters further.
Chapter 928
Chapter 928
"Alright, I''m counting on you then. Don''t let me down." Jonathan said.
The stakes were too high for Quincy¡¯s family. A simple gesture from him, and her family could just
keep their footing in the business world. But if he decided to y dirty, then her family would be like
a small boat in the midst of a stormy sea, constantly at the mercy of the elements.
After ending the call, Quincy set her phone aside and let out a heavy sigh.
Sometimes she wondered what really defined good and evil.
Was self-sacrifice the epitome of goodness? And if one abandoned goodness and morality, but
managed to save her parents, was that act still good, or did it veer into evil?
¡
When Everett picked up the call from Langston, he was in the middle of a boardroom meeting.
Delegates from several international partners were present for a site inspection, ready to sign the
official contracts after exchanging letters of intent.
¡°Dad! Mom fainted!¡±
Everett shot up from his chair, ¡°Don''t worry, Langston. I''m on my way!¡±
Kevin, standing nearby, quickly exined to the partners, ¡°Mrs. Lopez is unwell. Please do
understand the situation.¡±
The partners nodded in understanding; after all, they couldn''t afford to offend the Lopez
Corporation.
By then, Everett had already vanished from the boardroom as expected.
Arriving at Bay Residence, he saw Langston sitting beside Dorothy, with Abigail already in tears.
¡°Dad!¡±
¡°Don''t cry, I''m here now.¡± Everett scooped the unconscious Dorothy into his arms, and the doctor he
had called arrived shortly after.
¡°Dad, is Mom going to... leave us?¡±
Langston stopped mid-sentence, choosing his words carefully.
Despite being moreposed than Abigail, he was still just a kid.
¡°No!¡± Everett''s reply was unwavering.
Following the ambnce to the hospital, Dorothy was rushed into the ER.
The ring red light seemed to tear Everett''s heart into pieces, filling him with anxiety and
restlessness.
As minutes ticked by silently, the ER was eerily quiet.
Just as Everett''s patience was running thin, the doctor finally emerged.
¡°Mr. Lopez, Ms. Sanchez¡¯s symptoms... they resemble poisoning.¡±
Poisoning?
¡°What kind of poison?¡±
¡°We need further tests for a definitive conclusion. Her reactions and symptoms are quite unusual,¡±
the doctor said, clearly troubled.
When the doctor first saw Dorothy''s blood test results, he was baffled because he had never
encountered such a case before.
Several standard toxicology tests showed normal results, yet the patient''s condition remained dire.
¡°How long will the tests take?¡±
¡°It''s hard to say, Mr. Lopez.¡± The doctor dared not give a precise timeframe.
He was utterly clueless. The assumed poisoning was just a suspicion.
Everett was about to say something more when a nurse hurried out, ¡°The patient is awake!¡±
Without waiting for the doctor''s response, Everett rushed into the ER.
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There on the hospital bed, Dorothyy pale, her eyes open but void of life.
¡°Dorothy!¡± He quickly approached and took her hand into his.
Dorothy turned her face towards him, confused, ¡°Why am I here?¡±
¡°You fainted!¡± he asked with a frown, ¡°Tell me, did you eat or drink anything unusual?¡±
She shook her head, unable to remember anything before she fainted; her mind was a nk te.
¡°Everett, I don''t want to stay in the hospital... take me home¡¡±
¡°Okay! We¡¯ll go home now.¡±
Chapter 929
Chapter 929
The doctor was going to stop them. Considering Dorothy''s current condition, it hardly seemed wise
to let her leave the hospital.
But no one dared to protest once Everett spoke up. They exchanged looks, until finally, they
watched as he scooped her up and carried her out of the hospital.
Dorothy nestled into his broad chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart and feeling her own
heartbeat slowly sync with his...
To be so resolutely chosen by someone was a dream many yearned for, wasn''t it?
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At least, Dorothy was crystal clear about one thing, that as long as she was willing to turn around,
Everett would always be there behind her. That was a reassurance, a trust in its purest form.
"Everett." She said.
"Hmm?"
Dorothy reached up, her fingers lightly circling his neck. "Heal me, please. I want to live, to see you
grow old and grey. Wonder if you''ll still be as handsome."
Everett looked down at her with a smile on his face, "I will."
Dorothy had always wanted to ask him if he was tired. Because living felt so exhausting to her¡ª
breathing was a chore, and even waking up each day was a struggle.
But in this moment, seeing Everett, who had been tirelessly looking after her for years, she realized
the one who should be tired wasn''t her, but him.
He was pursuing an endless route like groping in the dark with no end in sight. And he had lived like
this for over a decade.
How could she be the tired one?
...
Dorothy''s condition was far more serious than Everett had anticipated.
He had thought it was merely a case of food poisoning at worst, something that could be treated
with the right antidote. But as a day passed and the hospital was still at a loss.
Dorothy would drift in and out of consciousness, her mind clear one moment and foggy the next.
"Mr. Lopez, we''ve done all we can! Perhaps... you should seek out a more skilled physician?"
They didn''t dare dy, so they opted to be frank with him.
Everett''s gaze swept over the doctors before he stood up and dialed a number, "Did you poison
Dorothy?"
"No!" Jonathan was slightly taken aback by his son''s usation. "I wouldn¡¯t wait until now if I
wanted to harm her."
"Then who could have poisoned Dorothy?!" Everett hadn''t suspected his father initially. His main
idea was that his presence could deter any direct action against Dorothy. But as the poison
remained unidentified and untreated, he couldn''t help but cast his doubts that way again.
"Hold on!" Jonathan raised his voice. "Are you saying Dorothy''s been poisoned? And it''s critical?"
"If anything happens to her, no one''s getting off easy!"
"Everett! I''m your father!" Jonathan struggled to ept that his own son would confront him so
aggressively for a woman. "I''ve told you, I haven''t touched Dorothy, nor have I ordered anyone else
to. If I wanted to settle thewsuit that way, it wouldn''t have even gone to trial!"
He could have made Dorothy disappear without a trace!
"If not you, then who?"
"Then investigate! Send someone to probe me, your father, and see if what I''m telling you today is a
lie!" Jonathan''s patience had worn thin. "Your mother''s severe illness didn''t even get a nce from
you, but for Dorothy''s poisoning, youe using me with no evidence at all. Great job. I,
Jonathan, have indeed raised a good son! Don''t forget you''re a father too!"
His tone and manner didn''t seem like those of a man guilty of poisoning Dorothy.
Chapter 930
Chapter 930
Was it possible that Dorothy had somehow crossed someone?
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"Did you instruct anyone to harm Dorothy?"
"I would never¡ª" Jonathan''s words cut off abruptly mid-sentence.
His thoughts had raced to what Quincy had told him.
To make his son agree to marry her within three days, she''d surely need to pull some strings.
Targeting Everett directly would be too difficult.
But finding a weakness through Dorothy? That would be much easier and a precise way to
manipte Everett.
If Quincy was behind this, Jonathan had to admit he was impressed by the girl''s boldness. He had
pegged her as naive and simple, but she turned out to be quite daring.
"I didn''t have a hand in it anyway. You should look into others," Jonathan chose not to share his
suspicions. And he didn''t want to say it out loud.
After all, as long as the end goal was achieved, he couldn''t care less about Dorothy''s fate.
Everett hung up without a word.
Returning to his room, he found Dorothy awake. She looked incredibly weak and even her lips were
drained from color, "Everett..."
"I''m here." He gently pulled her into his embrace, soothingly stroking her back, "Dorothy, have you
noticed anything unusual about anyone you''ve been in contact withtely?"
Unusual?
Dorothy chuckled weakly, "Since I left my job, you know everyone I''ve been in contact with. If I had
to say there was something unusual, it might be... you."
"Me?"
She nodded, "Yes! You''ve never been the type to have private dealings with Dr. Quincy."
Everett frowned slightly, "Did she tell you that?"
"Not exactly. I saw it myself." Dorothy met his gaze, her voice weak but firm, "You know? When I
saw you had interactions with Dr. Quincy, I got jealous, even though I didn''t want to admit it!"
"I was in contact with her only because¡ª"
Dorothy ced her hand over his mouth, stopping him from exining further.
"I know all about it! I understand your personality as well as your habits. I know you reached out to
her because of me! But it still made me ufortable."
She had tried to adjust her feelings many times, but what she truly felt was something she couldn''t
deceive herself about.
"Then I won''t contact her anymore. There are plenty of other doctors." Everett immediately reached
for his phone to delete Quincy''s contact.
Dorothy quickly stopped him, "I didn''t tell you this to make you delete her! I... I just want you to be
happy."
"Hm?"
"You thought I didn''t love you, right? Do you still think so?" Dorothy leaned into his chest, listening to
his heartbeat, feeling at that moment that all her previous stubbornness and hard-headedness were
pointless.
What was all that for?
Everett was stunned for several seconds, unable to grasp the sudden change. Her swift turnaround
made him feel as if he was dreaming.
"Why... are you saying all this now?" he asked.
"Maybe I''m afraid of keeping these words to myself. Now that I can speak, I''ll say it all." Dorothy
took a deep breath, "Though I don''t know what''s gotten into me, I can tell it''s serious from your face!
Everett, if it''s really hard to cure, don''t trouble yourself or the doctors anymore."
"No!"
"Let me finish." Dorothy squeezed his arm, "I don''t want you to do things you dislike for my sake
anymore! You have to promise me that you mustn''t follow me if I truly can''t be saved."
Chapter 931
Chapter 931
"It''s not that bad yet! Don''t jump to conclusions." Everett was skeptical, refusing to believe that a
mere poisoning left them with no options. "Think hard about what you''ve eaten or used recently!"
Dorothy furrowed her brows, racking her brain.
"The only people I''ve been in close contact with are Karen, Jeffrey, you... and Dr. Quincy."
"Quincy? When did you meet her?"
"That day... Jeffrey took me to the hospital after I hurt you, and that''s when I saw her." The words
Quincy had spoken to her were still vivid in Dorothy''s memory.
She had expressed her reluctance to marry Everett due to their families'' unison. Yet, if she refused
to drop herwsuit, she''d be forced to agree. She had resigned herself to eventually marrying
Everett.
"Did Quincy give you anything to eat or drink?"
"She handed me a bottle of water!"
Everett''s brow furrowed instantly, "Did you drink it?"
Dorothy nodded, "Yeah, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed. I had just seen you in the hospital, and
then I ran into her. Sheter took me to a lounge."
Everett didn''t respond but stood up immediately.
Dorothy knew what he intended to do and quickly grabbed Everett''s arm, "It couldn''t have been Dr.
Quincy! She''s too pure and kind-hearted. If it weren''t for her, you might not have survived that
severe injury from Heather." She feared that confronting Quincy could hurt her feelings.
"If she''s innocent, she won''t take it the wrong way."
"It can''t be her!"
Everett patted her hand gently. "I''ll just ask, I promise to be subtle."
Dorothy sighed, resigned. "She has no motive to harm me! Dr. Quincy herself said she didn''t want
to marry you."
"Quincy¡¯s family recently needed a substantial amount of money to cover some debts, an amount
they couldn''t possibly gather on their own. But suddenly, my father volunteered to provide her family
with the money! I suspect there was a deal between them."
Quincy might not be willing, but that didn''t mean someone wasn''t pushing her into it from behind.
Some situations were just beyond one''s control.
Dorothy didn¡¯t reply.
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"Don''t worry, I know what I''m doing." Everett stroked her hair and kissed her forehead. "No matter
what, I won''t let anything happen to you."
Eventually, he stayed in the bedroom until Dorothy fell into a deep sleep again before he left.
Everett tried calling Quincy, but the call wouldn''t go through. He tried a different number, but to no
avail.
"Kevin, check Quincy''s whereabouts."
"Right away, Mr. Lopez."
A few minutes after hanging up, Kevin had an update.
"Mr. Lopez, Dr. Quincy is currently on a flight. She''snding at Eldorria City Airport in two hours."
Quincy wasing to Eldorria City?
Everett''s eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke in a deep voice, "Go to the airport and make sure you
intercept her. I need to see her."
"Understood!"
Although Kevin didn''t know what was happening, he followed Mr. Lopez''s orders without question.
Just before hanging up, Everett added, "Wait for her directly at the tarmac. Don''t wait until she
leaves the airport to intercept her. I want her controlled the moment she steps off the ne, and
she''s not to contact anyone."
After putting down the phone, his fingers clenched tightly into a fist.
No one was allowed to harm Dorothy!
Quincy¡¯s family better pray they had nothing to do with this.
Chapter 932
Chapter 932
After instructing Kevin, Everett made his way back to the bedroom, only to discover several missed
calls on Dorothy''s phone.
They were from Karen. Instead of calling her back immediately, Everett decided to check in with
Jeffrey first.
"What''s Karen want with Dorothy?" he asked.
"It was nothing at first. Dorothy hadn''t been in touch, so she was checking in. But when Dorothy
didn''t answer her calls, Karen started to worry." Jeffrey''s voice was deliberately lowered, and was
ought to avoid Karen overhearing, "What''s up with Dorothy? Why isn''t she answering her phone?"
"She''s been poisoned."
"What?!" Jeffrey''s voice involuntarily spiked, "Someone managed to poison her while she''s with
you?"
Everett rubbed his temples, "No one would dare touch her while she''s by my side. I think it''s
something from before that''s just kicked in now."
Jeffrey fell silent for a few seconds before quickly offering, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Not for now. I''ll start by questioning Quincy. As a doctor, she''s got a higher probability of poisoning
Dorothy, and she knew more about poisons too."
"Quincy? The surgeon from Swevia Country who operated on you?" Jeffrey had met her; she
seemed gentle, hardly the type to harm anyone.
But Jeffrey knew well enough that looks could be deceiving.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.
"Yeah." Everett replied.
"So, what''s your n?" After a brief pause, Jeffrey lowered his voice again, "We can''t let Karen
know about this! Later, take Dorothy''s phone and text her back on WhatsApp. If Karen finds out, it
might cause her to go into prematurebor."
It had been a struggle to keep the baby to this point! He didn''t want anything going wrong at thest
minute.
"Dorothy will wake up soon. I''ll have her video call Karen to put her mind at ease."
"That''s great! Karen was about to dress up and search for Dorothy herself when she didn''t get a
response. I had to physically stop her from leaving. But I can''t hold her off for long. If she insists on
seeing Dorothy, and I keep stopping her, she''ll get more suspicious."
Jeffrey was also aware that something serious must have happened on Everett and Dorothy''s end.
He had assumed it was anotherwsuit, not expecting Dorothy to have been poisoned.
If Karen found out, it would be disastrous.
"Let''s try to keep it under wraps for now. Once Dorothy''s awake, I''ll have her get in touch with
Karen." Everett understood Jeffrey''s concerns. Besides, with everything already in chaos, if Karen
were toplicate matters, it would only add fuel to the fire.
After hanging up, Everett couldn''t shake off his suspicions about Quincy. She had both motive and
means.
...
"Dorothy still hasn''t answered!" Holding her belly with one hand and her phone with the other, Karen
rushed to Jeffrey''s side once more.
"Maybe she''s sleeping and didn''t see the calls. Just give it some more time."
"Dorothy''s a light sleeper. There''s no way she''d sleep through her ringtone."
"Recently, Dorothy''s taken a liking to drinking. Maybe she''s just passed out drunk." Jeffrey walked
over to support Karen, "Don''t worry about her right now. Aren''t you aware of your own condition?
The doctor said your pregnancy is precarious!"
Karen''s brows furrowed. She was about to retort when she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her lower
abdomen. Her face paled instantly.
"It hurts... Jeffrey, my belly hurts..."
Seeing Karen in pain scared Jeffrey out of his wits, "Don''t move! I''m calling the doctor!"
Chapter 933
Chapter 933
Luckily, Jeffrey had always been concerned about Karen''s well-being, so they had resident
obstetrician on call at home.
With a singlemand, several doctors rushed over in a flurry.
"Don''t worry! There''s still fetal movement. We''ll get the fetal monitor on right away!"
Karen grimaced through the pain, her face pale, "Jeffrey, the baby... please, make sure nothing
happens to the baby..."
"Rx, this is my daughter we''re talking about. I''ll make sure she''s born safe and sound!" Jeffrey
squeezed her hand tightly. Inside, he was more anxious than anyone, but he couldn''t let that show
in front of Karen. That would only make her more anxious.
"It hurts..." Karen moaned.
Jeffrey stroked her hand over and over, wishing he could take the pain upon himself, "Just hang in
there! For our baby!"
After calming Karen, he quickly pulled one of the doctors aside and spoke in a low voice, "Don''t say
anything rming in front of my wife! She''s already in a fragile state and can''t handle any upsetting
news. I have only one request: keep my wife safe!"
"Understood! Rest assured, the baby¡¯s mature, so even in the worst-case scenario, there''s a good
chance for its survival if she delivers now."
Hearing this, Jeffrey finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Although Karen was his priority between the baby and her, he naturally hoped for the baby''s safety
too. This was the child they had fought so hard to bring into this world. The sacrifices and hardships
Karen had endured for this baby were immense.
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"I leave it in your hands then. A safe delivery for mother and daughter, and there will be a reward for
everyone!" With those words, Jeffrey hurried back to Karen''s side.
Looking at the monitor''s fluctuating waves, he frowned, "Is that the fetal heartbeat? How''s my
daughter doing?"
"The fetal movement and heart rate seem normal for now, but there are already signs of bleeding.
We rmend transferring to a hospital for better-equipped facilities."
"Yeah! Do it now!"
For Jeffrey, nothing mattered more than the safety of Karen and their daughter.
...
In the flight, Quincy was engrossed in medical textbooks, not resting for a moment.
She truly loved the medical profession and had a particr fondness for theb. The satisfaction of
developing new medications was unparalleled for her.
As the ne prepared tond, Quincy packed away her books and took out her phone, nning to
make a call once theynded.
But as soon as the ne steadied on the runway and the cabin doors opened, several people burst
in.
Quincy was startled. At first, she thought it was a hijacking.
"Dr. Quincy, sorry to disturb you, but could youe with us, please?" Kevin approached Quincy
personally, his tone polite but his demeanor leaving no room for refusal.
Quincy didn''t recognize him, and naturally, she was not about toply easily.
"And who might you be? Why should I go with you?" she asked.
"Who I am is not important. Would you prefer toe willingly or bepelled, Dr. Quincy?"
"What do you think you''re doing in broad daylight?!" she snapped.
Kevin smiled, "Our boss wants to meet you."
Quincy frowned, "And who is your boss?"
"You''ll find out soon enough." Kevin didn''t specte on Mr. Lopez''s intentions; his job was simply to
carry out his orders.
Chapter 934
Chapter 934
"I''m not going!" Quincy could tell that the man was a trouble. There was no way she was going
anywhere with him. She tried to grab her phone to call for help, but Kevin caught her attempt in a
heartbeat. He chuckled lowly, and then, with a smile stered on his face, forcefully snatched her
phone away.
"You two, get Miss Quincy into the car." He ordered.
"I already told you I''m not going anywhere! This is straight-up kidnapping!"
"Well, sorry about that. If that''s what you think, then so be it."
Quincy tried to make a run for it, but with only Kevin in front of her and the flight attendants nowhere
in sight, she didn''t even have a chance to cry for help.
"Let me go! Don''t touch me! Help!" Her shouts went unheeded as two men dragged her out of the
ne''s cabin.
In desperation, Quincy yed her trump card, "Do you know who I am? I''m Everett, the CEO of the
Lopez Corporation¡¯s fianc¨¦e! Lay a finger on me, and you''ll pay!"
At that, the men restraining her hesitated.
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Thinking the mention of Everett would help, she immediately said, "Call him now if you don''t believe
me!"
At this, Kevin just smiled, "Don''t worry, Miss Quincy. I''ll ry your message to Mr. Lopez."
"Aren''t you afraid of crossing the Lopez family?"
"Of course. Miss Quincy, please." Kevin''s smile never wavered as he watched Quincy being led
away. Only then did he pull out his phone to report back to Mr. Lopez.
"Mr. Lopez, I''ve got her under control."
"Alright, I''ll head over once I''m done here." Everett said.
...
Dorothy opened her eyes to find Everett by her bedside. She tried to move her hand and noticed an
IV drip attached to it.
"You''re awake. Do you feel difort anywhere?" he asked.
Dorothy shook her head with a smile, "I''m fine! Just needed a bit of sleep and I feel much better
now."
"Then you should call Karen back. She''s been trying to reach you, and Jeffrey said she''s worried."
"Okay." Dorothy picked up her phone, seeing the missed calls warmed her heart.
There were still a lot of people in this world who cared about her. It wasn''t just Everett who cared;
Abigail, Langston, and Karen were there too.
But when she called back, no one picked up at first.
Finally, Jeffrey answered.
"Karen might be having the baby early. We''ve rushed her to the hospital, and her phone''s with me."
Hearing this, Dorothy immediately responded, "I''ming right now!"
She put away the phone and looked at Everett, "Karen''s in the hospital. Jeffrey said she might be
having the baby early. I need to be there!"
"What?" Everett''s heart sank, but considering Dorothy''s condition, which could cause her to faint at
any moment, he hesitated to let her go, "Stay at the Bay Residence for now. I''ll check on her."
"No, take me with you! I''ll be worried sick if I stay. If I''m with you, I can know what''s happening as
soon as possible!"
Dorothy considered Karen a sister. How could she just wait at the Bay Residence knowing her
friend was in trouble?
"What about your health?" he asked.
"I promise I''ll be fine! Just let me go with you. Whatever treatment I need afterward, I''ll follow your
instructions to the letter, okay?" Dorothy was so anxious; she wished she could teleport to the
hospital.
Chapter 935
Chapter 935
Seeing Everett still hesitant, Dorothy did something she rarely did; she grabbed his arm and gently
shook it, her voiceced with a yful whine, ¡°I won¡¯t leave your sight, and is that not enough? How
can I not be there for Karen in such a critical time?¡±
If Dorothy were in perfect health, Everett would have no qualms about letting her go!
But now, with Dorothy¡¯s unpredictable fainting spells...
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¡°You really have to go?¡±
¡°Yes! I must.¡±
Everett let out a soft sigh, knowing he would eventually give in to her, ¡°Alright, but you have to listen
to me at the hospital. If you feel unwell, you must tell me immediately, no hiding.¡±
Dorothy nodded quickly, ¡°I will!¡±
¡
The hospital was thest ce Dorothy wanted to be. She was nearly developing a reflexive
aversion to the pervasive smell of disinfectant.
Following Everett to the maternity ward, they found Jeffrey, who was visibly anxious and pacing
back and forth.
¡°Why are you guysing here?¡± Jeffrey wasn¡¯t surprised to see Everett, but Dorothy¡¯s presence
surprised him.
¡°How could I note with Karen in this condition?¡± Dorothy¡¯s gaze shifted towards the closed
doors of the operating room, ¡°Did the doctors say anything else? Is she... going to have the baby
ahead of the time today?¡±
¡°The doctor told me to prepare myself. If they can¡¯t control her bleeding or if there¡¯s any issue with
the baby¡¯s heartbeat, they¡¯ll have to perform a cesarean section immediately.¡±
Just the thought of Karen alone in the ICU made Jeffrey¡¯s heart clench. He couldn¡¯t shake the
image of her pale, pained face from his mind. He had never seen Karen in such agony before!
Everett walked over and pped him on the shoulder, ¡°It¡¯ll be okay. I¡¯ve already called in the best
OB-GYNs in Eldorria City toe here.¡±
Jeffrey looked up at Everett and nodded, ¡°Thanks, man.¡±
¡°No need to thank me.¡±
Jeffrey let out a sigh, ¡°You know, after seeing Abigail and Langston, I thought how great and joyful it
would be to have a child of our own. So I insisted Karen get pregnant, never thinking about the
risks. But seeing her like that today, I swear, this will be the only child I¡¯ll put her through. As soon as
mother and daughter are safe, I¡¯m getting a vasectomy.¡±
Standing outside the ICU, the tough man felt tears threatening to spill. He knew childbirth was a
critical ordeal for women, but facing it firsthand showed him just how powerless he was. He could
do nothing but let Karen face it all alone!
Everett pressed his lips together, saying nothing. His gaze shifted to Dorothy, who was peering
anxiously through the door.
He couldn¡¯t imagine how this frail woman was once gathering evidence and working at the same
time with two babies in her belly. Karen, with all the care and attention from Jeffrey, was struggling
so much. The thought of Dorothy enduring even half of that.
Everett didn¡¯t dare to continue that thought.
Dorothy was oblivious to their conversation, her mind entirely on the room behind the door.
Just as she was contemting whether to knock and ask if she could apany Karen, she felt a
pull on her hand.
Dorothy looked up and met Everett¡¯s intense gaze.
¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± she asked.
¡°Nothing, I just really wanted to hold your hand.¡±
Chapter 936
Chapter 936
Although she couldn''t quite put her finger on why, the warmth from Everett''s palm seemed to infuse
her with endless energy, bringing her a sense of peace andfort.
"She''ll be alright."
Dorothy nodded, instinctively leaning closer to him, "Karen is always so upbeat; she''s bound to turn
things around."
Everett gently stroked her hair, his voice deep with concern, "Did you have to go through something
simr?"
Dorothy paused before she could grasp his meaning.
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"No, Abigail and Langston were always so considerate, they never put me through any trouble."
She said.
"Don''t lie to me. Karen already told me about your difficult delivery." Everett could also imagine that
she must have endured more pain and hardship than most since she was pregnant with twins.
Dorothy stiffened, her grip on his hand tightening, "There''s no need for guilt over the past! Not
telling you was my decision, and I''m prepared to face the consequences."
She never held any resentment towards Everett.
He was unaware of her pregnancy, so it was unfair to me him for any subsequent risks.
"Dorothy, you still don''t understand." Everett wasn''t sure how to exin. She always had a clear line
dividing responsibilities - yours were yours, and mine were mine.
But Everett felt differently. He didn''t want their rtionship to be so transactional; that wasn''t love.
He wished to protect Dorothy at all costs.
"Then teach me slowly." She acknowledged her shorings, and knew she didn''t understand love
or what to do once in love. But she was now willing to learn.
For Everett.
"Alright." Everett finally smiled, showing a hint of happiness for the first time in days.
...
Quincy was escorted to a private residence. She was blindfolded during the journey and unaware of
their route.
"What do you guys want?" she asked.
"Miss Quincy, please be patient. You''ll soon understand why we''ve brought you here."
Quincy eyed the two men beside her and could actually detect their intentions.
She was puzzled, having not revealed any weaknesses to Everett or openly confronted Dorothy;
they shouldn''t know anything yet!
"Did... Everett send you to bring me here?" Quincy asked tentatively, trying not to show any fear to
avoid suspicion.
"We have nothing to say. Don''t bother asking." Kevin, wanting to avoid anyplications, decided
to wait for her personally.
Having worked closely with Mr. Lopez for years, he knew when given a direct order to escort
someone personally, the matter was significant. If Quincy escaped or encountered any trouble, he
would be the one to stir troubles.
"The society run byws. Kidnapping me without telling me the reason is a crime! I''m giving you a
chance here."
Kevin simply smiled and was unfazed by her threats.
This only increased Quincy''s unease!
In Eldorria City, only Everett''s people could afford to be so bold and reckless, right?
Chapter 937
Chapter 937
"Did Everett send you to bring me here?" After Quincy spoke, she watched Kevin closely. And as
she expected, she noticed the subtle shift in his expression.
She knew she had guessed right.
"Why would he do that?" she asked.
"Miss Quincy, even if you ask, I can''t say. You might as well save your energy."
Quincy frowned, "I need to speak with him!"
"You''ll have to wait."
After all, without instructions, Kevin wouldn''t take the initiative to connect Quincy with Mr. Lopez.
Quincy had a hunch about Everett''s sudden movements. But then she thought...
Shouldn''t she be the one in control? So, what was she afraid of?
N?velDrama.Org ? content.
"Fine! I''ll just wait for Mr. Lopez then."
...
Time ticked by slowly in the hospital.
Jeffrey was practically glued to the operating room¡¯s door.
If it weren''t for the doctor saying his presence might stress out the mother-to-be and potentially lead
toplications, he would''ve barged in there by now.
"The backup doctors have arrived; everything will be fine." Everett saw his state and forcefully
pulled Jeffrey back to his seat.
"But I can''t see Karen, and it''s like something''s constantly stirring in my chest, making it impossible
to calm down!" Jeffrey gripped Everett''s hand, his palm sweaty. "You can''t understand how I feel!"
he eximed.
"I can empathize." Everett said. He tried to feel Jeffrey¡¯s heart. If Dorothy were in that delivery room,
his reaction would likely be even more intense than Jeffrey''s.
"Can we ask the doctor? If Jeffrey can''t go in, how about me?" Dorothy was also anxious. She knew
Karen, usually chatty and seemingly fearless, was actually quite timid. And in such situations,
anyone would be scared.
"You can''t either." Everett didn''t even ask; he just gave her the answer.
Dorothy frowned, "I just want to check on her!"
"Right now, we do what the doctor says. Not causing trouble is the best help for Karen." Everett
imed.
"But..."
"You promised you''d listen to me before we came."
Dorothy bit her lips. She was suddenly at a loss for words.
Luckily, Jeffrey managed to keep his mind clear at the crucial moment. He calmed himself down and
said to Dorothy, "You don''t have to worry, Dorothy. Everett has brought in the best doctors. Karen
will be fine."
"Should we inform Karen''s parents now?" Dorothy felt it wasn''t right to keep Karen''s parents in the
dark about such matters. Good or bad, they deserved to know the result.
"I''ve already called them. Her parents should be here soon." Jeffrey wasn''t scared; he just felt guilty.
He had promised Derek and Serena that he''d take good care of her, and yet, during the pregnancy,
there had still beenplications.
"That''s good." Dorothy nced at Everett unintentionally after finishing saying.
He was also looking at her with a deepened gaze, "Feeling unwell?"
She shook her head, "I''m fine, really! Can I please stay?"
"As long as you promise not to overdo it and tell me immediately if you feel unwell, then you can
stay."
Even though Karen''s situation was urgent, Dorothy''s well-being was his top priority.
"I''m not being stubborn, I really¡ª"
Dorothy couldn''t finish her sentence as a sudden intense pain shot through her head!
Chapter 938
Chapter 938
Everett immediately steadied her with both hands. He sensed Dorothy''s difort with sharp
intuition. Her delicate face paled instantly, yet she tried to muster a facade of being fine.
"Does it hurt a lot?" he asked.
Dorothy shook her head, "No..."
Everett knew why she was lying, thus feeling a mix of helplessness and frustration. Without further
ado, he whipped out his phone to call a doctor for Dorothy.
She tried to stop him, but before she could utter a word, darkness enveloped her vision, and she
passed out cold.
Thankfully, Everett was there to catch her, preventing her from hitting the ground.
Jeffrey was shocked at her condition, "What''s happened to her?"
"Dorothy''s been like this off and on these past few days. I need to take her now, Jeffrey. Call me if
you need anything."
"Alright! Take care of Dorothy first!"
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After all, her condition seemed more serious than Karen''s.
...
Quincy felt a strange calm knowing that it was Everett who had her confined here. At least she was
sure these people wouldn''t harm her, not immediately posing any threat to her life.
Due to the long flight without rest, Quincy fell asleep on the couch soon after sitting down.
When she came to, she heard footsteps and barely opened her eyes to see Everett walking in.
Dressed in a suit, his handsome face stern and his gaze intimidating. It seemed... he knew
everything.
"Hand me the antidote!" he requested.
Quincy gave him a look and smiled, "Mr. Lopez, could you please bring me my suitcase?"
Everett frowned, "Don''t y games with me!"
"It''s not a game. The antidote is in my suitcase; I need it to give it to you."
Her readiness to hand over the antidote made Everett doubt its authenticity even more.
"Quincy, you better be aware of what you''re doing."
"I am." She might not like being involved in the high-stakes business world, but she somehow knew
about it, as well as Everett''s capabilities and influence. Yet..."But I know even more how important
Ms. Sanchez is to you."
"Are you doing this just for your father''s money?" Everett''s face was grim, "If so, hand over the
antidote, and I''ll pay."
Quincy shook her head, "I just don''t want to be controlled anymore! Before this, I begged the Lopez
family and Ms. Sanchez, but no one listened, and no one tried to see it from my perspective! So, I
had to find my own way."
Everett had no patience for her story. He grabbed her by the throat, his voice thunderous, "The
antidote!"
But as his grip tightened, Quincy only showed signs of difort without a hint of pleading. It was
as if she was certain he wouldn''t really kill her.
Suddenly, Everett released her, allowing Quincy to gasp for numerous air and cough violently.
"Give me the antidote. This has nothing to do with Dorothy!" he yelled.
"Ugh... I told you, the suitcase, it''s in the suitcase...!"
He frowned, then signaled Kevin with a look.
As Kevin left the room, Quincy caught her breath, "Mr. Lopez, don''t worry, I won''t let Ms. Sanchez
die! Because I know, if she dies, my time would be up too."
Chapter 939
Chapter 939
"Spill it, what do you want in exchange for the antidote?"
Everett was certain that the grand gesture Quincy made against Dorothy wasn''t going to end with
the antidote being easily handed over, especially not after she had been forcibly brought here by his
people.
The antidote in that suitcase was either a fake, or... it wasn''t the whole thing.
"I want you to agree to marry me." Quincy''s voice was soft when she said it, but her determination
was crystal clear without a hint of hesitation.
She used to feel like a small boat adrift at sea, unnoticed and uncared for in terms of her thoughts
and well-being. But now, things were different.
Controlling Dorothy meant having Everett at her mercy! Everything was within her grasp.
"That''s impossible." Everett''s response was just as firm, "If this is about your family''s need for
funding for that acquisition project, I can provide the funds, and I promise you won''t have to go
through my father in the future."
He didn''t want to burn bridges with Quincy. Getting the antidote for Dorothy was his priority!
Of course, that was only if Quincy was willing to negotiate.
"If I just needed money to save my family, Mr. Lopez, I wouldn''t bother involving your precious
Dorothy." Quincy maintained her innocent and gentle facade, smiling, "Bing Mrs. Lopez gives
me a title that frees me from being manipted."
Especially by her own parents! Otherwise, if they failed to let her marry Everett, they would force
her to marry into other families. They wouldn¡¯t stop morally ckmailing her as long as they sawN?velDrama.Org ? content.
value in her.
"Quincy, I''m giving you a chance to negotiate, but don''t mistake it for patience." His words were a
naked threat.
But Quincy just shrugged, her tone calm, "Right now, Ms. Sanchez''s life and mine are tied together.
Unless you no longer care for her, Mr. Lopez, your threats¡ mean nothing to me. Because if
anything happens to me, then no one in this world will be able to save Ms. Sanchez. She must
suffer with me."
Everett''s mistake was showing his love too openly and making it clear to anyone who came close!
Having a loved one was his Achilles'' heel. If there was anyone to me, it was Dorothy for being
too trusting and bing Everett''s weakness, thus allowing others to exploit him.
At that moment, Kevin returned with Quincy''s suitcase and handed it to Mr. Lopez.
"Mr. Lopez, there''s a small box inside."
He handed it over to Everett.
Upon seeing it, Quincy spoke slowly, "That''s Ms. Sanchez''s antidote. Seeing you in such a rush, Mr.
Lopez, it seems the poison has started to take effect. Giving her this antidote will allow her to live
normally for at least a month with no adverse effects on her health."
He had guessed right - this antidote wasn''t everything.
Everett, holding the box, his handsome face darkened, "And after that month?"
"Then, it''ll depend on whether you are willing to secure the antidote for the next month, Mr. Lopez."
This was the only ace up her sleeve after all these years with her family. When she developed this
drug, she thought if her parents forced her into marrying some old geezer, she''d use it on her father.
Now, fate had twisted her n. Using it on Dorothy was more beneficial than on her father, giving
her leverage over someone as powerful as Everett. With him as her pawn and shield, who would
dare to look down on her again?
Chapter 940
Chapter 940
"You''re trying to ckmail me with this." He said.
"Mr. Lopez, I think you''d better hurry up and get that antidote to Ms. Sanchez, don''t you think?"
Quincy pointed at the box, "Otherwise, once Ms. Sanchez falls into a deepa, it might be too
late to bring her back."
Everett''s hands were clenched into fists. Despite all his calctions, he hadn''t considered this
hidden threat by Dorothy''s side.
Especially since Dorothy had assured him that Quincy was thest person she''d suspect! That
showed how much trust Dorothy ced in Quincy. And gaining Dorothy''s trust had been his desire
for the longest time.
Everett didn''t say anything more. After pausing for a few seconds, he took the antidote and left.
On the way back to the hospital, Kevin hesitated before cautiously speaking up, "Mr. Lopez, should
we get this antidote tested? Just in case..."
"She wouldn''t dare put Dorothy in danger." Everett said.
Now, Quincy had bound herself and Dorothy together. If he wanted to rid himself of her, he would
inevitably have to give up on Dorothy as well.
Quincy was betting on the fact that he couldn''t possibly abandon Dorothy.
...
After taking the antidote, it wasn''t long before Dorothy woke up.
Further blood tests showed she was almost back to normal. All previous anomalies had vanished,
leaving the doctors bewildered and asking what kind of medicine she had taken.
"How''s Karen doing?" The moment Dorothy woke up, she immediately asked about Karen.
"She''s fine. Jeffrey''s by her side, so nothing will happen," Everett said as he gently patted her back,
"Worry about yourself first."
"Me?"
Everett was about to tell her that Quincy was the one who had poisoned her, but he held himself
back at thest moment.
Dorothy was already dealing with depression. Knowing that someone she trusted was the one who
had poisoned her, and that Quincy was using this to ckmail Everett, might just crush her with
guilt.
He couldn''t do that! Reflecting on the situation, Everett felt nothing but regret.
Why hadn''t he kept Dorothy by his side at all times? Why had he actually left when she asked him
to, even in anger?
After badgering her for all these years, why couldn''t he have just do it a bit longer?
"Okay. You need to focus on getting better, okay?" he required.
"But I''ve already woken up. I don''t feel the slightest bit unwell," Dorothy said, smiling at him and
shaking his hand. "Can you... take me to see Karen?"
She was always worried.
"Keh and her parents are there, and so is Jeffrey. She''ll be fine."
"Just one look," Dorothy blinked and yfully reached out her hand to his, "And I promise I''ll just
greet Keh and won''t talk to him much, okay?"
Everett found himself both helpless and amused. She still thought he didn''t want her to go because
of Keh.
Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.
"I just can''t say no to you." Holding her hand, Everett bent down and picked her up in his arms.
Dorothy let out a small cry, then found herself securely in his embrace, "Everett! You''re not nning
to carry me there, are you?"
"If you''re worried about me getting jealous, isn''t this the perfect way to show there''s nothing to worry
about?"
"But, what about Karen''s parents? They''re there too!"
Upon hearing this, Dorothy caught the smile tugging at Everett''s lips. He was doing this on purpose.
Chapter 941
Chapter 941
The moment Keh caught sight of Dorothy walking in, it was as though a spark had ignited within
his eyes.
But before he could even muster a greeting, his gaze fell upon Everett, who trailed closely behind
her.
So, they''ve reconciled, he thought.
She was, after all, meant to be with that man.
"Hey everyone." Dorothy greeted everyone present with a smile, then made her way back to stand
beside Everett.
Ever so obediently.
Everett casually draped his arm over her shoulder, a silent deration of his im on her.
This halted Keh in his tracks. He retracted the step he had begun towards Dorothy, and he
resigned himself to stand still.
Jeffrey, noticing Everett, excused himself from his inws and approached.
"Dorothy, Everett and I need to have a word." He said.
"Go ahead! I''ll just be here," Dorothy responded with a smile, thinking they were about to discuss
some work-rted matters and not dare to intrude.
Everett pursed his lips and whispered to her, "Stay right here and don''t go anywhere. I''ll be right
back."
"Okay."
Once Jeffrey had led Everett to a secluded stairwell in the hospital corridor, he inquired, "What''s
going on with Dorothy?"
"It''s Quincy," Everett revealed, seeing no need to hide the truth from Jeffrey.
Jeffrey froze, a look of disbelief spreading across his face as he asked, "Are you sure it''s her?"
"She confessed," Everett replied. There was no one else but Quincy who could target Dorothy, and
also target her with such capability.
"Damn! That wench! So, what''s your n? If it''s tricky for you to make a move, I can step in for
you," Jeffrey disdained the backstabbers evidently.
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That woman knew targeting Everett directly was futile, so she went after Dorothy instead.
Such cowardice!
"The antidote is with her, so we can''t act rashly," Everett stated. If not for the need for the antidote,
he wouldn''t have considered involving Jeffrey. He intended to make Quincy and her family pay
dearly!
But now was not the time.
While Everett remainedposed, Jeffrey couldn''t hide his frustration, "Everett, sometimes I really
feel for you! You, with all your power and freedom, yet so constrained by all these troubles! Your
parents are one thing, and now there''s Dorothy! And why couldn''t she be more cautious and more
vignt? Where''s that aloofness when she needed it?"
How could she let her guard down so easily? And now that posed another threat to Everett!
Hearing Jeffrey''s dissatisfaction with Dorothy, Everett''s brows furrowed, his voice carrying a
warning, "Don''t talk about her like that."
"I''m just pissed! These people always target Dorothy because they know she''s your weakness! As
your buddy, it infuriates me!"
"If someone targeted Karen, you''d do the same."
Jeffrey paused. He was at a loss for words. He understood, but it didn''t ease his concern.
He just felt Everett was cornered!
He had spent his best years chasing Dorothy, and now that they were finally together, his parents
were causing chaos. And with thewsuit involving his parents not yet resolved, Quincy pops up.
Without Dorothy, Everett wouldn''t be in this situation. Without Dorothy, no one could stand against
him.
"If Quincy can concoct an antidote, I''ll have someone work on finding a solution too. There''s always
a way out." Everett said.
"But you''re at Quincy''s mercy until then, right?"
Everett''s response was firm, "I can''t let anything happen to Dorothy."
Chapter 942
Chapter 942
Jeffrey was on the verge of saying something more, but the words seemed inappropriate before
they could even leave his lips. The fact that Dorothy had been poisoned was undeniable, and
pointing fingers wouldn''t change that.
"Here. Let me handle Quincy," Jeffrey finally said, ¡°I have my ways of making people talk. She''ll give
us the antidote finally."
Everett gave him a look, his gaze darkening in silent agreement.
"Just don''t kill her before we get that antidote." He said.
"Don''t worry. She won''t die. I know when to stop."
...
N?velDrama.Org ? content.
Despite the doctors'' best efforts, Karen ended up having to deliver prematurely.
The medical team had done everything they could to keep the baby inside for as long as possible,
but with the fetal heart rate showing signs of distress, they couldn''t wait any longer.
Outside the maternity ward, Jeffrey looked nothing like a soon-to-be father. His legs were so weak
he had to lean against the wall to stay upright.
Serena, finally unable to contain her worry, had cried her eyes out and taken sce in Derek''s
comforting embrace.
"If anything happens to my daughter... I don''t know what I''ll do..." she choked.
"Stop talking nonsense. She''ll be fine," Derek tried to reassure her, though the tension was always
evident on his face.
Keh, standing a bit apart, couldn''t bring himself to scold Jeffrey seeing him in such a state. But
ever since his cousin got involved with Jeffrey, it had been one problem after another. He was
starting to question whether supporting their rtionship had been the right decision at all.
He sighed heavily as his phone buzzed.
ncing down, he saw it was his girlfriend calling.
With a frown, he silenced the phone without answering.
When he looked up again, he locked eyes with Everett. The moment they locked eyes, they could
feel the rivalry from the other side.
But was Keh himself considered as Everett''s rival? He didn''t even seem to qualify.
Dorothy stood quietly by Everett''s side, her hand in his, leaning against him in a way Keh had
never experienced.
"It''s a girl! A beautiful baby girl!" The news came bursting out of the operating room, sending a
ripple of relief through everyone.
Jeffrey practically lunged forward and grabbed the doctor''s wrist, "And my wife? How is she?"
The doctor, taken aback by his intensity, paused before responding, "She''s had a significant
hemorrhage, but we''ve stabilized her. She needs observation."
"You''re sure she''s out of danger?"
"Yes, she''s out of danger now. You can rx."
Hearing this, Jeffrey, a man over six feet tall, copsed to the floor in relief.
Everett moved to help him up, but Jeffrey gestured for a moment to collect himself. "Just give me a
second. I''ll be okay." He said.
He could finally breathe again...
When the doctor returned inside, it wasn''t long before the baby was brought out.
The sound of her cries instantly brought tears to Jeffrey¡¯s eyes, "My daughter! Everett, did you
hear? My daughter is here! Karen gave me a daughter!"
Everett pped him on the shoulder, turning to see Dorothy crying even harder.
"She''s finally here..." she murmured.
He wrapped Dorothy in his arms, "The doctor said she''s okay. No more tears."
"I, I just can''t help it. I''m just so happy," Dorothy managed between sobs as Everett gently wiped her
tears away and said, "I''m happy for them too."
Chapter 943
Chapter 943
Everett and Dorothy were acutely aware of how hard it was for them to make it this far, to reach a
ce where their rtionship could finally bloom and bear fruit.
But, after all the hardships, it seemed they were finally at the point where they could say the worst
was behind them.
Better days were ahead!
Looking at Everett, Dorothy felt the urge to drop thewsuit peaking.
What if... just what if letting go could mean they could be together? They¡¯d be like Jeffrey and
Karen, a happy family filled with joy andughter.
"Everett..." She started softly.
"Hmm?" Everett looked down at her with concern in his eyes. "Something wrong?"
Dorothy shook her head, "I¡ª"
Before she could finish, Jeffrey came over. He was holding his daughter and beaming with pride,
"Everett! Look at my girl, doesn''t she look just like me? She does, right?"
Everett, understanding his joy of the moment, couldn''t help but smile resignedly, "Yeah, she does
look like you."
Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.
"I knew it! How could my daughter not resemble me!?" Jeffrey eximed.
Derek and Serena also managed to smile, their cheeks still glistening with tears not yet dried.
It was a scene that felt like a narrow escape from disaster, moving anyone who witnessed it.
"Dorothy, what were you about to say?" Everett hadn''t forgotten her interrupted words.
Dorothy smiled slightly, "I''ll tell youter. Karen''s about toe out."
It was Karen and her daughter''s moment to shine, not the time for their discussion.
"Alright."
...
Karen felt as if she had just walked through death''s door. In her delirious state, all she could hear
were the doctor''s footsteps and someone eximing, "The patient is hemorrhaging!"
Initially, the pain was unbearable, but eventually, she felt nothing until her daughter''s cry pierced
through the silence.
Her pale, lifeless face broke into a smile as tears uncontrobly streamed down.
"She''s born, and she''s so fair! She looks just like her mom!" The doctor was the first to show Karen
her daughter.
She tried to open her eyes, but she couldn¡¯t consciously focus her gaze.
"Show... show her to her dad..." She could just imagine Jeffrey''s joy upon seeing their daughter.
"Of course! I''ll take her to him right away."
After the doctor left, Karen finally allowed herself to sleep.
When she woke up again, she was in her hospital room.
"She¡¯s awake!" Her mother''s voice filled her ears.
Unable to use a pillow, Karen''s first sight was the hospital''s ceiling. She felt someone holding her
hand tightly to provide immense warmth.
"Karen... thank you, thank you for giving me our daughter!"
She could tell Jeffrey''s voice, which was choked with tears.
Karen frowned slightly, and she felt her throat dry. Despite her difort, she couldn''t resist teasing
Jeffrey, "You... a grown man, so stop crying. You look like a pussy."
"I''ll cry if I want to!" At that moment, Jeffrey couldn''t care less about appearances. The heavy weight
in his heart had finally lifted.
"Did you see our daughter? Does she look like me?" Karen knew Jeffrey too well; his emotions were
always an open book.
"Not like you, like me! She''s my daughter, so of course she looks like me!" Jeffrey protested.
At that, Karen frowned.
So Jeffrey quickly backtracked, "She looks like you! Don''t be mad, she looks like you!"
Everyone around themughed at Jeffrey''s low family status, but no one dared to interrupt this
tender moment between husband and wife.
Chapter 944
Chapter 944
From the moment the doctor announced the baby''s arrival, Dorothy¡¯s eyes were brimming with
tears. Everett gently wiped them away several times before finally warning her that if she didn¡¯t stop
crying, he¡¯d take her home. That seemed to do the trick, at least for the moment.
Jeffrey and Karen exchanged a flurry of words until the doctor came to check on her. Only then did
Jeffrey step away from the bedside, allowing Dorothy to lean in.
¡°Karen, you¡¯re such a trooper! Congrattions, you¡¯re officially a trio now.¡± she said.
¡°Yeah¡ childbirth is brutal, Dorothy¡ I don¡¯t think I can go through this again¡¡±
Dorothy offered a wry smile, ¡°Jeffrey just said the same thing.¡±
¡°That¡¯s right! Once all this is over, I¡¯m getting a vasectomy!¡± Jeffrey chimed in, only to receive a
sharp look from Karen.
There he goes again, speaking his mind with elders around.
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Their conversation continued, with Keh standing quietly in a corner of the room and watching
the family¡¯s joyful reunion.
Suddenly, he felt someone approaching him.
Looking up, he saw Everett.
¡°Were you the one with Dorothy when she went into the delivery room?¡± he asked.
¡°Yes,¡± Keh nodded, his response void of any boastfulness, simply answering Everett¡¯s direct
question.
¡°It was quite critical then, wasn¡¯t it?¡±
¡°Dorothy¡¯s situation was far more dire.¡± Keh¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly as he recalled the tense
moments, ¡°The doctor had toe out to call the family several times, issuing multiple critical
condition notices. I could see the blood on the doctor¡¯s clothes. That was Dorothy¡¯s blood.¡±
The fear he experienced then was indescribable. He wanted to copse just like Jeffrey did
moments ago. But he couldn¡¯t afford to.
Outside the delivery room, it was just him and Karen. If he faltered, Karen would be utterly helpless.
Just hearing Keh¡¯s ount was enough for Everett to picture those harrowing moments.
What was he doing at that time?
After a long silence, Everett asked softly, ¡°Got a cigarette?¡±
¡°You want to smoke?¡± Keh asked instinctively before immediately realizing the redundancy of
his question. He patted his pocket and handed one over.
Everett took it, then stepped out of the room with Keh following.
¡°They¡¯ll be talking for a while longer. I¡¯d just be in the way there.¡± Keh exined, uncertain if
Everett was listening.
The two of them, one after the other, made their way to the hospital¡¯s outdoor corridor. Everett lit the
cigarette and then passed it back to Keh.
Hesitantly, Keh epted it, ¡°Is¡ Dorothy facing some trouble again?¡±
Keh noticed something was off with Everett.
Without a response, Keh felt more certain of his suspicion.
¡°What¡¯s wrong? Tell me!¡± he eximed.
¡°Do you think things would be different now if I had never agreed to the divorce years ago?¡± Everett
took a drag, his eyes downcast, and his voice was slightly hoarse.
In a moment of impulsiveness, he had agreed to the divorce and let Dorothy go. That decision
made him miss the births of his children and left Dorothy to endure hardships alone.
Now, by holding onto his pride, he wasn¡¯t there to protect her, allowing Quincy to scheme against
her. Though it was due to her momentarypse in judgment, ultimately, if he had been there, Quincy
wouldn¡¯t have targeted her. He knew that Dorothy¡¯s trust in Quincy and her guard down enough to
drink what was offered were all because Quincy had once saved him.
Chapter 945
Chapter 945
All these things, they were all wounds he had inflicted on her himself. He was thest person who
had any right to say he could protect her.
Keh furrowed his brow. Frustration drove him to snatch the cigarette right out of Everett''s hand.
"Tell me! What the hell happened to Dorothy? I saw her today, looking all skin and bones, and knew
something was off!"
"You knowing won''t change a thing." Everett wasn''t mad about losing the cigarette; it was probably
for the best anyway, since Dorothy hated the smell of smoke.
He turned to leave, but Keh quickly stepped in front of him and blocked his way.
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"Everett!"
Everett didn''t even look at him but simply said coldly, "She''s fine. I won''t let anything happen to her."
...
Huxley and Paloma Turner rushed back to Eldorria City non-stop. The moment theynded, they
headed straight to the hospital.
"Karen, you''ve been through a lot!" Paloma said, holding Karen''s hand. Her concern was genuinely
heartfelt, not just some superficial show of sympathy.
"Mom, I''m okay! You and Dad are rushing back like this, you must be exhausted. Jeffrey, could you
please take them hometer? Please take a good rest and thene visit me, okay?"
In that moment, Karen seemed to have suddenly grown up. The carefree little girl she used to be
seemed like a thing of the past.
"I''m not going home today; I''ll stay here overnight! I''m worried the night nurse won''t take good care
of my granddaughter. I want to be here myself!" Despite the jetg keeping Paloma awake for over
twenty hours, she was too excited to feel tired.
"You should go home and sleep. Please let Jeffrey stay tonight." Huxley finally spoke.
It wasn''t that he was worried about his wife; he just felt that with a newborn, there were surely a lot
of things they needed to discuss privately between the couple! With his wife around, those
conversations would be difficult to have.
Paloma caught on to her husband''s hint and reluctantly nodded, "Right, right! I''lle back early
tomorrow!"
"Okay." Karen smiled, then looked up at Dorothy, "Dorothy, you and Everett should probably head
back too. The hospital has a night nurse and doctors; I''ll be fine. Plus, you have Abigail and
Langston waiting at home."
She was too exhausted today to inquire why Dorothy had lost so much weight.
"Alright, just call me if you need anything. Don''t keep it from me." Dorothy said, finishing her
sentence just as Everett and Keh returned to the room.
She moved closer to Everett, her voice soft, "Shall we go back? Let¡¯s give Karen some rest."
"Okay."
After Jeffrey saw everyone out, he returned to the room and lifted his daughter from her crib to
Karen''s side, whispering, "Karen... I''m already worried about some punk swooping in and stealing
my girl. What do we do?
I''m thinking of sending her to an all-girls'' school! No way am I letting anyone be my son-in-
law!"
Karen had predicted he would react this way upon meeting his daughter.
"Do you want her to end up alone?"
"I''ll spoil her! She can have all my money. I¡¯ll make her so spoiled she won''t look twice at any guy."
After saying this, Jeffrey sighed, "Do you think... all the bad karma I''ve racked up could end up
affecting my daughter?"
Ever since he knew Karen was expecting a girl, this had been his biggest worry. Anxiety gnawed at
him at the mere thought of it.
Chapter 946
Chapter 946
"You''re worried now?" Karen shot him a re, "Back when you were ying the field, did you ever
think about the future?"
Jeffrey scratched his head, embarrassment written all over his face, "Not lying, but I never thought
about getting married before, let alone having kids. I was a true bachelor."
For some reason, he couldn''t quite figure out why, but seeing Karen made him think maybe
marriage wasn''t such a bad idea after all. As long as it was with her, everything was up for
discussion.
"And why did you have to break that vow? It nearly tore me to death!" Karen pouted, recalling the
excruciating pain before being admitted to the hospital that still haunted her.
"Let''s not have any more kids, Karen. I was scared out of my wits! Waiting outside the OR was the
most terrifying moment of my life!"
Jeffrey swore he couldn''t go through that experience ever again.
"Look at you!" Karen said, her wordsced with mock disdain but her heart filled with warmth,
"Where''s that suave Mr. Turner now, huh?"
"I don''t need to be suave. I just need you by my side." Jeffrey finally understood what it meant to be
worried sick. He also got why Everett couldn''t let go of Dorothy no matter what. He couldn''t imagine
letting Karen go either.
...
When Everett and Dorothy returned to their Bay Residence, the kids were already asleep.
The first thing Everett did was change his clothes; he had been at the hospital for too long and didn''t
want Dorothy to dislike the smell of antiseptic on him.
Coming out of the changing room, Dorothy had just checked on the kids.
"Want something to eat?" Everett walked over, affectionately stroking her hair in a gentle, natural
gesture.
"I''m not hungry."
"You need to eat something; remember your stomach issues?"
Dorothy pouted, but Everett simply scooped her up and settled her on the couch.
"Should I call Kevin to bring something, or shall I whip up something myself?"
"Anything''s fine." Dorothy felt surprisingly spirited, not dizzy at all even after such a long time. She
reached out to stop Everett from getting up.
"Hmm?"
"Did you notice? I haven''t felt faint for hours now!"
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Everett paused, then smiled, "Yeah, seems like you''re really better now."
Dorothy pursed her lips and took a deep breath before saying, "Everett, there''s something I want to
talk to you about."
"Go ahead." He listened intently, seeing her serious expression.
"After seeing Jeffrey and Karen at the hospital, I¡¯ve been thinking a lot. You were right, I''ve been too
selfish and only considering my feelings. I always unconsciously thought that as long as I kept my
distance from you, I could retreat to my safe zone, never considering how hard it must have been
for you."
A flicker passed through Everett''s eyes, "Why bring this up all of a sudden?"
She smiled, "One has to acknowledge their mistakes to know how to correct them."
"Dorothy, as long as you''re mine, I''m never troubled. No matter the process, I can handle it."
His only fear was losing Dorothy. As long as the ending was good, he could wait decades more.
Seeing the depth in his eyes, Dorothy''s smile deepened, "Everett, I''m done causing trouble."
"Oh?"
"I''ve decided¡ª"
Just as Dorothy was about to continue, Everett''s phone suddenly rang.
Both nced over. It was Kevin calling.
"Mr. Lopez, Quincy wants to see you! She says... if you don''t agree, you''ll regret it..."
Chapter 947
Chapter 947
Everett didn''t utter a word before abruptly ending the call.
He nced at Dorothy, who quickly chimed in, "Was that Dr. Quincy? Something must have
happened. Go check on her, will you? She''s pretty much a stranger in Eldorria City, and... she did
save your life, after all."
"Right." Everett nodded and slipped back into his suit jacket. As he reached the foyer of Bay
Residence, he murmured, "Dorothy, we''ll talk when I get back."
"Of course!" Dorothy escorted Everett to the door and watched his car disappear from view, her
spirits dimming.
Honestly, she hadn''t expected Everett to agree so readily...
From what she knew of him, he normally wouldn''t have bothered especially when it involved other
women.
Dorothy had prepared herself to persuade him further, yet it took only one mention for him to
consent.
Considering Kevin''s hesitant tone and Quincy''s message ¡ª "if you don''t agree, you''ll regret it¡± -
though unsure of the exact tone Quincy had used, it almost sounded like she was petntly baiting
Everett.
"How can I doubt Everett? What am I even thinking!" Dorothy pped her forehead, eager to banish
these thoughts from her mind.
If Everett truly harbored feelings for Quincy, he wouldn''t have taken the call in front of her and let
her hear everything! He was being transparent, without a hint of guilt, precisely because there was
nothing to hide.
Doubting Everett would only hurt him.
...
Upon Everett''s arrival, Quincy was already waiting at the door, certain he woulde.
See, she was right.
"Did Ms. Sanchez take the antidote?"
"Let''s cut to the chase. What will it take for you to give it to me once and for all?" Everett wanted to
avoid unnecessary chatter and get straight to the point.
Quincy smiled, "I said, I want you to marry me."
"That''s not happening."
"I''m only asking for marriage, not for you to like me! I don''t even like you!" She believed Everett
could see the sense in her proposal, "After we''re married, I won''t interfere with your rtionship or
contact with Ms. Sanchez. I''ll provide the antidote every month, ensuring her safety."
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Everett''s expression darkened, "The only people forcing you to marry into the Lopez family are our
fathers, not Dorothy! If you need a bargaining chip to feel secure, then cure Dorothy and let me take
her ce. Isn''t that more straightforward?
"Mr. Lopez, I know Ms. Sanchez''s life means more to you than your own."
Everett was speechless.
"Why would I switch targets and increase my risk after sessfully deceiving everyone and
poisoning Ms. Sanchez?" She had always preferred to stay out of the fray, but that didn''t mean she
lacked cunning.
"Quincy!"
"Also, I brought you here to warn you, Mr. Lopez! Don''t even think about analyzing the antidote to
recreate it. The key lies in the order the ingredients are mixed! A single mistake could turn the
antidote into a more potent poison, which would exacerbate her condition. By then, even I couldn''t
save her."
In other words, no one but she could neutralize the poison she meticulously crafted, a poison born
from realizing her parents'' indifference, perfected after countless failures.
Chapter 948
Chapter 948
After saying all that, Quincy finally looked up at him.
"Mr. Lopez, you''re out of options."
She had a grip on Dorothy, like she had found Everett''s Achilles'' heel!
"If you want a patron, I can find one for you. Just let Dorothy go."
"Don''t you get it? I won''t let her go. This is my only chance to turn the tables and be my own boss!"
For the first time, Quincy''s face showed something other than gentle grace. She smirked, her
emotions teetering on the edge of hysteria, "Mr. Lopez, when ites down to it, you all forced my
hand! Haven''t I begged you? Haven''t I pleaded with Ms. Sanchez? I''ve worked tirelessly to treat
your condition, to operate on you, all in the hopes that you could help me out of this arranged
marriage! And you? Oh, right, you said you were a germophobe!"
She still remembered Everett''s expression, as if she was some sort of contaminant that couldn''t
touch him!
"I''ve tried reasoning with you, then went and earnestly persuaded Ms. Sanchez! But it''s the same
with all of you! Nobody cares about my situation! I once thought that, as a fellow woman, she could
at least understand my feelings a bit. I just don''t want to be used as a tool, married off to a man I
feel nothing for! What''s wrong with that?"
The moment she realized her parents preferred sons over daughters, she had made efforts to
distance herself from her family. She had immersed herself in her work for years, spending all her
time in theb, avoiding going home even during holidays, all to escape an arranged marriage.
And yet¡ª
And yet, because she operated on Everett, she found herself targeted by Jonathan Lopez, forced
into marrying Everett!
The most wronged person here should be her, right? In the end, she was still to be sacrificed by her
family.
"Cure Dorothy, and I''ll take care of everything you''ve asked for, no hard feelings." Everett said,
facing her usations with a cold, emotionless face.
Or rather, aside from Dorothy, he didn''t care about anyone else''s grievances. All he wanted now
was the antidote, to see Dorothy well again.
"It''s toote! Do you think I''d believe you now? Once the poison is neutralized, how will you retaliate
against me?" Quincy shook her head, "I won''t put myself in disadvantage anymore."
"But all this, wasn''t it to avoid marrying me? And now you want me to marry you?"
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"Yes! I do want you to marry me, Mr. Lopez. When I gave Ms. Sanchez that bottle of water, I has
given her the chance! If she had been willing to drop thewsuit then, I would''ve immediately given
her the antidote, and none of this would''ve happened! But she refused. She said it herself that she
didn¡¯t want you, and that she wanted to fight thewsuit to the end!"
Quincy had warned her. She told Dorothy that they would be on opposite sides! It was toote for
Dorothy to regret, and she would use every means to defend her marriage!
Everett didn''t want to hear the details of her poisoning, nor did he care about the conversation
between the two women.
"I''ll say it again, give me the antidote."
"And I''ll say it again, if you want the antidote, you''ll have to do as I say! Just as the Lopez family has
pressured and manipted me, now it''s my turn to do the same to you!" She stepped closer to
Everett, looking him in the eyes, "Don''t push me to make even more outrageous demands. Right
now, all I want is for you to marry me. I won''t interfere with whatever you have with Ms. Sanchez."
Chapter 949
Chapter 949
Quincy''s words were measured. Her confidence was rooted in knowing just how indispensable
Dorothy was to Everett.
One always had to hit the most crucial part of their enemy.
Even with Everett''s status, he had to bend this time.
The realization that she held the upper hand was exhrating. No wonder men were always chasing
after power and status...
"You might want to think it over! This antidote for Ms. Sanchez will keep her symptom-free for a
month. I''m giving you a month to decide. Of course, that''s assuming your father doesn''t press me
about it. If he does, I''ll have no choice but to press you."
She added one more thing before wrapping up.
"By the way, you should probably hurry. Each time Ms. Sanchez falls ill, it would be worse than the
last."
...
When Everett returned to the Bay Residence, it was already deep into the night. He thought
Dorothy would have been fast asleep after everything happened in the hospital. Yet, the moment he
opened the door, he found her curled up on the living room couch, lost in thought.
"You''re back!"
Hearing his voice, Dorothy sprang up from the couch and ran toward him with bare feet.
Everett quickly closed the distance and scooped her into his arms.
"Put on some shoes!"
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"It''s fine, just a few steps," Dorothy pouted, "You''re acting like a butlertely, always fussing over
me."
Everett, resigned, shifted her into a bridal carry. "You know you''re not well, right?"
"Don''t you like me waiting up for you?" she asked, wrapping her arms around his neck, urging him
to look into her eyes.
"I''d prefer you to rest well."
Dorothy didn¡¯t respond. Everett carried her into the bedroom andid her on the bed.
"I''m going to take a shower." he said.
As he made to leave for the bathroom, Dorothy suddenly grabbed his arm, her cheeks flushing. "I...
I could join you..."
Everett froze. His pulse raced, then gradually calmed.
"You take your shower first, or I''ll go after you."
"Everett! You know what I mean!"
She had made the first move! It wasn''t like she could outright say she wanted... more.
"I know, but you''re not well enough."
The memory of her fainting was too fresh in his mind. Everett feared that giving in to his desires,
even slightly, would make it hard to hold back. He was afraid Dorothy couldn''t handle it.
"I can do this!" In the darkness of the bedroom, Dorothy felt braver. She leaned in for a tender kiss.
"Everett, I can!"
She could feel Everett''s body tense up in response.
Then came his strained voice, "One time won''t be enough for me. Are you sure?"
She hesitated. "Then... two times. Is that okay?"
"I want the whole night."
Dorothy was silent, pondering. After a moment, she decisively pulled him down. "Okay, Everett, I
can..."
Everett''s restraint crumbled. Passion surged through him, painfully intense!
Both shivered as they came together.
It had been so long. She winced in pain, and he was hardly in a better state.
The bed rocked under them, their breaths mingling in the charged air, culminating in soft gasps.
Eventually, she conceded, tears mingling with her pleas.
"Everett... That¡¯s enough... I can''t take anymore..."
Chapter 950
Chapter 950
"Everett..."
"Everett... Everett..."
The man''s muscles tensed over her, but he couldn''t hold back any longer, bending down to capture
her lips, silencing any plea for mercy.
"You asked for this. You''ve got to endure it."
"Mmm..."
Dorothy felt his lips burning against hers, sealing her offpletely.
By the time it was over, all she could vaguely remember was Everett carrying her into the bathroom
to clean up, and then... everything went ck.
What she didn''t know was that, after taking care of her, Everett had to take two cold showers just to
calm himself down.
...
The next morning, as soon as Dorothy opened her eyes, she felt every bone in her body screaming
in soreness. She tried to sit up, supported by her arms, and was greeted by the smell of freshly
brewed coffee and pancakes.
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It had been so long since she felt this cozy, family atmosphere.
Pushing the bedroom door open, she saw Everett lifting their daughter into a high chair at the dining
table, whispering, "Mommy''s still sleeping, let''s keep it down, okay?"
"Okay!" Abigail nodded vigorously, her finger pressed to her lips in a hushing gesture.
Everett stroked her hair, then looked up to see Dorothy.
"Awake, huh? Perfect timing. Come have breakfast."
"Mommy!" Abigail shouted upon seeing her, immediately wanting to get down from her chair.
Everett, resigned, lifted her back down.
Hearing his mother''s voice, Langston peeked his head from behind the couch where he was ying
with his iPad, "Mommy, are you feeling better?"
Dorothy picked up her daughter running towards her and smiled at Langston, "Yes, thanks to
Daddy''s careful nursing, Mommy''s all better now."
"Yay! Mommy, I love you!" Abigail nted a kiss on her cheek, wrapping her tiny arms around her
neck.
Everett came over and took the daughter from her arms, "Daddy''s got you, Abigail. Mommy''s legs
are a bit weak right now."
"Why? Isn''t Mommy better?" Abigail blinked her big eyes in confusion.
This made Dorothy blush. She quickly nudged Everett, "Don''t talk nonsense in front of the kids!"
After months, the family was finally sitting together at the breakfast table, and Dorothy nearly burst
into tears.
Everett, as if he had a bug nted in her heart, sensed her emotions and gently patted her back.
She looked up to meet his gaze.
"Let''s eat." Everett said with a smile.
"Yeah." Dorothy nodded, then suddenly remembered something, "Oh, did Dr. Quincy have
something for you? You came back sotest night, I didn''t ask. I didn''t want to seem distrustful."
"It''s nothing major, just something about your treatment." Everett gave a vague answer, not exactly
lying.
"Dr. Quincy must be busy, and you went out of your way to call her back for my treatment?"
Dorothy''s voice fell, "Everett, I don''t want to be a burden to anyone. Look at me, I''m much better
now. Let''s not bother Dr. Quincy with my treatment anymore."
For some reason, she now felt... ufortable with the idea of Quincy and Everett in contact.
Even though she knew very well that Everett had no other intentions with Quincy besides her
treatment, she still felt somehow uneasy.
She couldn''t control her jealousy.
Chapter 951
Chapter 951
Now, Dorothy finally understood the truth of herck of jealousy in the past. That was simply
because Everett never let other women get close enough for her to feel threatened.
Had it been any other time, Everett would have catered to her every whim without question. But
today, he hesitated with his fork in hand, pulling at his lips slightly, "Babe, the most important thing is
getting you healthy."
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"So, is she the only doctor that can help?"
"As of now, yes."
Dorothy opened her mouth to argue but swallowed her words instead, muttering a resigned, "Oh."
Everett nced at her, his brows knitting together as if sensing her unrest, "What''s up? Did Quincy
say something to you?"
"No! She hasn''t reached out. Thest call was just to find you because she couldn''t reach you."
"From now on, don''t go meeting Quincy on a whim. If she calls, don''t pick up. Just let me know,
okay?"
Dorothy felt something was off with his instructions.
"Why? It seems like... you don''t like me talking to Dr. Quincy?"
"Dorothy." Everett''s tone suddenly became serious, "Do you trust me?"
After a moment''s hesitation, she nodded, "Yes, I''ve said I would."
"Then listen to me. That''s all I need you to do."
Despite having myriad of questions in her heart, Dorothy nodded in agreement. She had promised
to learn to trust him, to rely on him, and she intended to keep that promise.
...
After breakfast, Dorothy nned to visit Karen and her newborn at the hospital.
Abigail and Langston wanted toe along, but she refused.
"Aunt Karen just had surgery and needs to recover. The baby needs quiet, too. We''ll visit them
when Aunt Karen is better, okay?"
Abigail seemed ready to argue, but Langston agreed first, so she reluctantly nodded in assent.
Once in the car, Everett spoke softly, "You could spend more time with Karen at the hospital. I''ve got
some stuff to handle with Jeffrey."
"Okay." Dorothy had no clue what they were up to, and she didn''t pry, assuming it was business-
rted.
Being a CEO, Everett couldn''t possibly spend all his time by her side.
Arriving at the hospital, Dorothy knocked and waited for Karen''s voice before entering.
"Dorothy!" Karen almost burst into tears upon seeing her, "The baby cried so muchst night. I feel
like breaking down!"
Dorothy chuckled, "Already overwhelmed by motherhood?"
"I thought she''d be as easy as Abigail and Langston, but she''s so fussy, and I... I can''t bear to hand
her off to the nanny..."
Karen looked exhausted with the dark circles under her eyes.
Understanding the new mom''s struggles, Dorothy approached and gently lifted the baby from the
crib, "See? She''s quite calm now."
"That''s because she cried herself outst night!"
"Karen, how about I stay with you tonight? You need to rest properly after giving birth, or you''ll never
recover."
Karen sighed, "I know I should let the nanny take her so I can have some peace, but... the moment I
close my eyes, I feel uneasy, like something precious is out of my hands. I just can''t rx!"
Dorothy smiled, "Wee to motherhood, huh?"
Chapter 952
Chapter 952
"If only I''d known, I would''ve¡ª"
"Would''ve what?" Dorothy cut her off, a yful edge to her tone as she cradled the baby closer.
Karen pouted and said, "If I''d known, I wouldn''t have gotten involved with Jeffrey at all! I would''ve
stayed single, child-free for my entire life!"
Dorothy sat by her side, held the baby, andughed, "Look at your daughter! Can you really say that
now?"
The infant in her arms was sleeping soundly, peaceful and undisturbed. Even though she was
premature, with more wrinkles than a full-term baby and her skin so delicate and pale, her big eyes
and pronounced nose were unmistakable.
As Karen gazed at her, tears suddenly sprang to her eyes, which startled Dorothy. "What''s wrong?
Are you feeling okay?"
Karen shook her head, wiping away her tears. "Dorothy... it feels like just yesterday we were
clocking in at Prosperity Consortium, and now here we are, with kids of our own. It''s like I''m living in
a dream."
It seemed like only yesterday when they were navigating their careers, never imagining where life
would take them. Dorothy hadn''t expected to find herself with Everett, the CEO of Lopez
Corporation, of all people. And she certainly hadn''t anticipated any ties with the man who once
pined after Heather Garcia.
"How time flies," Dorothy mused, understanding Karen''s hormonal-driven emotional roller coaster.
She reached out an empty hand, offering aforting pat on Karen''s shoulder. "Even if it feels like
a dream, it''s a beautiful one. I have Abigail and Langston, and Everett has been by my side through
thick and thin. And you, you have Jeffrey who adores you so much. We should count our blessings."
"Yeah..." Karen sighed, then looked at Dorothy with renewed focus. "Have you... have you made
peace with it all?"
It seemed she was no longer as obsessed with thewsuit as before.
Dorothy paused, then nodded. "Yeah, I haven''t had the chance to discuss it with Everett yet. He''s
been swamped, and I''ve been thinking that maybe it''s time to drop thewsuit."
"Really? But then¡ª"
"Dropping thewsuit doesn''t mean I''ve forgiven Everett''s mother. But I don''t want to hold back
Everett any longer. I can''t ever see eye to eye with Amanda."
Karen nodded in understanding. "I''d feel the same if I were you.¡±
¡°You do?¡±
¡°Of course! I¡¯ve told you that I would be with you all the time, Dorothy, whether you pursue it or let it
go for Everett''s sake. You''ve always lived for others; it''s time to do something for yourself. Your
mother, bless her soul, wouldn''t me you."
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Dorothy felt the weight of her own expectations more than anyone else''s.
"I''ll talk to Everett once he''s less busy." she decided, unsure of how he would react.
But one thing was certain; he wouldn''t be overjoyed. He might even feel more indebted to her.
...
Jonathan Lopez had been trying to reach Quincy with no luck, and he had a sinking feeling
something had gone awry. But he hesitated to reach out to his son for details, fearing whatever
mess Quincy had gotten into might drag him down too.
Eventually, though, he knew his son woulde to him.
"Did you orchestrate Quincy''s scheme?" Everett''s icy voice came through the phone the moment
Jonathan answered.
Their rtionship was nothing like that of a father and son anymore. The two were more like rivals
in a cutthroat business world.
"What scheme?" Jonathan retorted, his patience thinning. "I''m in the dark about whatever Quincy
did! Everett, remember this ¡ª I am your father. Aside from wanting to protect your mother this time,
when have I ever done anything to hurt you?"
Chapter 953
Chapter 953
Everett was the only heir to the Lopez legacy, and he was known for being soft-spoken, never
uttering a harsh word. How then, for Dorothy''s sake, had things between father and son soured to
this extent?
"You im not to hurt me, but hurting Dorothy is out of the question too."
"That''s even more ludicrous! Do you think I couldn''t have dealt with Dorothy if I wanted to? Do I
need Quincy toy a finger on her?" Jonathan''s voice rose. "Everett, think about it. If I wanted to
target Dorothy, I''ve had plenty of chances. I didn''t do anything to her because I didn''t want to
escte things with you!"
"It''s always been you pushing Quincy into the Lopez family."
"Don''t I have the right to choose a daughter-inw for myself? Sure, the Lopez Corporation has
flourished with you on board, but whoid its foundations? Who introduced you to all your contacts
andworks? Me! I don''t think Dorothy is a good match for the Lopez family. It is my right to
choose a suitable partner for the family!"
Isn''t this how it works in high society? Everyone is looking for a match that benefits both families!
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
He was just nning for his son''s future. What was wrong with that?
"Business matters can be negotiated, but marrying Dorothy is non-negotiable." Everett had decided
this when he first fell in love. And once decided, there was no turning back.
"I want Quincy to marry you, that¡¯s all because it would make Dorothy drop thewsuit and spare
your mother! Everett, you''re smart enough to see that!"
"I don''t want to hear those. Now that Quincy has targeted Dorothy; this is all on you."
If he hadn''t insisted on Quincy joining the Lopez family, she wouldn''t have been involved in the first
ce!
Not to mention her now taking action against Dorothy.
"What did Quincy do to Dorothy?" Jonathan was genuinely in the dark! He was still waiting for some
good news from Quincy''s end, but instead of a promised update in three days, there was radio
silence.
"You really don''t know?"
Now Everett doubted everyone!
"Of course, I don¡¯t! But go on, think what you will."
"She poisoned Dorothy, trying to use that as leverage against me."
Jonathan was taken aback, his heart sinking, "You mean, Quincy wants to use Dorothy as a mean
to control you in the future?"
"Why else would she have any reason to poison Dorothy?"
Jonathan immediately said, "This can¡¯t stand! We can''t let this girl chokehold the Lopez family! What
poison did she use? Isn''t there any other way to cure it?"
He knew how significant Dorothy was in his son''s heart. If Quincy controlled Dorothy, it indirectly
meant controlling Everett!
What would happen next? The Lopez family would be dancing to Quincy''s tune!
"I''ve had Jeffrey contact doctors for tests and antidotes, but there''s no better solution right now."
"Where''s Quincy? I''ll confront her!"
Everett scoffed, "She won''t give you the antidote."
Jonathan fell silent.
"Sometimes, I really don''t understand what you and mom are ying at. You brought a perfectly
good family to this state; are you satisfied now?"
Jonathan was about to respond when the call was abruptly ended. Staring at the dark screen of his
phone, he finally mmed his fist onto the table in frustration.
"Who would enjoy seeing their family torn apart!"
After a moment of calm, Jonathan grabbed his zer. No, even if he didn''t care for Dorothy
personally, he couldn''t let the entire Lopez family fall prey to Quincy''s scheming.
Chapter 954
Chapter 954
Karen, the rookie mom, was still all thumbs despite having had a trial run with Abigail and Langston.
Luckily, having Dorothy around made her postpartum anxiety a bit more bearable.
When Everett and Jeffrey got back, Dorothy was cradling the baby, and Karen had just dozed off
from sheer exhaustion.
"Howe you didn''t get a nanny? You should be taking it easy." Everett said, his concern for his
lady evident as he approached.
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
Dorothy chuckled, "The little one likes me, and besides, Karen wouldn''t feel at ease handing her off
to a stranger."
"I''ll hold him!" Jeffrey, not wanting to disturb Karen''s sleep, stepped forward and reached out to
Dorothy.
She carefully handed the baby over to Jeffrey, trying not tough at his awkwardness.
Jeffrey indeed looked lost. Fighting and brawling were one thing, but holding such a tender newborn
was a whole different ball game!
"Everything sorted on your end?" Dorothy asked, more out of politeness than anything. But she
caught a fleeting look of evasion in Jeffrey''s eyes as he nced at Everett.
Thetter spoke softly, "Yeah, let''s head back."
As Dorothy stood up, she couldn''t help but shoot a curious nce at Jeffrey, ultimately swallowing
her questions.
"Alright then."
The ride back was oddly silent. Dorothy didn''t speak, and Everett didn''t make the first move either.
It was only as they neared Eldorria City''s central district that he finally broke the silence, "Dorothy, I
regret not being there for Abigail and Langston when they were born."
Seeing Jeffrey''s cautious way with the baby today had struck a chord in him.
"Hey, they''re with you every day now. That''s not such a big deal." Dorothy reassured him with a
smile. "Honestly, I never expected them to warm up to you so quickly, especially Langston!"
Langston thought a lot. With Dorothy being away so often, his view of a father figure was skewed,
almost to the point of disdain. Dorothy had been worried it might cause trouble or loss for Everett,
but Everett had managed to win his son over in no time! Father and son were now as tight as could
be, united in everything.
"It''s beyond my wildest dreams that you''d have two kids for me."
When he first learned about the kids, the answer was right there before him. It wasn''t that he
couldn''t guess, but rather... he dared not believe!
That revtion was just too unexpected and too joyful!
"Yeah... I never saw iting either." At that time, Dorothy truly hadn''t wanted the children. She
thought of cutting ties with the Lopez familypletely, so when the evidence finally surfaced, there
would be no further entanglements.
Everett, driving, suddenly reached out and took her hand, "Dorothy?"
"Hmm?" She looked over at him.
"After you''ve recovered... could we maybe have another child?" Everett asked, then quickly added
as if afraid, "I''m just saying. Please don''t stress over it. If you don''t want to, just tell me! I don''t
absolutely need it."
He just wanted to make up for lost time. He wanted to be like Jeffrey, receiving directly from the
doctor''s hands his own child - his and Dorothy''s child.
Seeing his eager exnation, Dorothy couldn''t help butugh, "You don''t have to go on about it. I''m
not so opposed to the idea of having kids. Seeing how you care for Abigail and Langston, I know
you''re a good dad. You''re nothing like Maxton Sanchez."
Though she, like her mother, chose to keep the children, Everett''s approach waspletely
different from Maxton''s.
Chapter 955
Chapter 955
Everett, the CEO of Lopez Corporation, was swamped with work, yet he never failed to carve out
time for his kids, putting Abigail and Langston first. Compared to Maxton, or literally most men for
that matter, Everett was doing an outstanding job as a father.
To outsiders, it seemed like taking care of kids was nothing too challenging. But only those who''d
been through it could understand the vast difference between life with and without children.
For instance, when a child caught a cold or fever, it demanded all-night vigils which would consume
all of an adult''s energy.
Yet, Everett never delegated the care of his children. He did everything he could himself. Seeing
how close Abigail and Langston were to him spoke volumes about his dedication.
"So, you''re... agreeing?" Everett wanted to make sure he hadn''t misunderstood.
Dorothy nodded, "Yes, I''m willing to. But we should ask Abigail and Langston what they think.
They''re old enough to have a say."
"They''re fine with it!" Everett said immediately, ¡°I¡¯ve asked.¡±
Dorothy couldn''t help but smile at his eagerness. It seemed he hadid the groundwork well, just
waiting for her to dive in.
"If they had any objections, I wouldn''t insist! Really, I should be content having Abigail and
Langston... It''s just that..."
Before Everett could finish, Dorothy took his hand in reassurance.
"Everett, you''ve done so much for us three already, truly."
"It''s not enough, not nearly." He wanted to give them his all.
Dorothy looked up and gently touched his hair, "Please give me a chance to contribute too. Don''t do
everything yourself."
"You don''t need to prove anything. Just don''t push me away." He dared not ask for more.
Dorothy sighed softly, "Are you being stubborn? You have so many easier paths to choose from, yet
you insist on staying on this one with me, even if it means hitting a wall."
Everett gave a wry smile, "I''ve never seen those as real choices. Without you, they don''t count."
Sheughed, "That''s what they call being stubborn."
"Let''s call it devotion." Everett corrected.
"Alright, devotion it is."
...
Karen didn''t sleep long after Dorothy and the others left. She woke up within half an hour.
"Dorothy..." She called out instinctively, then saw Jeffrey sitting by the bed.
"Where''s Dorothy?"
"They''ve left." Jeffrey put the baby back in the crib and approached, "Honey, are you feeling alright?
I''ve been worried about you all day but didn''t want to disturb your sleep by calling."
Karen was still recovering from the childbirth. She needed frequent rests.
"You''re busy, please don''t worry about me! Thepany¡¯s business should be more important.¡±
Anything Everett asks him to handle, Karen assumed it was business-rted.
Jeffrey paused but didn''t exin. The matter involved Dorothy, and he feared upsetting Karen,
which might destabilize her mood.
Then, Jeffrey''s phone rang. He got up to answer, but Karen''s gaze stopped him, "Why? Just answer
it here. Are you afraid of me listening?"
"Of course not! What would I have to hide?" Jeffrey prayed the call wasn''t about Dorothy.
But as he checked the caller ID, he found out it was from his man assigned to keep Quincy in
check.
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
"Mr. Turner, this woman is insisting on leaving. What should we do?"
Chapter 956
Chapter 956
Woman.
That word alone set off rms.
Karen immediately turned to Jeffrey, "Huh?"
"Just, just wait a sec! Keep her in check, and I''ll call you back!" He hung up abruptly, then gripped
his wife''s arm, "Karen, let me exin!"
"Exin what? First, tell me, who''s this woman you''re talking about!"
Jeffrey hesitated, only to hear Karen continue, "Jeffrey, if you dare to lie to me today, it''s over
between us! And forget about seeing our daughter ever again!"
"I''m not lying! It''s... it''s Quincy..."
At this point, Jeffrey had no choice but to tell the truth. He was genuinely afraid Karen would leave
him for good! He knew that she was capable of that.
"Quincy?" The name felt unfamiliar to Karen, "Wait... is that the doctor from our time in Swevia
Country?"
Jeffrey nodded, "Yeah... that''s her..."
"And why are you keeping her around? What''s going on between you two?"
"Hand on heart, Karen, there''s absolutely nothing between Quincy and me!" Jeffrey swore, raising
his hand, "You''re the only one for me!"
Karen red at him, "Don''t think you can smooth talk your way out of this. Get to the point."
"It''s about Everett."
Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.
At the mention of Everett, Karen''s expression turned even more guarded and shocked, "Quincy and
Everett got involved?!"
She remembered Dorothy telling her about the Lopez family arranging for Quincy to marry Everett!
"No! Oh gosh, it''splicated. Everett asked me not to say anything, so please just let it be."
Jeffrey''s handsome face crumpled in distress.
Speaking out might lead to uncontroble consequences. Keeping silent, though, made it look like
he had something going on with Quincy!
"Then tell me, does this involve Dorothy?" Karen wasn''t interested in Everett''s affairs, but now that
he was with her best friend, she felt obliged to keep an eye out!
Jeffrey was stumped by the question and didn¡¯t know how to respond.
Seeing his hesitation, Karen''s tone became stern, as if interrogating a criminal, "Tell me the truth, is
Quincy... does she have something with Everett? Did Everett betray Dorothy?"
Jeffrey was so startled by the usation that he nearly jumped. "How could that be?! Everett would
die for Dorothy! How could he ever betray her?"
"Then exin, what''s going on? You need toy it all out clearly!" Karen sat on the edge of the bed,
determined not to end the conversation until everything was rified.
Jeffrey licked his now dry lips and finally shrugged in defeat. "It''s Dorothy. She got sick, you see?
Then Everett wanted Quincy to treat her, but Quincy refused, so we... we took some measures."
He was half-truthing, mainly worried that revealing the poisoning to Karen would only make her
worry endlessly.
"Dorothy''s sick? What kind of illness?" Karen had only noticed her friend seemed a bit depressed
but was unaware of any illness.
They were all keeping it from Karen, who was pregnant.
Jeffrey tilted his head, pondering how to phrase it, "A rather rare illness."
"Quincy''s the only one who can treat it?"
"Seems like it, for now. She''s the only known cure."
As soon as Jeffrey finished, Karen mmed the table, "Then you and Everett better make sure
Quincy cures Dorothy! By any means necessary!"
Chapter 957
Chapter 957
The conversation took a sharp turn, leaving Jeffrey struggling to keep up.
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
"Huh?"
"What do you mean by ''huh''? Hurry up, go find Quincy, and sort this out! We need her to cure
Dorothy!"
Karen stood up abruptly and pushed Jeffrey out of the room, "If anything happens to Dorothy, it''s on
you! I''ll never forgive you!"
"But I just got back! I haven''t even spent any time with my daughter yet!" Jeffrey protested with a
look of despair.
She waved dismissively, "Your daughter''s right here; she''s not going anywhere. Get Quincy on
board, and you can spend all day, every day, ying daddy!"
Bang!
Before Jeffrey could respond, the door mmed shut in his face.
"Ah, man¡ª"
He opened his mouth to protest but instead ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.
Pulling out his phone, he dialed a number, "Tell them, do whatever with her, just don''t kill her!"
After hanging up, Jeffrey quickly added another instruction.
"And don''t mess up her mind! We don''t want her turning into a vegetable, clueless about
everything!"
"And keep her hands safe! We need them for the antidote!"
"Forget it, I''ll handle it myself. Don''t touch her until I get there."
...
Upon her return to Bay Residence, Dorothy first spent some time ying with Abigail and Langston.
She felt guilty towards them.
In fact, she felt guilty towards everyone.
As she prepared herself to discuss her decision on withdrawing thewsuit with Everett, she
headed towards the living room. There, she found Everett by the window, deeply engrossed in a
phone call, his brow furrowed with concern over some vexing issue.
Dorothy paused, deciding not to interrupt.
He had enough on his te, and her issue wasn''t urgent. It could wait.
After a refreshing shower, she changed into her loungewear and thought it would be the perfect
time to talk with Everett when he came to bed.
But soon after, Everett entered the bedroom, clearly not ready to rest.
"Dorothy, I''ve got something to take care of and need to step out for a bit."
"Hmm?" She sat up, concerned, "Something at the office? Then go ahead, don''t worry about me."
Everett''s lips twitched, as if he wanted to say more. But he simply nodded.
"I''m not sure when I''ll be back. If you''re tired, just go to sleep; don''t wait up."
"Okay!" Dorothy nodded obediently, wanting him to focus on his matters without worry. She even
got out of bed to straighten his jacket for him, "Don''t overwork yourself, though. Work never ends,
but you only have one body."
Everett looked down at her delicate, pale hands fussing over his clothes and cracked a smile, "You
care about me."
"Of course, I do!"
"Alright, I''ll try toe back early."
"Okay."
Dorothy insisted on walking him to the door, and Everett immediately bent down to hand her
slippers, making sure she wore them.
"No walking barefoot."
"I was just in a rush to see you off!"
"That''s no excuse. You don''t have to see me off, but you must wear slippers."
Seeing him sternly lecturing her, Dorothy couldn''t help but chuckle, "Okay, okay, I get it!"
Finally, after sending off this dear man, she returned to the bedroom. But tossing and turning, sleep
eluded her.
After some thought, Dorothy picked up her phone and found Quincy''s WhatsApp contact.
"Dr. Quincy, if Everett has upset you in any way, please be patient with him. He''s just anxious about
my condition, not trying to make things difficult for you on purpose. I apologize on his behalf."
Chapter 958
Chapter 958
After a while with no reply from the other side, Dorothy checked her phone multiple times,
contemting what she''d told Everett upon his return: asking for help with a medical issue meant
he couldn''t afford to be too forceful in his approach.
Even if Quincy wouldn¡¯t dare to provoke the Lopez family, pushing too hard was still not an option.
She knew Everett all too well.
The concept of chivalry was foreign to him. Apart from her, any woman who as much as brushed
against him would send him reeling.
Dorothy couldn''t pinpoint when she dozed off. Initially, she was perched on the couch, flipping
through a finance magazine. Feeling drowsy, she had a ss of ice water and soon found her eyes
nearly closing and falling asleep.
In a daze, time seemed irrelevant until she felt herself being lifted.
The familiar scent that was distinctly Everett''s assured her of his presence without needing to open
her eyes.
She reached out, circling her arms around his neck.
¡°I thought I told you not to wait up for me?¡± he said.
¡°Hmm¡ You always wait for me. I wanted to try waiting for you for a change.¡±
N?velDrama.Org ? content.
After her words, Dorothy heard him sigh softly.
¡°I can never seem to stay mad at you.¡±
With long strides, Everett carried her towards the bedroom.
Resting against his chest, Dorothy felt the warmth of his body, and aforting heat spread
through her.
¡°Everett.¡±
¡°Yes?¡±
¡°I want to marry you.¡±
He stiffened, suddenly pausing mid-step.
Dorothy opened her eyes to look at him, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±
¡°Nothing. It¡¯s just¡ unexpected.¡±
¡°I was starting to think you didn¡¯t want to marry me,¡± Dorothy said, unaware of any underlying
tension. She snuggled closer after smiling, ¡°I want to marry you. Let¡¯s drop thewsuit.¡±
He didn¡¯t say a word.
¡°It¡¯s not because of you!¡± Dorothy rushed to rify, worried Everett might feel burdened. ¡°After this
illness, I realized I don¡¯t have the energy to fight over right or wrong. I want to spend my time on
those who love me and whom I love.¡±
Dorothy didn¡¯t wait until he replied, but she felt his grip tighten.
¡°Did I¡ rush into this?¡± she asked softly, arms still around his neck. ¡°Just tell me what you¡¯re
thinking, okay? I¡¯m not good at reading people, and I don¡¯t want us to misinterpret each other. So
just tell me, okay?¡±
Everett nodded, ¡°Don¡¯t drop thewsuit. You¡¯ve pushed so hard to get it this far, and I don¡¯t want my
presence to¡¡±
¡°I told you that it¡¯s not because of you! And definitely not because of any deal your father offered.
Marrying you is about us, not the Lopez family.¡± Dorothy paused, then lowered her voice, ¡°Your
parents¡ they¡¯ve crossed a line. I can¡¯t ept them as my inws, but that doesn¡¯t mean I can
ignore what happened. Marrying me might put you in the middle.¡±
She was tired of fighting but couldn¡¯t bring herself to treat Amanda as her family. That chasm would
never close, not truly.
¡°Dorothy, focus on getting better for now. We can take our time with¡ the marriage,¡± Everett gently
laid her on the bed.
But Dorothy didn¡¯t let go, instead tightening her grip around his neck.
¡°Everett, how can you¡¡±
Chapter 959
Chapter 959
It was nothing like she had expected!
His exnations were clearly evasive, and that sent Dorothy''s heart racing.
She thought all she had to do was bring it up, and Everett would be thrilled, nodding in agreement
without hesitation! She even fantasized he''d be so eager that he¡¯d bring her to the city hall the very
next day!
Compared to her daydreams, his actual response was worlds apart.
"When we got hitchedst time, Dorothy, it was all in a rush, and I don''t want to live with regrets.
You''re not in the best of health right now, so you need to recuperate. Once you''re better, I''ll get
cracking on nning our wedding, okay?"
"Is it really just because I''m not well?" she pressed.
"What else do you think it could be?"
Dorothy pursed her lips, silently telling herself to trust him.
"It''s just... I was worried you might''ve changed your mind, that you didn''t want to marry me after all."
She smiled, pulled him closer, and nted a kiss on the corner of his mouth.
Everett wrapped his arms around her, deepening the kiss, "Remember, Dorothy, you''re the only
woman I, Everett, want to marry. That was true in the past, it''s true now, and it''ll be true forever."
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
...
Jeffrey had Quincy go without food for three days.
Since neither scolding nor shouting worked, starvation seemed the only option.
But even after Quincy fainted and was rushed to the hospital, she still wouldn''t hand over the
antidote!
This time, she really had Everett''s fate in her hands.
And she won the gamble.
"Quincy, here''s your phone." Kevin personally delivered her luggage to the hospital.
"Thanks." Quincy, now a bit better after receiving IV fluids, took her phone with a cold expression.
The phone had turned off due to a dead battery.
"Mr. Lopez said he hoped you remember our agreement. Otherwise... even if you''re free to roam
Eldorria City for now, it''d be easy for him to find you if he wishes."
Quincy managed a weak smile, her lips pale, "Don''t worry, I''m not running. With Dorothy as my
shield, why would I? But tell Mr. Lopez, he has one month. Don''t let the deadline pass, or Ms.
Sanchez might suffer a rpse of her condition."
Kevin clenched his fist in silence but eventually turned away and left the hospital room without a
word.
Once Quincy had her phone charged and turned on, her father''s call came through immediately.
"So you are in Eldorria City?! Why has your phone been off?!" he snapped.
She could hardly detect any concern in his voice.
"It died." Quincy''s reply was a light one.
"I''m already in Eldorria City now. Where are you? I''lle to you."
After she gave him the hospital''s name, she hung up. Her father''s purpose in Eldorria City was
clear, no guessing needed. It must have been Jonathan pressuring him in business matters!
Otherwise he couldn''t possibly be here just because he was concerned about his daughter''s safety,
right?
Ronin arrived quickly, his steps heavy as ifden with anger. He stormed in, heading straight for
Quincy on the bed.
"SMACK¡ª"
A loud p justnded on Quincy''s face like that.
Instantly, a handprint, bright red and clearly defined, appeared on her cheek.
"You had to cross the Lopez family? Are you trying to drag our whole family to our downfall?!"
After his outburst, Ronin, still fuming, raised his hand to strike again but noticed the IV needle in
Quincy''s hand.
"Don''t think you can fake being sick and hide in this hospital! Get in touch with Jonathan right now
and tell him our family won''t break our promise. We''ll marry you off to Everett as agreed!"
Chapter 960
Chapter 960
Lying in her hospital bed, Quincy looked up at her biological father with a mix of emotions.
Suddenly, she couldn''t help but smile.
"Dad, have I ever made you wonder if I''m really your daughter?"
"Cut the nonsense! Do you know that the Lopez family have withdrawn their funding because of
your disappearance? Without that money to fill up this hole, decades of my hard work will go down
the drain!" Ronin was so agitated that he paced the room. "And after all, haven''t you already
agreed? Didn''t we have an understanding? Once you''ve established yourself within the Lopez
family, you can do whatever you want. I just beg you to do one thing for the benefit of our family!"
Ronin waspletely blindsided when he received a call from Jonathan. After all, the fate of their
family was tightly gripped in Jonathan''s hands.
"One thing? You''ve ruined my life!" Quincy couldn''t understand how her parents could so casually
decide her fate in a family alliance via marriage.
This was about marriage, amitment for life!
"What have I ruined? Is marrying into the Lopez family beneath you?" he asked.
"I have no feelings for Everett!"
Ronin almostughed in frustration, "Why do you need feelings? Money and power are what truly
matter in the world. What''s the use of feelings? When you''re down and out, love is nothing but a
joke!"
"That''s only what you believe," Quincy pulled her lips. "You want to give the whole family away to
your son, I don''t mind. I never wanted anything from our family''s fortune, but you''re determined to
sabotage my chance at happiness!"
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
"Quincy!" Ronin''s voice was stern. "Being born and raised in our family, don''t you think you''ve spent
a dime of its money? You think you''re above it all and think you are chasing some fairy tale of love?
Let me tell you, that¡¯s utterly impossible! If only you hadn''t been born into privilege, if only you hadn''t
enjoyed the life of ady in our family!"
Raising a child to be a doctor was so expensive. From university tuition to independent
researchbs and hiring renowned medical mentors... It''s not something an average family could
afford!
Ronin had thought that if the family fortune couldn''t go to his daughter, at least she could choose
her own career path as long as it didn''t threaten his son''s inheritance.
"You could''ve just not had me. A son would have been enough." Quincy knew what her father was
about to say. He had used the same reasoning before.
"Quick, go make the call to Jonathan. If the funding is pulled, then our family is really finished!"
Ronin had no patience for argument now; the calls demanding money were nearly bombarding his
phone.
"I''ll make the call, but on one condition." Quincy closed her eyes, knowing she was giving her father
onest chance he hadn''t cherished.
It didn''t matter. He had never truly cared for his daughter.
"What''s your condition?" Ronin asked impulsively.
"After the Lopez family funds ours this time, I will have nothing to do with our family anymore. I¡¯ve
repaid every penny you''ve ever spent on me!"
"Your life was given by your mother and me. How can you repay that?" Ronin, almost reflexively,
tried to negotiate.
After all, if his daughter truly married into the Lopez family, that... that would be immensely
beneficial in the future.
Chapter 961
Chapter 961
"Are you turning me down then?" Quincy had nothing more to say to him. "You can refuse, sure, but
then I won''t make that call to Jonathan for you."
"Do you really want to see our family''s business crumble to dust?!" Ronin asked.
Quincy let out a scoff, "Family business? Wasn''t it always something that never concerned me?
Have you ever thought of handing over our family business to me or sharing its profits with me?"
Her questioning gaze was sharp, "So, do you think I care?"
Ronin clenched his fists. What options did he have left now? She was clearly having her hand on
his throat.
"Are you sure you want to cut ties with the family? Just remember, even if you marry into the Lopez
family, with their vast empire, they won''t treat you well without your own family''s backing!"
"My own family? I don''t have one." She said.
Ronin was taken aback.
¡°So, is it a yes or no?" she continued.
Ronin''s teeth were nearly grinding against each other, but in the end, he had no choice but to nod.
"Fine! As long as you help our family get through this crisis, from then on... you and the family will
have nothing to do with each other! And I won''te asking you for any more favors."
Quincy smiled, "Wrong! It''s not about not asking for favors. It''s that from now on, you don''t get to
acknowledge me if we even cross paths on the street."
She was utterly disheartened. When her father had pped her earlier, she was still willing to give it
onest chance.
But...
He didn''t take it.
Truth be told, whether Ronin agreed or not, Quincy would have still helped her family through its
troubles. After all, now she could use Dorothy as leverage over Everett, the money was just a word
away for her.
Now... well, it''s for the best. From now on, she would be free.
...
Dorothy truly felt much better.
Even the irritations that gued her before seemed to have eased¡ªthough insomnia was still an
issue.
"Everett, I think... you don''t need to have Dr. Quincy treat me anymore! Look, I''m getting better day
by day without any medication or injections!"
Everett, who was browsing through some reports in his study, paused his typing and looked up at
her.
"Has she been in touch with you these past few days?" he asked.
Dorothy was taken aback by the question, "No!"
She didn''t really have any personal connection with Dr. Quincy, and herst text on WhatsApp
hadn''t even been returned.
"I''ll handle it. You don''t need to worry about this." He concluded.
Dorothy frowned slightly. Her woman¡¯s intuition told her something was off.
"Everett, is there some kind of issue between you and Dr. Quincy?" It didn''t seem like it was just
about Everett asking Quincy to treat her.
"No."
"Is that the truth?" Dorothy moved closer and straddled Everett''sp, her voice taking on a
wheedling and softening tone, "If there''s something, just tell me! I hate having to guess! Is it your
father... bringing up the idea of you marrying Dr. Quincy again?"
Everett felt a sudden jolt in his heart. But he managed to keep his expression steady.
"No," he said.
"Then what is it?"
"Haven''t I said, Dorothy? Just trust me, and let''s not delve into this now," Everett couldn''t possibly
share the real issue with Dorothy. She was born to be the type to overthink.
If she knew Quincy was using her as a bargaining chip to manipte him, Everett feared Dorothy
might do something drastic in despair.
The poison was real, as was Dorothy''s depression.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
Chapter 962
Chapter 962
"Can I just ask you one thing? Is that okay?" she asked.
"Go ahead."
Dorothy chuckled, "Would you ever... leave me behind?"
After all, she had nothing to her name, not a single thing that would deem her worthy of Everett.
She had always guarded her heart, prepared for the moment he would leave her for someone of his
own social standing. So, even if he were to abandon her, she wouldn''t be shocked; she would be
just a bit heartbroken.
But now, she hadmitted herself to him, so her fear was tagging along for the ride.
This fear of loss was new to Dorothy.
Upon hearing her words, Everett''s handsome face stiffened, his expression turning grave.
"Dorothy, I won''t allow you to harbor such doubts."
"But I need to hear it from you," she insisted, locking her gaze with his deep eyes. "I trust you that
you wouldn''t lie to me."
Everett put on a serious look, and his voice resonated with conviction, "I would never leave you
behind, Dorothy. You are more precious to me than my own life."
Dorothy smiled, leaning in to kiss his cheek. "Don''t be mad. I''m not questioning you or distrust you; I
just needed to hear you say it!"
Every time he spoke such earnest, heartfelt words, her heart swelled with sweetness, making any
future storms seem less frightening.
After all, she had him. Forever and always.
...
Jeffrey''s daughter had her name set in stone, chosen personally by him, her doting father.
It was Felicity Miller.
Felicity meant great happiness, and she also took Karen¡¯sst name. Karen had actually hoped the
child would carry Jeffrey¡¯s surname.
Considering the uncertainty of having the second child, Felicity would be the only daughter they had
for now. So she worried her inws might disapprove.
"I''ve changed my mind! No lousy boy is worthy of my daughter. No one''s allowed to date her! I''ll
have Langston keep an eye on his sister for me!" Jeffrey announced.
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
Karen sighed in resignation, "Did you even discuss this with your parents before going ahead and
registering the name?"
Jeffrey sat beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, "Don''t worry, my parents had no
objections! I was the guy who never nned on marrying, sopared to having no daughter-in-
law or descendants, them just having a granddaughter named Miller is something they''re totally fine
with!"
"That means you didn''t consult them, did you?"
"Ah! Your understanding is top-notch, my dear wife!"
Karen rolled her eyes at him, "I knew I shouldn''t have let you handle this. What if¡ª"
"There are no what-ifs! I promise." Jeffrey grinned, "Trust me, if my parents cared about the
surname, they would''ve mentioned it long before now. They haven''t said anything other than
coming over to check on the baby since you had her!"
Though Karen wanted to add more, the name was already officially registered, leaving no room for
change.
"Pfff! I did kind of hope she''d end up with Langston... He''s so much like Everett¡ªhe¡¯s handsome,
smart, and we know his family well."
Thanks to Jeffrey''s meddling, they really did end up like siblings now.
Chapter 963
Chapter 963
"It¡¯s just because Langston''s got those top-notch genes that I''m worried that too many girls will
chase after him. In that case, our little girl''s gonna get her heart trampled in the stampede!"
"If Langston takes after Everett, and he''s got eyes only for our girl, then we won''t have to worry
about any other girls getting a look in!" Karen rolled her eyes, "Look at Everett, when has he ever
given Dorothy a moment''s worry over such matters? What you should be fretting over is if our
daughter ends up in your nature, bing a real heartbreaker and letting Langston down."
Jeffrey had no clue how the conversation had veered from deciding on their daughter''s name to
this. And he was getting a backhandedpliment for his trouble out of the blue.
"Hey, I''m loyal, alright? Once you came into the picture, have I even nced at another woman?"
It was an injustice for him! Having more exes didn''t mean he wasn''t devoted! And to think, he hadn''t
even started on Karening into his life sote. Had they met earlier, he could have been just
loyal to a fault like Everett.
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
"We''ve only been together a short while, so maybe you''re just still in the honeymoon phase."
Before Jeffrey could retort, Karen just cut him off, "Don''t bother swearing your fidelity now. We¡¯ll
see. I don''t buy into men¡¯s sweet nothings, and if things go south, I won''t cling or me you."
That was her stance on love: if it''s meant to be, it''ll stay; no use crying over spilled milk.
Jeffrey blinked, and then his handsome face scrunched up.
"Sweetheart, can we drop this topic? Let''s get back to the name discussion." He said.
"What''s there to talk about?" Karen stood up, lifting their daughter from the crib, "I just regret that
my darling girl was born under a lucky star for love, only for her dad to jinx it! Right, Felicity?"
Jeffrey got nothing to say.
"Your brother Langston is such a heartthrob! Just you wait till you''re old enough, you''ll be hanging
out with the cool kids too."
Jeffrey pouted, "Praising Langston''s looks is just a roundabout way ofplimenting Everett. You
think he''s more handsome than me?"
Karen shot him a look that said, ''Obviously.''
And he was literally left speechless.
...
When Karen was discharged from the hospital, Dorothy came with Abigail and Langston.
The two tykes were thrilled to bits at the sight of someone younger than themselves, crowding
around to get a good look.
Watching them, Karen nudged Dorothy, "Looks like they''re fond of little ones, Dorothy! So are you
and Everett thinking about adding another to the crew?"
Dorothy blushed, her cheeks turning a delicate pink.
"Uh, Everett''s keen, and I''m all for it."
"So, when''s the big n?" Karen said, then quickly added, "Not right now, of course. You''ll need
Quincy to give you the all-clear first."
Dorothy''s eyes widened at the mention of Quincy, "You know about that?"
Realizing her slip, Karen quickly squinted and smiled, "Uh... Jeffrey let it slip!"
Dorothy immediately asked, "Did Jeffrey say anything else? Like, is there any beef between Dr.
Quincy and Everett?"
"He didn''t say! Nothing else came up!"
Karen remembered Jeffrey''s words¡ª Everett would never hurt Dorothy, and if he said to keep it
under wraps, there was a good reason. It was something that wouldn''t sit well with Dorothy if she
knew.
"Okay. Truth be told, I''ve been feeling like Everett''s been acting all kinds of strangetely." Dorothy
said.
Chapter 964
Chapter 964
"Huh? What''s so strange about it?"
Dorothy pondered for a moment. Describing her feelings was quite a challenge.
After all, he had addressed all her concerns, and he didn''t seem secretive when taking Quincy''s
calls.
"Gut feeling," Dorothy replied.
Karen chuckled, "Dorothy, it''s not that Everett is acting strange. Once you''ve fallen for him and
given yourself to himpletely, you start to worry about losing him."
Dorothy paused, "Do other women feel this way too?"
"Most do! Plus, you''ve always been a bit of an overthinker."
Dorothy nodded, somewhat agreeing with Karen''s perspective.
"Maybe I''m just overthinking things." She said.
No sooner had she finished her sentence than her phone rang.
Speak of the devil. It was Quincy calling.
Noticing Felicity was asleep, Dorothy gestured to Karen, showing her the phone before stepping out
of the room to answer.
"Dr. Quincy." Dorothy answered the phone.
"Sorry, Ms. Sanchez. I just saw your WhatsApp message! I''ve been a bit under the weather recently
and haven''t been checking my phone much," Quincy''s voice was as gentle as ever.
There was also no hint of evasion or guilt in his tone when talking to Dorothy.
This actually eased Dorothy''s mind somewhat. Otherwise, she would keep wondering why Quincy
hadn''t replied to her WhatsApp messages. After all, she deserved at least a polite response.
"No worries! Are you feeling better now, Dr. Quincy?"
"It was nothing serious, just exhaustion from working too much," Quincy chuckled. "I''m calling
because I need a favor."
"Just say the word," Dorothy responded immediately.
"I can''t seem to reach Mr. Lopez. I tried calling his number just now and he didn''t pick up!" Quincy
exined, then quickly added, "Ms. Sanchez, don''t overthink it. I''m contacting him about an
investment matter rted to my father''spany. I''m not sure if he mentioned it to you."
"He hasn''t mentioned it. And if Everett didn''t pick up, he''s probably busy at work. I''ll talk to his
secretary and see if he can get back to you when he''s free."
"Good. I appreciate it, Ms. Sanchez." Quincy replied.
Dorothy felt a bit guilty towards Quincy, so she didn''t see it as a bother at all.
"It''s no bother! You''ve saved Everett''s life, and now you''re forced to go out of your way to treat me.
I''m the one who should be thanking you."
After exchanging pleasantries, they hung up.
Dorothy thought for a moment and sent Everett a WhatsApp message: [Dr. Quincy called me, said
she couldn''t reach you. She wants to talk about her father''spany''s investment.]
Not knowing the specifics or how¡¯s thepany¡¯s investment going, Dorothy ryed Quincy''s
message verbatim. Whether Everett chose to call her back was up to him.
Perhaps... Everett wasn''t interested in the investment and was just avoiding Quincy.
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
Within seconds of sending the WhatsApp message, Everett called.
"Quincy contacted you?" he asked.
"Yeah."
Everett''s tone sharpened, "Didn''t I tell you not to talk to her?"
Dorothy was taken aback by his rebuke, "I... I''m sorry, I just saw she called, and considering we still
need Dr. Quincy for my treatment, I answered."
Chapter 965
Chapter 965
He rarely spoke to her in such a tone, and that caught her off guard momentarily.
Having said his piece, Everett regretted it as well. He was just too scared that Quincy might hurt
Dorothy again, thus he wanted to keep her away from him.
"I''m sorry, I was a bit..." he apologized.
"It''s okay! It was work-rted anyway so I shouldn''t have interfered. If you''re feeling stuck, like you
deliberately didn''t want to return Dr. Quincy''s calls, just pretend I never messaged you!" Dorothy
might not know the specifics, but she was aware that anything involving the Lopez Corporation
likely involved substantial funds. Being the CEO, he had to make his own considerations. She
shouldn''t have ryed Quincy''s message in the first ce.
"Are you upset?" Everett''s voice carried a hint of caution.
Dorothy chuckled, "Not at all! I was worried about upsetting you."
"I wouldn''t be upset with you." Everett paused, "You''re at the hospital?"
"Yeah! Karen was being discharged, but the baby fell asleep, so we thought we''d let her wake up on
her own. It''s a bit chilly today, didn''t want the baby catching a cold with the temperature drop."
"I''lle pick you, Abigail, and Langston up once I wrap things up here."
"Great! You can head straight to Jeffrey''s ce, we''re about to leave the hospital too."
"Alright."
After hanging up, she sighed, hoping her WhatsApp message wouldn''t cause any trouble for
Everett.
...
Once Everett ended the call with Dorothy, he dialed Quincy immediately. His tone was fierce right
from the start, "Quincy, don''t push my boundaries."
"I was merely seeking your help, Mr. Lopez. Since I couldn''t reach you, I had no choice but to
approach Ms. Sanchez. But rest assured, I mentioned it was about a coboration, nothing more,"
Quincy''s voice was calm, albeit a bit feeble to him.
Everett clenched his fists tightly. If it weren''t for the fact that the antidote hadn''t been deciphered
yet, and they still needed her to keep Dorothy alive, he''d really want to tear Quincy apart!
"I don''t care why, but do not contact her again!" he snapped.
"I understand." Quincy backed off, not looking to sh in the first ce, "You must be aware of my
family situation by now. Jonathan pulled the funding, and I was hoping you couldnd my family a
hand, Mr. Lopez."
"You''ll provide the antidote if I help your family?"
"I can give you an additional month," Quincy offered with a chuckle, "That way, you''d have more
time to consider!"
But fully curing Dorothy was definitely impossible. Not just for any other reason, but even if she
wanted to survive, she needed to keep Dorothy close. She couldn''t even begin to imagine how dire
her own fate would be otherwise.
"Saving your family will cost a pretty penny."
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
Moreover, this sum could very well hold her family''s fate in his hands.
"Indeed, but to Mr. Lopez, it''s merely pocket change," Quincy might not know everything, but he
was well aware of Everett''s financial prowess.
Not just saving her family, but even ten would be a breeze.
After a brief pause, Everett spoke gravely, "I can offer you a sum not only to save your family but to
ensure you''re set for life, provided you hand over the final antidote."
"Mr. Lopez, do you take me for a fool? The day Ms. Sanchez''s poison is cured might very well be
the day I meet my end."
Chapter 966
Chapter 966
So, starving her for three days or even offering her a fortune wouldn''t make Quincy give away the
antidote. Not even if it meant the downfall of the entire family.
Unless she no longer wished to live.
"Saving your family isn''t something that falls within our negotiation. I''m under no obligation." He
said.
"True, which is why I propose an additional month of Ms. Sanchez''s antidote in exchange," Quincy
bargained.
Everett paused, "And if I refuse?"
"What can I do? It''s not like I can just take it by force. At most... I just won''t supply the antidote
anymore." There are very few things in this world that could threaten Everett. Quincy had finally
found something that could leverage Everett. She wasn''t about to let go; she intended to exploit this
threat to its fullest. "Mr. Lopez, are you willing to lose Ms. Sanchez?"
"If anything happens to Dorothy, I''ll make sure you experience a living hell."
"Saving my family would barely require any effort on your part, Mr. Lopez. The money is trivial to
you, and in return, you get an additional month''s supply of the antidote. It''s a good deal."
Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.
Quincy''s logic in her words was clear, signaling her confidence in winning.
After all, the all-powerful and high-flying Everett happened to be an infatuated man. If he could bear
to lose Dorothy, then what truly could threaten him?
Sure enough, after a few seconds of silence, Everett spoke, "How much?"
"I''ll have my father contact you."
As Quincy finished speaking, Everett was ready to hang up. He didn''t want to hear that voice for
one more second.
However, Quincy suddenly stopped him and added, "One more thing! You might want to consider
hiring some bodyguards for my protection, Mr. Lopez. After all... if an ident were to happen to
me, if I were hit by a car, suffered amnesia, or... encountered any life-threatening danger, then it
wouldn''t just be my loss. My death would be insignificant, but Ms. Sanchez would have no one to
save her."
Quincy was mainly worried that her words might have angered her father, leading him to take action
against her. Although he had agreed to cut ties over money, she knew her father wouldn''t easily let
go of a pawn he had nurtured for years.
She couldn''t predict his next move, but with Everett''s men protecting her, she felt somewhat safer.
...
Jeffrey had everything arranged at their ce before driving back to pick up his wife and daughter.
Dorothy was in the back of the van with their twins, while Karen sat in the front, holding her
daughter.
At a red light, Jeffrey instinctively nced at the rear-view mirror and saw Langston holding
Felicity''s little hand!
rm bells rang in his head as he coughed lightly, "Well, Langston, remember that Felicity is going
to be your little sister from now on. You have to protect her like a real brother, and never let any jerk
take advantage of her!"
Dorothy, unaware of their previous conversation, thought it was just a joke and didn''t pay much
attention.
But Karen knew exactly what was going on. Jeffrey was overreacting again!
Ever since Arthur cursed in the hospital that Jeffrey''s daughter would be mistreated and abandoned
by men, and Karen indeed gave birth to a daughter, he had be overly protective.
He didn''t even trust Langston around her.
"Mr. Turner, don''t worry! I''ll definitely protect my sister!" Langston said.
"Just remember, you''re Felicity''s brother for life, her real brother!"
Chapter 967
Chapter 967
Just as Langston was about to nod, Karen, having reached her limit, frowned deeply, "Jeffrey, have
you had enough?"
Jeffrey quickly shrank his neck and continued driving.
Dorothy, still not quite catching up, blinked in confusion, "Huh? What happened?"
"It''s nothing! Just ignore him." Karen freed one hand to caress Langston''s head. "Langston, do you
think little Felicity is cute?"
Langston nodded eagerly, "She''s so tiny! Everything about her is just so small!"
"She''ll grow up before you know it!"
Langston turned to his mom, "Mommy, howe I''ve never seen Abigail when she was that tiny?"
Dorothy blinked.
Even Jeffrey, driving up front, couldn''t help but chuckle at that, "Because when your little sister
Abigail was that small, you were just as tiny!"
Their conversation filled the car until they finally arrived at the mansion.
As soon as Karen walked in with her daughter, she was greeted by a line of nannies Jeffrey hired,
all standing at attention by the door. And it was literally a lineup, no exaggeration - at a nce, there
were definitely at least ten of them.
"Jeffrey? What''s this...?" she asked.
"Well, isn''t it said that women are especially exhausted and prone to postpartum depression after
giving birth? So, I personally selected these folks to take care of you and the baby, making sureCopyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.
there''s absolutely nothing for you to feel down about! I aim to keep you well-fed and worry-free
during this special time!"
Karen rolled her eyes as Jeffrey introduced them one by one.
"This one specializes in preparing postnatal meals, this one''s a professional psychologist on
standby, and these ones will primarily take care of the baby, switching shifts every four hours to
ensure they''re well-rested and ready to take care of my daughter! And there''s more¡ª"
"That''s enough," Karen waved him off. "No need for introductions. Let them get to their duties first. I
want to catch up with Dorothy."
"Okay!" Jeffrey nodded. "Didn''t you hear? Thedy let you get to your duties!"
Thedy, huh? Karen thought it was both exasperating and amusing.
Dorothy, standing beside her, couldn''t help but giggle, "Jeffrey really has thought of everything. I
never expected him to be so attentive."
"Nonsense! He''s just fussing over nothing."
"Don''t be too hard on him. Jeffrey''s doing all this because he cares about you. If you keep
dampening his spirits, be careful he might not bother anymore."
Karen pouted, "He wouldn''t dare! Dorothy, you have no idea how clingy he can be!"
Dorothy took herints as venting about the sweet burdens of love.
It wasn''t long before Everett also arrived. He seldom visited Jeffrey''s mansion, having only been a
handful of times before.
"Everett." Upon seeing his tall figure at the entrance, Dorothy immediately rose from the sofa and
walked towards him.
Everett naturally extended his arms to embrace her.
"Daddy! I missed you so much! And brother missed you too!" Abigail, seeing him, insisted on
dragging her brother along. Her eagerness was as if they hadn''t seen their father for days.
Jeffrey, standing aside, suddenly sighed, "Everett, to think there was a time when neither of us
could have imagined this scene. We literally have our own kids."
Everett nced at him, his voice t but his words piercing, "I beat you to it. I have two."
"It''s a happy day, and you''re forcing me to touch your raw nerve." He leaned in, whispering, "At least
I managed to marry Karen. What about you?"
Chapter 968
Chapter 968
"That didn¡¯t count. Have you guys actually tied the knot yet?" Everett asked.
Jeffrey was at a loss for words.
Facing Everett, Jeffrey''s usually impable eloquence seemed to falter.
It took some doing, but with everyone gathered, Jeffrey managed to keep them all seated for a
family dinner.
While Dorothy and the others were lost in conversation, Jeffrey pulled Everett aside.
"Listen, Everett, I''ve been thinking. Quincy''s only got this hold on you because she''s sure you care
about Dorothy, right? This... might actually be simpler to handle than we thought."
Everett pressed his lips together, "You''re suggesting we make Quincy believe I don''t care about
Dorothy."
Jeffrey pped his hands together, "Exactly! That way, all of this gets resolved. If Quincy''s bold
enough to demand money from you now to save her family, who''s to say she won''t up the ante
tomorrow? Today it''s a favor, tomorrow she might want the entire Lopez Corporation!"
Greed was human nature. Especially when one realized the leverage they got was bing
increasingly effective, they¡¯d be less likely to let go.
But surely, this was something Everett had already considered.
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
"So, what do you think Quincy will do to test if I''ve truly stopped caring about Dorothy?" he asked.
Jeffrey blinked.
"She''ll probably cut off Dorothy''s antidote supply, then watch to see how I react as Dorothy''s life
hangs in the bnce," Everett''s handsome face grew cold, his eyes icy, "If anything goes wrong,
and lead to Dorothy¡¯s real... I couldn''t bear the consequences."
The logic was irrefutable, something Everett had undoubtedly contemted. But it was an approach
fraught with risk.
If Quincy had conceived the idea to poison Dorothy, she''d certainly done her homework.
Jeffrey furrowed his brow, pacing back and forth, "Or, maybe you could gradually give Quincy the
impression that things between you and Dorothy are souring! That way, she might start looking for
an exit strategy and might even hand over the antidote voluntarily!"
"Dorothy has only just epted me."
Everett feared that this might be his one and only chance to have Dorothy''s eptance.
"Why not exin everything afterward? Do you really want to be under Quincy''s thumb forever?"
Jeffrey understood his friend''s emotional turmoil but insisted on a resolution, "The more you show
you care for Dorothy, the more Quincy will gloat. This won''t end the way you want it to."
Everett lowered his gaze, remaining silent. He understood all this. He had already gathered a team
of medical experts to work on the antidote.
But then problems followed. Without the original poison, they couldn''t conduct necessary clinical
trials for the antidote.
Certainly, Everett couldn''t subject Dorothy to these trials.
Quincy had mentioned that the sequence of creating the antidote was crucial. One misstep, and the
poison''s effects could intensify.
Using Dorothy for trials meant only one shot. One mistake, and it''s all over.
"I''ll think it over." He thus replied.
"Everett, you''re letting your concern cloud your judgment! To save Dorothy, we have to make
Quincy believe she''s no longer of any use in this scheme!" Jeffrey understood Everett''s dilemma all
too well.
If Karen were in Dorothy''s ce, he''d be beside himself too. But to obtain the antidote, some
sacrifices were necessary.
"Fortunately, Quincy doesn''t have feelings for me. She''s just looking to secure her own freedom."
Everett said.
Not like Heather.
"But... that makes it even less likely she''ll let go of Dorothy as her leverage!"
Chapter 969
Chapter 969
If Quincy had a thing for Everett, maybe... just maybe, Everett could use his face well, y a bit of a
seduction game, and promise the moon.
The emotionless one was always the hardest to crack! Because she didn¡¯t have a weakness.
And with Dorothy''s fate in her grip, she was practically stepping on Everett''s Achilles'' heel.
"Otherwise, why not take control of Quincy''s folks? If she''s pleading on behalf of her family, she
must feel something for them. You''d have leverage, and she wouldn''t dare make a move, at least
she wouldn''t push her luck any further!"
"Think Quincy''s parents are free to do as they please?" Everett''s guys had them under control for a
while now. But he was aware of the strained rtionship between Quincy and her family.
It was clear to see that Quincy''s kin hadn''t treated her well, and she, in turn, naturally felt little for
them.
"Darn it! You two are just a disaster ma! First it was Heather, now Quincy! One headache after
another!"
Nothing seemed to work!
Jeffrey was so frustrated that he almost wished he could just get rid of Quincy then and there.
"Everett, dinner''s ready!"
They hadn''t wrapped up their chat when Dorothy came over.
Everett quickly masked his frustration with a gentle smile, "Alright."
...
After dining at Jeffrey''s, they drove back to the Bay Residence.
On the way, Dorothy wrestled with her thoughts before finally voicing them.
"Everett... did I cause you trouble?" she asked.
"Hmm?" Everett nced at her while his hand rested on the steering wheel, "No."
"You said you''d never lie to me." Dorothy looked serious, "If I''ve caused you any trouble, just tell
me. It would help me know what I should or shouldn''t do!"
Like his current situation with Quincy. Every time she asked, he avoided the topic.
N?velDrama.Org ? content.
Then Dorothy had nothing better to do than make a wild guess. She always thought she shouldn''t
have passed messages from Quincy to Everett.
"Dorothy, stop imagining things!" He paused before suggesting, "Maybe... you could help me finish
that project I started if you''re looking for something to do at home?"
Keeping busy might keep her mind off things, possibly making her less sensitive to these issues.
"The project I handled when I was there is still unfinished?" she asked.
"Yes, I wasn''t satisfied with the director who took over, so I switched them out."
Dorothy''s eyes lit up as she heard this, "Sure! Hand it over to me again. I''ll take care of it."
She''s always been passionate about her work. Staying idle for too long would make her feel
disconnected from the society.
Dorothy wanted to be Everett¡¯s right hand. Even if she couldn¡¯t solve big problems, helping out a
little would make her happy.
¡°I¡¯ll have Kevin get in touch.¡± He said.
Dorothy nodded, then hesitated, "I have been away from the project for so long, so do you think the
team will have any objections?"
"How dare they?"
"This is tyranny!"
"The Lopez Corporation is mine, and appointing directors is my right. Of course, resigning is their
right."
Dorothy couldn''t help but smile resignedly. His rity and decisiveness were probably why he was
so sessful.
Back at the Bay Residence, Dorothy slid into bed and took the initiative to reach for Everett''s
shoulder.
Just as Everett was about to get up for his shower, she pulled him back.
"Do you want sex today?" she asked.
Everett was confused.
Her cheeks flushed, "I mean if we do, we don''t need to take precautions, right?"
He had mentioned wanting another child, after all.
Chapter 970
Chapter 970
Everett¡¯s mind clearly didn¡¯t approach this one. He paused for several seconds before gently patting
Dorothy''s hand, "Your health isn''t the best right now. I do want another child, but not under these
circumstances."
He was still unsure about the extent of the poison lingering in her system. Talking about having a
child now felt almost like a death sentence to her.
"Oh." She muttered.
Everett had made his stance clear, and knowing Dorothy, she wasn''t one to push back.
But that night, she seemed less than cooperative with Everett.
After one attempt, Dorothy imed she was too tired. She retreated to the bathroom for a shower,
and then curled up under the covers to sleep.
Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.
Everett had a hunch about what was bothering her, but didn¡¯t know what to do.
He could just take a cold shower to cool off.
...
The next morning, by the time Dorothy woke up, Everett had already left for the office.
Still, he had taken the time to prepare oatmeal, keeping it warm, and left her a note.
Their rtionship seemed to have momentarily regressed to their early cohabitation days.
[I dropped off Abigail and Langston at school. Have breakfast when you wake up, then get in touch
with Kevin. Everett.]
Dorothy carefully preserved the note, and then made her way to the dining room to eat while calling
Kevin, "Did Everett tell you about me taking over the project?"
"Mr. Lopez briefed me! I''ll send you the documents through the system."
Dorothy paused for a moment, then chuckled, "About that... I deactivated my ount when I left
Lopez Corporation and haven''t applied for it again. I''m not officially back, so you might not be able
to send it through. Just email it to me."
Thinking she''d never return to Lopez Corporation, she had cut tiespletely.
"Mr. Lopez had your ount restored," Kevin said with a hint of amusement in his voice. "You''ve
known Mr. Lopez for years. Aren''t you aware of his temperament? He verbally agreed to your
resignation but deep down, he didn''t want you to leave; he justcked a reason to make you stay."
Dorothy didn¡¯t reply.
"Ms. Sanchez, Mr. Lopez is the most devoted man I''ve ever met! In his position, temptations
abound, yet he''s managed to stay true to his principles, which is rare."
Kevin wasn''t from high society, but his job exposed him to that circle often! Which among them
didn''t have a scandal or two out there after their marriage? Not to mention the children brought forth
by women from outside their marriages, leaving them questioning their paternity.
In such an environment, for Everett to remain unaffected and unassimted was truly remarkable.
"Yeah, I know what kind of person he is." She replied.
"So, don''t take him for granted! Mr. Lopez is human too; he can be hurt. What if one day he truly
walks away?"
"I''ve made up my mind this time. No matter what, I won''t leave him again."
"That''s good to hear!"
Dorothy might be unaware of Quincy''s machinations, but Kevin was. Mr. Lopez was trapped,
threatened, and exploited, all because he couldn''t bear to put Dorothy in harm''s way.
Kevin genuinely feared any moreplications from Dorothy''s end. Mr. Lopez was already under
immense pressure; he couldn''t handle much more.
If it were Kevin, he might have given up long ago, perhaps even during their crisis in Swevia
Country, preventing any further incidents. He couldn''t begin to imagine how Everett had managed to
persevere through it all.
Chapter 971
Chapter 971
Hanging up the phone, Dorothy jogged to her bedroom to grab herptop.
Once she logged into the Lopez Corporation''s system, just as she expected¡ªHer ount wasn''t
deactivated, and all her chat histories were intact.
Seeing her ount stillbeled as "Dorothy, Project Director" on the screen made her nose tingle,
emotions nearly spilling over.
It wasn¡¯t just the ount that moved her. She wondered, how many things like this had Everett
done behind the scenes? If she hadn¡¯t returned to the project team, she¡¯d never have known about
this. He did these things without seeking any acknowledgment.
That was just his way. From the beginning, up to now, he always managed to touch her heart in the
most unexpected ways.
Kevin, noticing her ount online, sent over the documents.
[Mr. Lopez made it clear just now, you¡¯re not well, so we can''t overload you with tasks.]
Dorothy cracked a smile, imagining Everett instructing Kevin with his usual serious, furrowed brow.
Despite his hectic schedule, always buried in work, he still found the time to remind Kevin.
[I¡¯m fine, really! He¡¯s just being overprotective! Cooped up at home, I have too much time to
overthink everything, might as well dive into work.]
[It''s because you snagged a great husband! Man, if I were a woman, I¡¯d totally go after Mr. Lopez!]
Dorothy chuckled at Kevin¡¯sment. But the line of women eyeing Everett was long, and even if
Kevin were a woman, chances were slim he¡¯d even keep his job as a secretary.
Opening the project files, Dorothypared them to the data before her departure.
The interim project director had actually done amendable job. Not at all like what Everett had
implied.
Dorothy suspected he might have reimed the project for her to handle, somewhat forcefully.
She sighed, deciding not to confront Everett about it.
Since he had already done it, questioning him now seemed pointless.
Just as Dorothy was about to exit to the main page, she noticed that the CEO¡¯s private conference
channel was in use.
Her finger paused on the mouse, then she smiled and typed in the password, curious to sneak a
peek at what meeting he was in.
N?velDrama.Org ? content.
To her surprise, it was just Everett and a guest ount in the room.
In the Lopez Corporation¡¯s system, only Everett¡¯s ount had the authority to grant non-employees
guest ess.
Dorothy froze, then heard Everett¡¯s deep voice through herputer speakers.
"The bodyguard has been dispatched as you requested. What about the thing you promised me?"
It was clear he wasn¡¯t looking at his screen, unaware of her presence. Otherwise, Everett would
have definitely started the conversation with her.
As Dorothy hesitated whether to send a message to alert him, the next moment, the guest turned
on their mic, speaking in a calm tone.
"Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Lopez! I always keep my word. I can repeat all the conditions we discussed that
night you came to see me, for the record."
That voice...
It was unmistakably Quincy¡¯s.
Everett had actually allowed Quincy ess to the Lopez Corporation¡¯s system for a private chat?
And from Everett¡¯s words, it seemed he had even arranged a bodyguard for Quincy.
Chapter 972
Chapter 972
Between them, there was some sort of hush-hush deal going on.
Dorothy really didn''t mean to eavesdrop, but she couldn''t help her curiosity about what was
happening between Everett and Quincy.
It didn''t seem as simple as just asking Quincy to look after her health.
From what Quincy said, it was clear that Everett had visited her one night, they had talked terms,
and reached some kind of agreement.
"Dorothy?"
Suddenly, Everett''s voice cut through the silence! He had finally noticed an extra participant in the
online meeting room.
In the next second, Quincy''s guest ount was kicked out, and the meeting room was disbanded.
Then, Dorothy''s phone started ringing.
"When did you join?"
"That''s not important. I think you should exin what''s going on between you and Dr. Quincy first,"
Dorothy said, deliberately keeping her tone cold. She was trying to coax some information out of
Everett. But she had forgotten that joining the online meeting room left a timestamp.
He figured he hadn''t discussed anything crucial with Quincy at that time.
"Us? It''s nothing, she just wanted me to invest in her father''s business." Everett quickly regained his
composure as if he wasn''t the one who had just disbanded the meeting room.
"Just that?"
"Yeah."
"Then why did you disband the meeting as soon as I joined? If it was just a business talk, I don''t see
why I couldn''t listen in."
It turns out, a woman''s intuition is terrifyingly urate. Even if she didn''t suspect Everett of being
unfaithful, she felt there was something between them, something that had to be hidden from her.
"...It involves some business confidentiality." Caught off guard, Everett couldn''t think of a better
excuse in the moment.
"Business confidentiality that I can''t know about? Everett, you once said there would be no secrets
of business between us."
By this point, Dorothy didn''t want to know anymore.
Whatever they were dealing with, she lost her curiosity.
"Never mind, you''re busy! Kevin already sent me the project details, I''ve got my own work to do."
With that, she didn''t wait for Everett to respond before hanging up.
He called back, but Dorothy didn''t want to answer.
Deep down, she trusted Everett, trusted that there was nothing serious between him and Quincy.
N?velDrama.Org ? content.
But...
But Quincy was still someone Jonathan had approved of, someone who almost married Everett.
How could Dorothy not feel a bit uneasy? She didn''t want Quincy treating her, didn''t want Everett to
have any more contact with her.
If it were someone else, Everett would have agreed immediately and followed through, but not this
time with Quincy. He didn''t agree. He even asked her not to inquire further.
Dorothy really didn''t want to specte or ponder, but she couldn''t help herself. She switched her
phone to silent mode, trying to focus her attention on herputer, on her projects, anything but
Quincy.
After some time, she suddenly heard the front door open. Looking up, she saw Everett, dressed in a
dark suit, frowning as he entered.
"Dorothy, I''ve been calling you. Why didn''t you answer? I thought you¡ª"
"I put it on silent." She showed him her phone, disying twenty missed calls from Everett.
"You... came back just because of this?"
Chapter 973
Chapter 973
Everett exhaled deeply, striding forward to envelop her in a firm embrace.
The force caught Dorothy off guard, her nose crashing against his chest, flooding her with a sharp
pang of pain.
"Everett¡"
"Don''t ever make me unable to reach you, Dorothy. Even if you''re mad, you can''t just ignore my
calls!"
Dorothy opened her mouth to respond, but before words could form, she felt a cool, damp sensation
along her neck, sending her into a momentary panic, her arms instinctively wrapping around
Everett''s waist.
He held her tightly, as if wishing to meld her into his very being, to be one.
"I''m sorry¡ I won''t do it again." Dorothy found herself tangled in her emotions, instinctively
choosing to evade further confrontation.
It wasn''t that she truly wanted to be angry with Everett; jealousy was a new emotion for her,
unfamiliar and unmanageable, leaving her sulking in silence.
"Dorothy, about what''s going on with Quincy, I can''t exin now, just this one thing, can you trust
me on that?"
Dorothy sighed softly, "It''s not that I don''t trust you."
Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.
"Just trusting me is enough."
"Everett! I¡" she hesitated, then deted, conceding, "It''s not that I distrust Dr. Quincy. I¡¯m just
afraid she''ll end up hopelessly in love with you like Heather did. I¡ I''m afraid I won''t stand a chance
against Dr. Quincy!"
The brighter Everett shone, the more inadequate Dorothy felt.
Always prepared to walk away, Dorothy believed Everett was beyond her exclusive im, her own
merits and assets insufficient to fully embrace him.
But Quincy was a different story. Her father and Jonathan were old friends, Jonathan even openly
expressed his wish for her to marry into the Lopez family. As a potential daughter-inw, she was
already approved by the entire Lopez family!
While Dorothy had nothing but Everett''s steadfastness, no ace up her sleeve to best Quincy.
"She doesn''t like me."
"Not now, but what aboutter?" Dorothy looked up at him, "The more you two interact, the more
likely her feelings will change."
Back in Swevia Country, Quincy had often expressed envy of Dorothy''s pure love for Everett,
wishing for simr affection, stirring unease in Dorothy upon reflection.
"Don''t you get it? You''re all I''ve ever wanted."
"I know, I understand, but¡"
"Trust me."
Those were the only words Everett could offer now.
Gradually, Dorothy lowered her gaze, and after a moment, nodded, "I trust you."
¡
Quincy knew her father wouldn''t let her off easily, but she hadn''t expected him to act so quickly.
After ignoring several of his calls, Ronin tracked her down to her hotel.
"How did you get Everett to willingly part with that money?" Upon opening the door, Ronin couldn''t
wait to ask.
"What''s it to you?" Quincy''s voice was cold, treating the man before her as a stranger.
"Sweetie." Ronin realized his eagerness had betrayed him, softening his approach, "You have to
believe me, I had no choice! We couldn''t just watch our family''s legacy crumble overnight. With
Everett''s timely financial aid, it seems¡ you still hold a ce in his heart!"
Chapter 974
Chapter 974
"Spit it out, will you? I''m swamped here."
Quincy didn''t even bother to turn around, let alone invite him inside for a chat.
She just blocked Ronin at the doorstep. The aloofness on her face was unmistakable, not a hint of
wanting to engage in further conversation.
"Quincy! Still holding a grudge, huh?" Ronin was somewhat aware of his daughter''s temperament,
especially after he had unterally decided to marry her off to the Lopezes, he knew he was in the
wrong. So now, Ronin was swallowing his pride, trying to wear a smile, "Come on, you''re not
seriously thinking about cutting ties? Disowning your mom and dad?"
"Didn''t we settle this already?"
"That was said in the heat of the moment! Blood ties can''t just be cut off."
Quincy almostughed out of frustration.
So, he wasing around now that Everett was willing to back her, thinking she still had some
utility left, huh?
"Let me make it clear today, you''d better agree to cut ties and stop bothering me! Otherwise... if
something happens to me one day, the Lopezes won''t spare you either."
Quincy hadn''t told her father about poisoning Dorothy, mainly because she knew just how greedy
he could be! If he found out he could use the antidote to control Everett, who knows how much
money he would demand from the Lopezes.
Though her actions were underhanded, she wasn''t driven by greed. She just wanted her freedom.
"We''re family! We share the good and the bad!" Ronin didn''t catch the warning in Quincy''s words,
just assuming she was trying to ditch her old life now that she had climbed the socialdder.
"Fine, just don''te back withintster." Quincy paused, then spoke coldly, "And I won''t be
asking Everett for money on your behalf anymore, not a penny! You''d best drop that idea."
Ronin waved his hand dismissively, "Don''t worry! I understand your situation! Just got acquainted
with Everett and already asked for a hefty sum, can''t keep asking for more!"
Truly, the very picture of a businessman. Everything had to be maximized for profit, even the value
of his own daughter had to be clearly assessed.
"Quincy, you living in a hotel makes it seem like our family don''t care for you! It''ll make it hard for
you to hold your head up in front of Everett! Look, I have a vi in Eldorria City, move in there,
consider it a wedding gift from your dad."
He then pulled out a set of keys and offered them.
Quincy didn''t ept them. She just smiled, "Aren''t you saving that vi for your precious son?"
"¡If you want the vi, I can transfer it to your name right away!"
In other words, he hadn''t thought of doing so until Quincy called him out, leaving him a bit
embarrassed.
N?velDrama.Org ? content.
"I don''t want it, and I''m not keen on your vi! Keep the family''s wealth for your son, so you don''t
end upining about how much raising a daughter cost you! I''m fine in the hotel, don''t trouble
yourself! Anything else?"
If not, she was going to close the door.
Ronin frowned. He wasn''t known for his patience, and being repeatedly mocked by his own
daughter was testing him. But for the sake of using her as a bridge to the Lopezes, he had to bear
it!
"Quincy! Dad just thought, marrying into the Lopezes, you''d have everything and wouldn''t care
about a vi. If you like it, I can transfer it to you right away! I just didn''t think it through earlier."
Chapter 975
Chapter 975
"Ugh, just go, I''ve got things to do."
Quincy''s patience was worn thin, her usual gentle demeanor reced by visible irritation.
When Ronin looked like he wanted to add something, Quincy stepped back and shut the door in his
face. She didn''t have the time for this.
Though she currently held the upper hand over Everett, rendering him powerless, it felt like she was
holding a tiger by the tail! Who knew when he might turn around and bite her, sealing her fate? She
had to stay alert and carefully n her next moves to avoid falling into the abyss.
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
And by "abyss," she wasn''t exaggerating. She dared not even think about the ways Everett could
make her suffer.
...
Due to a project, Dorothy found herself back at Lopez Corporation to attend some meetings,
essentially resuming her work there.
Since she was back, her position needed to be officially reinstated, not just in name alone.
Upon arriving at Lopez Corporation, Kevin led her to the CEO''s office.
After opening the door, Kevin quickly made himself scarce.
Dorothy entered and found Everett busy on a call. She didn''t make a sound, simply taking a seat on
the nearby sofa to wait.
Once the call ended, Everett stood and walked over to Dorothy, instinctively ruffling her hair.
"Here for the meeting?"
"Yeah! There''s a project meeting soon." Dorothy looked up at him with a smile, "I''m actually a bit
nervous."
It had been a while since she''d been in the workforce, and suddenly diving back into it made her
feel apprehensive, which was understandable.
"Nervous? The whole Lopez Corporation is yours; you''re the boss''sdy."
His sudden sweet talk caught Dorothy off guard, leaving her stunned. Her cheeks quickly flushed
with color.
"You''re back at Lopez Corporation, we should go through the official hiring process, sign some
paperwork. Do you want to review the contract again?" Everett turned, handing her a printed
document from his desk.
Dorothy took it, ncing over. "The employment period is only for a year?"
The contract stated a one-year term, after which she would no longer be part of Lopez Corporation.
Everett raised an eyebrow, "Keep reading."
Dorothy''s eyes moved down to a line in smaller print.
[Should the party of the first part wish to renew, they may do so indefinitely and without restrictions.]
This use essentially gave her full control over the contract!
"Aren''t you afraid I''ll just leave after a year?"
"Afraid."
What Everett feared most was Dorothy leaving. He''d always been afraid.
"Then why..."
"I want you to stay by my side willingly, not because a contract obliges you to." Everett''s voice
deepened as he sat beside her, "Initially, I naively thought that this would keep you with me for a
year or so. It didn''t matter if you didn''t love me; my love was enough. But then, I realized... I''m
greedy."
A year or so was definitely not enough. If she didn''t love him, he would be heartbroken, not
indifferent.
"Dorothy, I''ve realized that when ites to love, I can''t be nonchnt."
He always thought he could easily let go. But with Dorothy, he absolutely couldn''t.
"Then I''m d you''re not nonchnt." Dorothy reached out, caressing his cheek gently, "Sticking
with someone like me who''s prone to backing away, for over a decade, you''ve really put in the
effort. It''s tough."
Chapter 976
Chapter 976
She said "It''s tough" without a hitch in her voice.
But that didn''t begin to cover the endless days and nights.
Dorothy was well aware of her own ws, especially her penchant for harsh words.
What would he feel after hearing them? Surely, it would be unbearable.
"If you think I''ve had it tough, just make it up to me."
Dorothy nodded obediently, "Don''t worry! Anything I can do to help you at work, I''ll definitely give it
my all. As for making it up to you in other ways... well, it''s tough since you really aren''t wanting for
anything."
"Who says?"
"So, what are you wanting?"
Everett''s gaze fixed on her face, the answer nearly escaping his lips, "You. I''m missing you."
Dorothy didn''t avoid his gaze; she met it squarely and then took Everett''s hand, "I''m yours, you''re
not missing anything, you''re not wanting for anything."
"Is that a promise?"
"Unless you don''t want me anymore."
Everett''s body stiffened, pulling her into his embrace, "How could there evere a day like that?"
Dorothy chuckled a few times, stood up from his embrace, walked over to the executive desk,
picked up a pen, and crossed out the one-year mark, writing ''forever'' next to it.
"No turning back now?" Everett smiled at her.
After all, Dorothy was always one to have a backup n.
"I still have one," Dorothy smiled back, "You are my forever backup n."
Everett raised an eyebrow, "You''re quite the sweet talker today."
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
He was still getting used to it.
"It''s because I''ve seen how Jeffrey and Karen get along; I think there''s something to be learned!
Jeffrey often does things that upset Karen, but luckily, his sweet talk always gets him through. I
thought I''d give it a try."
"Good, I love hearing it, keep iting."
Everett''s worries eased after hearing her exnation.
Because every time whenever Dorothy softened towards him, speaking tenderly, it meant she was
about to leave, just sweetening the pot before her departure. Like that time in Swevia Country, and
at the Everglow City resort.
He was genuinely scared.
After spending a moment together in the office, it was time for Dorothy to head to a project meeting.
She took the elevator to the meeting room, where Austin had just arrived.
Seeing Dorothy, he paused for a few seconds before smiling and walking over.
"I saw the director''s name changed to Dorothy and thought it was a backend mistake! But here you
are, back for real!"
"Yeah, just took over again. I''ll need your help with anything I''m not clear on."
"I can''t handle that responsibility!" Austin waved his hand, lowering his voice, "Others might not
know who you are, but how could I not? Coming back to the Lopez Corporation, does that mean
you and Mr. Lopez... made up?"
Dorothy gave a smile that served as confirmation.
"Don''t tell anyone else, I don''t want any special treatment."
"Don''t worry, my lips are sealed!"
Austin was a sharp one!
With Dorothy on the fourth project team, thepany''s resources were bound to lean a bit towards
the fourth project team. After all, the CEO''s spouse was here, especially since he had witnessed
firsthand how much Mr. Lopez adored her!
Thinking back, if he hadn''t seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed Mr. Lopez could
look at anyone with such fondness! After all, Mr. Lopez was known for being aloof and reserved.
In the business world, wasn''t he described as decisive and as cold as ice, hardly wasting words?
Chapter 977
Chapter 977
He had a way with her, a gentleness that was almost tender, the kind that spoke volumes. To him,
Dorothy was his heart''s delight.
¡°I don¡¯t want special treatment, not from you, Austin, not from anyone. It wouldn¡¯t sit right with the
others,¡± Dorothy insisted, her thoughts drifting to Ophelia and their past confrontations.
Returning to the fourth project team, Dorothy noticed Ophelia¡¯s absence, likely fallout from that
botched pricing issue. The Lopez Corporation, with its sprawling empire, wouldn¡¯t let such missteps
slide unnoticed.
¡°Alright, my lips are sealed,¡± he promised, though Dorothy doubted the sincerity in his assurance.
¡
After Dorothy entered the conference room, Everett finally left the office. Before driving off, he
instructed Kevin to keep an eye on Dorothy during the meeting and to report back the moment it
ended.
Everett arrived at the secluded diner he and Quincy had agreed on. It was off the beaten path,
attracting few visitors.
Stepping out of his car, Everett saw Quincy approaching. His stride was purposeful, his expression
stern.
¡°I need the antidote.¡±
¡°You¡¯ll have it,¡± Quincy assured with a gentle smile, gesturing towards the diner. ¡°I¡¯ve reserved us a
table. Shall we?¡±
Everett nced at her. ¡°I¡¯m in a hurry.¡±
¡°Not even to discuss Ms. Sanchez?¡±
¡°Spit it out.¡± Restraining himself fromshing out at Quincy was proving difficult.
Quincy sighed, then pulled out a small vial from her bag and handed it over. ¡°This will keep Ms.
Sanchez safe for another month.¡±
Grabbing the vial, Everett turned to leave.
Quincy hesitated, then followed him. ¡°Mr. Lopez! A moment, please.¡±
But Everett didn¡¯t stop, heading straight for his car.
Ignoring him like this was a blow to Quincy¡¯s pride.
¡°Aren¡¯t you worried I might not give you the antidote next time?¡±
Her words finally made him pause and give her a look. ¡°Out with it.¡±
Quincy bit her lip, searching his face. ¡°If I keep using this antidote to control you, would you really
spend your life doing my bidding for Ms. Sanchez¡¯s sake?¡±
Everett¡¯s gaze darkened. ¡°Get to the point.¡±
¡°I¡¯ve never seen such genuine love, not among our circles. It¡¯s always about convenience, never
aboutmitment.¡±
¡°All you need to know is if anything happens to Dorothy, you¡¯ll regret it,¡± Everett stated tly, rolling
up his window and speeding off, leaving Quincy alone with her thoughts.
Curiosity piqued, Quincy wondered just how far Everett would go for Dorothy. As she turned to
leave, Quincy noticed two familiar men with menacing stares. She recognized them as
acquaintances of her brother.
Panicked and alone, she quickly dialed thest number she¡¯d called. ¡°Everett¡ can youe
back?¡±Original from N?velDrama.Org.
Chapter 978
Chapter 978
Everett could hear the quiver in her voice, but he dismissed it as an act.
"I''ve already assigned you a bodyguard."
"Yes, but today I thought I''de to see you, and I didn''t let them follow!" Quincy tried to back
away, but she quickly realized she had no escape route.
One of the men stepped forward, a sneer ying on his lips, as he grabbed Quincy''s wrist, "Who
are you trying to call for help, huh? Your brother sent us to pick you up. Come with us."
"Let go of me! Let me go!"
Out of the corner of her eye, Quincy saw her phone was still on the call. Everett hadn''t hung up.
She immediately shouted into the phone, "Everett! If something happens to me, Dorothy won''tst
more than two months!"
In the next moment, her phone was snatched away and violently smashed to the ground.
Instantly, the phone was reduced to scattered pieces.
"What are you afraid of? Didn''t I tell you it was your own brother who sent us?"
...
Quincy was forcibly dragged into a van, gagged, and had a ck bag thrown over her head.
"Mmm! Mmm!"
No matter how much she struggled, she was no match for the two burly men.
Quincy felt herself being transported a great distance, over bumpy roads, until they finally stopped
in front of a dpidated house in the suburbs.
This area wasn''t even considered part of Eldorria City until a few years ago when it was included in
the city''s expansion ns, yet to be developed.
She was rudely dragged into the house, the men''s rough handling causing her to wince in pain.
"Let me go!" The moment the gag was removed, she began to shout, "If you know my brother, then
you should know I''m the fianc¨¦e of Everett Lopez, the CEO of the Lopez Corporation! Mess with
me, and you''ll be in deep trouble! My... my fianc¨¦ won¡¯t let you off the hook!"
"Sweetheart, do you think your fianc¨¦ cane save you?"
Suddenly, Quincy felt the ck cloth pulled from her head, and there stood her own brother,
Simeon, in front of her, smirking with a hint of sarcasm.
"What are you doing?! Simeon, don''t forget, I just helped our family out of a tight spot!"
Simeon waved his hand dismissively, "Of course I haven''t forgotten! If it wasn''t for that, I wouldn''t
have ''invited'' you here today."
Quincy didn''t know what her brother was up to, but she knew it wasn''t good.
Her brother, though they shared the same parents, wasn''t someone she was close to. Hiszy and
gluttonous ways repelled her. Being the only male heir to their family, Simeon was spoiled rotten by
their mother. He followed in the footsteps of other spoiled rich kids, hanging out with the wrong
crowd, chasing women, street racing, smoking, drinking, and gambling, never doing anything
worthwhile.
"I heard from dad that you want to cut ties with us?" Simeon raised an eyebrow, scoffing, "Do you
really think marrying into the Lopez family will turn you into a phoenix rising from the ashes?
Without us, would Everett marry you? Sister, don¡¯t you know how to be grateful?"
"Grateful? You use me as a tool, and I should thank you?"
N?velDrama.Org ? content.
"Shouldn''t you?" Simeon looked genuinely incredulous, "Quincy, Dad is willing to extend an olive
branch, to seek reconciliation is to give you face, considering the father-daughter rtionship! I
suggested to him long ago, just get some leverage on you, and there¡¯s no need to negotiate!"
Chapter 979
The phrase "leverage" sent chills down Quincy''s spine.
What could possibly be her leverage? "What do you want?!" she demanded.
"Oh, nothing much," replied Simeon with a sneer. "Just want my buddies here to snap a few pictures with you, sis. As long as you y nice and follow Dad''s and my orders, these photos will never see the light of day. Otherwise... well, I can''t promise anything." Patience was not a virtue Simeon possessed, especially not when dealing with his sister. But he needed her connection to the Lopez family-a connection that was as good as striking gold. To think many in the business world would kill for an introduction to Everett, and his sister had gone and married the man! Left with no other choice, Simeon resorted to this distasteful n.
"Are you out of your mind?! Simeon, I''m your sister!" Quincy knew her brother had no good intentions by dragging her here, but she never imagined he would stoop so low.
Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
"Oh, now you remember you''re my sister? Weren''t you the one screaming about cutting ties with us?" Simeon rolled his eyes, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and lighting one up. "Rx, my friends here are tight-lipped. Just enjoy the attention, sis." At Simeon''s words, the two men beside him burst intoughter.
"Your sister''s quite the looker, I must say!" "To think I''d get to bed Everett''s woman. What an honor!" Quincy was genuinely frightened. She could tell her brother wasn''t joking.
"Stay back! Simeon, ckmail won''t §× work on me! I''ll call the cops, I swear I will!" Quincy had no love left for the fami If they dared touch her, she wouldn''t let them off the hook! "Don''t scarewith that," Simeon said, clearly having thought everything through. He stood, arms crossed, cigarette dangling from his lips, "Go ahead, call the cops. But do you think the Lopez Corporation would stand for that? They''ll just send someone to negotiate and buy off the photos." Simeon was almost giddy with the power he held over the Lopez Corporation¡ªa feat few could boast of.
"Why wouldn''t they? If Everett divorcesit won''t affect the Lopez Corporation!" Quincy was desperately trying to buy time, looking for any chance to escape, though she knew her chances were slim. QUMS "A scandal of this magnitude? The Lopez Corporation would never allow it." "Our marriage was a business arrangement. You don''t think he actually loves me, do you?" Simeon shrugged indifferently. "Doesn''t matter if he loves you. You''re his wife, and that''s enough!" "But I''m not married to him yet!" "Don''t worry, I''m not going to show these photos to Everett right now." He smirked coldly. "Sis, don''t bother trying to stall for time. What''s the use? Who''s going to save you?" With a nod from Simeon, the two men started approaching with mockingughter, "ying hard to get now? You''ll see how much fun we''re going to have!" "Hey, boss, is your sister still a virgin? Hahaha-" Quincy trembled with every demeaning word they uttered. But her hands were tied, and the ce was deserted. Who could possibly cto her rescue? As the men drew closer, Quincy saw no way out.
Suddenly the dpidated door was violently kicked open from the outside!
Chapter 980
Simeon stumbled backward in shock, the color draining from his face! Before he knew it, several men had burst in, all dressed in sleek ck suits, their expressions cold as ice.
"Who the heck are you guys?" Quincy was the first to shake off the shock, a glimmer of hope shing through her eyes.
"Did Mr. Lopez send you?" The leader of the men in ck suits scanned the room, his gaze finally resting on Quincy, tied up and helpless. He murmured a lowmand to his followers, "That''s her, take her." Simeon, realizing their n was about to be thwarted, immediately stepped forward to intervene.
"She''s my sister, where are you taking her?!" "Move aside." The man didn''t bother answering him, his menacing aura enough to intimidate Simeon, who was nothing more than a spoiled rich kid. Even his usually loud-mouthed buddies were rendered mute.
All this time, Quincy hadn''t dared to breathe a sigh of relief, not until she was safely inside the car, speeding away from that dpidated house. Only then did she allow herself to rx.
"You''re here on Mr. Lopez''s orders, right?" No one in the car responded, staring straight ahead like statues.
But Quincy didn''t need their confirmation. In Eldorria City, only Everett could have pinpointed her location so swiftly.
Leaning against the car window, watching the trees sh by, she felt an unprecedented sense of safety envelop her.
And then, an indescribable feeling surged through her, spreading to every inch of her body! Quincy pondered. If Dorothy had been the one taken today, would Everett have chimself instead of sending others? For a moment, when she heard the door being kicked down, she had hoped, even if just for a second, that Everett was on the other side.
She couldn''t understand why she felt this way. But one thing was clear to Quincy: she was jealous of Pof Dorothy. To be loved by a mano Everett''s stature, who would go to any lengths for her. Throughout the meeting, Dorothy''s pen never stopped moving.
Returning to the workforce had been a challenge, and her perfectionism demanded excellence in everything she did. Atst, the meeting ended, and Dorothy''s notebook was filled with dense notes.
As the room cleared, she checked her phone, half-expecting a message frett. Finding none, s e of disappointment belongs to englishS felt a Preparing to leave, Dorothy was nning her evening''s work on the project when she bumped into someone! "Oh, I''m so sorry!" she eximed, clutching her forehead, then looked up. "Everett?" "Everyone else leaves the meeting right away. What were you dawdling for?" Dorothy grimaced, embarrassed to admit she''d been checking her phone. She feared Everett would tease her.
"Just sorting sdocuments." "If there''s anything you don''t understand, just ask me." Everett reached for her hand.
But Dorothy dodged, "We''re at the office!" "So?" "So?" she frowned, "People will see us holding hands!" No sooner had Dorothy spoken than Everett firmly sped her hand in his.
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"Dorothy, stop trying to hideaway."
Chapter 981
"I just don''t want folks thinking I got my job at Lopez Corp riding on your coattails," Dorothy said, then paused and chuckled to herself.
Everett raised an eyebrow, "What''s so funny?" "It just hit me... I guess I kind of did get this job because of you." Otherwise, she''d have to slog it out at Prosperity Consortium for a decade or so before even dreaming of getting a transfer to the headquarters, right? "It was my call to bring you into the Lopez Corp headquarters for training, but staying on? That''s all you, your merit," Everett assured her.
He had always recognized Dorothy''s work ethic. After all, there''s no room for mere decoration at Lopez Corp! Being able to work harmoniously with someone as notoriously hard-driving as Kevin, learning heaps from him, was a testament to Dorothy''s dedication and effort.
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
"Mr. Lopez, are you praising me?" Dorothy asked, a yful note in her voice.
Everett gave her an affectionate smile, "Yes." Dorothy gave him a formal nod, "Thank you for thepliment, Mr. Lopez." "Alright, Abigail and Langston will be out of school soon! I promised them both their mom and dad would pick them up today." "Wait, you didn''t tell me! I need to delegate stasks quickly then head out," Dorothy said, rushing towards her office.
Everett followed, a smirk ying on his lips. He thought, if life could always be this simple, this good.
A few stepster, Everett''s phone rang.
ncing down, he saw it was a call from his father, Jonathan.
He didn''t answer, nor did he hang up. Just muted it.
After the call eventually dropped, a text cthrough.
[Everett, your mom''s been hospitalized! It''s serious, she woke up briefly and asked to see you!] Everett''s brow furrowed, sensing, perhaps for the first time, that his father might not be lying. Normally, he and Amanda would pull this kind of stunt to lure Everett back home. He shouldn''t believe it.
After wrapping up her work, Dorothy hurriedly grabbed her bag and joined Everett to leave the office.
In the car, she nced at Everett driving and hesitated before speaking up, her expression troubled.
He noticed immediately and turned his handsface towards her at a red light, "What''s on your mind?" "Yeah," Dorothy nodded.
"Just say it. No need to overthink around me." He didn''t want Dorothy to feel like she had to tread lightly around him.
Dorothy bit her lip, "It''s about thewsuit." It was a sensitive topic between them, the root of many issues, so Dorothy hesitated to bring it up especially during such a tender moment. et "The court epted the appeal, Ephraim will fill you in on the details. As for my mother... she seems to be in the hospital, so she hasn''t been taken back into custody," Everettid out all the updates in one go. Dorothy blinked, her gaze dropping, "I told you, I''m dropping the appeal, dropping thewsuit." Everett''s hands tightened on the steering wheel, and after a moment, he exhaled deeply.
"If thiswsuit ends now with you dropping charges, making it seem like you''repromising for me, how can I ever look you in the eye again?" ?w"Everett, I told you it''s not because of you-" et "Wrongdoing deserves to be punished by thew," Everett said sternly. "Your mother was wronged. Seeking justice for her is your right."
Chapter 982
Dorothy''s brow furrowed slightly, a sign that she was on the verge of saying something more, but Everett gently patted the back of her hand in aforting gesture.
"You''ve sacrificed so much to get to where you are today, I can''t let you give it all up because of me," he said, his voiceced with empathy and concern.
The thought of Dorothy, pregnant and receiving the devastating news of her mother''s passing, still haunted Everett.
He couldn''t bear to think of her shattering at that moment.
Nor could he bear the thought of her enduring a difficult childbirth, working tirelessly to provide for her children while also gathering evidence to seek justice for her mother.
Everett couldn''t convince himself to let nearly six years of Dorothy''s relentless efforts dissipate into nothing just because she wanted to be with him-especially since the defendant in question was his own mother.
"Everett, I chose this," Dorothy assured him, her voice steady. "You''re not forcinginto anything." He offered her a small smile, "I love butterflies, but I wouldn''t trap one. Instead, I''d nt the flowers they love and wait for them to cto me, to choose to stay by my side. Dorothy, I want you to always feel free." Rather than feeling as if she had to give up on things she wasn''t ready to let go of, just for his sake.
Dorothy looked down, her eyes slowly filling with tears. She had once thought her life meaningless, believing that without her, Everett would merely be saddened for a few days before finding someone more suitable.
But hearing his words today, Dorothy felt a deep sense of shame. It was an overwhelming feeling of unworthiness. "You''re so stubborn," she muttered.
Everett gently ruffled her hair, "I prefer to call it devoted." The car filled with noise as they picked up Abigail and Langston from school.
"Mommy! A big brother wrotea note today!" Abigail eximed, pulling a crumpled piece of paper from her backpack and handing it to Dorothy. "He even said I''m pretty and liked my eyes!" Before Dorothy could even nce at the note, Langston breezed in with a cooler tone, "He''s the sage as you, not even older than us by a birthday. He''s not your ''big brother,'' he''s a ''little brother''!" "I can still call him big brother!" Abigail rarely retorted against Langston, but this time, she wolclearly upset by her brother''s diminishment of her "big brother." "If you call him big brother, doesn''t that makeyounger than him too? Abigail Sanchez! We share the sbirthday!" "Okay, okay, whether it''s a big et brother of a little brother, it doesn''t matter. Let''s not fight," Dorothy interjected, hoping to quell the sibling dispute. ?wShe looked down at the note in her hand.
It read, in crooked handwriting: I love you.
Langston, unable to resist, peeked over and snorted, "So young and already throwing around ''I love you''s. Kids are so naive!" He seemed to forget his earlier im of sharing the sbirthday as Abigail.
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"Hmph!" Abigail pouted, ignoring him and carefully folding the note back up.
Langston pointed at his sister, turning to Dorothy, "Isn''t she too young for love? Mom, aren''t you going to say something?" Dorothy hadn''t anticipated navigating these parenting waters so soon.
Everett, driving, nced at them through the rear-view mirror before softly asking Abigail, "Do you like this boy?" Abigail nodded, "I do!" "Then talk to him more, as long as it makes you happy, that''s what matters." "Okay!" Abigail beamed, feeling validated by her father''s approval, but Langston sulked After all, his little sister, who usually shadowed him, was now showing interest in another boy. "Speaking of which," Dorothy suddenly remembered, "maybe it''s tto rethink Abigail and Langston''s names."
Chapter 983
"Got any nchanges in mind yet?" Everett''s voice was always gentle and warm when he spoke to Dorothy.
"I was just spitballing with Abigail and Langston''s nicknames back then, now that they''re growing up, it''s tfor a change! I''ve named them once, this time, it''s your turn." "The one who went through hell to bring them into this world was you. You''re the only one who has the right to nthem." Dorothy sighed, "Since when are there so many rules?" "I want you to decide." Since he had already declined twice, Dorothy didn''t push it further. She thought about it for a moment, then smiled, "Alright then." "See, as long as you''re okay with it," Everett had no objections, "And they can keep the Sanchez surnif you want, don''t worry about anything else." The Lopez n, he could handle. To be precise, he didn''t need to exin anything to his parents. A change is a change.
"Let''s not stick with Sanchez," Dorothy shook her head, "It''s lessmon for kids to take their mother''s surname. Usually, they follow their father''s! I don''t want Abigail and Langston to have to exin this stuffter on. Let''s go by the book." Everett turned and gave her an indulgent smile, "Alright, your wish is mymand." She leaned her head against the car window, racking her brain.
"How about Aurora Lopez for Abigail?" "That works." Everett nodded, and Abigail immediately chimed in, "I love it! Mommy, I wanna be Aurora!" Dorothy then turned her gaze to Langston.
Knowing Langston wasn''t as easy to persuade as Abigail, she directly said, "How about you pick a nfor yourself?" "I don''t know what I want to be called, but I know what I don''t want to be called." Dorothy sent a pleading look towards Everett. He raised his eyebrows and spoke softly, "Hbout Miles Lopez?" S "Why didn''t I think of that?" Dorothy pped her hands excitedly, seeking approval from her son.
Langston furrowed his brows, pondered for a moment, and finally nodded.
"I''m good with that." "Then it''s settled! I''m going to text Karen right away, she''ll be thrilled." Dorothy didn''t waste a moment, pulling out her phone to chat with Karen.
Everett watched her, his lips curving into a smile. He adored this version of Dorothy. Happy and vibrant.
Upon seeing Dorothy''s text, Karen immediately grabbed her phone to find Jeffrey.
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He was wandering around the nursery with their daughter in his arms, mumbling something under his breath.
Seeing his wife approach, Jeffrey squinted with a smile, "You won''thet e it, my daughter just etcalled dy!" SW "Have you lost your mind?" Karen red at him, "Look at what you''ve done." Jeffrey, thinking he was in trouble again, quickly put down their daughter and took the phone.
"Abigail and Langston are now Aurora and Miles?" "Isn''t this what you wanted? Pretending our Felicity is a real sibling to Aurora and Miles." Despite Karen''s irritation, Jeffrey was Felled. "How great is this! C suddenly has an older el and sister!" "Great my foot! I was hoping Langston would becmy son-inw one day!"
Chapter 984
Jeffrey had little faith in the whole affair, a stark contrast to Karen''s attitude.
"Think about it, Langstones from an impressive background, has looks, wealth - everything. The girls trailing behind him could form a line. And you''re okay with handing over your daughter to him?" "But there''s a whole bunch of women who''d kill to be with Everett, enough to circle the globe three times, but he''s still dead set on Dorothy, ain''t he?" Jeffrey stomped his foot in frustration. "Everett''s an exception! How many guys do you know like him?" Karen scoffed, "Don''t think I don''t know what''s really bugging you. It''s that curse Arthur mentioned, right? But think about it, Langston grew up in a loving home. He''s bound to be faithful. Even if we''re talking gics, Dorothy and Everett are both loyal to the core." She was more worried her daughter would take after her dad''s flirtatious ways and end up hurting Langston.
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"My parents were lovebirds too, always had a solid rtionship, and yet here I am¡ª" Jeffrey caught himself before he could finish, suddenly realizing where the conversation was heading.
"Knowing yourself, that''s what counts," Karen quipped.
"Babe...I''m sorry..." Karen waved him off, "Let it be. Whatever happens when they grow up, who knows? Maybe Langston won''t even fancy our daughter. I read somewhere that childhood friends rarely end up together ''cause the spark just isn''t there." All she wanted was for her daughter to end up with Langston, then she and Dorothy would truly becfamily. And if they had kids, they''d be bound by blood.
"That would be for the best..." Better not to spark with anyone! Jeffrey had only recently started to recover, haunted by visions of Arthur''s words in the days following his daughter''s birth.
Though it might seem superstitious, he couldn''t entirely dismiss it.
"You want our daughter to end up alone?" Karen frowned, displeased.
ne "I know she''ll have her romantic escapades, but I''d rather she pick someone less ster than Langston Someone average, with a background that doesn''t outshine mine, Jeffrey said, hisugh dark and menacing. "That way, if he ever dares to hurt my girl, he''ll answer to me!" Karen felt sorry for their daughter. Blessed with such a protective, if not slightly controlling, father.
As Everett''s car rolled up to Bay Residence, his phone buzzed again.
He didn''t pick up or even nce at it. When Corang a second time, Dorothy phone''s ringing..."ngs ''t help but mention, "Your to englisht belongs SW "Yeah." Everett nodded but made no move to answer it.
Dorothy hesitated, then offered softly, Let''s inconvenient to answer in front of me, I can take the kids inside. You can take the call." It could be important business, after all.
"No, I just don''t wanna answer it." Everett stepped out, heading to the foyer to change his shoes.
Dorothy, leading Abigail and Langston, followed him inside.
"Go to your rooms and start on your homework." "Okay, Mommy!" Abigail chirped, sprinting off in a good mood.
Langston nodded and followed.
Only then did Dorothy take a moment to study Everett. Something was off in his expression.
Privacy
Chapter 985
It was rare for Everett to seem so restless. His brows were furrowed in worry, yet he made every effort to appear as if nothing was amiss.
Dorothy knew that the reason for his turmoil was undoubtedly herself. So, she stepped forward and looked up at him.
Everett instinctively averted his gaze. "What''s up?" "Look at me," Dorothy insisted, catching his eye again. "Tell me, what''s wrong?" He slightly furrowed his brow, "It''s nothing." "Be honest! Everett, do you really wantto start jumping to conclusions? You said you''d teachhow to trust you, but now you won''t tenything. Is this what you wanted to teach me?" While she spoke, his phone rang again.
Everett didn''t move, just pressed his lips together.
"Givethe phone," Dorothy said, extending her hand with an unusual firmness.
"I don''t want to answer it." "Hand it over." She repeated.
Everett, with a heavy brow, took out his phone and handed it to Dorothy.
It was a call from Jonathan.
"Your dad''s been calling you so many times, must be something important. Take it," Dorothy handed it back, "If it''s something I shouldn''t hear, I''ll go to the bedroom." She turned to leave, clearly trying to give him space.
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Everett caught her wrist as she turned, "There''s nothing you can''t hear. It''s my mom, he said she''s gotten seriously ill and is in the hospital again, wantsto cover." "Then why aren''t you already on your way?" Dorothy asked instinctively.
Then she realized where Everett''s dilemmay! "Everett, that''s your mom! Even if she and I were sworn enemies, she''s still your mother!" "I was worried you''d be upset, and besides, they always use this to trick me." "But what if this tit''s true?" Dorothy sighed, holding his hand, "You toldnot to walk on eggshells around you, but then you do this! How could I get mad over something like this? Whatever you do for your mother, I can understand, just like... you no understand everything I do for my mother." Though she wasn''t experienced in rtionships, Dorothy knew that for a rtionship tost, it must be built on mutual understanding.
"But she''s done so much to hurt you." Unforgivable things, one after another.
"That''s between your mother and me. It doesn''t involve you." Dorothy patted his hand, "Go! Check on her." Everett''s tall frstiffened for a moment before he spoke, "I thought... you wished her dead." "I don''t wish your mother dead! I only hope she faces legal consequences for her actions." After all, Dorothy had never gone so far as to wish death upon Heather. All Dorothy wanted was justice.
Seeing he still hesitated, she took a deep breath, "Everett, if we''re going to spend our lives together, we need to move past this. It can''t keep being a rift between us! Otherwise, we can never truly be a family." "Mm." "Go!" Dorothy thought for a moment, "Maybe... we should take Abigail and Langston with us? Just in case. I mean, if what your father said is true, Abigail and Langston are still her grandchildren." Even though Amanda had always shown little regard for the two children.
Privacy
Chapter 986
"She did that, nearly causing Abigail and Langston to never cinto this world. I won''t take the kids to see her." Everett said.
Seeing Everett''s firm stance, Dorothy had said all there was to say. The rest was up to him.
"Then you better go. I''ll be here waiting for you. Callif anythinges up." "Alright." Everett''s brows, previously furrowed like a deep river, finally smoothed out. After all, being caught in the middle was ufortable for anyone.
He didn''t want Dorothy to back down for his sake, nor could he truly ignore his mother''s critical condition.
As Everett had anticipated, Amanda was indeed hospitalized. The situation was grim.
When he arrived at the hospital, Jonathan was sitting outside the emergency room, his usually upright posture now slumped. Given Be''swsuit, he hadn''t had a proper rest in days. In the glitzy, high society they lived in, Jonathan''s level of care for his wife was rare.
Most couples at this point would wish the other dead sooner, just so the assets wouldn''t be split.
Hearing footsteps, Jonathan turned and saw Everett. He immediately stood up, his expression shifting from surprise to displeasure in an instant.
"You''re just getting here? Did Dorothy not let youe?" Hearing his father attack Dorothy right off the bat, Everett frowned, "She''s not like that." "You''re tellingyou didn''t answer any of my calls because it wasn''t her doing?" Jonathan scoffed, though he knew this wasn''t the tto argue with his son, he couldn''t hold back his displeasure.
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"I am telling you, why wouldn''t I?" Everett retorted coldly, "Including the fact I''m here now, it was Dorothy who persuadedtoe." "The person inside there is your mother!" "That''s why I''m here." If it wasn''t his mom lying there, he wouldn''t have bothereding.
"You!" Jonathan was so angered he couldn''t form aplete sentence.
Everett, however, was indifferent, ncing at the emergency room''s illuminated red light and pursing his lips, "As long as you target Dorothy, reconciliation is impossible." "Fine! I, Jonathan, raised a son, only for Dorothy in the end! You''d abandon your own parents!" "I''ve always wondered, in your eyes, is Dorothy''sck of family background a mistake?" It all cback to them believing Dorothy wasn''t good enough for the Lopez family, unworthy of stepping through the Lopez family''s vel.n threshold, didn''t it? But one''s background isn''t something they can choose! "Aiming too high for the Lopez family, that''s her mistake! She can be poor, but she should''ve found man of her own standing, no one would''ve spoken ill of her!" velmet Jonathan, too, was heated, his words harsh. Hearing his son consistently defend another woman, ready to confront his own parents, as if he wished to sever ties, Jonathan couldn''t stay calm.
"I told you, it waswho pursued Dorothy." Everett stared at him, each word deliberate, "It wasbegging her, forcing her to ept me." "With so many women out there, it had to be her?" "With so many women out there, it has to be her!" Jonathan, furious, realized he was powerless! He paced back and forth, then raised his head to look at his son, "Now, your mother and I havepromised. The one unwilling to let go is Dorothy!" * Privacy
Chapter 987
"Wanting her to let it go now? What about when she and her mom were begging for mercy?" Everett couldn''t help but regret not realizing how ruthless his mother could be, swayed by a few words from Heather into plotting something so vile.
He knew all too well, his mother considered lives as disposable, thinking she could bully Dorothy and her mother without consequence because they had no one to defend them.
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"So, what you''re saying is, you can''t forgive your own mother?" Jonathan gestured towards the closed door of the emergency room, "She''s in there, hanging by a thread. Are you happy now?" "No," Everett replied, curt and to the point.
"Ha! You just want your mom out of the picture so you can be with Dorothy without any guilt. What a devoted son you are!" Each word from Jonathan felt like a p to Everett''s face.
But what''s done is done, and those who refuse to admit their mistakes don''t deserve forgiveness.
"What should I do, marry Heather like you all want?" Everett had been holding back, not wanting to dredge up the past since it wouldn''t change anything. But he had reached his breaking point, "Yes, I''m your son, and I''m grateful for your upbringing. But that doesn''t give you the right to control my life or anyone else''s. Who I marry is my choice, as thew sees fit." There''s now saying parents get to choose their children''s spouses, right? "Your mom was just trying to look out for you-" "Am I better off now? Happy? Joyful?" Everett retorted coldly, "When Jeffrey''s daughter was born, and he cried with joy holding his baby, do you know how much I envied him? If it wasn''t for you, I should''ve been outside the delivery room, waiting for Dorothy to give birth to my children, holding my son and daughter for the first time!" Who could he share these regrets with? "I..." Jonathan hadn''t expected his usually reserved son to spill so much in one go. And he had no words to counter any of it.
"Four years, for four whole years, I didn''t even know my children existed in this world!" "But Dorothy didn''t tellshe was pregnant then." Everettughed bitterly.
"If she had, I wouldn''t have my children today." et And Dorothy might have been. silenced just like her mother. After all, if they could plot to kill Dorothy''s mom, what''s stopping them from killing Dorothy too? "Your mom was just misled by Heather! You know she''s mentally ill," Jonathan sighed, "I know she was wrong, and I''ve wanted to scold her, to argue with her! We''ve fought about this! But... she''s still my wife, and if I don''t stand by her, who will?" "My mom might be ill, but she''s an adult responsible for her actions." This had been Everett''s firm belief ever since he learned the truth.
Jonathan covered his face with his hand, "I thought I had it all figured out, but look at us now, aplete mess! Everett, this isn''t whatd wanted."
Chapter 988
Everett was drowning in regret, and Jonathan felt the sting of his decisions just as sharply.
If only he had known it would cto this, he would have just focused on elevating Dorothy to a level where she could mingle with the Lopez n without causing a stir. He should have ousted Heather, the source of all their troubles, before she could turn their lives upside down.
"It''s done. I didn''t want to talk about it because it''s pointless," Everett said, his voice heavy with resignation. "I chere today because, despite everything, she is my mother. She wronged Dorothy, but she never wronged me." "Everett, we can''t let our family fall apart like this! Your mom and I, we only have you. You can''t abandon your own parents over Dorothy!" Lately, Jonathan felt the weight of his years more than ever. Gone were the days of his youth when he made swift, decisive decisions that brooked no opposition.
Seeing his only son drifting away, caught in an irreconcble conflict, how could he not be afraid? "It''s toote for that now." Jonathan hurried to add, "It''s not toote! I''ll ept Dorothy into the family, and I won''t force her to drop thewsuit anymore. Isn''t that enough? With your mom in her current state, who knows if she''ll even make it through this! As for Quincy and her family, they''re easy to handle, not a problem I can''t solve for you." Quincy''s family.
Mere mention of Quincy soured Everett''s expression further.
"Just take care of yourself. And stop making my life moreplicated." With Everett away, Dorothy took the tto organize pany documents before heading to the children''s room to y with Abigail and Langston.
After tucking them into bed, she returned to the living room. She hesitated over her phone for a long while before deciding against making a call, opting instead to send a message.
[Everything okay? Don''t worry about replying if you''re busy. Just wanted to check in. Everything''s fine at home, just missing you.] A whileter, Everett replied.
First, he sent a photo of Amanda''s critical condition notice from the hospital, followed by a message.
[The doctors say it depends on how she does tonight. She''s in a deepa now, and if she doesn''t wake up within 24 hours, she might never wake up.] Dorothy instinctively wanted to type a response, but nothing seemed appropriate.
As she pondered, Everett''s call cthrough.
"Hello? What''s up?" she answered, slightly startled.
"Nothing. Saw you hadn''t replied, didn''t want you overthinking," Everett''s voice was cool and steady, betraying no emotion.
But Dorothy knew better. Things must be tough on his end. The colder his voice, the more it meant he was struggling to keep calm, to maintain control.
"I''m the one who asked you to go to the hospital. What am I supposed to overthink?" she looked out the window, noting the gathering clouds. "Looks like it might rain tonight. If there''s no progress at the hospital, stay there. Don''t bothering back. I''m not scared being alone at Bay Residence. The kids are here too." "Okay." "And... you''re the one who shouldn''t be overthinking. Fulfill your duties as a son. As for me, you''ve done more than enough. Don''t carry any guilt. And don''t letbe the reason for any regrets." Dorothy understood the pain of losing a mother all too well. For Everett no matter Amanda''s faults, she was still his mother. If she were to pass away, it would undoubtedly leave a void in his heart. SN?velDrama.Org (C) content.
Chapter 989
When it''s your time, there''s noing back. No do-overs, even if your heart aches with regret.
"Alright," Everett replied, his tone subdued, clearly not in the mood for conversation.
Dorothy didn''t press him further. After hanging up, she texted Kevin, asking him to drop off sextra clothes for Everett at the hospital. The emergency room''s chill could seep into your bones, necessitatingyers more than usual.
Everett didn''t chthat night.
Dorothy ended up crashing on the couch until the early hours.
The next morning, she was jolted awake by the doorbell - Kevin had cto take Abigail and Langston to school.
Without Everett, her nights were restless, sleep only iming her in the wee hours.
"Thanks for this, Kevin," she said as she handed over the kids.
"No problem at all. I''m here to assist Mr. Lopez in any way I can." "By the way, I''m headed to a due diligence meeting this morning, so I won''t be back at the office. Callif you need anything! And... if there''s any news from Everett at the hospital, could you letknow?" Dorothy knew it was a big ask for Kevin, but reaching out to Everett directly might make him overthink things. She just wanted to stay informed, nothing more.
Kevin, sharp as ever, caught on immediately and agreed to keep her posted.
"Don''t worry, Mr. Lopez will be fine! When I dropped off the clothes yesterday, and he knew it was you who sent them, he even cracked a smile!" Seems like Dorothy''s the only one who can lift Everett''s spirits.
After seeing Kevin off, Dorothy quickly got ready and headed to the Bureau of Industry and Commerce.
Getting back into the swing of things at work felt a bit awkward after a break, and coupled with theck of sleep, she found her concentration slipping. She almost messed up filing sdocuments, catching the mistake just in time. Emerging from the Bureau, her phone pinged with a message from Everett on WhatsApp.
[Remember to have breakfast before diving into work.] She could almost hear the concern in his voice, the epitof a "dad boyfriend." Just as Dorothy was about to reply, someone called out her nfrom behind. Turning around, she saw Quincy.
"Ms. Sanchez! I thought that was you from afar!" Quincy approached, her outfit of a simple white tee and jeans giving off a fresh, collegiate vibe, as harmless as a kitten. Normally, Dorothy would greet her warmly. After all, Quincy had saved Everett''s life, not once but twice, and one of those times, it was Dorothy''s fault he was in danger! But...
Everett had made it clear he wanted Dorothy to keep her distance from Quincy, so she couldn''t help but feel wary.
"Dr. Quincy, what brings you here?" "Just borrowing spharmaceutical books from a friend who lives nearby!" Quincy replied with a smile.
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Dorothy''s gaze drifted to a man standing behind Quincy, prompting Quincy to follow her gaze and. chuckle. "Oh, don''t get the wrong idea. He''s not my boyfriend. He''s my bodyguard, hired by Mr. Lopez-"
Chapter 990
"Lopez?" Dorothy immediately picked up on the significance of that slip, even though the conversation had abruptly stopped. She had zeroed in on that particr word. She noticed a flicker of embarrassment cross Quincy''s face.
"It''s nothing! Are you busy with work? I''ll just leave you to it, then," Quincy said, turning to leave.
In that moment, Dorothy suddenly realized where the sporadic pangs of jealousy she''d been feelingtely wereing from.
It seemed like before, Quincy never went behind her back to contact Everett. Whenever she mentioned Everett, she always seemed like an outsider, without any hint of intimacy.
But now it was different.
From the moment she called, asking for Everett to call her back privately, to today''s idental slip of the word "Lopez," it all hinted to Dorothy that Quincy and Everett had been in contact behind her back, and it hadn''t stopped! Even though Dorothy had made it clear to Everett that she would get jealous seeing him interact with Quincy, it seemed he hadn''tpletely cut Quincy off.
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"Wait a minute!" Dorothy didn''t dwell further and immediately called out to her.
Quincy paused, half-turning, "Ms. Sanchez, did you need something else?" "Dr. Quincy, I noticed you mentioned Everett''sst njust now, so I assyou were referring to him. Then you stopped mid- sentence, which can easily lead to misunderstandings! I think it''s better if you just say it all, to prevent any potential arguments between Everett anter. I''m sure you wouldn''t want to see that." Chapter 990 1 Chapter 990 2 "Dr. Quincy, you need a bodyguard in Eldorria City?" "Yes." Quincy nodded, "There''s been sinternal issues in my family, and I felt unsafe, so I got someone to followaround! Since Eldorria City is Mr. Lopez''s territory, I asked him for advice. Mr. Lopez was kind enough to rmend this bodyguard to me." Mr. Lopez being kind.
Ha. Honestly, Dorothy was almost convinced by the exnation; it made sense logically! But the idea of Everett being kind and enthusiastically rmending a bodyguard for Quincy? That she couldn''t believe at all.
"It seems like Everett and Dr. Quincy have been in contact quite a bittely," Dorothy said, trying to make her tone sound casual, as if she was just making an offhandment.
Quincy was no fool. In fact, she was quite shrewd, just not one to engage in scheming usually.
"We haven''t been in contact much. Mr. Lopez usually contactsabout finding ways to treat your illness." "Dr. Quincy, you have really gone out of your way." "It''s no trouble. It''s my job! I didn''t expect it to cause any misunderstanding with you, my apologies Quincy said, and at that moment, she should have walked away. But she paused, unable to resist adding, "I can understand your sensitivity. Given Mr. Lopez''s excellence, it''s natural to feel threatened."
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Dorothy eyed her, "Does yourment carry sdeeper meaning?" "Just talking off the cuff," Quincy waved dismissively. "Since I''ve exined myself, I won''t keep you from your tasks." This tDorothy didn''t stop her, but as she watched Quincy walk away, she couldn''t help but feel that the Quincy standing before her now was different from the one back in Swevia Country, who was solely devoted to medicine and her patients.
The hospital showed no signs of progress. The doctors had cout several times, but all Jonathan could get out of them was that the situation was still critical, and the outlook wasn''t good.
"You should go hand rest. I''ll stay here," Everett told his father, who lookedpletely drained, nearly falling asleep against the wall.
"No, I''ll stay. Your mother might call forif she wakes up." In his own way, Jonathan had always been caring towards his wife, and Everett had inherited that single-minded devotion when it cto rtionships.
"I can stay just as well." Looking up at his son, Jonathan was struck by how much he had grown. He was far from the infant he once held in his arms, and no longer the quiet, reserved boy from his school days.
"The rift between you and your mom is deep. Seeing you might upset her, especially in her condition..." He worried that another argument between mother and son could be disastrous.
"As long as she doesn''t bring up Dorothy, I won''t mention her." "Who can control your mom?" Jonathan sighed. "She''s been pampered all her life, first by her family and then by me. You know what happened next... I let things slide too far, trying to keep her I spirits up and not worsen her depression." et It had led to a huge mess. If not for Everett''s intervention, it would have been easy to silence Dorothy and keep Be''s truth hidden, protecting his wife as if nothing had happened.
But...
The unexpected part was Everett''s feelings for Dorothy, which seemed to surpass even the bond between mother and son. Jonathan had been skeptical at first, but now he had no choice but to believe it.
"You''re protecting your wife, which is understandable. I''m protecting my loved ones, and you should understand that too," Everett maintained his stance.
No one could speak ill of Dorothy in his presence.
"What choice do I have now?" Jonathan had already stepped back in thepany, leaving the Lopez Corporation in his son''s hands. He had no say anymore.
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And even if he hadn''t stepped back, it''s not like the CEO position at the Lopez Corporation would have given him leverage over his son. He feared that if the standoff continued, his son might walk away, leaving the future of the Lopez Corporation uncertain. "Don''t interfere with Quincy''s family anymore," Everett suddenly remembered to mention.
Jonathan frowned, "Are you aware of what Ronin is like? He might lseem cheerful, but he''s insatiably greedy and unprincipled. He''d sacrifice anyone to get what he wants. That''s why their family is in their current state. Be careful." "How''s his rtionship with his daughter?" Caught off guard by the question, Jonathan paused, "I don''t know for sure, but I can''t imagine it''s good."
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From the moment he suggested that Quincy marry into the Lopez family, her father agreed instantly, almost too eagerly willing to send his daughter away. That... was not something a loving father would do.
"What about his son, though?" Jonathan waved dismissively, "Just the one precious son, he''s set to inherit everything, for sure! But the kid''s no good, mark my words, their family fortune will crumble in his hands." Jonathan had met Simeon a few times before, the very picture of a spoiled rich kid, all about partying and pleasure, with none of the substance. Compared to his own son, Simeon was leagues behind.
"Why bring this up all of a sudden? Did something happen with Quincy''s family again?" Everett didn''t respond, just took a deep breath. It seemed the reports from those sent to rescue Quincy weren''t exaggerating- Simeon truly intended harm towards his sister and showed no concern for her welfare.
At the time, it even crossed Everett''s mind that Quincy might be putting on an act.
Back at the office, Dorothy forwarded the due diligence results to Austin.
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Just then, a field supervisor returned, and Dorothy took the opportunity to probe into the project''s past issues. From minor slip-ups to procurement discrepancies, she needed to understand what problems had surfaced during her absence to avoid future pitfalls. "Ms. Sanchez, you really throw yourself into your work!" Austin emerged from his office to find Dorothy grilling the employee, unable to hide his admiration.
In his experience, women with her background, shielded by men of influence, often carried themselves with an air of arrogance. Yet Dorothy, who had every reason to rest on herurels, chose to work tirelessly instead.
"The project''s back under my wing; I can''t let your previous efforts go to waste," Dorothy smiled. "Everyone''s worked hard, and the fourth project team is counting on this project''spletion for their year-end bonuses." Austin raised an eyebrow, "Isn''t the bonus thing just a word away from Mr. Lopez?" Dorothy looked up from her stack of papers, "Austin, you''re not suggesting I should give the fourth BUMS project team a backdoor deat are you?" With the issue brought into the open, Austin quickly backed down. "Of course not just a joke! Our team''s performance has been solid this year; we deserve the bonus. If we nail this project, maybe even more so. That''s all I meant!" "As long as everyone works hard and focuses on the project, the bonus wille." "Right," Austin nodded eagerly.
Watching Dorothy leave, he sighed Having the boss''s wife on the team was a tricky situation-couldn''t offend her, had to be careful with every word. Dorothy wasn''t trying to be difficult; she just disliked anyone showing a hint of taking shortcuts in front of her.
Austin''s probing hadn''t gone unnoticed, hence her firm stance today-to prevent any scheming.
Returning to her desk, Dorothy''s phone rang. Seeing it was Everett, her previously expressionless face brightened with a smile. "Hello?" "Have you had breakfast?" She''d forgotten.
"...Was just about to grab something!" "Dorothy," Everett''s voice deepened.
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Knowing she was about to get a lecture, Dorothy quickly pleaded for mercy. "I just forgot, it wasn''t on purpose! And look, it''s almost noon. I''ll just make it a big brunch, eat a little more." "What do you feel like having?" "Um... I haven''t decided." If it weren''t for Everett''s call, Dorothy wouldn''t have even remembered to eat.
"Let''s have sssic food of Havenbrook City. Been a while since you had that, right?" Everett''s voice was gentle.
Dorothy eagerly agreed, "Sure! I''ll do that. You go on with your work. Don''t worry about me." "And then you hang up, get back to work, andter tellyou''re having three meals at once?" "...Absolutely not." Everettughed, "Cdown to my parking spot.'' Dorothy paused, "You''re back at the office?" "Yeah, to make sure you eat." Everett''s tone was light, but Dorothy could hear a hint of fatigue hidden in his voice. Working in a hospital was indeed draining. He probably hadn''t slept all night.
Dorothy quickly tidied up her desk, grabbed her purse, and dashed for the elevator.
Sure enough, Everett''s car was there in the parking garage. He was leaning against it, head down, smoking a cigarette. Dorothy realized Everett must have gone back to his ce at Bay Residence to change his clothes beforeing here. His cleanliness was something else.
"You should be resting at home, not out here making sure I eat." "I''m supervising, not apanying." Everett saw her, extinguished his cigarette, "The moment you''re out of my sight, you don''t follow the rules." Dorothy squinted her eyes and smiled, "So, I''m the rebel away from camp, not following orders.'' "Which is why I have to bring the orders to you." Everett shrugged and opened the passenger door for her.
Dorothy got in, about to tell him about her encounter with Quincy, but then she held back. She didn''t want this happy moment spoiled by someone else. Dorothy was amazed Everett, despite his busy schedule, had found such a great diner.
It just goes to show, no matter how busy, someone can always make tfor surprises.
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"Is it good?" Dorothy nodded, "It''s delicious." Everett served her smore, "Eat up, then. You''re too thin." "Eating too much now will just makeufortable sitting back at the office." Dorothy loved the food, but she naturally didn''t have a big appetite. For her, this meal was already a lot. "Got anything at the project team this afternoon?" "Not really but I don''t want the others to feel like I''m getting special trenent. If they''re working, d be there too." Conten belongs to englishS W Ver Everett looked at her, then softly said, "Work with them tomorrow. Today, cback with me." Dorothy raised an eyebrow, "You''re not going back to the hospital?" "Yeah, my mom... she''s stable now." "Oh." Dorothy wasn''t sure how to feel, so she just nodded.
"I can''t sleep alone in Bay Residence, stay with me." Everett was straightforward. It made Dorothy''s cheeks flush.
"I... I..." Even after spending so many nights together, she still felt embarrassingly shy when the topic cup.
Everett, resigned, smiled wryly, "What are you thinking? Just to rest, nothing more." Anything else... could wait until after a good rest.
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As Everett mentioned it, Dorothy found herself blushing even more fiercely. It was as if she had been expecting something to happen.
Head bowed, she barely spoke throughout the meal, leaving the diner with her cheeks still flushed with embarrassment. Back at Bay Residence, they found themselves in a rare moment of solitude.
Usually, Abigail and Langston would be ying in their room, not exactly intruding but still, it wasn''t the sas being alone together.
Upon returning, Dorothy immediately turned on herptop, concerned about work possibly needing her attention. Once she got to work, it took precedence over everything else. That was just how Dorothy was wired.
"How''s the project going?" Everett asked, ncing over her shoulder as he passed by.
Dorothy nodded, "Yeah, no major issues! Luckily, I had covered most of the essentials before I handed it off." She had been involved in the project from the very beginning, putting her heart and soul into every detail, making it unforgettable. "Don''t overdo it," Everett said, patting her shoulder. "I wanted you to cback here to take your mind off things, not to sacrifice your health for work." "I want to do it right," Dorothy replied earnestly, looking straight at Everett. "Handing over this project madefeel guilty. It was the first tI asked to change directors, and it felt like I was abandoning my responsibilities." Dorothy was stubborn, that much was true. But more than that, she was at odds with herself.
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On one hand, feeling she had been irresponsible, and on the other, unable to stomach the idea of continuing to work at the Lopez Corporation.
"You''ve always been responsible when ites to work," Everett mused, then added, "Just not so much with me. That night you sentthe wrong text, would you have pretended it never happened if I hadn''t suggested we get married?" Dorothy blinked, her smile awkward. ¡°What else could I have done?¡± He was the CEO of the Lopez Corporation! Was she supposed to cling to him like other women, hoping for ssort ofmitment? That was something Dorothy could never do. S "You could''ve approached me, taken responsibility, and discussed a solution." His tone was all business.
Dorothy sighed, "Getting a chance to see you is hard enough, let alone discuss anything with you." Looking back, it seemed almost unbelievable. She was just an assistant, and Everett''s position in thepany was worlds apart from hers.
"If you wanted to find me, you could have," he said firmly.
Then, Everett wrapped his arms around her from behind. "I figured your Whatwas sent to the wrong person." He was smart enough to guess that much. How could Dorothy have possibly used such a familiar and rxed tone with him? Especially since they hadn''t contacted each other on Whatsince graduation. ¦¯¦É et Dorothy''s eyes widened, "And you still showed up?" "I wanted to see who you were trying to text." "So you came... to catchout?" Everett didn''t deny it, just raised an eyebrow, "To see who was trying to steal you away." Dorothy coughed lightly, hesitating for a moment before also letting out a softugh, "Then lettell you something! Actually, that night when you were... on top of me, I was awake." She had had the chance to push Everett away.
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In the heat of the moment, fueled by the encouragement of Karen''s wild tales and the liberating effects of alcohol, she wanted to sample that forbidden fruit. She hadn''t nned for any repercussions.
Her idea was to hit it and quit it. But, oh, Everett had no intention of letting her off that easily.
Dorothy thought he''d be surprised, at the very least show a hint of being caught off-guard! But no.
Everett simply nodded, "I had my suspicions. I hoped, though, that you were open to us." It wasn''t just a one-night stand for him. He thought Dorothy''s silence was consent to a rtionship, to being boyfriend and girlfriend, or maybe even more. To his surprise, she took off the next morning! "Who in their right mind would think that?" Dorothy scoffed. "I was scared you''d fireover this, and you think I was hoping for more?" After they changed hotel rooms, Dorothy was paralyzed with regret and fear. She couldn''t bear the thought of losing her job, not with her mom''s medical bills piling up, not to mention her own survival.
"Con, we go way back, to middle school even. Why would I fire you?" "Middle school! I thought you''d forgotten about me." High school memories, maybe, but middle school felt like a lifetago.
If Everett hadn''t been so outstanding, Dorothy doubted she''d remember any of her middle school ssmates. Back then, she was too busy cramming for tests to think about anything else.
In Everett''s world, Dorothy figured she was just another face in the crowd, hardly memorable.
"I could forget anyone but you." As she turned around, she found herself caught in Everett''s gaze.
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Dorothy''s cheeks med, and she quickly changed the subject, "Aren''t you tired? You should rest. I''ll finish up here and then head to bed." "Is there a problem with the project?" "No." "Then cto bed with me." Everett caught her wrist, pulling her back toward the bedroom.
The curtains drawn, the lights off, all that remained was the sensation of Everett''s hands exploring her waist.
"Everett, I thought we were just going to rest." His hands grew bolder by the second! "That was the n." "You''ve been up all night at the hospital; you must be exhausted. Let''s just sleep, okay?" Dorothy tried to contam his wandering hands, but to no avail. In the next moment she found herself lifted and tossed onto the bed. Content belongs english"Are you questioning my stamina?" Won SW Dorothy''s head shook vehemently, "No! I''m worried about you!" "Afterward, I''ll sleep even better." Before she could protest further, her words were sealed by his kiss.
Despite their numerous encounters, Dorothy still struggled to adjust to his intensity and size, each trequiring a bit of effort before they could truly begin. Caught in the throes of passion, felt like a small boat a at clinging only to his arms for stability. SW "Dorothy, say my name." His voice was a deep, husky whisper.
She shook her head, unable to speak.
"Say it! Or do you want this to never end?" Startled, Dorothy finally murmured softly, "Everett..." Privacy
Chapter 996
"Sweetheart." Everett gently stroked her hair, and then suddenly elerated, both their hearts seeming to clench at once.
Dorothy clung to his arm for dear life, unable to tell if the pain or something else was more intense, with only his nechoing in her mind.
"Everett, Everett!" "I''m here, I''m right here." Quincy woke up from a nightmare once again.
In her dream, the men sent by Simeonughed wildly and menacingly, each reaching out for her...
She abruptly opened her eyes to find it was still daytime.
Quincy got up from the hotel bed, rushed to draw all the curtains wide open and turned on every light, then stood in the middle of the empty room, finally catching her breath.
It took her a while to pull herself out of the nightmare, and it dawned on her that the freedom she yearned for wasn''t so easily attained.
Without a powerful backer, without someone strong to protect her, there was no real freedom to speak of.
Quincy''s gaze settled on her cellphone, then she slipped on her shoes and walked out of the hotel room with her phone in hand. Outside, a well-trained bodyguard stood expressionless.
He seemed less there to protect Quincy and more to keep an eye on her, reporting every move back to his superiors.
Quincy was well aware of his true purpose.
"I want to see Everett." She cout and made her request directly.
There was no point in beating around the bush with this stoic guard; she hadn''t seen him crack a smile once in all the the''d been assigned to her. ?w"Did you hear me? I want to see Everett." Seeing him remain silent, Quincy repeated herself.
The bodyguard remained unmoved, his expression as frosty as ever.
Quincy frowned, "Do I always have to threaten to get my way? Tell your boss I want to see Everett, I have things to discuss with him." "Mr. Lopez will contact you if he wishes to see you," the bodyguard finally spoke.
"So I can''t ask to see him on my own?" Quincy bit her lip, pacing back. and forth a few times before returning, Fine, if I can''t see Everett, then I can go find Dorothy! You saw it, I ran into Dorothy just this morning, you must have reported that to your boss, right? Next tI see her, I''ll just spill the beans about Everett nning to marry me!" A flicker of emotion crossed the bodyguard''s face.
Quincy scoffed, "Anyway, by the tEverett gets mad, he won''t dare to do anything to me! If I die, Dorothy will have to go down with me!" So, if she''s willing toply now, Everett should meet her other demands, not just send a bodyguard.
She was afraid...
What if there was apse, and she ended up in Simeon''s clutches again? Quincy said her piece and went back into her room.
She knew the bodyguard would ry the message to his superiors, and eventually, it would reach Everett''s ears.
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True enough, as soon as Quincy left, the bodyguard hurriedly sent a message to Kevin.
Quincy wants to see Mr. Lopez.[] He ryed Quincy''s words verbatim.
Kevin responded quickly, "Keep an eye on her, don''t let her leave hotel. Mr. Lopez might be rest. Pnow and hasn''t seen my message. We''ll decide once he''s awake."
Chapter 997
Everett was so exhausted that he slept straight through to nightfall.
Worried about disturbing him, Dorothy carefully climbed out of his embrace when she woke up and tiptoed to the kitchen to whip up something for him to eat. She thought it would be nice for him to have swarm porridge to soothe his stomach when he woke up.
When Everett finally emerged from the bedroom, he was greeted by the sight of Dorothy bustling around the kitchen, a serene smile on her face despite being busy. He was so mesmerized by the scene that he remained silent, just watching her from a distance.
After Dorothy finished preparing everything, she looked up to find his towering figure looming in the doorway, giving her quite the startle! "When did you wake up? Did I wake you?" she asked.
"No," Everett chuckled, walking over to wrap her in his arms.
Dorothy sighed, "Mr. Lopez, you''ve been extra clingytely." She remembered how Karen used to say Jeffrey was clingy and thought Everett would never be like that. Yet, here she was, experiencing it firsthand.
"Is being clingy a bad thing?" Everett countered, catching her off guard.
"Let''s eat," he said,ughing at her bewildered expression. He let her go and moved to bring the porridge and sdishes to the table.
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Dorothy pulled out a chair, looking hopeful. "Try it, see if it tastes good." Just as Everett was about to reach for his spoon, his phone chose that moment to ring.
"You better take that. It might be the hospital," Dorothy said, understanding the urgency, though she really wanted him to taste her cooking.
"Right." Everett stood up to take the call, stepping into the bedroom for privacy.
Dorothy nced towards him, not sensing anything amiss, assuming Everett was just being considerate, not wanting to burden her with mother''s issues. In her mind, belive Amanda was Amanda, and Everett was Everett. epting Everett meant epting his need to stay connected with his parents. The call didn''tst long before Everett cback out.
"I need to step out for a bit." Dorothy stood up, "Won''t you have something to eat before you go? It''s dark outside, and you might end up pulling an all-nighter again." "It won''t take long. I''ll be back soon." Everett patted her shoulder reassuringly before heading to the foyer to put on his shoes.
Dorothy followed, "Is it something urgent with your mother? It''s okay, you can tell me. I won''t mind, nor will I be upset about you going to the hospital!" Everett paused, his expression faltering briefly before he looked away. "It''s not that." "You''re not going to the hospital?" Everett didn''t answer, as if he couldn''t bring himself to say more.
Dorothy, thinking he was just being overly cautious, didn''t pry further "Just go, you don''t have to hide anything from me! Until the court makes a decision, I hope she''s alive.
She needs to realize her mistakes." If Amanda were gone now, Dorothy would feel like all her efforts and patience had been in vain, without a conclusive end.
"I''ll be back soon," was all Everett said before leaving, not revealing his actual destination, merely offering a vague reassurance before taking his keys and heading out. S Dorothy sighed at the door, feeling a warmth in her heart despite everything. Having someone so considerate of her feelings, she thought, was truly something special.
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In the hotel, Quincy''s heart raced as the ominous sound of footsteps approached from outside.
Using Dorothy''s life as leverage over Everett was like dancing on the edge of a cliff. To say she wasn''t scared would be a lie. But it was her only shot at gaining scontrol over her life. She had no other choice.
The door burst open with a loud bang, hitting the wall before bouncing back slightly. Quincy looked up, meeting Everett''s chilling gaze.
"Pushing your luck?" The moment he entered, the room seemed to suffocate with tension. Despite Everett just staring at her, Quincy felt as though she was being choked, struggling for air.
"Isn''t it just a simple question? How are you feeling about marrying me, Mr. Lopez?" she asked, trying to sound calm, though her body instinctively moved back, trying to put sdistance between them. He only showed his soft and warm side to Dorothy. To Quincy, he was always cold, or looked like he wanted to crush her.
"Not happening." "So, Mr. Lopez doesn''t want the antidote either?" Everett clenched his jaw, clearly struggling to contain his anger. If he wasn''t holding himself back, Quincy would already be on her way to the morgue.
"Quincy, I''ve met your demands. Don''t cross the line," he warned, his tone heavy with threat. Quincy knew this was Everett''s way of giving her a moment to rethink, but her mind was made up. The moment Dorothy decided to drink that poison, there was no turning back.
"Mr. Lopez, I''m only asking for your hand in marriage. I promise, whatever happens between you and Ms. Sanchez, I won''t interfere or y the wife card. If you agree, I can ensure you get the antidote monthly. Should anything go wrong, you can take my life at any moment." Everett dismissed her words as nonsense and turned to leave. Quincy caught up in a few strides.
"You''re running out of tthe antidote stops, Ms. Sanchez''s condition will worsen immediately. The damage will be irreversible! And if she keeps missing doses, it could even reduce her organs'' lifespan!" Everett froze. Thinking she had swayed him, Quincy opened her mouth to continue. The next second, Everett''s hand was tightly around her neck, pushing her against the wall. Quincy felt her feet lift off the ground as the air thinned around her.
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"Mr... Mr. Lopez..." "I''m not touching you because I don''t want to dirty my hands, not because you''re formidable," Everett''s eyes narrowed, his gaze darkening with intent to kill, "Dorothy is my red line. The only reason you''re not meeting your maker is because I''m tolerating you. Understand?" Quincy had made sminor requests, and he had indulged her thus far. With the antidote still in development, he had no choice but to bide his time. But he knew Quincy wouldn''t dare let anything happen to Dorothy. Their lives were intertwined, but if Dorothy were to die, Quincy wouldn''t survive either. She knew that. After Everett''s warning, he turned and left with long strides. Quincy coughed violently before shouting his retreating figure, "Mr. Lopez! Don''t kid yourself about developing an antidote! I''ve been working on this poison since my college days. Cracking it is impossible! at
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This was her lifesaver, a concoction she had crafted from scratch. If it was so easily replicated or cracked, what kind of a safeguard would it be? She knew what Everett was thinking. He figured since Dorothy was currently safe and he had an extra antidote in hand, he might as well buy stto try and decode it himself. But that was a pipe dream.
Everett exited the hotel, making his way back to the car. Kevin, sitting in the driver''s seat, cast a cautious nce at Mr. Lopez. Although he hadn''t erupted in a fit of rage, Kevin could tell he was seething. The darker his expression and the tighter his lips pursed, the angrier he was.
"Any word from those working on the antidote?" Upon hearing this, Kevin hurriedly responded, "Mr. Lopez, just like Quincy mentioned, the ingredients of the antidote are easy enough to identify, but... with several highly toxic substances involved, it''s not something the human body can normally tolerate, let alone safely formte into an antidote!" It was probably the intricate bnce of ingredients that neutralized the poison. However, to sessfully create the antidote meant repeated trials and errors, with no telling how many attempts it would take to seed. And the cost of each mistake was far too high. Every failure meant a life lost.
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"Unless we can get the exact form from Quincy," Kevin paused, his voice filled with reluctance, "but the team that''s been watching her hasn''t seen her make any more antidote! If she hasn''t recorded it anywhere and keeps it all in her head, then... we''re really out of options." Although Kevin wished for a different oue, the reality was stark.
"Dig up everything you can on her medical background, including her mentors!" "Right away, Mr. Lopez." Dorothy thought Everett had gone to the hospital, so she didn''t wait up this time. After helping Abigail and Langston finish their homework and ying around for a bit, she returned to the living room to start working on herputer.
Dorothy wasn''t fond of working in the bedroom, preferring the living room of Bay Residence with itsrge floor-to-ceiling windows. Working there felt liberating, and she could easily lift her gaze to the world outside whenever she needed a break. Logging into the Lopez et Corporation''s system, she noticed Everett''s offline status, further solidifying her belief that he was at the hospital. After all, the workaholic utv that he was, if he wasn''t okaholic clinching deals, he was tied up with sunavoidable personal matter. As she was deeply engrossed in poring over the dense project documents, the sudden unlocking sound at the door of Bay Residence startled her. She immediately stood up, calling out warily, "Who''s there?" "It''s me." Everett unlocked the door, his eyes meeting Dorothy''s utterly astonished face.
"You''re back already?" "I did say I''d be back soon." Realizing he might have startled her, Everett''s voice softened, "Next time, I''ll text you before I cback." Dorothy walked over to take his suit jacket from his arm.
"I just didn''t expect you back so early! Everything okay at the hospital?" Everett paused, not responding immediately.
Dorothy turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow, "What''s up? You seem... troubled." "It''s nothing, just a bit tired," Everett stepped in, his gaze briefly sweeping over herputer, "You''re working again, even after hours." "Just going through sdocuments. They need to be reviewed sooner orter." Dorothy chuckled, wrapping her arms around him from behind. Then, in a spit second, she caught a whiff of something... a woman''s perfume! Privacy
Chapter 1000
It was so subtle, so faint that Dorothy hadn''t noticed it when Everett walked in earlier. Right now, her mind was nk. Honestly, she had never even considered such a scenabefore. It was something she''d only encountered in or on TV shows...
Dorothy took a moment to steady her nerves, then leaned in again to take a closer sniff. Yes, there was definitely a hint of perfume. But then she reconsidered. She shouldn''t doubt Everett! As a CEO, mingling in meetings and partnerships, it was inevitable he''d pick up sfaint scent of perfume. And since it was so light, it surely meant he hadn''t been around someone for long! Even in a hospital, sitting next to a woman could leave a trace, right? Though Dorothy knew Everett wasn''t one to get cozy with women, she also knew that under certain circumstances, he might not be as cautious. Trust. She needed to trust him.
"What''s up?" Everett sensed her stiffness.
Turning around, Dorothy squinted with a smile, "Nothing much. Just wondering if there''s anything I can do to help you unwind after such a tiring day." "Having you by my side is enough." Everett didn''t want to overburden her, so he hadn''t insisted on hering back to work at thepany, just involved her in this one project, "I''m going to take a shower." "Okay!" As Everett headed into the bathroom and closed the door behind him, the smile on Dorothy''s face vanished, her gazending on his phone left by the table. She really was insecure, wasn''t she? It was a deep-seated kind of unease. But this time, Dorothy just stared at the phone, not moving an inch forward.
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"I need to trust Everett, believe that he''ll never leave me..." Perfscent, what was that in the grand schof things? Right, Everett wouldn''t leave her.
The next morning, Everett personally dropped Abigail and Langston off at school before taking Dorothy to the office. Stepping out of the underground parking lot elevator, they bumped into a familiar face.
"Everett!" Jeffrey, as always, looked carefree with his suit worn loosely and the top two buttons of his shirt undone.
"Got a meeting today?" Everett was surprised to see him. Jeffrey seldom visited the office without a reason.
"No meeting, just sissues with the project documents. Cto check with my assistant," Jeffrey, et despite hisid-back appearancene was known for delivering §ï§Ý§Ö outstanding results on his projects without causing Everett any worries. "How''s Karen doing?" Dorothy suddenly remembered she hadn''t seen her in a while.
"Oh, her? She''s obsessed with losing weight at home, got no idea what got into her, insisting she needs to get under 140 pounds!" Jeffrey. rolled his eyes, "Before having the baby she was over that, and now she''s on this weight loss craze!" It made him feel like his wife wasn''t as cuddly at night anymore! She used to be all soft and squishy... Dorothy couldn''t help but smile, "Just indulge her. Karen always talks about losing weight but gives up after a while." "I hope she gives up soon! My meals at hhave turned so nd, I might start sneaking out for a burger soon!" Karen hadn''t lost much weight, but Jeffrey looked like he''d dropped a size! After a brief chat, Jeffrey left for the cozy domestic life waiting for him at home, Exiting the elevator, Everett suddenly said, "You, don''t go on a diet like Karen."
Chapter 1001
"Dorothy, you''re skinny enough already," Everett teased, a yful smile tugging at his lips.
Dorothy couldn''t help butugh, covering her mouth as her eyes crinkled in amusement. "Well, I''m not dieting anymore. Remember you mentioned wanting another baby? I figured I should get all healthy and plump for that." Everett''s handsface froze for a moment, then softened. "Yeah." "This time, let''s fill all the voids in your heart," Dorothy said, reaching out to hold his hand, feeling the warmth of his skin. "Everett, I love you." Caught off guard, Everett stood frozen in the elevator for a few seconds before snapping back to reality. "Dorothy, what did you just say?" "If you didn''t hear it, never mind." Dorothy quickly turned her face away, her cheeks already burning.
Everett wasn''t about to let her off the hook that easily. He physically turned her to face him. "Say it again." "No, you heard me." "If you don''t say it now, you''ll have to say it tonight in bed," Everett teased, a yful threat in his voice. "Either way, I''ll make you say it." Dorothy pushed at him yfully. "You can''t bullyinto it! You know I''m not as strong as you...'' "Then just say it, so it doesn''t cto that." "Not going to say it? Then let''s head back to Bay Residence," he said, pretending to pull her away. Dorothy quickly caved, "Stop! Okay, okay, I''ll say it, isn''t that enough?" As she looked up, she saw the triumphant smile on Everett''s face. He was just ying with her... "I... I love you." "That''s not quite right," Everett corrected her, serious now. "It should be, ''I only love you."" He wanted to be the only one in her heart and mind.
Quincy had another night haunted by Ine nightmares and decided to stay awake on in the early hours, curled up the sofa in her suite watching TV.
Eventually, she must have fallen asleep because she woke without remembering the nightmares that had gued her.
Today, she had to head to theb, so after getting ready and applying a touch of makeup to hide her fatigue, she left the hotel with her bodyguard closely following. Sitting in the car, she casually scrolled through her phone and stumbled upon a rare tweet from Dorothy.
"Turns out there''s a difference between lovingand only loving me." Although the picture was just a shadow, Quincy could tell it was Everett''s.
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So, Everett told Dorothy he only loved her.
Quincy stared at the picture for a long tbefore saving it. Just before getting out of the car, she decided to tweet herself.
"I might be getting married." Her tweet exploded with likes andments in no time. Being a doctor for years meant she haulwide de from ssmates a mentors, to former patients. Thements ranged from "Congrattions!" to "Really?" Among the responses, Quincy''s eyesnded on Dorothy''s profile. She had seen it.
Dorothy just liked it, noment.
As Quincy read through the reactions, she suddenly found it all rather pointless and deleted the tweet. ("More updates tomorrow! *wink*)
Chapter 1002
Quincy felt like she was veering off the nned course of her life. Deep down, she knew things were spiraling out of control, but... it felt like there was nothing she could do about it. She couldn''t move forward, yet there was no turning back either.
After diving back into the workforce, Dorothy felt like she''d found her calling. It gave her a reason to get out of bed every morning and push through the day. Sure, sitting through endless meetings was draining, but there was a silver lining. The exhaustion helped her sleep soundly at night.
Knowing Everett was swamped with work, Dorothy nned on hailing a cab back to Bay Residence after her team wrapped up for the day. But as soon as she stepped out of the office, she saw him. His presence was like a lighthouse in her life, signaling the direction she needed to go.
"Everett." She approached him and gently touched his shoulder. Everett naturally took her hand. "Abigail and Langston''s school had ate release today. Do we head straight back to Bay Residence, or do we sneak in a date?" A date.
The word felt somewhat foreign between Everett and Dorothy.
"Let''s go on a date," Dorothy chose without hesitation.
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"Alright." Everett led the way, with Dorothy closely following. While they were waiting for the elevator, Dorothy suddenly remembered Quincy''s tweet and brought it up.
"You have Dr. Quincy''s number, right?" "No, I deleted it," Everett didn''t lie. He had it once but had since gotten rid of it.
"Oh." Dorothy wasn''t surprised by his action. "Then you didn''t see? Dr. Quincy tweeted today that she might be getting married." Everett stiffened for a moment. Dorothy felt the hand holding hers tighten.
"What''s wrong?" "Nothing." "It seems like Dr. Quincy''s marriage news... bothers you?" Everett pressed his lips together, "I''m not close with her." "So, you don''t know who she''s marrying?" Dorothy raised an eyebrow. "Didn''t your dad once want you to marry her? Has he given up on that idea?" Otherwise, why would Quincy suddenly announce her marriage? "I won''t marry her." Everett''s voice was cold emotionless. Since Dorothy was quite shorter, she didn''t notice his uneasy expressiomas long as she didn''t look up. "I know you won''t marry her! I was just asking, no other reason." Just when Dorothy thought the topic was about to pass, Everett, stepping off the elevator, suddenly asked, "That Quincy, besides mentioning getting married, did she say anything else?" "Nope, no pictures, just a few words." Dorothy looked up at him, teasingly saying, "The person she''s talking about marrying isn''t you, right?" Everett didn''t respond, causing Dorothy''s previously cheerful face to freeze.
"Dr. Quincy, she wants to marry you?" "It''s none of my business, and I don''t want to know." "She wants to marry you, and it''s none of your business?" Dorothy recalled what Quincy had told her back in Swevia Country, wishing for a man as devoted as Everett. She couldn''t possibly have failed to find someone else and set her sights on Everett, could she? "Everett, tellthe truth, what exactly happened between you and Dr. Quincy? It feels like there''s something off with both of you."
Chapter 1003
"Dorothy, you should delete Quincy''s number from your phone." He didn''t answer her question but instead offered a straightforward solution.
"Why should I?" "It''ll stop you from overthinking," Everett said, gently stroking her hair. "Sweetheart, have you decided where we''re going for our date?" With just a few words, he hadbeled Dorothy as an overthinker.
It was as though pursuing the matter further would only show herck of understanding.
Dorothy looked at Everett, sighed softly after a long pause.
"Everett, I feel like I''m not even myself anymore." "Oh?" "Sorry, please don''t think I''m overly suspicious, okay? It''s not that I don''t trust you, it''s just... I''m afraid of losing what we have." Dorothy ended up ming herself for everything.
She thought she was being too sensitive.
Everett had repeatedly assured her he would never choose Quincy over her, his disdain for Quincy evident in his eyes. Yet here she was, questioning him over and over again, which surely wasn''t right.
After all, the only reason he had any contact with Quincy now was because of her own insecurities.
Everett stood up straight, avoiding Dorothy''s gaze as if unsure how to face her.
He seemed to prefer her making a scene rather than apologizing.
What did Dorothy have to apologize for? The date for the appeal hearing was set.
Early next month.
Ephraim called Dorothy while she was in a meeting and couldn''t answer. She returned the call after the meeting ended.
"The court''s decision to hear the appeal means we have a good chance of winning! Defendant Heather Garcia is definitely facing severe punishment; the court has already recognized her as the.
mastermind. As for the other defendant... the sentence might not be as severe as you''d hope. If Heather insists on protecting her, weck the evidence to argue for more." Sthings in this world can never be perfectly fair.
Thew can only do so much to curb the basest human instincts.
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Ephraim was worried Dorothy wouldn''t be able to handle the final verdict, so he wanted to prepare her mentally.
"Okay." Dorothy took a while to respond with just one word.
This made Ephraim even more anxious.
"Don''t worry, Ms. Sanchez, I''ll do everything in my power! Even if the other defendant isn''t sentenced to death, it won''t be as lenient as the initial verdict." "She''s been in the hospital recently, just got through a tough patch." Dorothy stated calmly, "I used to insist that she must be punished byw, that she must face sentencing, but now... I don''t have so many demands anymore, Ephraim. Just do your best." "Ah?" Ephraim was momentarily stunned, "You''re not..." "She killed my mother. I hate her, wish I could avenge my mother myself. But I can''t bring myself to be as ruthless as she was. Since I chose the path of litigation, I''ll ept whatever the oue." Dorothy had struggled immensely during her most obsessive period.
She couldn''t forgive herself, haunted daily by the sthoughts! But ultimately, the only person the obsession was hurting was herself.
Now, it wasn''t about letting Amanda off the hook; it was more about Dorothy allowing herself to move on.
There has to be a new beginning, right? "That''s great to hear! Ms. Sanchez, I''m relieved you feel this way! Honestly, with Heather facing the maximum penalty, you''ve essentially avenged your mother. The other defendant, she was indeed misled, though her actions are still condemnable."
Chapter 1004
Ephraim didn''t dare to directly call Everett''s mother by her name, referring to her instead as "the other defendant." It was quite the predicament for him, really. When he first got wind of this case, Ephraim couldn''t believe his ears! Who in their right mind asks awyer to help another woman sue their own mother? The mere thought was ludicrous.
"You don''t have to stress too much, Ephraim. Thanks for all your hard work." "It''s no trouble at all! It''s what I''m here for." After hanging up the phone, Dorothy took a deep breath of relief. Her gaze drifted to the floor-to-ceiling windows of her office, taking in the bustling sights of Eldorria City under the clear blue sky. The world was still a beautiful ce. Though it had taken sthings from her, it also brought the most precious thing into her life. Dorothy''s lips curved into a smile. Having Everett in her life made her suddenly lose all thoughts of giving up. She didn''t want to end her life anymore.
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To Dorothy''s surprise, before the second trial, Heather got a chance for a meeting. The prison guard thought she''d want to see herwyer, or maybe her parents. Instead, she asked to see Dorothy.
"Don''t go." Everett made a point of leaving his CEO office and finding Dorothy in her project team when he heard about it. He had finally gotten Dorothy to embrace life and abandon thoughts of suicide. He feared Heather might upset Dorothy again! "But I already agreed," Dorothy said, smiling at his concerned expression. "Don''t worry, Everett. I''ll be fine." "So what if you agreed? If you don''t want to go, nobody can say a thing," Everett replied, his expression darkening. "I''ll take care of it." "No!" Dorothy quickly grabbed his arm, her voice soft. "I want to see Heather." She had wanted to see her before, but hesitated This time, when Heather asked to meet, Dorothy agreed almost immediately. Since her death sentence was unavoidable, confirmed in the first trial, and Heather didn''t even appeal, this meeting was likely theirst. After all... they were still sisters by blood. "Why see her?" Everett thought Heather was unstable, unpredictable about what she might say to Dorothy. Even a visit could upset Dorothy.
"Consider it my way of seeing her off." The seeds of evil she sowed, she must now reap. As for the seeds sown by Maxton Sanchez... They really had nothing to do with Heather. No one gets to choose the family they''re born into.
"Then I''ll go with you," Everett conceded, seeing how adamant Dorothy was.
"Why would you cto a chat et between us two?" Dorothy teased, squinting her eyes with a smile, knowing how worried he was about her. "Really, I''ll be fine. I promise Heather won''t affectin any way. Just letgo." Everett pursed his lips, his tall figure standing at the project team''s door, drawing discreet nces from ¨¨ several people. But they didn''t dare to stare openly. After all, this was Mr. Lopez! Sgossips were better left unapproached... S "I always end up giving in to you." "Because you care about me." Everett sighed, a hint of resignation in his voice, "Then I''ll drive you there and wait outside the prison." "You''re so busy, I know about the new big projects thepany has signed. You''ll be too busy to even rest, don''t worry about me!" "What big project is more important than you?" Everett was extra cautious now, fearing Dorothy would encounter another Quincy. One was already too much to bear.
Privacy
Chapter 1005
Everett, I don''t want to be a burden on you anymore! Go be the CEO you are meant to be, focus on your work, and don''t make exceptions forall the time. You know it makesfeel guilty.
She didn''t want her rtionship to be muddied with guilt or obligations.
Everett had already sacrificed so much for her in the past. Dorothy knew that standing shoulder to shoulder with him might be a far reach, but at least she didn''t want to be the one holding him back.
I do what I do out of my own free will.
Mimicking his tone, Dorothy smiled and teased, Con, be a sport, will you? I promise you, I won''t stay long. Just a few words with Heather and then I''ll leave! She''s at the end of her road now. If I don''t go, I''ll regret it once her sentence is carried out.
Throughout her life, Heather had always beenpeting with Dorothy, always trying to best her. Dorothy understood that a lot of Heather''s resentment stemmed from their childhood experiences.
Her mother was the other woman, which inevitably led to Heather being the subject of gossip.
With Be''s scandal making rounds, Heather had to live a life of hiding from a very young age. It was normal for her to harbor sdistorted form of hatred.
But now, everything wasing to an end. Her malice, her hatred, it was all drawing to a close.
Putting all that aside, as her sister, Dorothy wanted to be there for her in her final moments.
Even though Dorothy managed to convince Everett not to apany her to the prison, she couldn''t dissuade Karen Miller from joining her.
On the day they went to see Heather, Jeffrey Turner drove them, with Karen apanying Dorothy.
Dorothy, she''s on her deathbed. No matter what she says, don''t take it to heart. I''m worried she might say something awful or try to scare you... Maybe we should just go shopping instead? Karen feared what Heather might say, something along the lines of never resting in peace until she had her revenge.
Anyone would feel ufortable hearing that.
Arthur''s curse still bothered Jeffrey to this day! Karen, I''m really okay.
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Dorothy had considered this possibilit So. After all, Heather''s death sentence was something she had pushed for. Of course, Heather hated her.
SW But after much deliberation, Dorothy decided to go through with the visit.
After all, she had done nothing wrong and had not wronged Heather. There was nothing to feel guilty about. Alright, then go see her. Jeffrey and I will wait for you.
Okay.
Dorothy dressed in a solemn ck outfit for the asion, signifying the gravity of the visit.
Led by the prison guard, she entered the area where Heather was held.
Soon, Heather appeared, supported by two guards on either side. Dorothy was prepared, yet she couldn''t help but be taken aback.
et Heather had becso thin she was almost unrecognizable. Had Dorothy not known she was there to see Heather, she might not have recognized her at first nce. Heather slowly lifted her head, her gaze murky, nced at Dorothy, the content belongs to t down with the guardserenglishSW I bet you didn''t expect this. I gave up myst chance to plead for myself to see you.
Typically, death row inmates would request to see their defense attorney during their second trial.
Dorothy pursed her lips, Because you knew there was nothing left to plead for.
The crimes announced in court, Heather was guilty of them all.
Heather chuckled, her short hair swaying with the motion, Dorothy, you and Everett must be very happy now.
Chapter 1006
When she spoke, it was with a familiar warmth never used for anyone else.
Dorothy had never called him "Everett." It was clear, even now, that Heather still harbored love for Everett. Call it obsession or foolishness, but to love so fiercely was rare in this world.
"Yeah, I''m happy," Dorothy admitted without hesitation, nodding in agreement. "I''ve epted him, and I''ve decided to really give this rtionship my all." Heather looked up at Dorothy, as if trying to peer through her facade, longing to see the face she missed day and night... "Dorothy, I''ve messed up my life, but in the next one... can you lethave Everett?" "No." Dorothy''s rejection was swift and cold. "He was never mine to give. I don''t have the right to decide who he belongs to. Besides, if there really is a next life, I still want to be with him." She thought, this taround, she''d be the one to chase after Everett.
He had been through so much.
"I''m already like this, and yet you stillpete with me." Heather forced a smile. "In prison, I often thought how great it would be if we could swap lives! I''d rather have grown up fatherless, with a mother constantly battling illness, so I could work and earn money, living your dignified life!" Dorothy just smirked, choosing not to respond.
Heather always thought she had it hard, growing up ridiculed and living in the shadows, feeling aggrieved. But she didn''t understand true despair, the feeling of life dragging you forward by the hair.
She could easily talk about swapping ces, enduring the hardships.
But those hardships weren''t as simple as lip service...
Every day, every night, every penny, wasn''t easy to cby.
"Dorothy, did you cto visitout of pity?" "No," she shook her head. "I just wanted to see you." Dorothy wasn''t lying.
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There was no need.
"Why don''t you keep up the act?" Heather raised an eyebrow. "You love ying the innocent, don''t you? Now''s the tto say you''re here for your sister, to see her off onest time, making Everett see you as a good person! Dorothy, you''re the best I''ve seen at this act, keeping Everett on a leash, making him do everything for you, while iming you don''t love him and want to leave." Heather''s malice was hard to hold back.
But Dorothy expected as much.
"If you think I''m pretending, then so be it," Dorothy responded. "I think the biggest difference between us is that don''t intend to hurt others to get what I want." ?w"I hurt others?! It''s others who hurt me!" Heather grew agitated.
A guard immediately issued a warning.
"Heather, be mindful! Or we''ll have to end this visit." Clearly, Heather was frightened; she W tempered into conce had here and shrank back at the words. MS Dorothy sighed softly. "After seeing me, will you have the chance to see your mom... and Maxton?" She couldn''t bring herself to call that man her father.
"Before the execution, there should be onest chance to see family, but I don''t want to see Maxton."
Chapter 1007
Despite all the materialforts that man had showered on her and her mother, he also ushered in their darkest days. Heather would have rather her father be a garbage collector, a security guard, or even a homeless man, rather than a scumbag like Maxton! "It''s been a while since I''ve heard from him too." "Yeah." After Heather''s words, both women fell into a deep silence.
As the end of their meeting tapproached, Heather suddenly said, "This is probably thest twe''ll see each other, huh?" "Unless something unexpected happens." "Do you have a recent photo of Everett on your phone? I want to see him." She knew asking Everett to visit her in prison was out of the question! But she still desperately wanted to see him.
Dorothy frowned slightly, showing this expression for the first ttoday. After a moment''s hesitation, she pulled out her phone and scrolled to a candid photo she had taken of Everett at work.
Heather immediately leaned in, peering through the ss, looking at the photo over and over again.
"He''s lost weight! Why hasn''t he been eating properly? Dorothy, please make sure he eats! Everett''s a workaholic, he forgets everything when he''s busy!" "Yeah." "Don''t just cate me! You... take good care of him." After speaking, Heather lowered her head. As Dorothy was about to put her phone away, Heather spoke up again, tapping on the window, "Don''t! Lethave onest look, just one more nce!" Thatst nce, as if she wished to etch it into her memory forever.
Finally, their twas up. Heather reluctantly moved her gaze away from the photo.
"Can I say onest thing?" she asked, negotiating with the guard.
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Dorothy, thinking Heather had something important to say, stayed put. Granted permission, Heather moved closer, her face against the ss, "Dorothy, take good care of Everett for me, I''m leaving. S Leaving the prison, Dorothy walked with her head down, barely speaking. Seeing her like this, Karen grew concerned.
"Dorothy? What''s wrong? Did Heather say something to upset you, like I thought?" Dorothy shook her head, managing a small smile, "No, don''t worry! I''m just feeling a bit sentimental." It was thest tshe would ever see Heather. There was aplex mix of emotions inside her, hard to articte.
"Sentimental about what! She''s a criminal, deserving of her fate!" Karen could hardly contain her disdain for Heather, "She''s the reason your mom died, left you homeless, and even tried to snatch Everett away from you, Dorothy, don''t you go soft on me! "I haven''t gone soft, truly." Dorothy sped Karen''s hand, "Karen, thank you for being by my side all this way." The journey had been rough and fraught with obstacles. She was genuinely grateful for everyone who stood by her. "Don''t mention it, aren''t we best friends?" Driving them, Jeffrey chimed in, "In Karen''s heart, you''re more important than I am!" "Of course! Men cand go, but sisters are forever." At that, Jeffrey puffed up in annoyance but dared not say a word.
Dorothy smiled helplessly, pulling ne out her phone where the photo of Everett she had shown Heather was still disyed. Who would have thought that one day, she would becthe envy of someone else? Having something someone else could only long for. Privacy
Chapter 1008
After wrapping up the meeting, Everett immediately dialed Dorothy.
His voice couldn''t hide the underlying anxiety.
Had Dorothy not objected, he would have ditched the meeting in a heartbeat to be by her side.
"Are you out now?" "Yeah," Dorothy responded obediently.
"What did Heather tell you?" Dorothy knew he would ask about this. He must have been thinking about it even during the meeting.
"She toldto take good care of you," she ryed Heather''s words to Everett without any alterations.
|| II "Actually, Heather really wanted to see you, but she was afraid you''d refuse." "I''m not going," Everett''s response was sharp and decisive, just as everyone expected.
After a brief pause, he added, "Don''t try to convince me. I''m definitely not going." Dorothyughed, "I wouldn''t dream of convincing you! Why on earth would I want you to visit my rival in a prison of all ces?" Even though Heather no longer posed a threat, she was still someone whopeted for Everett''s affection.
However, Heather''s reaction today took Dorothy by surprise.
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She had always thought Heather''s interest in Everett was driven by ambition, liking the idea of stepping on others to reach the top. Marrying Everett was a way to secure that high status for herself.
But today, she saw that Heather''s love was genuine. There might have been multiple reasons, but her desire to marry Everett was pure.
"As long as you understand," Everett felt truly relieved hearing Dorothy joke about it, "Are you with Jeffrey and the others?" "Yeah." "Tell them to pick a restaurant. I''ll join you guys for dinner." Chapter 1008 1 Chapter 1008 2 Karen, who hadn''t thought much about it initially, frowned slightly at his suggestion.
"Why the sudden urge to see your daughter? Or is it someone else you want to see?" "Someone else? Who?" Jeffrey waspletely lost.
Chapter 1008 3 Her sudden sarcastic tone threw Jeffrey off, leaving him speechless.
Dorothy, feeling helpless, intervened on Jeffrey''s behalf, "Let''s not dwell on the past. Why bring that up?" "Exactly..." "It''s just that his gloomy attitude killed my mood! I was actually happy, and he wants to rush home!" Karen, having recently beca mother, was understandably a bit emotionally unstable.
Having just embraced motherhood, it was normal for her to feel a bit resistant to seeing her child after finally getting a chance to go out.
"Fine, we won''t go back. Let''s head to the restaurant," Jeffrey quickly conceded.
"Let''s just drop it, Karen," Dorothy gently patted her shoulder, "It''s natural for him to miss his daughter. If he didn''t care about her, that''s when you should be worried."
Chapter 1009
Karen rolled her eyes. "Dorothy, you have no clue what''s happening! Jeffrey has been acting like he''s possessed at home, constantly going on about ''my daughter this, my daughter that.'' I feel like he doesn''t even care aboutanymore." "That''s on you, Jeffrey," Dorothy said, trying to be fair. She knew that women could be quite sensitive and in need of extra affection right after giving birth.
Jeffrey frowned in frustration. "That''s unfair! At home, Karen is treated like royalty! Whatever she wants, I get for her, be it food, drinks, clothes, you nit. How can she say I don''t care about her?" "Is it just food and drinks I need?" || "Before we had the baby, Jeffrey would spend all day in the bedroom with me, watching movies, even givingadvice on work stuff! Now, he spends twenty out of twenty-four hours in the nursery, almost nevering back to our bedroom at night!" Karen''s words were punctuated by tears starting to well up in her eyes.
Dorothy understood this was likely postpartum depression. Even though it''s something many try to avoid, the hormonal imbnces after childbirth could still lead to difort.
Seeing Karen cry, Jeffrey immediately surrendered. No, he had actually surrendered earlier.
"Please don''t cry! Dorothy, helfort her. From now on, I''ll stay with you in our bedroom, okay? I won''t go see our daughter anymore, I promise!" Jeffrey''s panicked reaction reassured Dorothy. At least her friend was being cherished and cared for. She had helped Jeffrey in the past, and it seemed her efforts weren''t misced. If she had been wrong, Dorothy would have felt incredibly guilty.
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It was a rare asion that the four of them were together. Jeffrey and Karen, now with a daughter, were even busier than Everett. Halfway through their meal, Dorothy''s phone suddenly rang.
Everett nced at her. "Who''s calling?" "I don''t know." She checked her phone; it was Ephraim. What did he want at this time? "I''ll take this." Dorothy excused herself and stepped outside the restaurant to answer the call.
"Ms. Sanchez, the defendant Heather suddenly changed her statement, iming another defendant was the main nner and denying her involvement." || || "This couldplicate the case. We need to investigate further, and they''re preparing to interrogate Heather for the truth." Dorothy felt Heather''s change of heart might be rted to their meeting earlier. But...
Her sentence seemed a done deal, so why change her statement now? "Will this affect us much?" "Not really, it might just dy the appeal court date and... we''ll need to review the other defendant''s case as well," Ephraim cautiously added, "We can''t tell if this is good or bad yet: Heather''s change might actually help fulfill your wish for both. defendants to face the death penalty." Previously Amanda had managed to et escape punishment thanks to Heather taking all the me. If Heather''s change in statement affected this, the appeal''s outcwas uncertain. "I''ll ept whatever the court decides, Dorothy said, suddenly noticing someone nearby. Lookup, she saw Everett. He had followed her outside. ?w
Chapter 1010
\"What did Ephraim want?\" Everett casually took her hand in his as they walked.
Dorothy gave a lightugh, \"Nothing much, just mentioned that the second trial for the case might be dyed.\" She didn''t want to burden Everett further; he already had enough on his te.
\"The reason?\" \"I''m not sure.\" Everett''s eyes flickered briefly but he didn''tment further. \"Let''s go back for dinner.\" In the restaurant''s private dining room, Jeffrey was being particrly attentive to Karen. He kept asking if she wanted to try this dish or that, if she was too cold or too hot. Even Everett frowned at the sight.
Dorothy quietly shared the incident from the car ride with him, which finally brought a smile to Everett''s lips.
\"Jeffrey liking Heather and not even tellingabout it.\"\n He might have yed matchmaker for them, had he known.
\"After all, I never had any romantic interest in Heather from the start.\" \"And what did Jeffrey say? Knowing well that Heather has had eyes only for you.\" Everett looked at her, \"Are you jealous?\" \"Not at all. But I didn''t expect Heather to be so deeply in love with you.\" Honestly, after getting out of prison, Dorothy felt... as if she had indeed stolen Heather''s love.
\"What if I wasn''t here...\" Everett softly interrupted, \"There are no ''what ifs.'' From the beginning, when I first began to understand feelings, it was always you.\" n middle school, he was swamped vith studies. Between school subjects and extra-curricr activities, Everett had no tto hink about romance. Even though is basketball mates had girlfriends, and girls had been sending him love etters since elementary school, Everett never felt a spark? Until he aw Dorothy. >wThe girl who always pursed her lips in defiance.
Despite being the subject of rumors, she never argued back. She would just grab her backpack and leave immediately after school, never sparing anyone a nce. Even?f her desk mate was the most popr quy in school. \"Did you know Heather then?\" \"I knew of her, just as a friend of the family, nothing more.\" Everett never gave her any special attention.
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\"But she truly loved you.\" \"The next thing, you won''t askto visit her in prison, will you?\" Everett said this half-jokingly, squashing any such thought Dorothy might have entertained, el.ne \"Don''t be too kind-hearted, sending your man away on a mission.\" She squinted her eyes and smiled, \"I just think she''s pitiable. When people are about to die, it feels like suddenly you can forgive them for anything.\" Dorothy didn''t consider herself a saint or particrlypassionate, but... maybe it was the blood rtion with Heather that made her want to help fulfill Heather''sst wish.
\"You might forgive, but I can''t.\" Everett was more rational.
\"Why? Do you hate Heather?\" \"What do you think? If it weren''t for her meddling, I... wouldn''t have lost you for four years.\" All those days and nights, he had endured alone. Including now, with his own mother getting involved, wasn''t it all Heather''s fault? Without her, none of this would have happened.
Chapter 1011
?Chapter 1011
"Let''s not dwell on the past anymore. I won''t mention it again," Dorothy said, sensing the regret that lingered in Everett''s heart. Even if she could bear another child for him, allowing Everett to be there at the moment of birth, waiting anxiously outside the delivery room, some things just couldn''t be mended. Some opportunities, once missed, were gone forever.
After dinner, knowing that Karen was overwhelmed by the stress of parenting, Jeffrey suggested they take a walk to clear her head. Dorothy, caught up with work matters, decided not to join them. Instead, she and Everett returned to their Bay Residence home.Original from N?velDrama.Org.
As they entered, Dorothy took Everett''s coat and put it away. "Everett, I feel so blessed right now."
"Is it because of meeting Heather?" Everett wrapped his arms around her from behind, gently caressing her cheek with his.
"No, I''ve felt it since this morning, but now it''s just clearer to me."
"Then stay by my side, forever and never leave."
Dorothy nodded, her cheeks flushing with a sudden burst of red.
"Everett... don''t you think life is about seizing the moment, enjoying what you want to enjoy, doing what you want to do, and fixing the regrets in your heart as soon as possible?"
Her words were heavy with unspoken meaning.
Everett, ever so perceptive, caught on immediately. He raised an eyebrow. "Just say it."
"I... I think we should... maybe start trying for a baby sooner rather thanter?"
This was the second time she had brought it up. Thest time, Everett had cautioned her to take care of her health first, especially since she had just been getting over a bout of depression.
But now, some time had passed, her mood had stabilized, and she hadn''t had any episodes or fainting spells. It seemed like the right time to consider starting a family.
Still, for a woman to bring this up, it felt somewhat like an invitation to intimacy, and Dorothy spoke with a hint of shyness.
She hoped for a tender moment, for Everett to agree joyfully, and then for everything to naturally fall into ce.
But it didn''t.
Everett''s handsome face stiffened, and his voice turned colder. "Let''s focus on getting you healthier first. There''s no rush for a baby."
"... You don''t want one anymore?"
"Not right now."
Dorothy turned, desperate to lock eyes with him. But Everett avoided her gaze.
"I''m going to take a shower."
He walked away, leaving Dorothy alone, stunned and confused. It was he who spoke of regrets, he who expressed the desire for a child, and now, he was the one avoiding the topic.
In the bathroom, Everett let the cold water run over him, trying to calm his nerves so Dorothy wouldn''t notice his turmoil. He had never lied to Dorothy, which made it all the more difficult to keep aposed facade around her.
After his shower, Everett found Dorothy working on herptop in the living room. She wasn''t visibly upset or angry, but he knew she was disappointed, and he had no idea how to console her.
His phone beeped with a message. It was from Quincy.
"I found a w in the antidote during my experiment. It can''tpletely neutralize the poison in Ms. Sanchez''s system. It''s not critical, but it''d be best if she came in for a check-up and a new prescription," the message read.
Everett''s grip on his phone tightened.
"Stay out of trouble," he texted back.
"I''m telling you the truth. If you don''t believe me, fine, but don''t say I didn''t warn you if something goes wrong," Quincy replied.
Chapter 1012
Now, Quincy had Everett tightly controlled with that antidote. As long as Everett cared about Dorothy''s well-being, he was at Quincy''s mercy. If anything happened to Quincy, Dorothy would be doomed as well.
Everett walked into the living room, breaking the silence as Dorothy''s fingers paused over her keyboard. She turned to look at him, "What''s up?" "Got any big ns for your project tomorrow?" "Just need to double-check the order quantities, nothing much." "I was thinking of taking you for a health check-up." Dorothy frowned slightly, "I''m fine, really. No need for that." She wasn''t a fan of hospitals.
"Con, it''s for your own good." "Who''s the doctor? Dr. Quincy?" Everett hesitated for a split second before nodding, "Yeah." "That settles it, then. I''m not going. Everett, even though I don''t know the full story between you and Dr. Quincy, I can guess she''s using this as leverage over you, right?" It was clear to Dorothy that Everett''s interactions with Quincy were different from his dealings with other women. If back in Swevia Country, Quincy had just cured Everett and they had kept in touch out of gratitude, Dorothy wouldn''t have found it strange. After all, a life saved is a life indebted.
But back then, Everett barely gave Quincy the tof day, let alone allowed her any close contact! And now, their privatemunications had intensified upon returning home.
The only exnation Dorothy could think of was herself.
"It''s nothing," Everett said, though his answer might as well have been an admission.
"Really?" Dorothy raised an eyebrow, "Then tellthe truth. Why are you in touch with Quincy?" "Work-rted stuff." "You mean her father''spany investment, right?" Dorothy''s lips twisted sarcastically as she pulled up a document on herputer and clicked it open, "If it was just about that, then you''ve already given her family the money, without expecting any return on investment. It''s practically charity! Fine, let''s say say the Lopez family and hers are close, and you wanted to help, but now that the money has gone through, you should be settling ounts with them." Why, then, was Everett still in touch with Quincy? "Your illness. Quincy can treat it." "So it is aboutafter all? The money you gave her family was to get her to treat me, wasn''t it?" Dorothy''s gaze sharpened, not letting him dodge the question.
Everett''s expression darkened, "Not entirely." "That''s exactly it!" Without knowing the full story, Dorothy could only guess in that direction, "You made a deal with Dr. Quincy. She treats me, and you bail out her family! "Everett, how much did you give her family? Billions? Have you lost your mind?" Dorothy had suspected as much, but having it confirmed was another level of shock, "That money could have paid for any other doctor to treathundreds, thousands of times over! Quincy''s taking advantage of the situation!" If Quincy had demanded such a price to save Everett back then, it might have seemed fair.
But Dorothy couldn''t ept this when it was about her treatment.
It felt like she hadn''t been able to give anything back to Everett, and now, because of her depression, he was throwing billions into the fire.
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She owed Everett too much.
"I''m going to talk to Quincy, get that money back. I don''t need her treatment; I can manage on my own!"
Chapter 1013
As she made a move to stand, Everett quickly grabbed her arm. "Dorothy! The money''s already with the Caldwell family; there''s no taking it back. And it''s an investment, not justthrowing money their way." "You''re lying! Did you even calcte the return on investment? Do you have any idea how risky this project is? What''s the profit- sharing ratio?" "I did the math." "No, you didn''t! Because this money didn''t cout of thepany''s ounts." Dorothy had done her homework, pretending to track the cash flow for her project while sneakily checking the date of the transfer to the Caldwell family.
Turns out, it was from Everett''s personal ount! "I told you, I''ve calcted it." Everett didn''t want her to get too worked up; it could trigger her depression. So, he wrapped his arms around her, gently trying to calm her down, "This is the best investment I''ve ever made because Quincy promised it could cure your condition." What''s a little money in the grand schof things? "Everett... please, can we not do this? It''s my fault. I shouldn''t have been so paranoid, trapping myself in this vicious circle and refusing to step out! But I don''t feel that way anymore, really! Look, I''m not obsessing over thewsuit anymore! We don''t need Quincy to cure me; I can get better on my own!" "Yeah, I believe you''re getting better. Tomorrow''s just a check-up, no prescription or anything." "But the money-" "Dorothy, you know Quincy saved my life twice. When she asked to help the Caldwell family, I couldn''t say no," Everett said, towering over her so she couldn''t catch his gaze, "Yes, I made a deal with Quincy. She cures you, I help the Caldwell family, but that''s just part of it! Even without this, I wouldn''t have stood by idly." She couldn''t fully trust him, but her mood had somewhat stabilized.
"Is there anything else you''re not telling me? Any other deals?" "...No." "Are you sure?" Everett nodded, staying silent.
"I''m just so scared of being a burden to you, even though I know I can never really help you much." That vast chasm between them, it seemed insurmountable.
This was reality, not a TV ! A regr person rising to stand shoulder to shoulder with Everett was next to impossible.
"Having you by my side is the best help I could ever ask for." Everett''s voice was deep, serious, and sincere, "I might as well tell you, during those four years without you, I even thought about ending it all." Dorothy was startled, immediately looking up at him, "You can''t have those thoughts! Not ever!" "Don''t worry, it was just a thought. I never acted on it." He stroked Dorothy''s back, his voice soft, "Because knew you needed someone to protect you. Even if not now you would in the future. No one else can understand you like I do. I can''t trust anyone else with you." Tears welled up in Dorothy''s eyes, beyond her control. "What''s so good about me..." "Everything''s good. Being by my side is the best." Everett wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes, "Don''t cry, weren''t we happy just now? Just trust Quincy with your treatment. We''ve got decades ahead of us. If we have to measure who no contributes more, then tell me, how much are Abigail and Langston worth?" "Bringingtwo such lovely children, how could I ever repay you?"This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Chapter 1014
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"trante_text": "\"l...\"\n\"Listen to me,\" Everett said patiently as always. \"Money is just a tool, an essory to a person. It''s
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
meant to be exchanged for something | want. As long as it feels right to me, it''s money well spent. Don''t overthink whether it''s
being spent on you or me.\"\nDorothy looked down, her eyshes casting shadows on her cheeks. \"When ites to loving you, |
feel like Heather loves you more. And in terms of capability, Quincy has saved your life twice. | feel like I''m just stuck in the middle,
causing you trouble and making things harder for you, without really being able to do anything else.\"\n\"Just being by my side is
all | need to not feel troubled anymore,\" Everett said with a smile. \"How about we go for a health check-up tomorrow?\"\nDorothy
nodded gently, \"Okay.\"\n...\nEverett knew that Dorothy disliked hospitals, so he had Quincy''s medical equipment moved to their
private residence.\nWhen they arrived, Quincy was already waiting for them at the door.\nPerhaps because it wasn''t in a hospital,
she wasn''t wearing ab coat. Instead, she was in a light pink dress that made her look exceptionally innocent and pure, her smile
making her seem barely in her teens.\n\"Ms. Sanchez,\" Quincy stepped forward to greet them, calling out before lifting her gaze to
Everett, \"Mr. Lopez.\"\nHe didn''t respond to her, focusing instead on supporting Dorothy.\n\"Don''t be scared of the check-up, it''s
just a little blood draw.\"\nDorothy shook her head with a resigned smile, \"It''s not my first time. I''m not scared of
needles.\"\nStanding beside them, Quincy felt as if she was invisible, unnoticed.\nlt was only after Dorothy finished talking to
Everett that she turned to Quincy.\n\"Dr. Quincy, thank you for your efforts.\"\n\"It''s my duty,\" she always replied with the same
line.\nFollowing Quincy in, the ce was filled with various medical instruments and containers of medications, their contents a
mystery.\n\"Have a seat.\"\nAs they approached the area for the blood draw, Quincy went to gather the necessary
supplies.\nDorothy turned to Everett and said, \"You should wait outside!\"\n\"No, I''ll stay here.\"\n\"Please, go! | have some
women''s private matters to ask her about, it would be awkward with you here.\"\nEverett frowned, \"What kind of private matters?
\"\n\"If it''s private, why would you ask!\" Dorothy''s cheeks reddened, \"It''s about women''s health. Since we''re here, | thought I''d
ask. You stepping out for a few minutes won''t hurt. What could Dr. Quincy possibly do to me?\"\n\"...\"\n\"Please? Otherwise, | won''t
cooperate next time!\"\nEverett pressed his lips together, ultimately relenting, \"I''ll be right outside, just call if you need
me.\"\n\"Okay.\"\nAs he stepped out, Quincy cover with the supplies.\n\"Got him to leave, Ms. Sanchez? You had something to
ask me?\"\nHer words flowed easily, but her hands were busy preparing for the blood draw.\nAfter sanitizing Dorothy''s arm and
searching for a vein...\n\"Yes, Dr. Quincy, you mentioned you might be getting married. Do you have a boyfriend?\"\nQuincy paused
for a moment, then offered a forced smile, \"No.\"\n\"So, who are you nning to marry?\"\nDorothy''s question was direct. Her
attitude towards Quincy had shifted from gratitude to something more confrontational.\nQuincy just smiled, not hiding anything,
\"Someone my family arranged.\"\nIn that moment, the air around them seemed to freeze.\nDorothy had guessed this might be the
case before, but she had always thought she was just overthinking it.\n\"Everett?\""
}
Chapter 1015
"Mom and Dad only setup with this one." Quincy didn''t beat around the bush, giving Dorothy a straightforward answer.
"He won''t ever marry you." That was Dorothy''s confidence speaking! "Mr. Lopez said the sthing. He toldthat before," Quincy inserted the needle into her vein, watching the blood flow out with an indifferent gaze. "Mr. Lopez has always been consistent." Dorothy raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more to Quincy''s story.
"The only one who hasn''t been consistent is me," Quincy finally continued after a pause.
"You... fell for Everett?!" It wasn''t surprising, really. Everett was such a catch that anyone who spent twith him would be drawn in, but.....
Quincy had never shown the slightest interest in him before.
"I don''t know," she said, tugging at her lip, mostly focused on drawing the blood. "Honestly, I''m not lying to you, and there''s no reason forto." "You''ve seen with your own eyes how much Everett loves me. Falling for him is a dead-end," Dorothy said, not backing down. "Do I need to tell you about Heather''s story?" Quincy shook her head, "No need. I''ve heard bits and pieces from my father, and Jonathan mentioned something when he cto see me. That girl, Heather, she truly loved Mr. Lopez." "And you want to be the next her?" "Of course not." Quincy calmly removed the needle, chuckling, "But I won''t make the sfoolish mistakes as Miss Heather!" Dorothy felt a sense of danger.
Even though Heather was ruthless and did numerous evil deeds, her actions were superficial and easily exposed.
Quincy, however, seemed different, more calcting.
You said before that you didn''t wan o be involved, that you vehemently efused to enter into an arranged narriage with Everett!" Content felongs to sw. Content S "That was then," Quincy replied, locking eyes with Dorothy. "You also said you''d never give up thewsuit, that you''d fight against the Lopez family to the end. Didn''t I ask you? I hoped you could make it work with Mr Lopez, stop fighting with the Lopez family." But what did Dorothy say? She tly refused.
"This is betweenand the Lopez family. What does it have to do with Dr. Quincy?" "It had nothing to do with me, but as et long as you keep up thewsuit, refusing to make peace with Mr. Lopez, I''m dragged into this, made the scapegoat! I''m losing my freedom, bing a pawn in business." Was Quincy not allowed to be resentful? vel She felt innocent in this, dragged into a situation she had no part in creating.
This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
"I''m agreeing to drop thewsuit now. It''s Everett who doesn''t want to." "It''s toote." Quincy packed up the blood sample. "I asked you before, gave you a choice. Remember? In the hospital." That second visit to Dorothy, Quincy had already made her calctions.
She had given Dorothy a chance, which was refused.
Now, giving her a second chance, if Dorothy still refused, Quincy wouldn''t offer any more chances.
She had to look out for herself.
"You even askedif I''d marry Everett." Quincy had given her an answer.
Yes.
Chapter 1016
Dorothy''s face turned ashen. She was being stubborn, insistent on seeing things in ck and white, utterly unwilling to listen to anyone else. It didn''t matter if it was Quincy, an outsider trying to talk ssense into her, or even if it was Everett or Karen. No one''s words could prate her resolve.
"Dr. Quincy, you mentioned wanting a ''til death do us part'' kind of love, something Everett can''t give you!" Quincy just shrugged, "So when you askif I like Everett, I say I don''t know. I''m not lying." Because her mind had always been on medicine-performing surgeries, saving patients tand again! Quincy hadn''t really thought about what she wanted in a future partner, the expectations she had for apanion.
In her mind, men were all about loving every new face they saw. Her own father was like that, and Simeon was even worse, always chasing after women! But then she saw Everett, saw how purely he loved Dorothy! Quincy would never forget that moment in the emergency room, the situation so dire she was almost ready to give up on a patient, but merely repeating Dorothy''s nby his bedside miraculously turned everything around. The situation began to improve.
It was truly a miracle. Even with years of medical experience, Quincy had seldom witnessed such a case.
"You don''t like Everett, you just like the way he is with me! But he will never be that way with you." Dorothy''s words were firm. But to Quincy, they sounded more like mockery.
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
"How would we know if we don''t try? You and the Lopez family have too much baggage, it''s all so messy, but I''m different, I don''t have any of that." That was her advantage.
"You won''t get the chance." "Oh, is that so?" Quincy stood up, still with that serene and gentle smile, "The bloodwork is done, you can leave now." || "Ms. Sanchez, you may have forgotten what you said in the past, but I haven''t. It counts for something here! You were the one who gave up on Mr. Lopez first; now you want to go back on that decision. We''re adults here, we need to be responsible for what we say." Dorothy clenched her fists, "So, you want topete withfor Everett." "Maybe, I wouldn''t have deleted that tweet otherwise." Quincy shrugged, "I''ll decide when I''ve thought it through! I''m not like you, unsure of what you truly want." S She needed rity, to understand which path to take. The Caldwell family was a den of wolves she couldn''t return to, and her only option seemed to be clinging to Everett as a lifeline. What other choice did she have? As Dorothy emerged from Quincy''s ce, Everett immediately went over to hold her hand.
"What''s wrong? Did the blood draw hurt?" She looked pale.
Dorothy shook her head, "No, it''s just... I had a few words with Dr. Quincy." Everett frowned, ncing at the now closed door, "What did she say to you?" "...Let''s get in the car first." Dorothy wanted to think things through before deciding whether to share with Everett. But clearly, be was anxious. It was rare to see such emotion on Everett''s face. S As soon as Dorothy got into the passenger seat, he couldn''t wait to ask, "What did Quincy say to you?" "It''s nothing much." She cleared her throat, eyes downcast, "Dr. Quincy said she might be falling for you." || || "But it''s just a possibility, she''s not sure herself."
Chapter 1017
Everett clenched his fists, ready to storm out of the car.
Dorothy quickly grabbed his arm, "Where do you think you''re going?" "To find her." "Don''t!" Dorothy pleaded, her voice tinged with frustration. "Just let it go. There are plenty of fish in the sea, and as long as you don''t bite, what does it matter how many fall for your charm?" Ever since she had a change of heart, she found it easier to let things slide.
Today it''s Heather, tomorrow it could be Quincy, and who knows how many more will fall head over heels for Everett in the days toe.
Was she really going to pick a fight over this every single tand sulk about it? Dorothy didn''t think so.
As long as Everett was hers, what else mattered? "I''m going to make sure you never have to deal with Quincy again, to keep her from riling you up." "It doesn''t bother me!" Dorothy even managed a smile at him. "Everett, you''ve always asked for my trust, and here I am, trusting you. It''s only natural for someone to fall for you." After the whole ordeal with Heather, who went to crazy lengths for her affection, it wasn''t surprising that Quincy could be interested in Everett too.
"If anything, you can only blyour own irresistible charm! Despite never leading them on, you still end up capturing their hearts." Everett searched Dorothy''s face, trying to decipher her true feelings.
Either she was hiding her feelings well, or... Dorothy genuinely wasn''t bothered.
Her smile was genuine, not forced.
"I''m hungry. Let''s grab something to eat? I''ve been craving sssic Havenbrook City cuisine." "Sure." Everett finally let out a sigh of relief.
At the restaurant, Everett ordered all of Dorothy''s favorites.
He knew her tastes inside and out.
"Abigail and Langston mentioned wanting to hit the amusement park. How about we clear our schedule this weekend and take them?" Everett suggested while serving Dorothy sfood. She pondered for a moment, "I''ll check my schedule. But... this has Abigail written all over it. Langston probably got dragged into it." "He loves spoiling his sister. Let''s not meddle too much." "Fair point Dorothy chuckled. "But you La Should really ease up on giving Langston thetest gadgets! He''s still young, and I worry that he might bectoo introverted." S Dorothy had heard stories about kids on the brink of autism bing obsessed with certain topics or objects and losing themselves in it.
She didn''t want that for Langston.
"He won''t. I talk to Langston all the time." "Good, then I don''t have to worry." Being with Everett meant not having to fret over the little things. He l.n solving problems before she even realized they existed. Content always seemed one step ng belongs to englishIt was an incrediblyforting feeling, unmatched by any other.
"I''m full." Dorothy had indulged more than usual today.
Truth be told, she felt relieved, almost as if meeting Quincy had allowed her to let go of so many uncertainties.
No more guessing games.
"Alright." Everett didn''t press her to eat more.
N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
"I''ll be right back. Just going to the restroom." As Dorothy got up and headed toward the restroom, her clothes brushed against her nose.
It was then she noticed a faint scent that hadn''t caught her attention before-a familiar perfume. A scent she was sure she had encountered somewhere else.
mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLliI0fiflO&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLliI0fifl0&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1
Chapter 1018
It was only Quincy I had seen earlier.
So, this scent must be hers.
Which means...
Earlier, when Everett left, I thought he went to the hospital, not wanting to tellhe was actually meeting Quincy.
Dorothy tugged at her own shirt, sniffing it carefully again.
Sure enough, the fragrance was the sone I had detected on Everett.
Sighing, she stood up to wash her hands before returning to her seat.
Everett, with his zer draped over one arm, was waiting for her.
Dorothy approached him, offering a smile, "Could you driveback to the office? There''s a bit of a situation with the project team I need to handle." "Sure." Back in the car, Dorothy rested her head against the window, silent.
After several nces, Everett couldn''t hold back any longer and asked, "What''s wrong?" "Nothing," Dorothy replied, sitting up straight before eventually changing her statement, "Everett, I understand you meeting Quincy was for my sake." II "So you really don''t have to hide it from me." Even the perfscent, she understood, was linked to Everett''s intentions to conceal the truth.
Perhaps my previous emotional breakdown frightened him; now, he''s always so cautious, careful not to do anything that might upset me.
But, it''s okay.
Once I start to truly ept someone, I don''t want to be suspicious of them, whether they''re a friend or a partner. "Yeah, next tI need to see her, I''ll tell you." "Everett, you''ve been walking on eggshells around me, and it''s been hard watching you struggle! No more of that, okay? Just be open with me, and I promise I won''t jump to conclusions anymore. If something''s on my mind, I''ll be straight with you." Everett nodded.
Dorothy reached out, taking his hand resting on the center console.
"I want to be with you, for a lifetime." With so many uncertainties ahead, she didn''t want their rtionship eroded by mistrust.
"Okay." After they left, Quincy began to analyze Dorothy''s blood sample.
The medication mishap was real, but she was also keen on understanding Dorothy''s current health status! If Dorothy''s condition worsened, it meant Quincy''s own fate was sealed.
So, checking on her was like checking on herself.
Quincy''s brows furrowed the more she found.
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Dorothy''s health was chaotic, not just thee of the medication, b other underlying ow use let was a less than ideal Amidst her frustration, Ronin had to call.
"Quincy! I just found out what your brother did, and it''s uneptable. I apologize on his behalf!" "No need." Quincy was about to hang up when Ronin quickly added something else.
"Wait! Quincy, what''s really going on between you and Everett? The Lopez family... they''re saying they don''t want to marry you now?" Quincy''s pupils dted.
"Jonathan Lopez said that?" trying to bond with my future "It was Jonathan! I calledreinws, but he said his son''s mardage is his own decision The engagement we agreed upon is off!" This caught Quincy off-guard.
Everett managed to convince his father even before thewsuit was dropped! Jonathan Lopez''s statement was indirect acknowledgment that Dorothe 1.ne% was soon to be part of the Lopez family, bing Everett''s wife. "If I want it, he has to marry me." UMS mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLliI0fiflO&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLliI0fifl0&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1
Chapter 1019
Originally, Quincy wanted to sort out his thoughts before making a decision.
But it was clear that Everett had no intention ofpromising.
Why should all the hardship fall on him, while Everett and Dorothy could enjoy their perfect harmony? Didn''t Dorothy always preach about fairness? Then, all Quincy wanted was a bit of that fairness.
He had deliberately mentioned his rtionship with Everett in front of Dorothy, hoping it would spark a dispute between them, so he wouldn''t have to exert himself further.
Though Dorothy''spetence at work was undeniable, pushing the project forward always seemed to bring unforeseen troubles. For two consecutive days, she had to work overtuntil nightfall before she could return to Bay Residence.
"I can''t keep doing this sote." Had it not been for Abigail''s slip of the tongue, Everett wouldn''t have known she wasing hjust slightly earlier than him! "It''s fine! Look at me, I''m as fit as a fiddle, full of energy every day at work." Dorothy saw his expression darken and quickly went over to hold his hand and coo, "Just a couple more days and it will all be sorted, I promise!" "I can''t believe you''d disregard your health for work and not tell me. How can I take your word for it now?" Dorothy raised her hand, as if swearing an oath, "Really, really! You can check the project''s progress yourself. Right now, it''s because the supplier has run into sissues, so we need to prepare a n B urgently! If we can''t recover in the short term, we need to quickly find a new supplier to fill in." Otherwise, not only would the project be dyed, but it would also consa significant amount of funding! She felt it was a critical moment, with everyone in the project team working overtto calcte costs and find suitable suppliers. Austin hadn''t been hfor several nights in a row either; she couldn''t be the one to bail.
"I''ll assign you an assistant." Everett frowned slightly, then said, "I''ll have Kevin help you out." "No!" Dorothy immediately refused, "He''s your guy, everyone in thepany knows it! If hees to help me, it will make everyone think I''m just a useless waste, depending on you for everything." S That one sentence cut off any possibility of Everett persuading her further.
If he insisted on sending Kevin, it would negate all of Dorothy''s previous efforts.
"I just don''t want you to overwork yourself." "Everett, I''m a grown woman! Don''t you think I''d know if I was tired?" Dorothy squinted and smiled, "I feel a sense of achievement, just letdo this." With that, Everett was left without a chance to voice his concerns.
"Take care of yourself, that''s all I ask." "Don''t worry! I''m perfectly fine!" However, Everett''s worries were not unfounded.
After four days of continuous overtime, right as Everett was in a meeting about to speak, an urgent knock on the door interrupted him.
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
It was Austin, panting heavily, his voice stuttering.
In a second, Everett stood up from his chair.
"Mr. Lopez, it''s Ms. Sanchez..." "What about her?!" "She passed out!" Austin was clearly terrified, "We were just summarizing the team meeting, and Ms. Sanchez was fine one moment, then suddenly she vomited blood onto the table and fainted!" Everett strode rapidly towards the project team.
Kevin instinctively followed, but then paused, turning back to the people in the meeting room who were looking at each other in confusion, "The meeting is paused for now, until Mr. Lopez returns." (Uh~ Collecting fan New Year presents! Gonna do a giveaway on Twitter again, nning to prepare more this time~)
Chapter 1020
Everett and the paramedics arrived at the project team''s meeting room simultaneously.
Upon seeing Dorothy lying on the floor, covered in blood with dried blood all over the desk, Everett felt a wave of fear spreading inside him, engulfing his entire being.
The paramedics had already brought the stretcher over, but Everett didn''t wait. He scooped Dorothy up in his arms and yelled back at the others, "Hurry up, follow me!" Dorothy''s blood had stained Everett''s white shirt a deep red.
But his only concern was her. He held her hand tightly all the way to the hospital, right up to the doors of the emergency room. "Dorothy, you hear me?! If you die, I swear I won''t live a day without you!" He wasn''t sure if Dorothy could hear him, but he needed to say it.
Watching the doctors wheel her into the emergency room, Everett''s gaze was fierce. His knuckles turned white as he clenched his fists.
"Bring Quincy." Kevin nodded immediately, "Yes, Mr. Lopez." Quincy was unaware of Dorothy''s predicament, busy in theb formting medicines, when suddenly, a group of people in ck burst in, tying her hands and feet without a word! "Who are you, and what is this all about?" As she finished her question, she saw Kevin standing behind them.
"Take her." Kevin dropped themand and turned to leave.
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
Quincy immediately shouted, "What''s happened? Is it something with Dorothy? If it''s about her, I need to bring my medicines! If you takewithout them, I can''t help her!" Kevin paused, "...Take all that with you." "What''s her condition? Is she in shock, unconscious?" "Yeah, she''s in the ER now." Quincy''s face showed genuine shock.
"This isn''t like her..." Her heart sank, and she urgently yelled, "Untienow! We don''t have tto waste!" If Dorothy really died, Quincy knew she wouldn''t live through the day, let alone think about marrying Everett! The more Quincy thought, the more frightened she became. She gathered all the medicines she could to alleviate symptoms, not needing Kevin to force her; she willingly got into the vehicle, urging him to hurry to the hospital. "Her condition is unique; she was already weak, it might beplications acting up, faster, go faster!" Kevin nced at her, pushing the car to its limits.
Upon reaching the hospital, Quincy burst into the ER.
"Hey, who are you? Miss, you can''t go in there!" The doctors were startled by her sudden entrance.
Everett immediately said, "Let her in." They had to trust her to save Dorothy now.
Quincy didn''t have tto exchange words with him; she quickly had someone lead her to Dorothy.
"Giveall her test reports you''ve got so far!" The doctors looked at each other, unsure who she was.
Frantic, Quincy couldn''t maintain herposed demeanor, "Hurry up! she dies, it''ll be toote for everything!" Content belongoveenglish"Okay, okay..." to While the doctors went to fetch the reports, Quincy quickly et a dose of her own conced medicine into Dorothy. S But Dorothy''s blood oxygen was still too low, and her heart showed signs of arrhythmia.
Chapter 1021
"Impossible..." This was a scenaQuincy had never even dreamed of! The poison she had slipped into Dorothy''s drink was designed to be counteracted by an antidote, ensuring at least a month''s safety if taken on schedule! She had given Everett two doses, which should havested well beyond two months! Frantically, Quincy rushed out of the emergency room and confronted Everett directly.
"What has Ms. Sanchez been up to? What has she eatentely, what has she done? Telleverything! She shouldn''t be coughing up blood! Don''t tellyou forgot to give her the second antidote?" "She took it, I saw her swallow it myself!" Was she here to interrogate him? He hadn''t even begun to settle his score with her! "Quincy, you better pray Dorothy''s okay. If not, I swear you''ll learn the meaning of living hell." Quincy was taken aback by the ferocity in his eyes and hurried back to the emergency room. She didn''t need Everett to repeat himself; she knew very well that if anything happened to Dorothy, she''d be in deep trouble. It was a gamble from the start: if Dorothy lived, she lived; if Dorothy died, she died.
Outside the emergency room, Jeffrey rushed over in a panic. Seeing Everett, he immediately approached, "How''s it going? What''s the situation?" "Why are you here?" Everett asked, surprised.
"The wholepany''s buzzing about Dorothy coughing up blood! How could I not know? But I haven''t told Karen, just said there was an emergency at work and cstraight here." Jeffrey paused, then added, "Quincy''s doing?" "It''s probably because Dorothy''s been working overtthese past few days. Her health''s taken a hit." Everett had calmed down to consider that Quincy wouldn''t wish harm on Dorothy intentionally, which meant the problem had to lie with Dorothy herself.
"...What do we do now?" Jeffrey clenched his fists, "Should we call the cops? This is practically attempted murder!" "And then what? Quincy gets the death penalty?" "That... Well, it might at least scare her into giving up the antidote!" If that were a viable solution, Everett would have acted already. Was he incapable of dealing with Quincy? If she wasn''t afraid of Everett, why would the threat of arrest scare her? Quincy was confident, knowing even if she got arrested, Everett would be more desperate than anyone to bail her out. Because if Quincy was in trouble, Dorothy''s chances of survival would plummet. el"Everett! You can''t let Quincy keep pulling your strings! Listen, why don''t you try my idea? Make Quincy believe you''ve lost interest in Dorothy and are falling for her instead! Quincy might just buy it, and we could get Dorothy out of this mess!" Jeffrey was concerned not just for his brother but for Dorothy too. Beyond Everett, there was Karen to think about! If anything happened to Dorothy, Karen would be devastated.
Everett''s expression was contemtive, weighing Jeffrey''s suggestion.
"She''s just started to trust me..." Despite Quincy''s maniptions, Dorothy hadn''t caused a scene but had chosen to trust him.
"What''s more important, her life or her trust? You''re doing this to save her life, aren''t you? Once she''s out of danger, you can tell her the truth, right? Jeffrey patted Everett on the shoulder, "I''ll back you up when the es." "Dorothy''s not one to fall out of love easily. Once this blows over, Quincy will be at your mercy, and Dorothy will surely understand." It was surely better than bending over backwards for Quincy at every turn.
Original from N?velDrama.Org.
Chapter 1022
"Come on, say something!"
Jeffrey was pacing back and forth, clearly on edge. "We''re in a bind here, you''ve got to break the silence!"
"I need a moment to think," Everett admitted, knowing Jeffrey was right.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
Dorothy had always been fiercely loyal, her love unwavering. Pushing her away wouldn''t drive her into someone else''s arms.
But-
That didn''t necessarily mean she would take him back.
That was the real issue.
Dorothy''s memory halted at the moment she was in the boardroom, a sickly sweet taste rising in her throat until it burst forth uncontrobly.
And then, nothing.
It was as if she had slept for ages, yet she felt utterly drained, floating on water.
As her consciousness slowly stirred, the chill of the ER made her shiver involuntarily.
"You''re awake!" Quincy''s voice, brimming with excitement, cut through the haze.
Dorothy tried to frown butcked the strength.
Her eyes barely cracked open, everything a blur.
"It''s looking up! You''re on the mend!" Quincy immediately halted the medication and started checking her vitals.
Dorothy could hear footsteps and a plethora of other sounds.
After what felt like an eternity, she felt a firm grasp on her hand.
"Dorothy... thank you for waking up, thank you..." It was Everett.
His voice, his warmth- even without opening her eyes, she knew it was him.
And then, she drifted back into sleep.
"What''s going on?"
"Don''t worry, she''s just asleep! Overexertion Quincy found the reason. "Has she been pulling all-nighters? Lack of sleep can weaken her immune system! If this keeps up, she might need am
antidote once a week!"
Everett frowned deeply, his grip on Dorothy''s hand unyielding, "What will it take topletely rid her of this poison?"
"It''s impossible," Quincy responded firmly.
In a sudden move, Everett''s hand shot
agout gripping Quincy''s t
against the wall with such veins bulged on his hand. belongs to NovelDrama.Org
that
belongs to NovelDrama.Org sweet
It looked as though Quincy''s neck might snap any second!
"Give her the antidote!"
"I..." Quincy struggled, her face turning beet red.
Just when she seemed on the brink of passing out, Everett abruptly let go.
"Cough, cough, cough..."
She copsed, coughing violently.
"Put the same poison in me that''s in Dorothy. Confirm I''m poisoned, then cure her. That should put your mind at ease, right?"
Everett couldn''t bear to see Dorothy suffer even the slightest.
Each time, he wished he could take her ce.
Even death seemed preferable to Dorothy enduring this!
"Cough, cough... You''d risk your own life for her?"
"Get Dorothy out of this."
"But using her as a shield has worked out pretty well for me," Quincy looked up at the man before her, the red marks on her neck stil visible. "Look, you were ready to kill just now, but you still let me go! What are you afraid of? You''re afraid of Dorothy not having an antidote, aren''t you?"
What else could possibly scare Everett?
go!
"Quincy, you see, Dorothy''s already weak. Are you sure you want to tie your fate to hers?"
Chapter 1023
"You''re a doctor, Quincy. You''ve seen all of Dorothy''s health reports; you know the situation. I''ll let you examine me, and then you decide if we need to switch roles," Everett spoke gravely, pausing for a moment. "Once I start depending on your antidote, I won''t let you die either. We''ll be in this together."N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
Quincy didn''t reject the proposal outright this time but pursed her lips instead. "I''ll think about it."
Her own life was on the line; she had to be extremely cautious! If Everett was ying some game, or... what if he decided to risk it all rather than be ckmailed by her? That would be ying with fire! Switching to Everett wasn''t an ideal choice.
But...
Dorothy''s health was deteriorating fast. It was hard to say how long she could hold on. While it''s difficult to predict someone''s lifespan, given her condition, it wouldn''t be surprising if she fell seriously ill and passed away soon after. And if that happened, Everett would surely me Quincy, regardless of whether it was her poison that caused it or not, and ensure she faced the consequences.
When Dorothy woke up, she found herself in a hospital room, her clothes reced with a hospital gown, free of any bloodstains.
"Uh..."
Opening her eyes, she felt dizzy, perhaps from sleeping too long.
"You''re awake."
Everett immediately put aside his work and came over to her bedside.
Dorothy nodded, "Yeah, you... why are you here...?"
"You were vomiting blood. Who else should be here if not me?"
She sighed, "Sorry, I didn''t mean to worry you."
Everett was visibly upset. "I told you before, no staying upte, don''t let work damage your health. And you promised me!"
Dorothy managed a weak smile. "Don''t be mad. I just get carried away with work. You, of all people, should understand, being a workaholic yourself."
"... You''re not to work on that project anymore. I''ll assign someone else."
"No, don''t!" Dorothy quickly
In
protested. "The project has already been handed off once. Handing it off again would make our partners question the capability of Lopez Corporation! And look, I''m fine now, aren''t I?"
Won
She was speaking so lightly of herself, unaware of what had just transpired! But for Everett, it was like going through an apocalypse. He
couldn''t describe the feeling of me
seeing Dorothy on the ground,
covered in blood. He felt numb, as if frozen in ce.
"Dorothy, I was terrified."
Even now, recalling that moment sent shivers down his spine.
Seeing his serious gaze, Dorothy guessed what he might be feeling. She reached out to hold his hand, "It''s me who should be terrified! How can I dare to die? I''m afraid of reaching the afterlife only to see you following me."
"I would definitely follow you."
"I know, which is why I can''t dare." Dorothy smiled, "Everett, you''re too good of a person. How could I let you join me?"
Everett gently stroked her hair. "Promise me one thing, and I''ll let you continue with the project."
"Sure! I promise," she agreed without hesitation.
"Not even going to ask what it is?"
Dorothy shook her head, "You wouldn''t harm me. So, why bother asking? Whatever you want me to promise, I will."
Chapter 1024
Everett had my life in his hands, and I wasn''t scared of anything anymore.
But just when you''d expect a tender moment, I noticed a hint of hesitation on Everett''s handsome face. It was like he had something on his mind but couldn''t find the words.
I beat him to the punch, "What do you want me to promise? Out with it."
"...No morete nights, okay? Work just a few hours a day, and when I say rest, you rest."
Iughed, "I knew it was going to be that."
What else could Everett possibly want me to promise?
Two dayster, I was discharged from the hospital.
Jeffrey waited until I was safe and sound before he dared to let Karen in on the news.
Boy, was she livid, "Jeffrey! If you keep secrets from me again, I swear I''m leaving!"
The thought alone terrified her.
What if...
What if it had been thest time, and she hadn''t seen me?
She immediately dragged Jeffrey to Bay Residence, and the moment she saw me, she hugged me so hard I almost toppled over!
"Dorothy! Please, no more hospital trips, okay? Just... no more!"
Before I could even respond, there was Karen, all tears and sniffles.
"I''m fine, really. Just overworked myself, that''s all," I reassured her, patting her back. "Everett''s here, he won''t let anything happen to me."
If she couldn''t trust me, surely she could trust Everett?
Karen wiped her tears away, "You can''t keep things like this from me! I''m your best friend. Keep me in the dark again, and I''ll be really mad!" "Yeah, I''ll tell you next time."
"No! There won''t be a next time!"
Karen''s dramatics made meugh, and I pulled her down to sit on the couch.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Jeffrey finally breathed a sigh of
relief, "This time, I really can''t ke
secrets anymore! Karen was actually talking divorce over this!"
Those words were like a death sentence for Jeffrey.
Back in the day, marriage was thest thing on his mind! And now, here he was,pletely twisted around Karen''s little finger.
Even Jeffrey had to admit, "Man, I used tough at you for this, and now, look at me. Go ahead,ugh, I deserve it."
Then he nced at Everett, "What''s on your mind?"
Seemed like Jeffrey''s whole spiel went in one ear and out the other for Everett.
"Nothing."
"Come on! Did you even consider what I told you?"
Everett''s gaze dropped, a shadow crossing his handsome face, "I''m thinking of taking Dorothy''s ce. Quincy said she''d think about it." "What?" Jeffrey''s voice shot up.
His sudden outburst even made Karen and me look over from the couch!
"It''s nothing, carry on!" Jeffrey waved us off before lowering his voice, "Are you out of your mind? What''s the
Point
You''re just going to end up under Quincy''s thumb instead."
It was just swapping one person for another.
"I want Dorothy to be safe."
"Then you should use my n! It''s foolproof Look at Heather... she''s head over heels for you, and you haven''t given her the time of day. Just give Quincy a little attention, a bit of care, and she''ll fall for you."
Once a woman''s got love on the brain, everything else is easy! Jeffrey couldn''t understand why Everett was hesitating.
It was a ssic y, straight out of the oldest war strategies!
"Let''s get Dorothy out of this mess first. We''ll deal with the restter."
Jeffrey waved it off, "Fine, I won''t bother convincing you anymore! But I doubt Quincy will agree."
Chapter 1025
?Chapter 1025
Jeff really hit the nail on the head with his prediction.
After mulling it over for a few days, Quincy decided against a change of heart.
She made the call to Everett herself.
"Mr. Lopez, it''s clear as day you hold Ms. Sanchez dearer than life itself. If I''m looking to secure a leverage, naturally, I''d go for what matters most," her tone was even, no fluctuations, just stating a fact, "As for Ms. Sanchez''s health, I can take my time to nurse her back."
"Quincy, please, let Dorothy go."
"I''m sorry, I can''t do that. This whole charade was set up with her at the center! Plus, when she drank that water, I made sure thrice over. If she''s having second thoughts now, that''s on her, not me."
Deep down, Everett knew the probability of Quincy agreeing was slim.
Looking at it from another angle, changing sides now would be risky, and... there were just too many unknowns.
He didn''t say anything more to Quincy; instead, he ended the call.
Looks like it''s time to make some tough decisions.
With Everett''s restrictions, Dorothy was confined to a strict work schedule.
Not a minute more, he''d have someone watch over her, almost wishing he could install cameras in her office.
But it hardly made a difference anymore. Most of the project work was dealt with, and whatever was left could be taken home.
As for Everett, he started to drown in work, stayingte at the office, sometimes not returning until the dead of night.
After a shower, Everett would cautiously lie down beside Dorothy, who was supposed to be asleep, but instead, she turned around and hugged him! "Everett..."
Her voice waszy, like a cat stretching after a nap.
"Did I wake you?"
"No, I was just waiting for you," she snuggled into his embrace, "Busy with a lot of new projects at the office?"
"Yeah." Everett casually stroked her hair, cherishing her affectionate moment.
"So, when will you be free? Can you make some time?"
He raised an eyebrow, "Something on your mind?"
"Yes." Dorothy smiled, eyes twinkling. "I want to marry you, let''s go register our marriage!"
"Look, I get why Quincy is into you, and I don''t mind it, won''t even argue over it. But, I think having you on my marriage certificate makes things a bit more secure, don''t you think?"
With those words, she was essentially proposing to Everett.
Even in the dimly lit room, Dorothy''s eyes shone brightly.
She had imagined Everett''s reaction to her proposal - happy, excited, maybe even lifting her in a joyful twirl. All seemed possible. Except...
Everett''s silence at this moment was unexpected.
"Is something wrong?"
Dorothy reached out, touching Everett''s arm gently.
"Just got distracted by some work stuff."
"Let''s sleep. I''ve got a meeting early tomorrow."
Dorothy sensed he was dodging the topic.
"What about what I just proposed?"
"Let''s talk about it after I wrap up at work." Everett pulled her closer, "I''ll definitely marry you, but I want to be the one asking." Hearing this, Dorothy felt reassured.
"Since when did you be so traditional? It doesn''t matter who proposes, does it?"
Why did it have to be the man to propose?
"You asking makes it seem like I''m not sincere."
"Fine, we''ll wait for your proposal!" Dorothy had no objections, "As long as I get to marry you, that''s all that matters."N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
Chapter 1026
Everett murmured, "You''re the only one for me."
"No other woman could catch your eye?"
"Nope."
"Right, you''ve already shown me that."
Dorothy let out a sigh of relief, "Hurry up and propose, I can''t wait any longer."
Everett stroked her hair, over and over, until she fell asleep, though his eyes remained open.
Dorothy''s illness came on suddenly, and despite Dr. Quincy managing to stabilize her condition with medication, there was still some organ damage.
So, these days, Quincy had been practically living in theb, trying to find a way to improve Dorothy''s health.
When Ronin showed up, Quincy had been up for two days straight, just finishing up an experiment and getting ready to attempt a clinical trial.
"Quincy! Get this guy out of here, he''s blocking my way!"
Outside, the bodyguard had stopped him, and Ronin could only stand at the door, shouting.
Quincy got so annoyed she even considered calling the cops!
Now, she didn''t feel any connection to the Caldwell family, but if she called the police, who knows if Ronin might drag her down with him.
Or even turn the tables on her!
Without the Caldwell backing, she wouldn''t stand a chance, not just in Eldorria City, but in all of Swevia Country. Once respected as a member of the Caldwell family, if everyone knew she was at odds with them, it wouldn''t bode well.
She couldn''t just expect Everett to protect her.
"What do you want?" Quincy adjusted her hair and threw on a robe before going out.
Lack of sleep had left her eyes dull, making her look somewhat defeated.
Ronin, seeing her, felt not a shred of pity, only deeming his daughter useless!
"The Lopez family decided against the marriage, and you need to figure something out! I''ve already told my partners we were aligning with the Lopez family, that''s the only reason they invested! Many shares we got weren''t even supposed to be ours!"
What happens to those deals if the marriage falls through?
Even with contracts, his reputation in business would be ruined!
"What can I do? Stop bothering me." Quincy didn''t want to reveal her full hand to her father, knowing all too well his greed.
"If you could make the Lopez family
change their mind, I wouldn''t need to bother you Ronin''s tone was no longer negotiable, much harsher,Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
"Thought you were capable, bet
getting dumped like this! Look at yourself, who are you trying to impress? Would Everett even care for you?"
Quincy, irritated, retorted, "What do
war with Everett! I''ve got levoet
you know? I''m just ying tug of
over him, I''m not worried about him calling off the marriage!"
"Leverage?"
Ronin always knew how to focus on the key points.
He stepped forward, only to be stopped by the bodyguard again, left standing at the door.
"You mean, Everett is under your control now? Then make him marry you, before the Lopez family announces another woman as their daughter-inw, it''ll be toote!" "Why should I rush?"
"Our Caldwell family business-"
"What''s that got to do with me?" Quincy cut him off, "I told you, thest time I helped the Caldwell family was thest! Whatever happens, don''t drag me into it."
Ronin was desperate, "But you promised you''d make Everett marry you!"
Chapter 1027
{
"json
"trante_text": "\"You really don''t trust me, huh? Well, why don''t you go talk to the Lopez family then? Thought you said you were tight with Jonathan? Go ahead, have his son marry her.\"
\"...\"
Quincy snorted coldly. \"Let me make this crystal clear onest time. Go back and tell Simeon to stop eyeing me. I''ve got Everett looking out for me now. You might think I''m easy to push around, but trust me, you don''t want to mess with him!\"
\"Oh, please. Everett doesn''t even want to marry you. How''s he supposed to protect you?\"
\"Didn''t Simeon tell you? The guys who rescued me from himst time were sent by Everett.\" Ronin had heard, but he didn''t believe it.
No way Everett felt anything for his daughter! Why would he send people to rescue her?
The Caldwell family, father and son, figured Quincy was just putting on a show!
\"You don''t believe me?\"
"It''s hard to.\"
Quincy let out a chuckle and turned back to grab her phone.
\"I''ll call Everett right now, and you can hear it for yourself. That''ll make you believe.\"
\"You''re in touch with him privately?\" Ronin was still in the dark about how exactly his daughter nned to prove her point, but he was surprised that Quincy actually had Everett''s personal number and seemed so confident.
"You''ll recognize his voice, won''t you?\"
Ronin nodded. \"I will.\"
\"That''s all we need.\"
The next second, Quincy pressed Everett''s number.
The call went through.
After a few rings, nobody picked up.
Ronin raised an eyebrow, sensing a drama unfolding.
Quincy, however, remained calm, just staring at the screen, waiting for the other party to pick up.
\"Everett''s a busy man,\" Ronin said with a smirk, just as the call got connected!
A deep, cold voice came through.
\"Speak.\"
It was indeed Everett!
Quincy smiled, then her expression changed as she began to speak in a whimpering voice, \"Mr. Lopez, my dad''s bothering me again, trying to take me away! I''m in theb working on a project! Pleasee save me, or else I''ll-mmph! Mmph mmph!\"
She hadn''t finished speaking when she covered her mouth, pretending to be abducted!
Then Quincy hung up the phone.
Throughout, Ronin listened, dumbfounded.
It took him a moment to snap back to reality.
\"Quincy, are you trying to get me killed?!\"
\"You wanted proof, didn''t you? Well, I''m giving it to you,\" Quincy shrugged. \"Just wait till Everett''s people show up, then you''ll see where I stand.\"This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
It was a win-win for her.
Not only could she make the Caldwell family wary of underestimating her, but she also reinforced the idea to Everett that she was at odds with her own family. This way, even if the Caldwell family did something outrageous in the future, she could easily distance herself from them.
Having the Caldwell family as her
family felt like a ticking time bomb to
Quincy She needed to make her
stance clear to avoid any
unnecessary trouble because of
them. , NovelDrama.Org
\"You''re insane! How does this benefit you? If Everett has me arrested, I swear I''ll make you pay! I''ll tell him you''ve been scheming against him all along!\"
\"You can tell him. It doesn''t matter
to me.\" Quincy smiled. \"A person whoes to harass me and speaks it of me, do you think he''l believe you? Besides... you didn''t believe he''de to save me, did you?\"
\"I believe it! I believe it, okay? Just make him stop!\"
Ronin was more afraid of Everett than he was of Jonathan!"
}
Chapter 1028
The person who could elevate the Lopez Corporation to new heights was bound to have more than a few tricks up their sleeve. And if they were willing to take their own mother to court, could Ronin really be meless?Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
"That won''t do. I can''t let Everett think I''m ying him! Dad will have to take the fall this time."
Ronin was out of options. Suddenly, he turned to face the bodyguard standing nearby.
"You, you can vouch for me! It was all her acting!"
The bodyguard, stone-faced, remained silent.
Quincy chuckled, walking over and patting the bodyguard on the shoulder. "You saw everything; you know how important I am to Mr. Lopez! Keep quiet, and this won''t involve you, got it?"
Seeing this, Ronin didn''t wait for Everett''s people to arrive and immediately turned to run. "This is how you treat your father? You''re going to get what''sing to you!"
Quincy lunged forward, grabbing his shirt.
"What''sing to me? Your Caldwell family favors sons over daughters, thinking you can step on me to elevate Simeon. You''re the ones who''ll face karma!"
"If you''re going to discriminate based on gender, why didn''t you just end me when you saw I was a girl at birth?"
It would have saved her from living in constant fear! Tying her fate to a frail being, always wary of Everett''s words and actions, did he think she was willing? Everyone just wants to survive! Soon, Everett''s people arrived. Quincy even started to admire her own acting skills, able to switch roles so effortlessly.
She quickly wiped her face, kneeling
in front of Ronin. "Dad, please, stop using me! I don''t want to be exploited by you and my brother anymore! Don''t force me to ask Mr. Lopez for money; he won''t give it to
me!" ?NovelDrama.Org
Watching Ronin being taken away until he was out of sight, she stood up from her kneeling position. Then, she dusted off the knees of her pants.
Passing the bodyguard at the door, Quincy had already entered, then turned back, looking at the emotionless guard.
"I
I guess you must think I''m quite the actress?"
The bodyguard, "..."
"If I didn''t do this, where else could I quickly find the armor to protect myself?" Quincy said, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. "Tell me, what in the world is more important than power and status? With these, I can live in peace, no longer used and trampled by others."
"Quincy, talking to me about this is pointless."
He could never be swayed to Quincy''s side.
"It''s meaningless, indeed, just talking. You''vebeled me a viin, Mr. Lopez has, Ms. Sanchez has, but only I know what I truly want!"
Quincy spread her arms, spinning in a circle. "Look, I can almost touch what I want now! I can stay in myb all day, and even if someonees looking for trouble, I''m not scared."
This was her desire. In the past, she
was naive, simply believing her parents and her troublesome but
bearable brother cared for her. She
thought as long as she didn''t covet Simeon''s wealth, she could have a peaceful life.
But once her father decided to push her into the Lopez family, Quincy realized all talk of familial bonds and father-daughter love was false! They only wanted to secure a prosperous life for Simeon. She was just a pawn or a tool.
Chapter 1029
Ever since Everett told me he''d propose once he was ready, his nights had been swallowed up by work - or so I thought. He''d beening home in the wee hours for several nights in a row.
But tonight, when he walked through the door reeking of something unfamiliar, I knew something was off.
"Everett, where have you been?" I didn''t expect him to find me awake, considering it was past midnight.
Propping myself up on my elbows, I swung my legs off the bed and walked over to him, barefoot. "You weren''t workingte at the office, were you?"
Everett pressed his lips together, not saying a word.
"Come on, tell me. Were you or weren''t you?"
"I was at the office."
"Liar." I frowned, "You know where you''ve been has a smell to it, right?"
Silence.
"You went to the hospital."
It wasn''t a question; it was a statement. Growing up, hospitals had been like a second home to me. The smell was unmistakable.
The past few days, Everett would head straight to the guest bathroom for a shower upon returning, then join me in our room. I hadn''t noticed anything amiss until tonight when he entered our bedroom to grab something. The distinct smell of sanitizer mixed with various medications hit me all at once.
"Just leave it be," Everett said, turning to leave.
I grabbed his arm. "Who''s in the hospital? Your mom again?"
"I told you to drop it!"
His voice suddenly rose, startling me. He... he had never spoken to me with such impatience before.
In the dimly lit room, I couldn''t quite make out Everett''s expression. After a brief pause, I reached out to touch his hand.
"Is it serious this time? Everett, don''t panic. With all the advancements in medicine these days, surely they can..."
"Can what? Save her?" He pulled away from me. "Shouldn''t you be hoping she dies? That way, you can have your revenge for your mom."
"That''s not how I feel anymore! You know that! I told you¡ª"
"Dorothy." Everett cut me off, his voice weary. "I''m exhausted. I don''t want to fight."
I let out a sigh and nodded.
"No fighting, no fighting! I''m sorry, I
wasn''t
Show Considering your feelings.get
have asked at this
I''ll grab your robe for you."
As I turned to leave, Everett grabbed my wrist.
"Don''t bother, I won''t be staying at Bay Residence tonight."
Go
Stunned and confused, my throat clogged with a thousand questions. But, putting myself in his shoes, if my mom was in the hospital hanging by a thread, I''d be beside myself too.
Considering he managed to keep his cool withoutshing out at me was somewhat of a relief.
Watching Everett leave the bedroom, my concern for him made me follow.
"Will you be back tomorrow?"
"I don''t know."
"Let me get you a jacket at least!
Hospital
are cold, and I don''t
you catching a cold." I thoug Waret
was
heading back to theOriginal from N?velDrama.Org.
he
ospital.
But by the time I grabbed a jacket and returned, Everett was gone.
I rushed out, only to see the taillights of his car fading into the distance.
I figured his mom must have been rushed to the emergency room again, and this time it seemed more serious than ever.
The turmoil left me wide awake.
I made my way back to the living room, curled up on the couch, hugging my knees to my chest.
Whenever it came to Amanda, Everett''s mom, things always gotplicated for me...
Chapter 1030
Indeed, Amanda was hospitalized.
The court had ordered the transfer of the suspect back to the detention center, and just one day after Amanda''s return, her condition worsened.
Everett had been at the hospital for two days.
He hadn''t told Dorothy because he was still undecided.
It was such a difficult decision to make...
The hospital felt especially cold in the dead of night.
Everett sat on a bench, his lips pressed tightly together, silent.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed from the other end of the hospital corridor.
He looked up to see Jonathan, who was supposed to have gone to rest, returning.
"Dad, I''ll stay here tonight. You go get some sleep."
Jonathan''s face was pale, as if he had been scared by something, and he shook his head, "No, I''ll just sit here."
"What''s wrong?" Everett offered his father a hand.
"I just closed my eyes and...I dreamed that your mother was gone! It scared me awake, and I dared not sleep again. I thought it best toe back." Jonathan nced at the emergency room door, "Here, I can be closer to her."
Everett lowered his eyshes, listening to his father sigh beside him.
"Back when I was younger, I always had to attend social gatherings with drinking, and your mom would do everything to stop me, worried it would harm my health, saying drinking was bad for me. And now...it''s her lying in there."
II
"These days, I''ve been thinking a lot! All that fame and fortune I chased my whole life, ying games in the business world, the socializing and drinking, in the end, those things...they don''t amount to anything! Like now, if I could spend a fortune to cure your mother, to have her healthy again, I''d give up all my savings!"
But it wasn''t possible.
How many doctors had he consulted!
And yet, they kept ending up back in this godforsaken hospital.
"Everett, please forgive your mom! She certainly doesn''t deserve Dorothy''s forgiveness, but she hasn''t wronged you!"
Jonathan''s tone carried a rare weight.
Gone was the previous confrontation, reced with a casual father-son chat.
Everett simply responded, his father''s words echoing in his mind.
Indeed.
He too would give up all his savings for Dorothy.
So how could he not understand his father''s feelings?
"But I won''t force you. After all, you''re grown up, with your own
thoughts! As parents, we reallel
you."
shouldn''t impose our ns on
Jonathan raised his hand, patting his son''s shoulder, "In a blink, you''ve grown up so much. Time flies."
His words barely finished, the emergency room door opened!
A doctor came out, "Family of the patient!"
"Here!"
Jonathan immediately stood up, walking forward with his son.
The doctor''s expression was grave, then he lowered his head, "I''m sorry, we did everything we could."
"What do you mean?" Jonathan, still not giving up, grabbed the doctor''s coat, "What do you mean?!"
"The patient has no heartbeat or breathing, resuscitation was ineffective, she has passed away."
Everett
limbs as if all the strength hadBelonging to N?velDrama.Org.
been drained from his body, his n
limbs stiffened, and his blood froze.
swnowet
The next second, Jonathan had copsed heavily to the ground! "Dad!"
"It''s impossible, it can''t be! You must have made a mistake! She always room,
comes out of the emergen
she always does!"
Everett held his father, his handsome face tightened, but his eyes couldn''t help but redden.
"Everett...your mom, she can''t...how could she die!"
Chapter 1031
"I''ve got money, get her a doctor, the best damn doctor you can find! Go!"
Everett clenched his teeth, holding back the tears that threatened to spill.
He knew this day was inevitable.
Ever since his mom started making those frequent trips to the ER, it felt like a countdown had begun on her life.
But when the moment actually arrived, he realized just how powerless humans are.
No matter if you''re a CEO or an average Joe, when death stares you down, all you can do is cry or scream in despair. There''s nothing you can do to turn back time, not even by a minute, not even by ten seconds.
Not even a chance to say goodbye.
Dorothy didn''t know when she had fallen asleep.
It was only when Abigail and Langston had to leave for school that she woke up, realizing she was still on the couch.
"Mommy! Where''s Daddy?"
Abigail was always the enthusiastic one, rushing to give her mommy a warm hug as soon as she saw her.
"Daddy''s busy, sweetheart. You and your brother be good and head to school."
"Can we see him after school?"
"Maybe, but once Daddy''s done with his work, he''ll have time for you!" Dorothy said, patting her daughter''s head before turning to Langston, "Look after your sister at school, okay?" "Yeah, I got it."
After sending them off, Dorothy went back to the couch and took out her phone.
She wanted to call Everett to check on him.
But then she thought he might have been up all night. What if her call woke him up?
Just as Dorothy was about to put the phone down, Ephraim''s call came through.
"Ms. Sanchez."
"Yeah, what''s up?"
"It''s like this... I just got a call from the court clerk, saying... saying the defendant passed away early this morning."
"..." Dorothy felt her mind go nk for a moment, then asked with a trembling voice, "Was it Heather?"
"No."
Then it was Everett''s mother.
Dorothy couldn''t find the words for a long moment, feeling as if she had been frozen in ce.
"The court''s nning to halt the proceedings, likely sticking with the original verdict."Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
"Ephraim." Her voice was soft, "Thanks for everything. Let''s leave it at that."
"Alright, understood."
After hanging up, Dorothy felt dizzy spells hitting her.
But she couldn''t worry about that now and quickly threw on a coat, heading for the hospital.
On the
tried calling Everett
several times, but no one Finally, she had no choice
contact Kevin. Conten
"Are you with Everett?"
"No, Mr. Lopez isn''t picking up his phone."
"...Okay, thanks."
Dorothy hung up, feeling even more worried.
Everett never went imunicado like this.
When she arrived at the hospital, Dorothy rushed towards the ER!
But there was nobody in sight.
Just as she was about to ask Jeffrey, Everett finally called back.
Dorothy immediately answered, "Everett, where are you?"
"The funeral home." Everett''s voice was so hoarse it barely sounded like him.
"I''ming to you! Don''t shut me out!"
"Don''t."
Everett repeated, "Don''te, my mom... she wouldn''t want to see you."
Dorothy stopped in her tracks,
suddenly feeling like anything sheet
hollow. get
could say would be inadequate,
"I... I just want to be there for you."
"I told
you." Everett''s voice was heavy, each word
wouldn''t want to see I down with griefch
your mom''s debt is paid."
This
Chapter 1032
Dorothy opened her mouth, feeling as though she''d been struck mute, unable to find her words.
Yes.
There was a time when she wished nothing more than for Amanda to perish, to meet an ill fate, to experience the agony of having loved ones still walking the earth while she could not.
But ever since Dorothy let go of her stubbornness, those thoughts had faded away.
It wasn''t that she didn''t harbor resentment towards Amanda anymore, but rather, she found it pointless. She believed in leaving the rest to the courts ofw.
"Letting it all out might make you feel a bit better, so feel free to talk," Dorothy''s voice was soft. "But, would you let me stay by your side? I promise, I won''t say anything, won''t do anything, just be there for you.''
"I need some peace and quiet."
"Then I-"
"Dorothy, are you not getting it?"
His voice rose, the irritation clearly evident.
"I''ll be at Bay Residence waiting for you."
What Dorothy really wanted to say was that she and the kids would be waiting for him at home, but she worried it might upset Everett even further.
Having lost her own mother, she knew all too well that pain, so no matter what Everett would say, she wouldn''t get angry or me him.
The call ended on Everett''s end, leaving Dorothy with no choice but to leave the hospital with her phone in hand.
At the funeral home, Jonathan turned down everyone who called to offer their condolences.
He was simply too exhausted and too shaken to face reality, so... he decided to focus on taking care of the arrangements with his son. Everett hadn''t wanted Dorothy there, but he had called Jeffrey.
Upon hearing the news, Jeffrey donned a ck suit and rushed to the funeral home.
"Everett..."
"Mm." The dark circles under Everett''s eyes were a testament to his sleepless nights.
He stood silently against the wall, not much for talking.
Jeffrey gave his shoulder a supportive pat. "Condolences! Amanda... she suffered a lot with her illness. Maybe this is a sort of release for her." After being released from jail, Amanda''s health had rapidly declined.
It was a battle fought with every penny they had, clinging on for dear life.
"Jeffrey." Everett suddenly spoke.
"I''m here, go ahead."
"I''ve decided to keep Dorothy out of this mess."
Jeffrey paused, "Hmm?"
"There couldn''t be a better reason now."N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
Jeffrey was lost in Everett''s words, not quite understanding. What did he mean by a better reason?
"Everett, don''t overthink things for
we
now! Let''s just focus on giving Amanda a proper farewell, then we can deal with the rest! Quincy gave Dorothy the antidote, right? She''ll manage to keep going, and she wouldn''t dare let anything happen to Dorothy!"
Exhausted, Everett didn''t have the energy to exin further, simply lowering his gaze, lost in thought.
Jeffrey''s presence was a big help.
With the family bereavement, both and Everett were
emotionally drained and
vel
overwhelmed. Naturally, Jeffrey stepped in to take care of things.
In Eldorria City, he was their only hope.
The funeral was set for two dayster at the farewell hall.
After getting Jonathan settled in a hotel to rest, Jeffrey nced at Everett in the passenger seat.
"Back to Bay Residence?"
"Back to the office."
"You can''t keep going like this! You need to rest! Dorothy and Abigail and Langston are waiting for you at home."
At those words, there was a brief flicker of emotion in Everett''s demeanor.
But it was fleeting.
"Back to the office."
(Note: Due to a technical glitch
earlier, a chapter was misced For
those interested, it''s been updated. Feel free to catch up or keep going. The essence of the missed chapter was Amanda''s passing.)
Chapter 1033
He was in no shape to work back at the office. But thest ce he wanted to go was back to Bay Residence. He feared his act wouldn''t hold up, that his eyes would betray him when he looked at her, and Dorothy would see right through him.
Standing outside the towering ss building of Lopez Corporation, Jeffrey watched him attempt to exit the car, his usuallyposed figure swaying slightly. Worried, Jeffrey hurriedly opened his door to steady him.
"Are you sure you''re up for this? Maybe you should head back to Bay Residence and rest. Dorothy must be waiting for you at home, she sounded really worried when she called me!"
"Jeffrey." Everett looked up at him, "I''ve decided, I''m pulling Dorothy out of this mess."N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
It took a moment for Jeffrey to grasp the full meaning of his words.
"Starting now?"
"After my mom passed, it just seems like the natural course of action."
Otherwise, distancing himself from Dorothy suddenly wouldn''t make Quincy believe it either! Given their past, it would add ayer of credibility.
"..." Jeffrey pursed his lips, his throat dry. Although it was his idea and he had advised Everett twice, thinking about their tumultuous rtionship still made him sigh. After all this drama, who knew how long it would take for them to get back together?
"Today, at the funeral home, watching my mom lying there, do you know what I was thinking?"
"Dorothy?"
"Yeah, I can''t bear the thought of her lying there too." He''d rather die first!
Jeffrey let out a long sigh, "What do you think Dorothy would do if you told her everything?"
Everett knew Dorothy better than anyone, his prediction would be the most urate. After all, if it was all an act, they just needed to deal with Quincy as the adversary.
"She''d do everything in her power to push me away." She might even consider ending her own life to avoid being a burden to him.
"Just finding out I was financially,
supporting the Caldwell family upset her, she insisted I shouldn''tpromise with the Caldwells
because of her." If there was a better way, he wouldn''t choose this path.
"She really is Jeffrey started to say but then stopped, unsure how to describe Dorothy. It''s not that she didn''t love Everett, she was just
overly cautious abound.ne
Yet, looking back at their struggles over the years, her actions were undeniably filled with love,
"Nothing iprehensible about it, if you or I were in her shoes, we wouldn''t want to be a burden either."
Jeffrey sighed, "Yeah, especially Dorothy. She''s not as carefree as Karen, always overthinking!"
At the heart of it, Dorothy felt
unworthy of Everett. That''s why she was always so cautious and worked so hard, stemming from her insecurities. Unlike Karen, who had no such issues. Whether she wanted to cry or throw a fit, Jeffrey had no choice but to treat her like royalty,
his
Achilles'' heel. Just the mention
of going back to her parents'' house
was enough to scare him; fearing her parents might actually support their divorce if they thought their daughter was unhappy.
"Since you''ve made up your mind, don''t overthink it!" Jeffrey said sternly, patting his shoulder, "Let me know if you need anything."
Everett hummed in agreement. He was about to walk away but then paused.
"Don''t tell Karen about this."
She was terrible at keeping secrets.
Chapter 1034
"Don''t worry! I won''t let your stuff get messed up on my watch."
But...
Jeff could already foresee the moment Karen found out Everett had "ditched" Dorothy, he''d be caught in the middle, squished like a sandwich!
She''d spend the day ripping into him, finding fault in everything about him!
Watching Everett walk inside, Jeff finally headed back to his car.
Thinking about all this mess, he couldn''t help but feel sorry for his buddy.
Sometimes, Jeff felt both sympathy and frustration!
Out of all the women, Everett had to fall hard for the mostplicated one! If it were any other girl, Everett wouldn''t have to be so proactive, treading on eggshells; he could just snap his fingers, and women would be throwing themselves at him!
But then again...
Maybe it was Dorothy''s cool demeanor that Everett fell for, or perhaps her background, her story, that made him feel protective. With anyone else, he probably wouldn''t have cared as much.
Just like himself.
Surrounded by women, yet he ended up falling for Karen, who wasn''t particrly outstanding in any way.
"Ah, it''s all fate!"
Without any clue about Everett''s whereabouts, Dorothy felt like a small boat adrift at sea, aimless and soulless.
She messed up the documents Austin asked for.
The files her assistant sent her? She had no idea where she put them.
Sitting in front of herputer, staring at the Lopez Corporation''s software, she noticed President Everett''s ount was offline.
It had been so long, she wondered if he had managed to catch a wink of sleep.
Was there anyone by his side,forting him?
She remembered how devastated she felt when she found out Be had passed away, as if nothing else mattered, as if she had lost her reason to go on!
If it weren''t for the pregnancy discovery, her depression might have overwhelmed her already.
Dorothy couldn''t focus on work, and after some thought, she told Austin she wasn''t feeling well and asked for the day off.
He could tell she wasn''t up for it and advised her to rest well.
Rest well.
How could she close her eyes?
Holding her phone in the office, Dorothy wrestled with her thoughts for a long time before she finally mustered the courage to call Everett again.
This time, it went straight to voicemail.
That must mean he was sleeping!
Somehow, that gave her a bit of relief.
UMS
Ready to leave, she bumped into Kevin right at the doorway.
Dorothy hurriedly rushed a few steps to stop him, "Kevin! Wait up."
"
"Ms. Sanchez, need something?" When Everett was unavable, Kevin was always swamped with work.
"Yeah."
to ask.
dded, "I have a favorBelonging to N?velDrama.Org.
you let me know where
Everett is when you get in touch with
him?"
Kevin paused, pointing upstairs.
"Mr. Lopez? He''s in his office! But I think he''s resting, I didn''t dare go in."
"Alright, got it."
Hearing Everett was in his office, Dorothy quickly headed to the executive floor on the elevator.
She knew the passcode to Everett''s office, so the door was no barrier to her.
Dorothy tiptoed inside and, sure
enough, saw Everett''s tall figure slumped on the sofa, asleep despite
the ufortable p
O
seemingly exhausted.
The moment she saw him, Dorothy''s heart settled.
She walked over, picked up a nket, and gently covered him.
"Dorothy..."
Suddenly, Everett murmured in his sleep.
It was just a dream.
(This chapter doesn''t count, making up for it with an update today- Hehe)
Chapter 1035
Dorothy reached out and grasped his warm hand, silently cursing herself for not being able to help him. The recent tension with his mother only added to her worry that her presence might be making things harder for him.
She didn''t hold any grudge against Everett for the harsh tone he had used with her before. If the roles were reversed, she feared she might have said something even harsher.
When people are in pain, their emotions can be unpredictable and hard to control.
All Dorothy wanted was to see Everett with her own eyes, to see his face and know he was okay. That was the only way she could find some peace.
After watching him silently for a while, she decided to leave before he woke up.
But just as she reached the office door, Everett suddenly grunted, stirring in his sleep.
Instinctively, Dorothy turned to look at him, their eyes locking in an unexpected gaze, both caught off guard and falling into silence.
Finally, Everett sat up from the couch, his voice stillced with an edge. "What are you doing here?"
"I just wanted to see you."
"...Then leave," he said, with no indication of wanting her to stay.
Dorothy was prepared for his coldness, but his words still stung. She lowered her gaze, fighting back the tears. "Okay, just make sure to rest. And if work gets too much, Kevin can handle it."
Without hearing a response from Everett, Dorothy opened the door and stepped out. Once she was safely back in her own office, she allowed her tears to fall. She closed the door behind her to cry in privacy, wary of curious eyes.
Back in his office, Everett watched Dorothy leave. It wasn''t until the door clicked shut that he allowed himself to rub his temples, feeling a headache brewing.
Soon after, Kevin knocked on the door. "Mr. Lopez, are you awake?"
"Come in."
Kevin entered, bringing in some documents that required Everett''s
signature. "These need your
immediate attention, Mr. Lopez. I''ve
taken care of the rest." Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
"Alright, leave them there," Everett nodded.
As Kevin was about to leave, Everett stopped him. "Did you tell Dorothy I was in my office?"
Caught off guard, Kevin hesitated but knew he couldn''t lie to Mr. Lopez. "Yes..."
"From now on, if she asks about me, tell her you don''t know."
Though Kevin was puzzled by the tension between them, he respected Mr. Lopez''s request, despite having many unasked questions.
"Understood, Mr. Lopez."
Just as Kevin thought he was dismissed, Everett spoke again, his voice heavy. "Actually, use work as an excuse to check on her. If she''s... if she''s not feeling well, let her go home."
He knew Dorothy well enough to guess how his words might have hurt her.
"I''ll go right now!"
"Alright."
Once Kevin left, Everett tried to focus on the documents in front of him, but the words blurred together unreadable. He regretted not
installing a camera in Dorothel n?
office sooner; it would have saved him from guessing now.
Chapter 1036
Kevin knew the drill as soon as he left Mr. Lopez''s office. With the task in hand and aware of how Mr. Lopez operates, he made a beeline for Dorothy''s office. Finding her door shut, he hesitated for a brief moment before knocking.
No response came after two knocks, making Kevin almost believe Dorothy wasn''t in. Just as he was about to turn away, a voice finally came from inside.
"Who''s it?"
"Ms. Sanchez, it''s me," Kevin paused, "I need to discuss the project progress report with you."
Dorothy didn''te to open the door but instead answered, "Alright, I''ll email it to you."
"...I need a hard copy."
The request was a tant improvisation. Who needs a paper report these days?
Fortunately, Dorothy didn''t seem to overthink it. Although she took her time, she eventually opened the door.
"Kevin, I haven''t printed it yet. Go back, and I''ll send it to you once it''s ready."
Kevin nced at Dorothy. She had wiped away her tears and tried to appear normal, but it was evident she had been crying. "Okay, or you can just let me know when it''s ready. I might not be in my office."
It was a good excuse toe back and check on herter!
Dorothy nodded, "That works."
Kevin smiled, turned, and headed back to Mr. Lopez''s office.
"Mr. Lopez...Ms. Sanchez was crying."
Everett''s hand froze on the documents he was holding, and he instinctively stood up, ready to rush out. But he halted at the door.
"Mr. Lopez?"
"Kevin, could you pick up Abigail and Langston from school early? Tell them they''re feeling unwell, then ask Dorothy to head back to Bay Residence early." "Mr. Lopez, maybe... it''d be better if you talked to her yourself?"
Was involving the kids really necessary? A direct conversation from him would surely fix things right away.
Everett shot him a look, his brows furrowed, "Just do it."
"Alright."
Kevin quickly left, leaving Everett alone in his office, feeling a headacheing on. His head ached, but his heart ached more.
...
After Kevin''s interruption, Dorothy managed to stop crying.
She printed the progress report and ced it on her desk when the school called.
"Hello! Abigail and Langston are not feeling well, can youe pick them up?"
"Of course! I''m on my way."
Dorothy hung up and rushed out of the office. She was in such a hurry that she didn''t even inform Austin until she was in the cab, sending him a message that she was taking leave.
After sending the message, Dorothy started to feel something was off.
For instance!Original from N?velDrama.Org.
The school always contacted Everett about Abigail and Langston because he didn''t want Dorothy to be overwhelmed. He took care of all the minor details concerning the Kids.
So, if they were unwell, the school should have contacted Everett today as well.
But Dorothy reasoned it out. Maybe the school couldn''t reach Everett and then asked Abigail and Langston for their mom''s number.
The school wouldn''t make a mistake with something as serious as the kids'' health, especially since they were Everett''s children, and the teachers were extra cautious.
Dorothy sighed, her thoughts once
again drifting to Everett. He was so upset he wouldn''t even answer calls, including the school''s, and she felt helpless watching him suffer, unable to do anything.
Chapter 1037
Dorothy picked up Abigail and Langston from school, immediately checking their foreheads for any signs of fever. Relieved to find them normal, they headed back to their cozy home in Bay Residence. Abigail was thrilled about getting the afternoon off, but Langston seemed a bit off.
On their way home, Langston kept ncing at Dorothy, concern etched on his young face. It wasn''t until they were safely inside their home that he tugged at her sleeve and asked, "Mommy, why are you crying?"
Dorothy bent down, brushing her son''s cheek with a gentle hand, "I''m not crying, sweetheart. Just got something in my eye.''
Langston frowned, "That excuse is kind of overused."
"Did someone at work make you upset?"
"Of course not!" Dorothy chuckled, trying to keep the mood light. "Your dad is at thepany, who would dare upset me?"
Langston nodded, seeming to ept her exnation for now.
"Why did your teacher call me, though? You and Abigail seem fine."
Abigail chimed in, "Unwell? I feel great, mommy!"
Dorothy paused, puzzled, until Langston nudged his sister aside and confessed, "We coughed a bit, and the teacher called you!"
Turns out, Kevin had advised Langston to fake being sick but didn''t inform Abigail, leaving only Langston in on the n.
"Is it a sore throat? Or a cold?" Dorothy asked, concern creasing her brow. "I think we should still see a doctor."
"No need, lying down for a bit will do!" Langston insisted, dragging his sister back to their room before Dorothy could protest further.
Something felt off to Dorothy, but
before she could ponder further, her phone rang. It was Karen, with news that her cousin Keh had been in an ident and was nowN?velDrama.Org (C) content.
hospitalized. Without hesitation, Dorothy knew she had to go see him.
Karen and Jeffrey arrived swiftly, Karen''s eyes red from crying. The news that Keh might have to undergo amputation was a shock to Dorothy. Keh was a vibrant soul; the thought of him facing such a drastic change was unbearable.
Karen med Keh''s girlfriend for the ident, her wordsced with anger and grief. Dorothy tried to calm her, knowing that ming anyone wasn''t going to help.
Upon reaching the hospital, Karen
rushed ahead with Jeffrey close behind, leaving Dorothy to follow at her own pace. The absence of Keh''s girlfriend at the
emergency room entrance was a
small relief to Dorothy.
However, that relief was short-lived as Keh''s mother, Sienna, approached her with a mix of grief and fury, pping Dorothy across the face.
"You''ve brought my son to this state, and yet you have the nerve to show up here!" Sienna''s usation was like a blow, leaving Dorothy stunned and heartbroken amidst the cold, sterile corridors of the hospital.
Chapter 1038
"Auntie! What does this have to do with Dorothy? It was his girlfriend who had the fight with him!"
Karen was the first to snap back to reality, quickly positioning herself in front of Dorothy.
"Why don''t you ask what the fight was about, and who caused it!" Sienna couldn''t hold back any longer, evenshing out at her own niece, "And you''re defending her? Do you even care about Keh''s well- being anymore? If it wasn''t for your introduction, Keh wouldn''t have ended up meeting such a person! Dorothy, right? I see you as nothing but trouble! If you didn''t want to be with my son, why didn''t you make it clear sooner? Let him move on? Instead, you had him help take care of your kids for years!"
In that moment, Sienna let out all the anger she had been harboring.
"My son wasted so much time because of you, and with a simple ''we''re not right for each other, I don''t have feelings for you,'' you just left him hanging, and then had the nerve to say ''let''s be friends''? What kind of friend does that? You were just leading my son on!"
"Auntie, Dorothy wasn''t leading Keh on, she had already rejected him! And Keh was paid for helping with the kids. How can you me Dorothy for that?"
"If she wasn''t leading him on, then why has my son been unable to forget her for so long? Keh already had a girlfriend, they were even talking marriage, and yet, he still identally called out Dorothy''s name!"
Dorothy understood then.
That was the real reason.
It was because Keh had called out her name in front of his girlfriend, which angered her and led her to storm off.
So much time had passed, and Dorothy thought...
That Keh had moved on from her.
"Dorothy, are you hurting?"
Karen pulled her aside, her voice filled with guilt.
"I''m fine, really." Apart from a dull ache, the pain had mostly subsided.
"I''m so sorry, I didn''t know the whole story when I brought you here..." Karen said, lowering her head, feeling awkward, "This has nothing to do with you, Sienna is just frantic. Don''t hold it against her." "I won''t, if Keh really has to undergo amputation, I''d feel terrible too, let alone his mother."
Dorothy could very much empathize with that feeling.Original from N?velDrama.Org.
"Jeff, could you drive Dorothy home? It''s... not really appropriate for her to stay here."
Jeff nodded, "Sure."
Knowing it was best for her to leave, Dorothy agreed.
As they drove off, Dorothy leaned against the car window in silence.
Jeff cleared his throat a few times before breaking the silence.
"Do... do you need to get some ointment for your face?"
"It''s not necessary, really, it''s just a p." Dorothy shook her head, "Thank you."
"Oh."
Jeff didn''t know what else to say, so he focused on driving.
Suddenly, Dorothy spoke up, "Jeff, could you... could you please look after Everett a bit moretely? His mother passed away, and he''s been really down. You know, with
elice
everything going on, it''s difficult for me to be there, andtely, he doesn''t really want to see me."
He paused, gripping the steering
wheel tighter, then replied, "Don''t et
worry about it too much. Besides me, Dr. Quincy has been looking out
for him, too."
"You didn''t know? Everett and Dr. Quincy have been spending a lot of time togethertely." After saying that, Jeff feigned surprise and quickly covered his mouth, "Oh, sorry, I thought you knew."
Dorothy felt her heart squeezed by an invisible hand, pain spreading through it.
Yet facing Jeff, she forced a smile, "It''s okay, I knew."
Chapter 1039
She replied in such a way that Jeffrey was totally thrown off his game.
"You know about it?"
"Yeah, he told me. Dr. Quincy has been by his side... looking after him. Everett''s dad and the Caldwell family go way back, and his mom was quite fond of Quincy too."
It seemed like, maybe Quincy was indeed better suited to be with Everett at this time.
Jeffrey furrowed his brow, driving in silence for a while before he couldn''t help but ask again.
"Don''t you ever suspect something between Everett and Dr. Quincy...?"
Dorothy shook her head, "No, I don''t."
"Why not?"
"Because I know Everett''s heart is with me," Dorothy lowered hershes, her voice soft, "Everett and his mom had their differences, which were profound. I understand why he''s hesitant to see me now, at a time when he''s lost someone so close."
But it''s okay. He''lle to ept his mother''s passing, just like I had to.
Once everything settles, Dorothy believed he would still be the Everett who loved her.
"You can understand all that!" Jeffrey was genuinely impressed.
He knew he couldn''t.
"What else can I do?" Dorothy looked up at him, "Cause a scene in front of Everett right now?"
"I know you''ve always felt like I don''t love Everett enough, that our rtionship is imbnced, but... I''ve tried my best, I really have."
That was the most love she could possibly give.
Jeffrey was speechless for a moment, unable to find the words.
He had wanted to help Everett move on, to elerate the end of their rtionship so Quincy would quickly see the rift between Dorothy and Everett. But now, he found himself feeling sorry for Dorothy...
But.
Everett had it tough too.
Jeffrey knew how painful this decision was for him.
Both of them, carrying their own burdens, finally arrived at Bay Residence.
Dorothy got out of the car, and Jeffrey suddenly called out to her.
"Dorothy."
"Yeah?"
"You were Karen''s best friend. I believe you deserve happiness, to end up with the one you love."
Dorothy gave a small smile.
"Thank you."
Watching Jeffrey''s car drive away, Dorothy didn''t head back inside but stood at the entrance of Bay Residence.
The cool breeze outside was refreshing, giving her the space to breathe deeply.
She felt so suffocated inside,
needing the fresh air to clear hN?velDrama.Org (C) content.
thoughts on what she should shouldn''t do.
Jeffrey returned to the hospital, finding Karen standing alone, her expression troubled.
There was still no news from Keh, but his girlfriend had shown up.
Eleanor stood quietly to the side, a clear handprint visible on her cheek.
No surprise there, it must have been Sienna''s handiwork.
"Karen." Jeffrey walked over to Karen, instinctively protecting her.
Perhaps feeling supported, Karen again startedshing out at Eleanor.
"You said you had someone else in your heart, so howe you can''t stand Keh having someone else in his?!"
Keh had mentioned this to her.
were ore, saying he and Eleanoet
once
had
good match since they both someone else in their hearts.
"After being with Keh for so long, do you really think I''m heartless, without a shred of feeling?" Eleanor was filled with grievances, "I''ve slept with him, lived with him, and yet, when he speaks up, it''s Dorothy he calls for! Don''t I have the right to feel something? Am I supposed to be just a stand-in for someone else?"
Chapter 1040
Eleanor had always carried a torch for someone else. Yet, circumstances had made it impossible for them to be together, leading her to start dating Keh.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
But that didn''t mean she couldn''t fall for Keh over time! It''s amon tale; spending day in, day out with someone, it''s hard not to develop feelings.
Every time Keh called her "Dorothy," Eleanor''s heart ached with curiosity - which "Dorothy" was he really calling for? Yet, she never asked, she kept her feelings buried deep. As long as she didn''t voice it out, the "Dorothy" Keh called for was her, in her heart.
Could this charade go on forever? Get married, have kids, what did it matter if she was just a stand-in? Eleanor couldn''t help but feel she was even less than an old me that Keh hadn''t seen for ages. With enough time, he would forget, she hoped. But when push came to shove, it was still "Dorothy" that escaped his lips. Always her!
"Keh has liked her for ages, and you knew it! He never lied to you! If you can''t handle it, why not just break up?" Karen was fiercely protective of her friend, and she had never liked Eleanor much to begin with. Now, she liked her even less.
"Karen, that''s so unfair! I get that Dorothy is your friend and you''re biased, but I''m Keh''s girlfriend right now! At least for the moment, I am! If Keh were to, say, lose a limb, I''d still stand by him. Why don''t you get Dorothy toe and be with Keh if you''re so keen on defending her?"
"You" Karen was at a loss for words, and Jeffrey quickly intervened with a stern look, "Watch your tone, or I''ll have you removed." He didn''t care about the fairness of the argument; his people were not to be trifled with.
"Oh, so it''s like that, huh? Bullying me because you''ve got the numbers? Fine! Let''s see who else besides me would want Keh if he were to lose a limb!"
With that, Eleanor stormed off,
regret and frustration boiling within
her. She had intended to have a calm, rational conversation with Keh about their rtionship, but it had never happened. Maybe what they needed was simply moremunication. Yet, here she was, driven away by Karen''s words, feeling more alienated from Keh''s family than ever. If that''s how it was going to be, then so be it. It wasn''t her fault she was leaving a potentially disabled Keh behind!
After Eleanor left, Karen began to cry softly. "Jeffrey... do you think there''s any chance for a miracle? Keh won''t be able to handle amputation!"
Jeffrey hugged his wife close,forting her, "Don''t worry, I''ve contacted the best doctors. If there''s any chance to save his legs, we won''t let Keh face amputation." He sighed, "The doctors are doing their best to save his life."
Losing Keh would be a far greater tragedy than any physical disability. Karen knew this logic well, but guilt gnawed at her.
"Why did I ever think to set Keh
and Dorothy up? If I hadn''t, none of this would''ve happened!" Perhaps Keh would have been happily married with children by now. Given his background and capabilities, he should have been leading a blissful life.
elin¨¦t
"It''s not like you''re psychic, Karen. You couldn''t have predicted any of this. It''s not your fault Keh fell too deep Jeffrey reassured her,- then sighed to himself, "Even someone as influential as Everett can''t control everything in life, let afone us..."
Chapter 1041
People, in the grand scheme of things, are just too insignificant.
There are so many battles we simply can''t win...
"What''s wrong with him?" Karen sniffled, looking up with teary eyes. "Did he have a fallout with Dorothy?"
Jeffrey pursed his lips. "I don''t know. You heard about Everett''s mom passing away, right? That''s what I meant."
"Oh." Karen made a face. "She got what she deserved! If Dorothy hadn''t been so helpless, given the whole manughter thing, she''d have been behind bars ages ago!"
Jeffrey was caught in the middle, unsure if he should agree with his wife. It made sense, but...
That was still Everett''s mom, the woman he''d always called Aunt Amanda. Jeffrey had always known she had her issues, frequenting hospitals, but she was a kind soul, always greeting him warmly. He never imagined Amanda could be the one responsible for Dorothy''s mom''s death.
...
Dorothy had been sitting outside for a while. Before going in, she called Karen to check on Keh''s situation. Even though it wasn''t her ce to be there, she still cared deeply.
Karen said there was no news yet, but she had managed to drive Eleanor away.
Dorothy sighed. Given her situation, it wasn''t her ce toment, so she chose to remain silent.
Hanging up, she stepped into the Bay Residence. The sounds of Abigail and Langston ying immediately reached her ears, the warmth of home settling her nerves. After all, it was just these past few days that had Everett upset, which was understandable.
Could he really end things over this?
Dorothy couldn''t see Everett falling for Quincy. Even if Quincy made her move, it wouldn''t matter.
Why was she bothering with jealousy? Could Quincy be by Everett''s side at a time like this?
The Caldwell and the Lopez families were close, and Jonathan even wanted Quincy as his daughter-inw. It was only natural for the Caldwells to be around after Amanda''s death.
Dorothy took a deep breath, trying to soothe her own nerves.
Just a little longer, this would pass, and Everett woulde back.
She changed her clothes, and Abigail ran over. "Mommy! Brother just told me a joke, it was so funny!"
"Yeah?" Dorothy patted her daughter''s head, lifting her onto herp.
Abigail wrapped her arms around her mmy''s neck, "Where''s
Didn''t you and daddy alwayse
e together?" Contenty?
"Daddy... he''s got some things to take care of."
"But daddy always had things to take care of and still came home to spend time with me and brother every
today!" Abigail couldn''t get used
to a day without seeing her dad.
"Daddy''s dealing with someplicated stuff right now."
"Can I call daddy then?" Abigail blinked. "I really miss him!"This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Dorothy''s heart melted, and she
nodded, "Okay, but keep it short bret
daddy
says to hang up, you ha et
hang up."
"Okay!"
Dorothy secretly longed to hear Everett''s voice too.
The call went through on the second try, and finally, Everett picked up.
"What''s up?"
His voice was a bit cold.
"Daddy!" Abigail blurted out.
"Yeah." Everett''s tone softened.
"Daddy, Abigail misses you. Can youe home tonight? Mommy says she misses you too!"
Chapter 1042
When Everett heard what was said, he visibly paused, a moment of silence hanging between them. Dorothy was about to speak when he cut her off.
"Dorothy."
"I''m here."
"Did you have the kid call me?"
Confused by Everett''s question, Dorothy started to exin, "It was Abigail who said she-¡±
"Have you had enough?" Everett interrupted her sharply, "You know my mom just passed, and all I''ve been doing is either being at the office or the funeral home, and you still have Abigail call me? What are you trying to pull?"
66
"Dorothy, can''t I even spend time mourning my mother?"
"That''s not what I meant!"
"Then what did you mean?"
Dorothy was taken aback by his interpretation, but before she could exin, he wouldn''t listen.
"Everett, please, calm down. I know you''re upset, and I''m not feeling any joy or happiness over this either! You don''t want to see me, and I''ve kept my distance. This was really just Abigail saying she missed you."
"Whatever, I don''t have time for this."
With that, Everett hung up.
His change of tone felt foreign to Dorothy, something she had never experienced with him before. Abigail was obviously more confused, standing still for a long moment before bursting into tears. "Mommy! Did daddy get mad? Did Abigail do something wrong? Does daddy not want me anymore?"
Dorothy quickly embraced her, "No, sweetie, that''s not it! Daddy''s just been in a bad moodtely, remember what mommy told you? Now, stop crying and go y with your brother, he''s waiting for you." Consoling Abigail wasn''t easy; she continued to sob in her mother''s arms.
Left with no other choice, Dorothy held her until the night fell, and Abigail finally calmed down, her sobs subsiding as she went to y with Langston.
Looking outside, Dorothy felt a heavy weight in her heart.
She wished for a rainstorm, the kind that could wash away her sorrows and clear the air.
Alone on the couch until darkness enveloped the room, Dorothy reached for her phone and dialed Quincy''s number.
He answered quickly.
"Ms. Sanchez."
"Did you threaten Everett with something?" Dorothy went straight to the point.
She felt no need to mince words with Quincy.
"What are you talking about? I don''t understand."
"Quincy, I used to think you were an honorable doctor, a good friend. And now you want to be the wedge between Everett and me?"
After a brief pause, Quincyughed, "Do you even hear yourself?¡±N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
"Are you using my health to threaten Everett?"
"No."
"Then what is it? What are you holding over him?¡±
"I''m not threatening him!" Quincy''s tone showed a hint of realization "Oh, let me guess, Mr. Lopez''s
mother passed away, and he''s been
distant, and you can''t handle it,
right?"
Dorothy pressed her lips together, remaining silent.
"Ms. Sanchez, maybe it''s time you reflect on your own actions! Isn''t this mess all your doing? If you hadn''t stirred things up, insisting on some form of justice, Mr. Lopez''s mother might not have passed so soon."
"If you were so determined to avenge your own mother, why are you surprised now? Did you expect Mr. Lopez to lose his mother and not be upset? Not to hold any O resentment towards you?"
Chapter 1043
From the start, countless folks urged Dorothy to turn a blind eye, but she just couldn''t bring herself to do it. Quincy felt that the way Dorothy was now being treated was all par for the course. But still... He couldn''t shake off the thought that maybe Everett was intentionally giving Dorothy the cold shoulder. Dorothy, unaware of the reasons behind it all, felt a sting in her heart at Quincy''s words. But was it so wrong for her to seek justice for her mother, to whom she owed her life? Was it not the duty of a child to uncover the truth behind their mother''s tragic death?
"Ms. Sanchez, Mr. Lopez could understand and stand by you before because he hadn''t felt the loss of a mother firsthand! Now that he has, it''s natural for his attitude to change. What do you expect me to do about it?"
"Then don''t you dare try to take my ce."
"Why would I want to take your ce?" Quincy retorted. "I will never be anyone''s recement."
All this trouble she was stirring up wasn''t about bing another person''s stand-in for Everett. Dorothy was at a loss for words and hung up. She put her phone aside, slumped against the couch, her mind a tangled mess, not knowing where to start. Was it really a mistake to seek justice for Be? Was Everett''s sudden change truly because he couldn''t ept his mother''s passing? Countless questions flooded her mind, almost driving her to the brink of despair.
"No, I can''t just take Quincy''s word for it." Dorothy suddenly sat upright. "I have to trust Everett, I have to believe in him... Yes, that''s right..." He wouldn''t just abandon her; he was just overwhelmed with grief.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.
In the hospital, Karen refused to leave, standing vigil at the door. If she didn''t leave, how could Jeffrey feel at ease to go? Sienna hade several times, only to be dragged away each time, because all she did was cry andsh out at anyone in sight, including Karen, and even Derek Miller and Serena didn''t escape her wrath.
Finally, a doctor came out. "Family of Keh."
"That''s me!" Karen, being the closest, rushed forward first.
"Thankfully, with the timely arrival of the specialist, we managed to save the patient''s legs!"
Karen''s eyes went wide, and it took
her a moment to process the news. "Thank goodness, Karen, thank goodness!" Serena eximed,
pping and crying, "Quick, cal my sister! Keh doesn''t need an amputation!"
The doctor understood their reaction and breathed a sigh of relief himself. "However, the patient''s condition might affect his walking to some extent, possibly resulting in @limp, depending on his recovery
"Thank you, doctor!"
Watching the doctor go back in, Karen looked up at Jeffrey, "Did I just hallucinate, or am I dreaming? Keh is really okay?" Jeffrey tapped her forehead lightly. "Does it hurt?"
"Yes!"
"Then you''re not dreaming!" Jeffrey smirked, "See, I told you it would be alright! I brought in the best doctor."
Karen hugged him tightly, showering his face with kisses. "Thank you! Really, thank you! Jeffrey, I''m thanking you on behalf of Keh!" "Your cousin is my cousin, how could I not help?"
After a moment of joy, Karen quickly pulled out her phone, "I need to tell Dorothy, or she''ll definitely me herself! You don''t know her; Dorothy is very thoughtful and tends to overthink."
Chapter 1044
Sienna''s p startled Karen more than it hurt her.
It wasn''t the physical pain that frightened her; it was the fear that Dorothy would overthink and shoulder the me herself.
Jeffrey sighed, "I admit I didn''t understand before, but now... I''vee to understand Dorothy a bit more."
Karen nced at him while dialing on her phone.
Jeffrey offered a wry smile, "Yeah, she''s as sensitive and tough to deal with as you said."
Besides Everett, Karen was the one who truly understood Dorothy.
At 2 a.m., Everett parked his car in front of the Bay Residence.
He hesitated to go in right away since the living room lights were on.
Unsure if Dorothy was asleep.
After waiting for a while and noticing no movement inside, Everett got out of the car and unlocked the door. When Abigail called saying she missed him, Everett yearned to rush back home and hold his daughter tight.
She was his treasure. He couldn''t bear to see her frown.
Pushing the door open, the first thing Everett saw was Dorothy curled up on the living room sofa.
Her posture suggested she had been sleeping there for the past few nights.
Everett''s lips tightened as he unconsciously moved towards her.
He wanted to carry her back to bed but feared waking her.
Dorothy''s sleep was light; waking her wouldplicate things, leading to more cold shoulders.
Everett lingered by her side before cautiously heading to the children''s room.
Abigail and Langston were asleep, their nkets kicked to the foot of the bed.
"Come on, cover up properly."
As soon as he covered Abigail, she kicked the nket off again.
Somehow sensing his presence, Abigail''s eyes fluttered open, drowsy.
"Daddy?"
"Yeah, sleep,
ddy''s here. Go back to
with you." Everett''s lips et curved gently as he patted his P
ter''s back.
Soon, Abigail drifted back to sleep.
After making sure she was asleep, Everett tucked Langston in and caressed his cheek.
No matter howte his work kept
him, he would always visit the children''s room to ensure they safe almost as if he feared losing them.
Even now, Everett asionally dreamt that his current life was an illusion.
That Dorothy hadn''t forgiven him.
That they hadn''t had their two kids.
Everything was just a dream, a figment of his imagination.
Sitting in the children''s room for a while, Everett returned to the living room.
Dorothy was still in the same ufortable position.
Watching her, his concern turned into action as he reached out to her...
"Mmm..."
Dorothy felt herself being lifted, the familiar scent, the familiar chest, allforting.
ced back in bed, she woke up.
Realizing she wasn''t dreaming and that Everett was back.
"You... you''re back."
"Yeah." Everett was prepared for her to wake, smoothlying up with an excuse, "Came back for some clothes." "Where are you going?"This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
"Staying out."
Dorothy sat up, grabbing his sleeve, "Why? Bay Residence is your home, our home."
Everett withdrew his sleeve, coldly
stating, "I''m not in the right state of
35 Kon &
mind to be here. I''ll get in touch once sorted things out."
M
"What do you need to sort out?" Dorothy was puzzled, "You... want to leave me and the kids?"
Chapter 1045
Maybe it was the wee hours of the morning, and Dorothy wasn''t fully awake yet, which is why the words just slipped out of her mouth. The anxiety in her tone nearly made Everett back offpletely. He couldn''t even bring himself to look into Dorothy''s eyes.
"I said I need some space, can''t you understand that?"
"It''s just space, not leaving us, right?" Dorothy insisted on this answer, relentlessly gazing at him.
Everett frowned, "What''s the point of asking that?"
"I need to know." Dorothy approached again, trying to touch him.
But he dodged, just as he dodged other women.
"If I had known you''d be like this, I wouldn''t havee back."
"Everett, then I''ll stop, I won''t ask anymore. Please don''t go, don''t stay somewhere else! Bay Residence has a guest room; I can move there. You cane back to rest whenever you''re tired." Dorothy could give him the space to think, but the idea of living apart was terrifying!
Back when Maxton and Be''s marriage faced troubles, it began with living apart. It signified that one party was no longer interested in continuing the rtionship as it was, merely transitioning, adjusting. "I''m swamped with work; I''ll just sleep at the office."
"What about the kids?" Dorothy finally yed herst card, bringing up Abigail and Langston, herst shred of hope, "They''ll miss their dad."
Everett''s back tensed, but he didn''t respond.
Dorothy hurriedly continued her plea, "I know you must miss the kids, it''s just me you don''t want to see, that''s okay! I can stay at Karen''s apartment, so you won''t have to see me when youe back!"
"Everett, I don''t want my children to live without their father suddenly."
The impact of these words was immense. Even as Everett clenched his fists, he couldn''t harden his heart.
"I''lle back."
Only when he relented did Dorothy finally smile.
"Then I''ll go to the guest room right now!"
As she got up to leave, Everett, with a furrowed brow, grabbed her wrist.
"Not tonight."
"Then you..."
"Let''s just sleep tonight. I''m too tired to argue."
Dorothy nodded vigorously, "Okay!"
Sharing the same bed with Everett again, Dorothy couldn''t bring herself to close her eyes. Even though he was turned away from her, and the bedroom was dark, not clearly seeing his figure, just a vague silhouette, Dorothy kept watching.
It felt like if she diverted her gaze for even a second, it would be a second wasted.
Time slowly passed, and only when
Dorothy heard Everett''s steady
breathing did she dare to carefully inch@loser, gently draping her arm over his waist.
They had slept in this position countless times before. Embracing in sleep, cuddling each other.
Now, she had to cherish it. Because Dorothy didn''t know when the next time would be.
How long would it take for Everett to ovee the pain of losing his mother and return to this family? And...
Outside of their rtionship, there was Quincy, watching like a hawk.
Quincy.
Just thinking of her made Dorothy''s
brows furrow involuntarily. She never dreamed that Quincy would one day be her rival. Dorothy remembered her as gentle and graceful, always smiling,
encouraging her and Everett to get along and avoid arguments.
But now...N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
She wanted to take Dorothy''s ce by Everett''s side.
"Everett... would you ept her?"
Chapter 1046
He drifted off to sleep, leaving her without the answers she sought. Yet, Dorothy harbored not a shred of anger or resentment towards Everett. All those years of solitary waiting, she had endured, well aware that the love they shared wouldn''t just fade away with his mother''s passing. With a little more time, a bit of cajoling on her part, things would be alright! After all, he hadforted her countless times before; now, it was her turn to offer the same sce.
Staying over at Bay Residence was an unexpected turn of events. Everett had nned to check in on the kids and her, then make his exit. Perhaps exhaustion took its toll, for once hey down, sleep imed himpletely. The whirlwind of recent events had left Everett more sleep-deprived than Dorothy, but having her by his side that night, he finally found peace in slumber.
The next day, Everett awoke to a world bathed in sunlight. Seven in the morning. Already, the sounds of Abigail and Langston filled the air, a livelymotion underway.
"I told you Daddy came backst night! I saw him! And you didn''t believe me, said I was dreaming!"
"Look! Look, those are Daddy''s shoes!"
"Shh, keep it down! If Daddy hasn''te out yet, he must still be sleeping." Langston''s voice carried a joy that was unmistakable. He always was the more observant one, even more so than his sister. Everett chose not to rise immediately, instead lying in bed a while longer to listen to the chatter outside. Who knew when he''d get another chance like this? He turned to Dorothy, who had recently fallen asleep. In the early hours, she had been watching over him, a fact Everett was acutely aware of. But what then? The softer his heart grew, the slower their story progressed!
First, he needed to ensure Dorothy''s safety, to free her from Quincy''s grasp. With his vulnerabilities shielded, Everett could move forward with ease. He couldn''t afford to linger here; a visit to the funeral home awaited him today.
After a quick shower, Everett emerged from the bedroom only to find both kids staring at him as if he were a stranger.
"What''s with the stares?"
"Teehee! We''re just happy to see you, Daddy!" Abigail rushed over, arms wide for a hug.
Langston, Jess demonstrative than his sister but equally eager, tugged
at his shirt. "Dad, my new system has a bug. Can you check it when you have time?"
"You''ve got something you can''t handle?"
"I''m just a kid. There''s plenty I can''t handle."
Everett recognized his son''s attempt at seeking closeness, a trait he had inherited; hard on the outside but not as forthright as Abigail in expressing feelings.
¡°Alright, I''ll take a look once I''m less busy."
"Okay."
Abigail, nestled in his arms, reached up to touch his cheek. "Daddy, you look thinner! Haven''t you been eating well?"
Her words almost caught Everett off guard. Fortunately, in front of his children, he managed to maintain hisposure, even if a bit clumsily.
"Daddy''s been swamped with worktely, so I haven''t had much time toe home or even eat properly."Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
Abigail pondered this for a moment "Then... maybe you shouldn''t worry about spending time with us. You
should eat more, Daddy. Being hungry is the worst!"
As Everett ruffled his daughter''s hair, preparing to respond, the bedroom door swung open. Instinctively, his gaze shifted towards Dorothy, now awake. "Are you... leaving already?"
Chapter 1047
"Mmm."
Everett couldn''t keep his gaze on her for too long, quickly averting his eyes.
"Will you being home tonight?"
It took Dorothy a moment of internal struggle before she could voice her question.
She was afraid of receiving an answer she didn''t want, afraid it might irritate Everett, but...
But she needed to know.
"Not sure."
"Daddy, can youe home tonight, please?" Abigail piped up, voicing the question Dorothy didn''t dare to ask.
Langston was a clever one; he had sensed something off between their parents when Kevin hinted at pretending to be sick.
Seeing that they might have had a fight, he reluctantly decided to y along.
"Yeah, Daddy, pleasee home tonight! I have so many questions for you."
With both kids pleading, it would seem suspicious if Everett refused, potentially raising Dorothy''s suspicions.
A sudden coldness couldn''t be too apparent.
"I''lle home after work, then."
"Yay! Awesome! I love you, Daddy!" Abigail cheered, nting a kiss on his cheek.
Everett had no defense against his daughter.
Hearing his promise toe home, Dorothy visibly rxed.
Everett didn''t look at her again, putting down his daughter before heading towards the door.
Just as he reached it, Dorothy suddenly stepped forward, grabbing his hand!
"Everett, wait."
"Hmm?" He turned around instinctively.
"Keh was in a car ident and is in the hospital now. Karen said he''s out of danger and moved to a regr room. I want to go see him."
Keh.
His biggest rival.
Everett''s expression turnedplex for a moment.
He was only thinking about how to extricate Dorothy from this situation without considering what would happen if Keh seized the opportunity.
After all, Keh was quite adept at this!
Plus, without knowing the full story.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
He might really believe he no longer had a ce in Dorothy''s heart...
"If you want to go, just go. Why tell me?"
"I didn''t want to upset you..."
"No need to tell me."
Everett managed to keep a stern face, leaving those words behind as he stepped out.
This act had to be yed out! Until Dorothy could get the antidote and bepletely safe. And he had to be wary of this rival.
Leaving the Bay Residence, Everett got into his car and immediately called Jeffrey.
It was clear Jeffrey had just woken up, his voice groggy, "Hmm? Everett?"
"You''re still in bed at this hour."
"Well, my cousin''s in the hospital,
isn''t he? was with Karen, taking
care of him tilltest night
t belongs to sw
"..." Everett frowned, "Dorothy''s going to see Keh at the hospital today."
"Oh." Jeffrey was still not catching on.
Everett massaged his temples.
"When Dorothy visits, make sure you''re there."
"No, I''m not there! I mean, Dorothy... she''s noting today, is she?" Jeffrey was confused.
"I mean, when she goes to see Keh today, you, you must be present, keep an eye on things."
It took Jeffrey a moment to catch on, then he burst intoughter.
"What, afraid someone''s going to steal your girl?"
"Isn''t your cousin the best at that?"
"He doesn''t go after anyone else, just yours." Jeffrey enjoyed the drama, "Who knows, maybe this. ident reignites some old mes! His ident this time, it''s alb because of Dorothy!"
Speaking of which, Jeffrey had to admit, that was some dedication.
Chapter 1048
66
The first person Jeffrey truly admired was Everett, and the second, no doubt, was Keh!
Ironically, both of them were in love with the same woman!
This made Jeffrey all the more curious about Dorothy. What was so special about her that she could have two men so devoted to her for so many years? "What does this have to do with Dorothy?"
"They said he called out the wrong name. His girlfriend got mad, stormed out, and didn''t see a caring as he chased after her."
Jeffrey chuckled a few times, "His girlfriend''s name is Eleanor, but her nickname is Dorothy! Are you going to tell me Keh isn''t pulling a ssic Romeo move? Come on!"
You didn''t need to be a genius to figure that one out!
"I''ll keep an eye on things while you''re away."
"I''ll definitely watch out for you. You''ve done so much for Dorothy, I can''t let you lose everything!" Jeffrey said, half-joking, half-serious, but brotherhood was what mattered most to him. "Yesterday, his girlfriend caused a scene in the hospital, saying that every time Keh is with her, he calls out Dorothy''s name. Always Dorothy!"
Everett''s handsome face darkened instantly.
Which guy would like knowing his woman was coveted by another?
Especially in those moments, with him calling out Dorothy''s name, imagining it was her face!
"You need to get up and go to Keh now."
"What?"
"Right now."
Everett grew even more concerned with thatmand!
What if Dorothy decided to visit the hospitalter? Wouldn''t that mean Jeffrey wouldn''t be there!
The thought alone nearly brought Jeffrey to tears, "Everett! Meeting you and Dorothy has been the biggest blessing of my life!" Loyalty, man!
The atmosphere in the funeral home was
Gos unsettling, c
pinpoint exactly what made it so.
Jonathan was there early, sitting silently, unresponsive to anyone calling him.
It wasn''t until Everett arrived that he finally looked up at his son.
"I''ll leave once everything here is settled."
Jonathan couldn''t bear staying in a ce filled with such painful memories.
"Alright." Everett respected his decision.
He had always been a decisive man.
Now, having failed to protect his beloved wife and realizing his son wouldn''t follow the path he envisioned, Jonathan saw no reason to stay His son had grown up and had his own ideas; it was time to let him go.
This was the consequence of trying to control his child''s life.
Soon after, Quincy arrived.
Dressed in ck, her expression somber.
Everett saw her but didn''t react, continuing with what he was doing.
Quincy''s ability to prepare a
ing poison well in advance et
she was far from simple or she was cunning.
Her early nning and ability to keep it hidden showed skill.
So, convincing someone like her that he had lost interest in Dorothy wasn''t going to be easy.
The more he tried to show her, the falser it seemed.
Quincy noticed Everett too but restrained herself, waiting for his reaction.
Seeing that he appeared uninterested, she couldn''t help but approach him first.
"Mr. Lopez, my condolences."Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.
Everett gave her a brief nce but continued to ignore her.
"Ms. Sanchez called me before about this matter. Were you aware, Mr. Lopez?"
Chapter 1049
"Spit it out if you''ve got something to say; I don''t have all day to watch you put on a show."
Despite having seen his stone-cold demeanor countless times, Quincy couldn''t help but feel a bit awkward.
But Everett behaving this way definitely made Quincy think that something was up between him and Dorothy.
As he was about to leave, Quincy hurriedly said, "Is it something to do with Ms. Sanchez because of Amanda stirring things up?"
"What''s it to you."
"Ms. Sanchez thinks you''re giving her the cold shoulder because of something I supposedly held over you."
Everett''s brows knitted together as he looked at her, "What happens between Dorothy and me is none of your business. If she calls you, you could just not pick up. And if you do, you don''t need to report back to me."
"I didn''t mean anything by it. I was just... curious if this was all some borate act you were putting on, hoping I''d hand over the antidote to Dorothy."
Quincy knew Everett didn''t have the patience for long-winded exnations, so she got straight to the point.
After she finished, she watched Everett''s subtle reactions, hoping to glean something.
But there was nothing.
No change in his demeanor, still as indifferent as if nothing in the world mattered to him.
"Are you done?"
...
"Boring." Everett walked away without a moment''s hesitation.
Quincy watched his retreating figure, unable to spot any ws but feeling that things weren''t as straightforward as they seemed!
She had to keep a close eye on this situation.
If it was all just a performance for her benefit, that was one thing. As long as she stood firm and refused to give Dorothy the final antidote, all would be well.
But if there really was a rift between them - if Everett''s feelings for Dorothy had soured because of the whole situation with his mother...
Then Dorothy would no longer be an effective pawn.
Using her to threaten Everett would be pointless.
Quincy would have to quickly find another strategy.
Quincy took a deep breath, feeling somewhat anxious. As long asN?velDrama.Org (C) content.
Everett cared about Dorothy
had a chance to find and exploit his weaknesses.
But if his feelings had indeed changed because of the whole ordeal with Amanda...
This couldplicate things.
However, Quincy couldn''t quite understand why she felt a certain way upon hearing Dorothy''s cold questioning. If Everett no longer loved Dorothy...
Did that mean there was now a vacancy in his heart?
A spot Dorothy had upied, reaping benefits Quincy could never dream of a spot Quincy coveted deeply.
Naturally, Dorothy wouldn''t dare to just show up at the hospital unannounced.
After all, running into Sienna or Eleanor would be less than ideal.
If it weren''t for Keh''s serious injuries, she felt she shouldn''t even be there, given her awkward position.
To call them friends seemed a stretch, considering Keh''s intentions appeared to be more than tonic. But tobel it anything more would be a stretch on her part.
She had Karen scout the hospital first, ensuring Keh was alone in his room before she made her move.
On her way, Dorothy picked up some fruits and nutritious snacks.
By the time she arrived, Keh had been eagerly awaiting her presence.
Seeing her, his face lit up with a smile.
"Dorothy."
"Keh." Dorothy set down the gifts, looking up.
Other than Karen, why was Jeffrey here too?
It wasn''t a big deal, except Karen had mentioned Jeffrey wasn''t there just a few minutes ago. In the short span of ten minutes, he had suddenly appeared!
Chapter 1050
It was quite the surprise.
Karen caught Dorothy''s nce lingering on Jeffrey and didn''t think much of it before blurting out, "I don''t know what''s gotten into him. The moment he heard you wereing over, he just had to be here! I told him to stay home with our daughter, but he wouldn''t have it."
Dorothy took it as Jeffrey being a clingy husband and chuckled, "He just can''t stand being away from you."
Karen rolled her eyes and huffed, tacitly agreeing.
In that hospital room, only Keh, lying on the bed, truly understood Jeffrey''s intentions.
The second he heard Dorothy wasing, he rushed to the hospital. And why? Clearly, someone had asked him to.
"Keh, how are you feeling?" Dorothy hadn''t forgotten her main reason for visiting.
"I''m okay, not in pain, just feeling weak and unable to walk," Keh responded with a gentle and warm smile. He always had the utmost patience and a smile for Dorothy.
"That''s good, at least you got to keep your leg and didn''t need an amputation."
"Yeah," Keh nodded, then suddenly remembered something, "Oh, Dorothy, I heard... my mom, she..."
He trailed off, his head hanging low with guilt. Keh had even argued with his mother over this!
Dorothy knew what he meant and quickly said, "Your mom was just panicking, not knowing how to vent her frustration. It''s okay, I don''t mind."
"I didn''t expect her tosh out at you! Don''t worry, I''ve made it clear to her that none of this is your fault; it was all just me being foolish."
Keh was reluctant to admit his own failures, so he hadn''t discussed the details about Dorothy with his parents, leading to a huge misunderstanding.
Seeing the two getting along so well, Jeffrey became restless. He was on a mission!
"Man, you weren''t there to see it! You should have seen how hard your mom pped Dorothy, it was loud!" he eximed.
Karen turned to re at him.
What could Jeffrey do? He doubled down, despite his conscience, "Dorothy''s face swelled up right after. It looked so painful!" "Jeffrey!" Karen couldn''t take it anymore and snapped at him.
Her words, more than Jeffrey''s, cemented the story. Keh''s face turned a mixture of green and white. "Really? Dorothy..."
"It''s not true! It didn''t hurt," Dorothy didn''t
os Bonow why Jeffrey was so
on
g things up today, making
e situation awkward.
Karen was so furious she wanted to throw him out!
"Jeffrey,e here."
"No, I can''t my leg hurts, I''m feeling dizzy!" Jeffrey decided to go all in pretending to be dizzy and plopping down on a chair, refusing to get up.
How could he leave? Wouldn''t that give Keh and Dorothy a chance to be alone? If Everett found out, there would be hell to pay. "Jeffrey!"N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
"Let him be, Karen. If he''s not feeling
well, just let him sit," Dorothy actually didn''t want to be left alone with Keh either, feeling it would be awkward, "Keh, let''s not talk about that day. You keeping both legs is a silver lining in this.
unfortunate situation. Let''s not dwell on the rest."
"How can I not?" Keh lowered his gaze, sighing, "Dorothy... I''ve made up my mind. I''m breaking up with Eleanor."
Chapter 1051
The moment the words left his lips, no one was more shocked than Jeffrey Turner!
"What?"
Instantly, all eyes were on him.
Jeffrey coughed a few times, offering a sheepishugh, "I just think... if his leg''s saved, why break up, you know..."
"You all don''t need to worry," Keh Nelson said calmly, his voice smooth as butter, "Especially you, Dorothy. Don''t overthink it. It''s not about you that we''re breaking up, and I won''t interfere with your thing with Everett Lopez."
Dorothy Sanchez, of course, hoped he''d keep things going well with Eleanor. After all, they seemed such a good match, not to mention they''d been living together for so long, sharing more than a few moments of affection.
Keh got her, naturally knowing what she wanted to say.
So, he waved his hand, cutting her off, "No need for anyone to try and talk me out of it. I''ve mulled over this decision for a long time before bringing it up."
Karen Miller, on hearing this, didn''t really object.
She was never a fan of Eleanor, thinking her a bit too dramatic. Even if Eleanor had her reasons, Karen and Eleanor simply didn''t click.
"If you wanna split, then split. It''s your life! I''ve got your back no matter what, but... dealing with your mom might be tough. Just don''t let her me Dorothy." Karen couldn''t stand to see her best friend getting med again!
After all, it was Karen who had introduced them in the first ce. If Sienna got upset, she''d take it out on Dorothy, and Karen couldn''t just stand by and watch.
"I''ll clear things up with my mom," Keh said, his gaze flicking to Dorothy for just a moment before looking away, "The main thing is, I''ve realized I haven''t made room in my heart for a future girlfriend. With my heart already full, no matter who I''m with, she won''t be happy."
Silence fell.
"Rather than that, I shouldn''t hold Eleanor back, nor any other girl."
Keh decided to break up with Eleanor and then refuse any matchmaking attempts.
He''d thought it through carefully.
Only when he waspletely overThis content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Dorothy, when he could see bet
as
just a sister or a stranger, would he consider his personal life again.
Jeffrey got the message.
So, the bottom line was, he still hadn''t let go of Dorothy!
"Big bro, if your heart''s always full, you''re gonna stay single forever?"
Keh nodded, "Yeah, being alone''s not bad. Better than leading other girls on."
"But if you didn''t care about Eleanor
at all, why''d you chase after her
when she stormed out?" Jeffrey tried to make his case, hoping to prevent the breakup.
Otherwise, with Everett in the mix, it was like having a burr in the front yard and a fire in the back, not knowing which disaster to tackle first.
"She was furious when she left; I was worried something might happen to her."
"That''s my point! You''re worried
about her, which means you do have feelings!" Jeffrey pped his hands, trying to reason with him, "If it was like you said, you should''ve just let her be. That way, if anythingo happened, it wouldn''t be on you, but her!"
Karen frowned at this.
"Jeffrey, why are you butting in? If you can''t help, go home!"
"I''m just trying to help our big bro here think it through! You and Dorothy are women; how would you know what us men are thinking?"
Keh bowed his head, seemingly deep in thought, silent.
Karen suddenly said, "Oh, Dorothy, is Everetting to pick you upter?"
Chapter 1052
Suddenly, the name Everett came up, and Dorothy froze for a moment. Karen, ever the oblivious one, didn''t notice anything amiss, but Keh, with his sharp senses, detected something off in Dorothy''s reaction. Yet, he didn''t say anything. After all, he wasn''t privy to the details. Perhaps it was just a simple quarrel.
"Everett''s got his hands full! His mom just passed away, and thepany needs him," Jeffrey quickly jumped in to defend his brother, wary of Keh seeing an opportunity to make a move. But Keh, clever as he was, picked up on the key information.
Amanda passed away? No wonder...
Dorothy''s pallor earlier and her reaction now made sense. If he wasn''t wrong, this must be the reason for their upset.
"Ah, right, he''s too busy to pick me up. I''ll just catch a cab back hometer; you guys don''t need to worry about me."
Karen nodded, "You didn''t argue with Everett over his mom''s passing, did you?"
Dorothy quicklyughed it off, "Of course not! How could I add to his troubles at a time like this?"
"That''s good! And hey, if Everett ever gives you a hard time, you let me know." After Karen spoke, she realized that her cousin was also present. Maybe... it wasn''t quite appropriate to discuss this matter in front of him.
Keh sensed the atmosphere in the room grow tense and offered a wry smile, "You all don''t need to overthink or worry about me. How long have I been courting Dorothy? I''m well aware of her situation with Everett."
The others fell silent, unsure of how to continue the conversation. Only Keh sighed to himself, "I stand no chance against Everett unless he steps back himself. But I''ve tried enough times to know it won''t happen."
"Did he really say that?"
"Yes!" Jeffrey''s voice suddenly pitched higher, his phone nearly flying out of his hand, "Keh said, unless you step back voluntarily."
And now, Everett was indeed...
"Find a way to keep him from breaking up with that Eleanor."
"Man, you''re putting me in a tough spot," Jeffreymented, on the verge of tears. "Keh and I barely talk, let alone him listening to meo knowing I''m on your side."
Back in the hospital room, Jeffrey had already given Karen several warning nces. But now, Everett could only rely on him.
"Didn''t you say Eleanor herself admitted she likes Keh?"
"Yeah! She even ran out crying that day!"
"Then make Eleanor find a way to cling to Keh." Whether it''s guilt-tripping, making a scene, or whatever it takes, they just can''t break up! As long as Keh has a girlfriend, he''ll stay put.
Everett simply didn''t have the energy topete with Keh anymore, not with Quincy already taking up all his attention.
"Ah? But I''m even less acquainted with Eleanor!" Jeffrey had only met her a few times...
"I''m asking you to solve this problem, not question me."
"This is your task now! Today Quincy already sensed discord between me and Dorothy, she''s made several attempts." Everett paused for a moment, his voice deepening, need this resolved quickly, to keep Dorothy out of this mess."
He feared that one day, he might end up like his father, watching the love of his life slip away outside an emergency room.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Chapter 1053
Everett felt a pang of guilt, recognizing his own failures as a son. The moment he received the news of his mother''s passing, his mind raced not to her, but to Dorothy. He couldn''t bear the thought of losing her too.
Everett had developed a phobia of emergency rooms, having seen his mother wheeled into them countless times. Now, it was Dorothy''s turn, and the thought was unbearable.
In his desperation, Everett even considered the unthinkable-if it meant keeping Dorothy alive, he''d let her be with Keh. At least, if she was alive, he could catch glimpses of her from afar, and Abigail and Langston would still have their mother.
"Man, I''ll do everything I can to help you out, Everett. You''ve put so much of your heart into this. If there''s any justice up there, it''s time it showed its face. You can''t be the only one paying the price for being genuine," Jeffrey said, his voice heavy with concern. He hated seeing his buddy in pain.
Life with Dorothy seemed to be an endless series of hurdles, just because of their different backgrounds. Why did being together have to be so difficult?
...N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
After being discharged from the hospital, Dorothy quickly sorted out her work projects. Knowing Everett was overwhelmed with his mother''s passing, she didn''t want to add to his worries.
Once she wrapped up her tasks, Dorothy checked Everett''spany ount online, which showed he was still active. He had promised the kids he''d be home after wrapping up work for the day, and Dorothy knew he wouldn''t break that promise.
The wait for Everett''s return seemed endless, prompting Dorothy to start cleaning up their Bay Residence to make the ce morefortable for him, knowing his preference for cleanliness.
Midway through her chores, Dorothy''s phone rang. It was Karen on the other end. Dorothy braced herself, hoping it wasn''t bad news about Keh.
"Karen, what''s up?" Dorothy asked, trying to sound calm.
"Oh, nothing much," Karen replied with augh. "I was just wondering about you and Everett."
"Us?"
"Yeah," Karen sighed. "You know, at the hospital today, you might have thought you were fooling everyone but my brother and I could see right through you. Jeffrey probably did too, and who knows, maybe Everett has already talked to him about it."
Dorothy had thought she was doing a good job hiding her feelings.
"What''s going on? Did you and Everett have a fight because of his mother''s passing?"
"No fights! Why would we fight?" Dorothy replied, trying to sound convincing.
"Then what''s wrong? Don''t tell me it''s nothing," Karen pressed, her voiceced with frustration. "What''s the use of hiding? You don''t have to tell the whole world, but you can''t keep things from me."
Dorothy felt a mix of emotions. She was touched by Karen''s concern but struggled with her rtionship with Everett.
After a brief silence, Dorothy softly
said, "I just think Everett''s upset about his mother''s death. I won''t
take to heart whatever he said. It''s just... it''s hard not to feel a bit sad."
"What did he say?"
"Nothing much, just that I shouldn''t get involved with the arrangements for his mother''s funeral."
Karen''s tone turned sharp. "His mom was the one who messed up first. Whether you choose to forgive or pursue it, isn''t that your right? Why should you be the one walking on eggshells?"
Chapter 1054
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"No, seriously, nothing like that! Everett wasn''t giving me the cold shoulder," Dorothy hurried to clear the air for Everett. "He''s just been in a funktely, thinks me and his mom''s rtionship was... well, troubled and that I shouldn''t have shown up."
"What do you mean you shouldn''t have shown up?! Back in medieval times, even the users could witness an execution!" Karen was quick to jump to her defense.
Dorothy understood where she wasing from, but some things, while they make sense in theory, just don''t apply in reality. You can''t just pick fights right after Everett''s mom passed away, can you? Even if you''re right, some actions just aren''t right.
"Dorothy, you''re too soft, I''m worried you''ll get pushed around!"
"Who''s going to push me around when I''m with Everett?" Dorothyughed. "He''d never want to hurt me, he''s just been feeling down. Empathy, you know. I was really down too, at one point..."
"That was because Be was murdered! And it was Everett''s mom who was behind it!"
Seeing Dorothy fall silent, Karen quickly apologized, "I''m sorry! I just can''t seem to hold my tongue, I shouldn''t have brought it up..."
"It''s okay, it''s all in the past." She had decided to start over, to let go of those troubles, and had made peace with herself.
"Dorothy, just remember, you''ve always got me! No matter what happens, I''m on your side, even if you and Jeffrey end up on opposite sides, I''d choose you without a second thought."
Dorothy felt a lump in her throat. "You just have to make me cry, don''t you?"
Karen giggled, "I''m just worried you''ll bottle everything up! You used to do that a lot."
She was never one to vent, always keeping things to herself. It always took Karen pressing her for Dorothy to finally open up. She was always worried about being a burden, always thinking she had to shoulder everything on her own.
"Not anymore, I''ve got you and Everett, I''m content. I won''t look at the world so pessimistically anymore." After all, there were still so many people who loved her.
Talking to Karen seemed to lift the gloom that had taken hold of Dorothy. Even though she knew she had to be understanding towards Everett, it was hard not to feel upset. But after talking with Karen, it was like the clouds had parted!
Dorothy busied herself with some chores before checking on thepany''s software. Noticing Everett''s ount was offline indicated it was getting dark
outside... Everett must be covel
home soon?
A smile couldn''t help but spread across Dorothy''s face.
Abigail and Langston were the first to arrive home, their chatter instantly filling the house with a lively warmth.
"Mommy! Is daddy not home yet?"
Abigail rushed over, always the first to hug Dorothy.
"Not yet, but he should be soon! You
On Your brother should get s
on your homework, he might rent
back before you''re done."
belongs to NovelDrama.Org swContent ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.
"Yay! I''ll get to it then." She skipped off to her room.
Dorothy looked up to find Langston watching her.
"Langston?"
"Mommy, what''s going on with you and dad?"
"...Nothing''s going on."
"Mommy, I don''t want to live separately from you or dad anymore."
Langston''s calm statement hit Dorothy like a punch to the heart. It hurt!
"I''m sorry, Langston... It won''t happen again, mommy and daddy will always be with you!"
Chapter 1055
At that moment, guiltpletely engulfed Dorothy''s heart.
She had been too stubborn in the past, fixated on the idea that she must clear her mother''s name, without giving much thought to anything else.
As Abigail and Langston grew older and wiser by the day, their understanding of what home meant became increasingly clear.
Was Everett the only one with regrets in his heart?
Dorothy was the one who should feel the most regret! Her children should have been by her side, enjoying a life with their mother. Yet, because she was busy collecting evidence and hiding their whereabouts, she had left Langston abroad and entrusted Abigail to Karen.
Aside from giving birth to them, she had done too little for her children.
Even after Everett took over their care, he had spent more time with them than she had.
Watching Abigail and Langston return to their rooms, Dorothy remained lost in her thoughts, sitting alone on the couch for a long time...
Until she suddenly remembered that Everett had promised toe home today.
That was what Abigail and Langston were most looking forward to.
But Dorothy waited and waited, and there was still no sign of Everett returning.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Seeing that it was nearly bedtime for the kids, she couldn''t wait any longer and decided to give Everett a call.
The first call went unanswered.
A bad feeling started to form in her heart, prompting her to call a second time.
Thankfully, Everett picked up this time.
"What''s up?"
His voice was cold, just like how he talked to others at work.
Dorothy wasn''t used to it, but she understood.
What good mood could Everett possibly be in at this time?
"You... promised Abigail and Langston that you''de home today. They''re waiting for you."
After a pause, Everett replied, "Got held up with work at the office, I''ll be back soon."
"Okay."
Hanging up the phone, Dorothy felt her heart sink.
She knew Everett was lying.
Hispany ount had been offline for quite a while, indicating he wasn''t at the office! So, why did he say he was dyed because of work? Dorothy slightly frowned.
"Maybe he had a meeting outside, that must be it."
After all, work wasn''t something that could only be done in the office.
Dorothy silently reminded herself
this?
SWI
Whatever he did, he had his reasons, and he wouldn''t hurt her. That was enough.
Finally, half an hourter.
Everett''s car pulled up at the Bay Residence.
Abigail and Langston rushed to the living room, ready to wee their dad home.
As he opened the door, the two kids ran up to him!
"Dad!"
Abigail had already embraced him tightly before he could even put down his car keys.
Langston, usually soposed, also looked at him with a big smile.
"Dad, if you hadn''te back, I would have fallen asleep."
Everett lifted his daughter into his arms, his gaze falling on Dorothy.
She walked over with a gentle smile, "Let me take your coat."
"Uh-huh."
Everett let her help him out of his
suit jacket and then put on slipp
to y with the kids.
belongs to
The heavy weight in Dorothy''s heart finally lifted, listening to the chatter of Abigail and Langston, and to Everett''s deep, yet warm voice. This was what home felt like.
She took the coat, intending to take it for cleaning.
But after only a few steps...
Dorothy sensed something was off.
She brought the coat closer to her nose for a sniff.
It was the scent of perfume.
Quincy''s perfume!
At least, she had never smelled this scent on anyone else.
Chapter 1056
So...
After Everett''s ount was removed from thepany, did he go to see Quincy?
Dorothy''s mind was flooded with an array of unsettling thoughts, which she quickly dismissed.
"He must have visited Quincy because of my illness, seeking treatment for me."
Otherwise, if Everett wanted to meet Quincy, he would have done so openly. Why the need to deceive?
Or maybe...
It was just a brief encounter, possibly Quincy reaching out to him first, and then Everett had to rush off for work matters.
In that case, Everett hadn''t lied.
It was all in her head.
Taking a deep breath, Dorothy pushed those thoughts away, telling herself to stop overthinking.
In the children''s room, Langston bombarded his dad with all the tech and inte questions he had umted over time.
Everett fixed hisputer and arranged for Kevin toe over the next day with an upgraded version.
Abigail, with nothing to ask, clung to her dad like a ko, refusing to let go.
"Daddy, are youing back tomorrow?"
Everett stroked his daughter''s hair. "Daddy has to work hard. Only then can I afford to buy you sweets."
Abigail pouted. "I don''t need sweets. Juste back home! Stop working."
"Really? No more sweets?"
"Mhm."
Everett knew what his daughter meant.
Despite their age, his kids were fully aware of the recent tension at home.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
"Abigail and Langston, listen to me!
Nor what happens, you both
need to help daddy protect mommy.
2,119
Make sure she doesn''t get hurt! If she''s sad,fort her."
Langston, puzzled, said, "That sounds strange, Dad."
"Indeed. There''s something I can''t discuss directly with you. And don''t mention this to mommy. It''s about her health. If you want to keep her out of the hospital and prevent her condition from worsening, help me, okay?"
Abigail found the conversation a bitplex, but Langston quickly grasped the essence.
After a brief thought, he nodded. "Okay, I''ll help! Just let me know what you need. As long as it''s good for mommy, I''ll do it."
"Good boy."
Everett trusted his son. Instead of keeping him in the dark, it was better to have an ally at home.
Who knows when it mighte in handy?
Moreover...
Everett didn''t want his children to feel anxious anymore.
They might not express it, but they understood everything very well.
After their dad left the room, Abigail whispered to her brother, "Langston, what did daddy mean by all that?"
"Well..." Langston pondered how to
simplify the conversation but
realized it might still be too
"Eh?" Abigail''s eyes widened. "Is that what he meant?"
"Exactly," Langston raised an eyebrow. "You doubt me?"
Abigail shook her head immediately. "Nope! As long as you understand, that''s enough. I''ll follow your lead."
"That''s how it should be."
Langston patted his sister''s head. "I''m older, after all. You should listen to me."
Chapter 1057
Everett walked back into the living room, only to find Dorothy waiting for him on the couch.
She hadn''t entered earlier, not wanting to interrupt his precious moments with the kids.
"Are they asleep?"
Dorothy smiled and stood up.
"Not yet, but soon," Everett''s voice wasn''t exactly warm, but it was less icy than before.
Dorothy followed him silently, her heart filled with quiet anticipation.
However, Everett broke the silence.
"I''ll sleep in the guest room."
"I''ve beening homete, I don''t want to disturb your sleep."
He had made an excuse, at least sparing Dorothy some embarrassment.
But the message was the same: he wanted a separation.
Dorothy didn''t necessarily want to share a bed for any particr reason; she just felt...
Like sleeping together meant their hearts were also together.
Separation would mean drifting into an emotional winter.
She had just reached a stable ce with Everett, and she wasn''t ready for them to grow cold.
"How could you disturb me? It''s not a problem, I''m not busy with anything anyway." Dorothy stepped over her own pride to make her case.
If this had been in the past, she would have never uttered such words.
She would have overthought everything, worried that Everett might see her as too forward, and her pride wouldn''t allow her to beg a man not to separate.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
But now, Dorothy didn''t care about any of that.
She would even cling to Everett''s sleeve if it meant he would stay; she was willing to do anything.
"Aren''t you busy with work?"
"Work stuff, I can handle it from the office, doesn''t take up much time at home," Dorothy brushed off his question with a smile. "Everett, why don''t you stay in the master bedroom? Please?" She reached out her hand, but Everett dodged it quickly.
"No."
§á
"I need some peace right now, we''ll talk about thister."
With that, he turned toward the guest room.
Dorothy clenched her fist, trying to suppress the pride bubbling up inside her.
"Everett, wait!"
He stopped and turned, "What now?"
"Yes!" She rushed to his side. "Then
let me
you in the guest
I''m tired of the master bedroom
anyway."
"Didn''t I say I needed peace? Can''t you understand that?"
"I understand! Don''t worry, I''ll be as quiet as a mouse," Dorothy squinted her eyes and grinned. "We''ll just try it for one night. If... if you still find me bothersome, I''ll go back to the master bedroom."
Everett was clearly taken aback by Dorothy''s boldness.
This was beyond his expectations.
"You don''t have to do this."
Truth be told, Dorothy''s initiative had already started to sway him.
If it weren''t for needing an antidote, why would he ever want Dorothy to humble herself like this? Sw
"Please, let''s just try. One night won''t mess up your sleep too much."
"If you don''t say anything, I''ll take it as a yes."
Dorothy rushed past him into the guest room.
Behind her, he rubbed his temples, finding himself on the verge of augh.
So, Dorothy could be this forward.
He was still adjusting to this new side of her.
But then his thoughts darkened at the mention of Quincy.
How long would it take to get the antidote from Quincy to ensure Dorothy''s safety?
Chapter 1058
Everett, determined to maintain hisposure, headed straight to the shower the moment he entered the guest room. He needed to cool down, both physically and mentally, fearing he might lose his calm demeanor around Dorothy.
Dorothy, true to her word, remained absolutely silent. She didn''t make a sound, going so far as to mute her phone early on. She knew Everett wanted peace and quiet, and she was determined to give it to him to avoid giving him any reason to send her out of the room.
After his shower, Everett, while drying his hair, naturally nced at the lump under the bed covers. Was she asleep? He paused, then walked over to check. Dorothy appeared to be sleeping, and that was a relief for him. It meant he didn''t have to keep up the act any longer.
After changing into his pajamas, Everett had just settled into bed when he felt a small hand tentatively touch him. In the dimly lit room, he could almost feel Dorothy''s gaze on him. She didn''t say a word, just ced a hand on his waist, not daring toe any closer.
What Dorothy didn''t realize was how difficult this was for Everett, who had been abstaining for a while. He didn''t want to miss out on his "exercise," not even for a day. But for now, he had to resist.
"Stop," he said coldly, making Dorothy quickly retract her hand. She wanted to apologize but remembered his desire for silence and swallowed her words. Everett, facing away from her, clenched his jaw, trying to distract himself. He thought about maybe taking another cold shower or dealing with things himself in the bathroom.
But Dorothy just wouldn''t sleep. Without even turning around, Everett knew she was awake and watching him. Eventually, he couldn''t take it anymore.
"Can''t you just sleep?" he blurted out.
Dorothy, startled, responded, "I didn''t make a sound. Am I still bothering you?"
Silence.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
"Alright, I''ll sleep now," she said hurriedly, unsure if he was annoyed since she couldn''t see his expression, and promptly closed her eyes. But sleep was far from her. Her eyes were shut, but her ears were keenly tuned to Everett''s increasingly heavy breathing, which indicated difort like he was unwell.
Carefully, Dorothy reached out to touch Everett. His skin felt warm.
"Everett... are you running a fever?"
"Just sleep," he replied.
Dorothy
me
ated, "You''re not well! Let
doctor. With all the
stress, you can''t afford to be sick
t belongs to swnowne
No sooner had she finished speaking than Everett turned to face her directly.
"I told you to be quiet. Speak again, and you''re out."
"I won''t say anything," Dorothy quickly zipped her lips.
Then Everett''s breathing grew heavier He tried to get out of bed, and Dorothy immediately followed.
t belongs to sweet
"Should I call a doctor?" she asked.
"Don''t talk," he replied.
"You''re clearly pushing yourself!
Stop pretending you''re fine. I''m to help." Content b
trying to
Everett suddenly turned to look at her.
"Help me?"
"Yes! How could I possibly harm you? You seem like you''re running a fever."
Abruptly, he grabbed her wrist. "Do you even know what I want?"
Chapter 1059
Dorothy blinked, slowly catching on to what Everett was getting at. Yet, she got it, but also didn''t. She was right there, why the need for restraint? It wasn''t their first time, why was Everett suddenly ying coy?
"Got it now."
"Yeah."
Releasing her wrist with a huff, Everett grumbled, "Now that you know, just sleep tight and behave."
This turn of events wasn''t quite what Dorothy had envisioned. They settled back into bed, but this time Dorothy didn''t dare to make even a slight move, curling up like a scared little mouse under the covers. Everett was waiting for her to fall asleep, but little did he know, Dorothy was doing the same, waiting for him to drift off! As time ticked by, it was clear they were both wide awake.
Everett felt a headacheing on from holding back, deciding to get up and head to the master bedroom for a shower, to put some distance between them. But as he made to move, Dorothy grabbed him. "Everett, don''t go."
"I''ve got something to take care of."
"Then I''lle with you."
Dorothy was determined to stick by him. Before, pride and the need to save face kept her from being too clingy or sweet, but tonight, she let all that go, realizing there was no point in holding back. Why hide anything from Everett? Speak her mind, tell him anything and everything.
"Dorothy, why are you-"
"All clingy all of a sudden? Is that it?"
Everett was about to lose his temper when he was met with Dorothy''s smiling face, instantly dousing his anger.
"Everett, I''ll try to be more affectionate, just give me some time," Dorothy said, snuggling onto hisp, "Whatever you want, I''ll learn. I just want to make you happy."
Everett knew he should be touched by her words, but all he could think about was not moving an inch. Especially with Dorothy lying on hisp, making it impossible for him to leave.
"If you want me, then have me," Dorothy blushed, "I''m all yours, willingly."
"I..." Everett started to say he didn''t want to, but his voice was so hoarse it barely sounded like him.
Dorothy reached out her hand, not quite sure where to touch, just fumbling around.
"I want you, to want me."
"Move aside."
"I won''t. I belong right here," Dorothy dered with resolve, "Everett, I don''t care what you''re thinking or why you''re keeping your distance. It doesn''t matter. I''m yours, and you''re mine, and nobody can take you away from me."
She was determined to protect their family at all costs. For herself and for their kids.
Everett pursed his lips, his headache intensifying.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
"Move aside."
"I won''t." Dorothy pouted, "Why are you holding back?"
She couldn''t understand! It wasn''t like seeing Quincy made her forbid Everett from being intimate, right?
"Because I don''t want to. It''s not about holding back."
"You don''t want to, yet why are you...?" Dorothy boldly prodded h
clearly skeptical, "Everett, you hing
you''d never lie to me." belongs to NovelDrama.Org
Everett couldn''t take it anymore. With a swift motion, he scooped Dorothy into his arms.
"Do you even realize what you''re doing?"
"I do." Dorothy smiled, "I''m fighting for my family."
She wouldn''t let anyone break them
apart. Best Quincy or Jonathan,
Dorothy was prepared to do
everything in her power to keep her
family together.
Everett didn''t want to hear another word, turning his head to capture her lips in a decisive kiss.
Chapter 1060
§á
II
Between every sh of lips, Everett felt as if he had finallye to life. Dorothy was also nervous, her hand gripping his pajama top as she looked up to meet his kiss, a flush of modesty coloring her cheeks. But when the kiss ended, he made no move to go further.
Everett suddenly pulled away, standing up on the floor, "Enough."
"Everett?"
"My mother just passed away a few days ago, I can''t do this with you."
Dorothy''s lips quivered, her eyes cast down, "I''m sorry, I''ll just go sleep in the master bedroom then."
She hadn''t thought it all through. She just wanted to be by his side.
As Dorothy slowly rose and walked out of the guest room, closing the door behind her, Everett suddenly called out, "Dorothy."
"Yes?" She looked up, hope flickering in her eyes. She thought Everett would ask her to stay. But his next words extinguished the light in Dorothy''s eyespletely.
"I can''t keep going on like this with you."
"I was too obsessed before, insisting on having you, and that led us into all this trouble. Your mother passed away, and my mother too... Dorothy, I can''t get past these things and be with you without any reservations."
Dorothy opened her mouth, her voice hoarse, "I''ve already told you about my mother''s situation! I''ve let it go."
"But my mom is gone."
"We''ll always have to carry these burdens forward! I''m tired."
Dorothy panicked. She had said these words to Everett countless times, but while he might have been angry, he had never truly let go and epted them. But now, they wereing from his mouth. How could Dorothy not be scared?
She walked back, grabbing Everett''s hand, "Can''t we just turn the page on this? Let all that be in the past! You, me, the kids, we can still have a good life together."
"No."
Everett stepped back, "Everyone
advised you to drop thewsuit, to give up, but you refused. I just wanted to indulge you, to make you happy without truly understanding the pain of losing your mother. But now, I''ve felt it."
"Indeed, I can''t let it go."
Dorothy stubbornly approached him, shaking her head, "You can''t just say these things! Everett, we''vee so far, Abigail and Langston can''t go through this turmoil again! And me, I can''t lose you."
She had been open for so long, so long that she felt it was too much, but now she was ready to fully embrace Everett! Her heart, whole andplete, was his!
"Abigail and Langston, whether they''re with you or me, it doesn''t matter, you... consider me as having let you down."
Everett''s words were final, leaving
no room for Dorothy. It was more ofBelonging to N?velDrama.Org.
a reminder to himself that he couldn''t leave any room for doubt Could he really wait for Dorothy''s condition to worsen, for her to be hospitalized, before regretting all this? The more precious that kiss had felt, the more he feared losing her forever.
"I don''t believe it."
Dorothy was silent for a long while, then suddenly spoke, "Everett, something must have happened. Tell me! I don''t believe you''d just suddenly... want to break up with me." After everything they''d been through, why give up now?
"Suddenly?" Everett looked at her, "Because my mother also passed away suddenly. It''s only after she left that I realized how much stands between us."
Chapter 1061
"But I don''t believe you can just let go."
After his mother passed away, he was heartbroken and downcast, wanting to vent the sadness within. Dorothy could understand all that, but she couldn''t grasp how Everett could im he was suddenly over it, ready to let go of their rtionship. It just didn''t sit right with her.
Over a decade together wasn''t something you could just drop like a hot potato.
"I need some space," Everett admitted, knowing full well that simply stating he was over it wouldn''t convince Dorothy.
"So, all this time, when you said you needed space, you were actually figuring out how to let go of me, of us?"
Dorothy felt her heart being squeezed at the thought!
She had believed... that Everett was trying to cool off and then return to their family life.
"I won''t let you do this! Everett, you''ve spoiled me so much, who else would ever treat me like you do if you were gone?"
In this world, she was convinced there would never be another who could fill his shoes!
Everett looked at Dorothy, wanting to mention Keh, but he stopped himself before the words could escape. He feared Dorothy might do something rash in a moment of desperation... "Everett, please, give me another chance."
"You''ve done nothing wrong; you don''t need a ''chance'' from me."
"But you''re leaving!" Dorothy''s eyes welled up, though she fought back the tears, "You want to let go of our rtionship, and it terrifies me."
She was willing to admit to anything, apologize for anything, whatever it took!
Everett clenched his fists, holding back the urge to embrace her. He had to act fast, to ensure Dorothy''s safety above all else.
"Dorothy, remember? I was always afraid of you leaving, you were always so decisive."
"It was always you taking the time to think about us. Now, I need to do the same."
Everett took a deep breath, "This will be myst night at Bay Residence until I''ve figured things out. I won''te back."
"Everett..."
"And don''t let the kids call me. You didn''t use them to hold on to me when you left."
Dorothy wanted to exin she
hadn''t intentionally had Abigail call him, but Everett''s words made itThis content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
clea he had made up his mind. Any exnation seemed pointless now.
Though Keh''s leg wasn''t amputated, it was nearly as useless. The doctors said that even with aggressive rehabilitation, he might manage a few steps at best, and with a limp. In the hospital, everyone kept the severity from him, but Keh knew his leg was beyond saving.
After calming down for a few days, Eleanor showed up at the hospital. She had been so upset by Karen''s words thest time, she had cried for days. But now, she hade to terms with it all.
Seeing her, Keh smiled, showing no resentment.
"Sit."
Eleanor nodded and took a seat beside him, "I''m sorry I haven''t visited..."
"There''s nothing to apologize for. They told me how my mom and sister gave you a hard time in the ER. If anyone should be saying sorry, it''s me." With Keh''s polite dismissal, Eleanor''s heart fluttered with unease.
"I''ve thought about it, and it''s really my fault. We argued, and I just had to storm out, leading to... your condition."
"Who could''ve seen iting? You couldn''t have known."
"Keh." Eleanor spoke softly, "No matter what happens, I''ll take care of you for the rest of my life."
Chapter 1062
Eleanor always thought her heart belonged to someone else.
Being with Keh wasfortable, convenient. They both had someone else in mind, and that arrangement seemed to work just fine.
But people change, especially when they spend every day together.
Eleanor found herself growing ustomed to Keh''s presence. He was there when she got home from work, ready to hit the grocery store or cook dinner together. At night, they fell asleep in each other''s
arms.
This newfound closeness turned what was once an advantage of their rtionship into a thorn in her side. The more she fell for Keh, the more it hurt knowing he was thinking of someone else. Someone named Dorothy.
Eleanor felt like Keh looked through her, hoping to see a face that wasn''t hers.
Jealousy turned into anger.
Lying in his hospital bed, Keh offered a weak smile. "I''ve done a lot of thinking while you were away."
"Thinking of me?"
"Sort of," he nodded. "I''ve been thinking... I shouldn''t hold you back anymore."
"We should break up," Keh said calmly, without the emotional turmoil that Eleanor felt. "You were right during our fight. You said I treated you as a stand-in, and that''s just cruel. You said I shouldn''t be so selfish."
"Keh, I was just-"
"Let me finish!" he insisted. "I can''t get over Dorothy, even after all this time, even though she''s happily married now, with a loving husband and healthy kids. I can''t move past it."
Keh realized that by holding onto Eleanor, he was just wasting her time and youth, with no real benefit to either of them.
"She''ll never be with you!"
"I know, I''ve always known."
Keh wasn''t naive. He knew Dorothy had never really considered him, no matter how hot and cold she seemed with Everett. Her heart was always with someone else.
Now, with no obstacles in their way, Keh''s chances were even slimmer.
If only he could convince himself to give up hope.
"Why keep doing this?" Eleanor stood up, frustration in her voice. "Keh, do you realize what you''re doing? How old are you now?!" Keh gave a bitter smile. "I know."
"If you don''t settle down, have kids, you might miss your chance forever! Your parents only have you. Don''t you think about them?"
"... But no matter who I''m with, I can''t
fullymit. You know this. The next person will too. I don''t want to be a heartbreaker, to be called unfaithful."
Keh had agreed to be with Eleanor initially, just to put Dorothy at ease.
Now that she was happy with Everett, he no longer needed to put on a show.
"No, Keh, I won''t ept a breakup. I want to be with you." "Eleanor, try to calm down."
"How can I calm down?" Tears streamed down Eleanor''s face. "If you didn''t have any feelings for me why did you chase after me? Your legs, I''m responsible for them. For that alone, I need to take care of you." Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.
UMS
"It''s not necessary. My job doesn''t require legs. I guess... this is it for me."
Keh had given up on himself.
Without his love, nothing else mattered.
Chapter 1063
Eleanor finally understood.
It wasn''t about whether she wanted to take responsibility or not. It was that... she didn''t even qualify to do so.
They didn''t need her at all!N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
"Keh, I don''t know whether to call you passionate or heartless. Are you really this hung up on her? Even though she''s been sharing her bed with another man and has kids with someone else, you''re willing to spend your life waiting?"
Eleanor just couldn''t wrap her head around it.
She had loved her ex too, thought she''d never love anyone else. But she moved on, found a new boyfriend, and gradually let go.
But why was Keh so adamant about Dorothy?
"I''m not waiting for her. I''m waiting for my heart to be ready to ept someone else."
"...And what if you never get over her?"
"Then I guess fate''s been too cruel to me," Keh said with a smile. "I''ll just have to stay single."
Otherwise, any girl who ends up with me is just getting a raw deal.
Eleanor wanted to say more, but it felt pointless to open her mouth.
Could she change Keh?
Clearly not.
All the setbacks and hurt hadn''t made him give up on Dorothy, so what was she inparison?
Eleanor fell silent for a while, then chuckled, "Alright, then I won''t keep you from waiting for her. I hope you do end up with Dorothy one day." Keh looked at her, actually nodding in agreement.
"Yeah, I hope so too."
Everett finally left.
Dorothy had thought maybe their rtionship could improve, but it only got worse.
She regretted insisting on living with Everett. If... if she hadn''t insisted on sharing the spare bedroom, maybe Everett could''ve gone back to Bay Residence?
She wouldn''t have had to hear those words.
Abigail and Langston had gone to work, leaving Dorothy alone on the couch.
Her mind was a mess...
Everett''s words kept repeating over and over.
Until her phone rang, bringing her back to reality.
Slowly, she picked it up. It was Karen calling.
Dorothy took a deep breath before answering, "Karen."
"My brother broke up with that Eleanor!" Karen got straight to the point.
"...She dumped Keh?"
"No, my brother was the one who wanted to break up," Karen sighed. "What''s he ying at? Initially,
didn''t like Eleanor. I thought she was
too much, but now, I kind of feel sorry for her!"
Dorothy should have been joining Karen in advising Keh.
But she was in no mood for it.
Her own life was in shambles. How could she possibly advise someone else?
"Oh, if they broke up, they broke up. We should respect Keh''s decision."
"I think my brother''s breakup is because of you! At least, that''s how my aunt sees it," Karen sounded
helpless. "If you get any strange
calls, from numbers you don''t
recognize, just hang up. Don''t mind what they say!"
"Okay."
After Dorothy responded, Karen realized something was off.
"What''s wrong? You seem upset."
"It''s nothing. Maybe I just didn''t sleep wellst night."
"Liar!" Karen saw right through
"What''s really going on? Tell mer
Otherwise,
worrying belongs to
"It''s nothing, really."
I''ll star en. Ss
"Fine, I''ming over to Bay Residence right now!"
Hearing this, Dorothy quickly said, "I... Everett and I are having some issues."
Chapter 1064
"Is it because of Quincy?"
Karen went straight for the jugr.
She wasn''t clueless, just straightforward. Lately, the only new addition to Everett''s life seemed to be this woman! And even Jeffrey had mentioned her.
"It''s not about her."
Dorothy preferred to keep her personal issues under wraps, not keen on airing her dirtyundry for the world to critique. She still hoped to find a way to mend things with Everett.
If their argument became public knowledge...
It might make reconciliation harder, with Everett too proud to make amends.
"Then what''s it about? His mom passing away?"
"Yeah, he''s just been in a bad mood, that''s all. Give it some time, and he''ll be fine. You don''t need to worry about it."
"If I don''t look after you, who will?" Karen''s voice rose in pitch. "Dorothy, you''re usually so vignt! Howe you be so naive when ites to love? Men, especially someone like Everett, they don''t just get upset for no reason! I think his mom''s death is just an excuse, and it''s actually all because of Quincy."
Karen had more experience in love than Dorothy did, after all.
Dorothy had only ever been with Everett.
"Everett doesn''t like Quincy."
"That doesn''t stop Quincy from trying to get close to him! Maybe she''s using the opportunity, with Everett''s mom gone, to worm her way in and drive a wedge between you two." Karen grew more convinced as she spoke. "Wait and see, I''m going to grill Jeffreyter! I''ll make sure he spills the beans!"
Dorothy quickly interjected, "No! Don''t ask Jeffrey. I don''t want Everett to think we''re making a big deal out of a small fight."
If it weren''t for Karen''s probing, she wouldn''t have mentioned it at all.
"And when were you nning to ask? Wait until Quincy steals your man?"
II
"The Lopez family always wanted Quincy to marry Everett! Now with one gone, who knows what the other
Maybe Everett''s just listening
to his dad."
Dorothy hadn''t considered this angle before.
She thought it was just Everett grieving his mother''s passing, and that time might heal their issues.
But... Karen''s words sowed seeds of doubt.
Everett''s mother''s death was indeed a catalyst, and Dorothy''s absence gave Quincy an opportunity.
Especially since Dorothy had caught a whiff of Quincy''s perfume on Everett.
The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became. "Karen, Everett''s clothes..."
Dorothy stopped herself midway.
No.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Karen was too impulsive.
If she found out, there was bound to be a scene.
Dorothy didn''t want to escte things further. If possible, she''d rather
thend she hadn''t notice
perfume or Quincy''s presence.
As long as Everett came back.
"What about him?"
"Nothing." Dorothy cleared her
throat, speaking softly, "Karen, let et
me handle this. Please don''t get involved. If I need you, I''ll let you know."
"I just don''t want to see you get hurt!"
"I know, but I trust Everett. He''s not like that."
Quincy wasn''t the first woman toe into Everett''s life. There was Heather Garcia before her, and he hadn''t fallen for her, either.
Chapter 1065
For over a decade, whenever Everett even hinted at giving up, there was always a line of women ready to step up to the te. Dorothy believed that a single Quincy wasn''t enough to shake the solid foundation she had built with Everett. If Quincy could so easily take her ce, then... Well, Dorothy hadn''t even let that thought cross her mind. She couldn''t fathom what it would be like if Everett truly left her! "Alright, but you better tell me if something''s up! Don''t you dare keep it to yourself," Karen said, knowing all too well Dorothy''s tendency to bottle things up. Suffering in silence was Dorothy''s MO. "Okay."
After hanging up, Dorothy leaned on the armrest of her couch, reying every moment she and Everett had shared. Each memory was a testament to how deeply he loved her. How could he possibly get tangled up with Quincy?
Once the call ended, Karen couldn''t help but dwell on their conversation. Dorothy had made her promise not to confront Jeffrey directly, so she had to be a bit more covert in her approach. "You haven''t been going to the office muchtely."
Karen pushed open the door to the kids'' room, finding Jeffrey cradling their daughter. Having a precious daughter had practically turned him into a stay-at-home dad!
"With the office being slow, why bother going in?" Jeffrey looked up at his wife, raising an eyebrow, "What''s up?"
"Nothing much." Karen sat on the bed, giving him a sidelong nce, "Everett''s mom passed away, he should be swamped, right?"
"Yeah, he was always busy, but now he''s literally running off his feet."
"So busy he hasn''t had time to return to Bay Residence."
At Karen''s words, Jeffrey instantly turned to her. Something about that statement... didn''t sit right.
"You''ve been talking to Dorothy?"
"Yeah, I wanted some parenting
advice, and we chatted a bit," Karen avoided his gaze, pretending to look elsewhere, "I felt like Dorothy was a bit off, thought maybe she and Everett had a fight."
Jeffrey smirked, leaning in, "What did she say?"
"She said they''re fine, just that Everett''s been too busy, that''s all."
"Ha, those two, always ying the same game."
"Huh?" Karen perked up, sensing drama, "What do you mean?"
"Nothing, nothing." Jeffrey quickly shook his head, "Just saying, they''re cut from the same cloth."
Even when facing significant issues, they''d im everything was peachy. Everett was like that, and so was Dorothy.
"Are you keeping something fromContent ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.
me?" Karen narrowed her eyes, "Just so you know, if you dare lie to me, you''ll have me to answer to! Dorothy is my best friend, and I won''t let her get hurt! If Everett has done. something to wrong her, and you know but don''t tell me, citing some bro code, you better believe I''ll consider divorce."
Jeffrey was inwardly shaken. But he had to keep his lips sealed for his buddy''s sake. Everett had already sacrificed so much; he couldn''t let things fall apart because of him. en.swhovels
"Does Quincy contact Everett privately?"
Karen figured if she was asking, she might as well get the whole picture.
Jeffrey shook his head quickly, "Don''t know."
"Bull! How could you not know? Does Quincy like Everett or not?"
Chapter 1066
Jeff shook his head, his expression a mix of frustration and disbelief.
"Fine! If you''re going to keep secrets from me, I might as well go back to my mom''s house."
"Wait, no!" He quickly pulled Karen back, his voice edged with panic. "I''ll tell you, okay? Quincy''s got a thing for Everett. And Jonathan, he''s hell-bent on getting her to join the Lopez family." Karen pped her hands together, her eyes zing. "I knew it! But what about Everett? He''s not going to go for it, right?"
Jeff looked like he was on the verge of tears. "I honestly don''t know. Maybe you should talk to Everett?"
"Talk? I''ll talk! If he dares to let Dorothy down, I swear I''ll find her someone better, someone who''ll make Everett eat his heart out. Let Abigail and Langston call some other guy dad!" Jeff swallowed hard, feeling a knot in his stomach.
In his heart, he knew that when it came to ying mind games, Karen was in a league of her own.
Everett might be able to handle a little turbulence with Dorothy, but the thought of some other guy stepping in...
The mere idea of Abigail and Langston calling someone else ''Dad'' was enough to drive Everett to madness.
Quincy was still in herb when she got a call from Ronin. After theirst fallout, she was surprised he''d even consider reaching out again.
Did he not learn his lesson?
"You want me to break the news to Everett again?"
"No, no!" Ronin''s voice oozed with a sickening sweetness. "I''m calling because Jonathan just phoned me. He''s set on having you marry into the Lopez family. Thinks you''re the perfect fit-your background, your skills in medicine, everything matches up with the Lopez prestige."
Quincy was caught off guard. The Lopez family changing their tune was unexpected.
"Have you and Everett been getting along? Did he say something to his father?"
Quincy scoffed internally.
That man barely spared her a nce, let alone fostered any sort of closeness. It was all about the antidote for him.
"What else did he say?"
"Not much more, but from the sounds of it, ever since Everett''s mom passed, things with Dorothy have been on the rocks. They were for marriage, and now? Not a
all
peep."
"Don''t get too excited. It might all be an act."
Quincy wasn''t naive. Her life was entangled in this mess, so caution was her best ally.
Everett''s love for Dorothy had
weathered many storms. His mother''s death would strain any rtionship, but the idea of suddenly wanting to marry Quincy out of the blue was far-fetched.
"Doesn''t matter if it''s an act. Marry into the Lopez family, secure your position, and everything else will follow."
Quincy''s response was icy. "What''s it to you?"
"Come on..."
"Save it. I''m done helping the Caldwells."
She hung up, her mind racing, unable to settle back into her previous calm.
A gut feeling told her that the rift
between Everett and Dorothy was et 3rious than anyone knew,
hidden only by deliberate effort.
If there was a chance they could truly part ways...
Quincy took a deep breath and dialed Everett''s number.
"Mr. Lopez, my father just called me. Said Jonathan... wants me to marry you again?"
There was a pause before Everett finally spoke.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.
"Yes."
"And this time, Mr. Lopez, do you agree?"
Chapter 1067
"I disagree, there''s no need to test me."
Staring at the disconnected call, Quincy was somewhat baffled.
Yet, at the same time, she felt her suspicions were increasingly justified! The more Everett sulked and scowled, the more Quincy was convinced that something real was going wrong between him and Dorothy, not just a show put on for her benefit.
For now, all she had to do was sit back and watch.
If Dorothy became a lost cause, she''d need to make ns ordingly.
After Jonathan hung up the call with Ronin, he turned to look at his son, feeling more puzzled by the day.
"You... don''t n to marry Dorothy, you want to marry Quincy now?"
That call was made at Everett''s behest, intended for his father to ry messages he couldn''t say directly, ying the part perfectly.
"No, Dorothy is the only one I''ll marry."
"Then why did you-" Jonathan frowned, "I said I don''t care about your dealings with Dorothy. If you want to marry her, go ahead. But then you make me call, insisting on bringing Quincy into our family!" "I have my reasons."
Everett, feeling his point had been made, got up to leave.
Jonathan quickly stopped him. "Everett, what exactly is going on? At least give me a clue! Your mother''s passed, and it''s been hard on me. With all this guessing, I feel like I''m about to join her." "It''s nothing. I just need to get something from Quincy."
"She''s using Dorothy to threaten you, and you want to break free from that?"
Jonathan, after all, understood his son and the Caldwell family''s way of handling things.N?velDrama.Org content.
"Yeah."
Everett nodded in acknowledgment.
"Ah, well. You''ve always had your way of doing things, I won''t say anymore, Jonathan patted his son''s shoulder. "If you need me, just say the word. My only wish now... is that you don''t hold a grudge against me and your mother over Dorothy."
Now that his wife was gone and couldn''t make amends, it was up to Jonathan to do more.
"I have no right to hold a grudge. The one wronged isn''t me."
As for whether Dorothy forgives or not, Everett never wanted to decide for her.
He left the house and as soon as he got into his car, Jeffrey called.
"Dude, don''t you think you should consider another n? I feel like... your n might end up losing on all fronts."
Everett started the car engine, furrowing his brows, "Speak inly."
"Look, you get the antidote for
Dorothy, she bes normal again, but then because of some misunderstanding, she marries someone else. What then?
"I''m betting Dorothy won''t."
"If Karen wasn''t around, maybe. But Karen said if you mess with her sister, she''d set Dorothy up with new guy, let Abigail and Langston call another man dad!"
Everett''s expression hardened, his gaze turning steely, "I think, you should take Karen on a trip abroad."
"Uh."
"All expenses paid by me."
Just hearing about it was unbearable for Everett. If this turned into reality, he couldn''t imagine what he''d do.
Jeffrey sighed, "Chances are, Karen won''t go."
Such an obvious attempt to remove her from the equation, she''d see right through it.
Sitting in the car, Everett was silent for a few seconds before speaking.
"Jeffrey, I''m not... as noble as I thought I was."
...
"I can''t stand the thought of Dorothy in another man''s arms, no matter who it is."
Chapter 1068
He had imagined it-Dorothy storming off and ending up with another man. At the time, Everett felt a pang of difort, butpared to that, Dorothy''s life was far more important. But today, when Jeffrey brought it up, he seriously pictured the scene...
Dorothy standing next to another man, letting him wrap an arm around her waist, with Abigail and Langston on each side, even calling that man ''Dad''. It seemed... No matter who that man was, Everett would lose his mind.
"So, should we think of another n?"
"Do you have one?"
"..." No.
They werepletely on the back foot here. Especially since Quincy had Everett by the throat from the start! Dorothy''s life was his Achilles'' heel. If it were anyone else, even Everett himself, it wouldn''t be thisplicated.
"So, I just have to speed things up, make sure Dorothy doesn''t have the chance or time to fall for someone else."
Jeffrey sighed, "All I can do is try to buy you time, keep Karen from getting too close to Dorothy! But... I can''t even bring myself to tell you-Keh broke up with his girlfriend, all because of Dorothy." Honestly, he admired the lengths to which Keh would go. At least Everett had had Dorothy, even had kids with her, some fond memories to hold onto. But Keh? He had been pining away for years, without getting anything in return. Jeffrey, an outsider, could see Dorothy didn''t feel that way about Keh, seeing him only as a friend, and he couldn''t believe Keh didn''t see it. Still, he waited! Hard to say if it was devotion or folly.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
"Dorothy won''t end up with him."
"Under normal circumstances, no. But women, they''re unpredictable! Sometimes they''re not so rational, might do something in a moment, something they can''t even exin, on a whim."
Jeffrey had never really studied
women before; he didn''t understand.
Since he started spending every day with Karen, his understanding of women, this mysterious being, had been constantly updated.
Everett rubbed his temples, feeling a headacheing on. "Jeffrey, I''m out of options."
It''s not like he could save Dorothy by sacrificing thousands of lives for her to test treatments on. Even if he could, Dorothy wouldn''t have that much time. When Everett was out of
ideas, Jeffrey was even more clueless.
"Isn''t there anything that could threaten Quincy?"
"Her parents favored her brother since they were kids; Quincy has always had a rocky rtionship with her family." If there was a way to use that, Everett would have thought of it already.
"Ah!"
"The only way is to make Quincy believe I don''t care about Dorothy anymore, forcing her to seek other options."
"Other options?" Jeffrey realized, "You-you''re not thinking of sacrificing yourself for Dorothy, are you?"
Everett lowered hisshes, "The only way to make Quincy confidently let go of Dorothy, her lifeline, is to rece her with me."
"... You want to force Quincy to poison you?"
"Yes."
Quincy had her concerns. She feared
that once Dorothy''s poison was
cured, if Everett no longer took the
poison as leverage, she''d be
doomed. But if before that, she
could confirm Everett was poison and Dorothy''s utility was diminished, then she''d surely discard that pawn. After all, an antidote wasn''t easy toe by. She couldn''t provide for two people, and Quincy didn''t really want to take lives.
Chapter 1069
If Dorothy died, even if Everett didn''t pursue justice, the investigation into her death would inevitably drag Quincy into the mess. She was using Dorothy''s wellbeing to threaten Everett, aiming to livefortably, not to end up behind bars.
"You... you really do value Dorothy more than your own life."
We''re talking about poison here, the life-threatening kind. So, it''s fair to say that if anything happened to Quincy before he received the final antidote-whether he died or lost his mind-Everett would be the one to pay the price! The risk hadn''t disappeared; it had merely shifted onto Everett''s shoulders.
"This is my only option."
"But if Dorothy finds out, she would never agree to this!"
Everett suddenly raised his voice, "She must never know. Absolutely not."
"Don''t worry, buddy, I''m always on your side! Even though I think your decision is somewhat harsh on yourself, you''ve made your choice to go this far. I can''t let it all fall apart on my watch."
When it came down to serious matters, Jeffrey knew what he had to do and what he needed to avoid.
"Yeah, I don''t want Dorothy to find out about this." Everett closed his eyes, "I''ve said it before, my love for her is my own burden; she shouldn''t have to carry any part of it."
He didn''t want Dorothy to feel even the slightest bit of obligation or guilt.
"Whatever you need, just let me know. Even if it means crossing Karen, I''ve got to help you! If it wasn''t for you helping me with that blood type evidence, my daughter might not have been born. I''ll never forget what you''ve done for me."This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
No matter how much Jeffrey messed up, he always acknowledged the deeds Everett had done for him.
Everett never returned to Bay Residence. But Dorothy changed her mind. Since he didn''t want toe back, she decided to visit him at the office instead. Even a glimpse from afar would suffice!
So now, every day, as soon as
Abigail and Langston went to
school, she''d quickly get ready and
head to
project office, making even
project team member Austin think she was exceptionally diligent,, putting everyone else to shame. But as the project deadline approached, what reason would Dorothy have to visit the office? She couldn''t just say she was there under a contract to hang around; that would invite gossip.
As the workday neared its end, Dorothy was reluctant to leave. She checked thepany software and saw Everett was in a meeting in
Conference Room One. Doin
??
hadn''t seen him at all today, so she was particrly eager to catch a glimpse of him.
Unable to resist her longing, she covertly attempted to ess the meeting room, thinking she''d peek in and then leave! But theputer screen asked for a password, and Dorothy''s attempt... was incorrect. Had Everett changed it? Dorothy, stubborn, tried again. She thought maybe she had remembered it wrong or hit the wrong key. But no matter how many times she tried,
the password was incorrect.
Dorothy suddenly stood up from her chair, a bit unsteady... A wave of unease washed over her.
"Ms. Sanchez, what''s wrong?"
Seeing Dorothy stagger out of her office, Austin quickly asked. After all, she had once vomited blood in the office!
"It''s... it''s nothing. I just need to step out."
Dorothy waved him off, managing a weak smile before heading to the elevator. Austin pursed his lips, watching her for a moment. Noticing Dorothy had gone to the floor with the CEO''s office, he felt relieved.
She must be going to see Mr. Lopez.
Chapter 1070
As the elevator doors slid open at Everett''s office level, Dorothy stepped out with a sense of urgency, only to spot Kevin emerging from his own office. "Ms. Sanchez?" Kevin called out, a hint of surprise in his voice.
"Yeah," Dorothy replied, trying to mask her anxiousness with a forced calmness. "Is Everett around?"
Kevin hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, he''s in, but he''s tied up in a meeting."
"How long do you reckon it''llst?"This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
"It''s hard to say."
Dorothy pursed her lips, her determination not waning. "Then I''ll wait for him here."
Kevin seemed a bit uneasy. "Mr. Lopez might be a while... Maybe you can tell me what you need, and I can pass the message?"
Dorothy caught on to something in his tone. She smiled slightly, "Everett told you not to let me in, didn''t he?"
"No, not at all! Ms. Sanchez, you''re reading too much into it. Why would Mr. Lopez say something like that?"
"Then go tell him I''m here to see him. I''ll wait right outside."
"...He really is in a meeting!"
Dorothy met his gaze, firm and clear. "Everett has dropped countless meetings for me before, no matter how important they were. Why can''t he do it now?"
There was a heavy silence before Kevin capitted. "Okay. I''ll let him know you''re here."
Dorothy wasn''t aiming to corner Kevin; after all, he had helped her out a lot in the past. Even if things were tense with Everett, she believed in not dragging others into their personal issues. That was always her principle.
"Alright." Kevin, realizing he couldn''t dissuade Dorothy, turned back to the office.
He knocked and upon entering, Everett seemed to sense something, his gaze immediately locking onto Kevin.
"Is she here?" Everett asked before Kevin could even speak.
"Yeah," Kevin nodded. "She said she''ll wait outside until your meeting is over. I tried talking her out of it, but she won''t budge."
Left with no other option, Everett gestured dismissively. "Don''t worry about it. I''ll handle it after the meeting."
"Got it."
Kevin left the office, catching Dorothy''s expectant gaze as he did. Without needing to exchange words, they understood each other''s stance.
"Mr. Lopez wille out after his meeting," Kevin informed her.
Dorothy nodded her thanks. "Appreciate it, Kevin."
"It''s no trouble. Just doing my job."
As Kevin walked towards the elevator, he couldn''t help but nce back at Dorothy.
"Ms. Sanchez... Everett''s been in a rough spottely. Please, go easy on him."
Dorothy paused, absorbing his words. "Yeah, I know."
She had been mindful of the
emotional turmoil Everett was going through after his mother''s passing, avoiding confrontations and trying to be understanding.
Everett needed his space, time to think, maybe even a break from their shared home at Bay Residence.
But that didn''t mean he could just walk away from their rtionship!
It took her a lot to open up to him, and she feared he might be the only one she could ever open up to in this lifetime.
"Have a good talk. Everett''s got a lot on his te too."
Kevin had been swamped with taking over most of thepany''s operations since Everett had been otherwise upied, leaving him out of the loop on the specifics of their personal issues. Yet, he instinctively felt that whatever Everett was doing, it was for a reason, and ultimately, for Ms. Sanchez''s best interest.
Chapter 1071
Standing at the threshold of the CEO''s office, every second felt like an eternity for Dorothy. Just moments ago, she had so much to say to Everett, but now... she found herself at a loss for words. The brief wait at his door was already unbearable for her. And Everett? He had waited for her for over a decade, aimlessly, without any promise or hope of her return. Now, the roles were reversed. How could she, who could barely stand to wait a few days or even a few minutes, question him about changing his password?
As Everett had pointed out, every time she decided to leave him behind, she did so with conviction, leaving wounds with her words. And now, why couldn''t she ept it when the tables were turned?
Finally, the office door swung open. Dorothy''s gaze immediately snapped to him-Everett had lost weight, and his stoic demeanor seemed even more pronounced. She couldn''t help but wonder, was it because of her?
"Didn''t you want to see me?" His voice was hoarse, likely from back-to-back meetings and ack of rest.
"Yeah." Dorothy nodded.
"Come in." Everett turned and walked back into his office, leaving the door ajar. Dorothy took a deep breath and followed him inside. The office was a ce she knew all too well, yet it felt like it had been ages since herst visit. After an unpleasant encounter thest time she was here, she hadn''te back.
"What do you need?" Everett settled back into his chair, leaning slightly backward. He rubbed his temples unconsciously, a sign of his fatigue.
Dorothy didn''t take a seat but moved closer, "Headache? Let me help."
"No need." Everett dodged her offer.
"I "
An awkward silence ensued, making both of them uneasy. Everett broke the silence with a firm tone, "If you have something to say, say it. Then you should get going, it''s time to clock out."
"I... I tried to enter your conference room earlier," Dorothy hesitated, then slowly continued, "and I noticed you changed the password."
"Am I not allowed to?" Everett countered.
"Of course you are." Dorothy nodded, biting her lip slightly, "I just couldn''t wrap my head around it at first, sol came to you. But after thinking it
over outside, I realized that it''s your right have no ce to interfere! It''s just.. you used to do it, and now that you''ve changed it, I felt a bit upset, that''s all." en.s
This side of Dorothy, so conciliatory, was new to Everett. It pained him. He would have preferred Dorothy storming in,shing out at him, or even resorting to violence, anything but this subdued version of her. Dorothy with her head hung low was not the sight he wanted to see.
"You" Everett suddenly clenched his fist, fighting his emotions, "Is that all you wanted to talk about?"
"Yeah."
"Then why haven''t you left after figuring it out?"
Dorothy smiled, "Because I wanted to see you! Since Kevin already told you I was waiting and you agreed to see me, I wouldn''t just leave. I wanted to see you." Even under such grim circumstances, she wanted to see Everett.
"You said you needed time to think
about our
your den So, what''sContent ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.
Dorothy asked with a
smile. Because in her heart, she believed that if she faced Everett
with a smile, he couldn''t possibly bear to let her down. en.s
But reality struck her hard.
"I''ve made up my mind."
"Okay, tell me. I''m listening."
"Let''s break up."
Everett repeated, "Dorothy, let''s break up."
Chapter 1072
At that moment, Dorothy almost wanted tough.
A few years back, she was the one who had said, "Let''s get a divorce."
And now, yearster, it was he who uttered the words "let''s break up."
Indeed.
It was a breakup, not a divorce.
She hadn''t remarried Everett, nor had he taken her back. Between Everett and Dorothy, there was no marital bond.
Even with Abigail and Langston in the picture, they weren''t husband and wife.
After what felt like an eternity of silence, Dorothy finally spoke with a hoarse voice, "Is it just because of your mother?"
"What else could it be?"
"Is there... any other reason?"
Like, Quincy''s involvement.
Everett frowned, "Just say what you want to say."
"Quincy." Dorothy didn''t want to beat around the bush anymore, especially since hearing Everett say they were breaking up had already left her heart ice cold.
He wouldn''t just say those words lightly.
Everett reflexively asked, "What does she have to do with anything?"
"So, after we break up, are you going to marry her?"
"...That''s none of your business."
Dorothy cracked a smile, "Everett, don''t you find life interesting? Initially, your parents wanted you to marry her, and you refused. You made me believe in you, to be with you. Now that your mother has passed away, you suddenly want to listen to your parents."
She wasn''t hysterical, contrary to what she had anticipated.
Dorothy had imagined if the endgame with Everett was parting ways, she''d be devastated.
But when it actually came down to it, she wasn''t.
Instead, she felt calm, almost amused.
"Dorothy, you''ve got the answer you wanted. I don''t think I need to exin much else to you."
Everett turned away, refusing to face her.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
"Are you serious?"
Dorothy didn''t leave; she stood her ground.
"I''m
she reyou, are you serious?"
your final decision is to breat
she repeated, "After thinking it
with
Everett remained silent, not uttering a word.
Dorothy clenched her fists, trying to stay calm, not wanting to confront him aggressively.
"You really n to marry Quincy?"
He stayed silent still.
"Everett, you once told me you''d only marry me, that you''d never lie to me." That''s why Dorothy stayed, continuing to question him.
If he had decided on breaking up, if today was meant to tear away all pretenses, then she might as well get some clear answers.
After a long pause, Everett finally
spoke,
Dorothy, even though I
you, I''ll ensure you
what a wife is entitled to."
"Do I look like I need your money? Do you think I need your money?"
"That''s all I can offer you now."
"Then let me ask you, Everett, after we break up, we''re both free to marry whoever we want, right?"
Everett''s fingertips twitched.
"You won''t interfere in my life anymore, correct?"
After calming down, Dorothy thought back to the tactic she had previously used to force Everett to show up.
If he truly was letting go, if they were truly parting ways, then he wouldn''t care who she ended up with, who she became.
"Dorothy, do you find it amusing to
test me like this?" Everett didn''t answer immediately. He stood up and slowly said, "Of course, I''ll still interfere in your life, because Abigail and Langston are my children. Even if we''re breaking up, they''re still mine! I won''t allow you to just pick any man to be their stepfather."
Chapter 1073
"Alright, so if Abigail and Langston are tagging along with you, does that mean I''m free to look for someone else?"
That one sentence nearly had Everett choking on his own breath.
When he spoke again, his tone was edged with frustration, "Are you that desperate?"
"Yes! I am that desperate," Dorothy admitted boldly, her gaze fixed on him. "Since you can talk about breaking up and leaving us to marry whoever we want in the future, then I''m going to find a new boyfriend, right here, right now! Any guy will do! I''ll make sure to get married to someone else before you tie the knot with Quincy!"
"Don''t forget, Keh is still single."
§á
"Everett, I''m not joking with you. As soon as you marry Quincy, I''ll definitely marry¡ª"
"Enough."
Everett cut her off.
His temples were throbbing by now.
"Suit yourself. If Keh is willing to marry you, then by all means, go ahead. There''s no need to tell me all this."
"Are we done here? You can leave now."
He turned his back to her, refusing to look at Dorothy any longer.
After a long while, he finally heard her footsteps as she left, and the door closed behind her.
Once he was sure she was gone, Everett immediately took out his phone to call Jeffrey.
"Is Keh still in the hospital?"
"Yeah!"
"Find a doctor and tell them Keh needs to go abroad for surgery and recovery. Then pick a far-off country and have him stay there for a few months."
...
Dorothy didn''t return to Bay Residence.
Instead, she went to the apartment Karen used to live in.
Throughout the journey, DorothyThis content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
thought about having a good cryet frustrations, and then to think ve
once she arrived, to vent all her
swnsel
over.
things
But when she finally got there, her eyes were dry and she couldn''t muster the emotion to cry.
It was almostughable.
She couldn''t even cry.
Sitting alone on the small couch, curled up, she stared nkly, not really seeing anything.
In truth, Dorothy''s mind was a mess, and she couldn''t focus on anything.
After what seemed like ages, the repeated ring of her phone snapped her back to reality.
Checking it, she saw several missed calls from Karen and also from Quincy.
Why is Quincy calling me now? To gloat?
Dorothy managed a wry smile and called Karen back.
"Dorothy! I''ve got some great news. The hospital told my brother that if he goes abroad for surgery and takes some time to recover, there''s a good chance his legs could go back to how they were before!"
"That''s indeed great news." Dorothy tried to sound as normal as possible.
"I was so happy when I heard, I had to call you right away! Why didn''t you pick up before?"
"I was tied up with some work stuff, didn''t see it."
"Oh!" Karenughed a bit, "By the way, have things cooled down between you and Everett?"
Hearing that name still made Dorothy''s heart skip a beat.
"I guess you could say that, we''re fine now, don''t worry about us."
"That''s good to hear! Honestly, after we hung up the other day, I gave it some thought. I really shouldn''t worry too much about you and
Everett. He went through so much trouble to win you over, he wouldn''t let you be mistreated! The loss of his mother hit him hard, which is only natural. As your friend, I only saw his mom as the viin, which is why I said what I did. But for Everett, that woman was his mother, the woman
who raised him. It''s natural for him to feel upset and hurt."
"Yeah." Dorothy lowered hershes, murmuring in response.
"Things will get better, he''lle around!"
K
Chapter 1074
Dorothy let out a deep sigh before suddenly asking, "Do you think Everett and I arepletely done for?"
Karen, caught off guard, stuttered, "Huh?"
"I mean, from your perspective, do you see Everett and me splitting up for good? Not in a ''never speak again till we''re old and gray'' kind of way, but... just not in a romantic or marital rtionship anymore." "Would he let that happen?" Karen instinctively countered. "Do you think Everett could stand that? I don''t think so."Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.
"You think so too, don''t you?"
"Yeah." Karen paused for a moment before asking with a hint of confusion, "What''s going on, exactly? Everett didn''t break up with you, did he?"
Dorothy smirked, "No, he said he needed to think things over. I''m just wondering... if his final decision might be to end things for good."
"No way! He definitely won''t do that."
Even Karen was certain of that.
Dorothy frowned, her thoughts a tangled mess.
"Stop overthinking it. I get it, everyone goes a little crazy when they''re upset. Happens to me and Jeffrey all the time! But try to stay calm, and don''t dwell on it too much! Everett wille around eventually, he always does, right?"
Dorothy remained silent.
"Look, even if, and that''s a big if, you and Everett did break up for good, it''s not the end of the world! My brother''s still waiting in the wings for you."
Hearing this, Dorothy quickly said, "Please don''t tell your brother anything about my troubles with Everett. Not a word!"
The confrontation she had with Everett was a deliberate test.
That didn''t mean she was ready to drag Keh back into her drama.
After holding him back for so long, Dorothy couldn''t bear the thought of involving Keh again.
"Don''t worry, I won''t mention it."
"Thanks."
"Poor, lovesick brother of mine,"
Karen sighed. "Really, he''s got it bad for you. Maybe in another life, you''ll give him a chance, eh? He just met you toote, that''s all... His feelings for you aren''t any less than.
Everett''s."
Dorothy felt helpless.
She wasn''t in the mood to contemte another lifetime.
"I just wish you''d stop bringing me up around Keh. Let him move on and live a normal life."
"I wish! But if he doesn''t want to move on, what can we do?"
After chatting away with Karen, Dorothy felt even less inclined to cry.
She couldn''t describe how she felt at that moment.
Honestly, if it weren''t for the pinch she gave herself feeling real pain, Dorothy might believe she was dreaming.
How could Everett break up with her?
It was absurd!
Her phone rang again, this time it was Quincy.
During her conversation with Karen, she had missed another call from her.
It seemed Quincy wouldn''t stop until Dorothy answered.
Wanting to end the incessant ringing, Dorothy picked up. "What''s up?"
"Well, there''s a bit of a situation,"
Quincy was nonchnt, "Did 3 voice was nonchnt. about Jonathan wand
o marry Mr. Lopez agai
Dorothy frowned.
She never had a high opinion of Jonathan, and his attempts to marry Quincy off to Everett were nothing new. "Why would I know about that?"
"So, you haven''t heard then?" Quincy paused for a few seconds before continuing, "You''re quite sure then, that Mr. Lopez won''t marry me, aren''t you? Did he tell you himself?" en.swhovels
¡ü
Chapter 1075
"
"Quincy," Dorothy''s voice sharpened with a warning, "If Everett is willing to marry you, then that''s your business! But don''te unting it to me." unting.
The word struck Quincy like a blow.
"Seems like you and Mr. Lopez aren''t exactly on the best of terms, huh? Thinking I''m calling just to show off."
"You know exactly why you called! Since we''reying it all out today, let me be clear! Everett is an adult; what he wants to do, what he decides to do, I can''t control, nor do I have the right to. Whether he marries you or not, that''s between you two! But, if you think of mistreating my kids,ying a finger on Abigail and Langston, I won''t let it slide!"
"Don''t underestimate a mother''s power."
After her words, there was a long silence from Quincy''s end. Itsted so long Dorothy thought she had hung up, but then she finally spoke.
"You two really had a fallout?"
"Quincy, stop ying dumb! This fallout, isn''t it what you wanted? You must be thrilled."
Truth be told, Quincy wasn''t keen on seeing this.
Her leverage over Everett relied on his ongoing concern for Dorothy. This was also why Quincy couldn''t quite figure out what she truly wanted, whether she genuinely liked Everett.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Because she thought, if she truly fell for Everett, she''d want him all to herself with a possessive passion! That''s what love is supposed to be, right?
Yet, in reality, she hoped Everett would keep Dorothy in his heart, prioritizing her. At least until Everett fell for her, Quincy hoped his affection for Dorothy remained unwavering. Now, seeing them at odds, potentially breaking up, Quincy panicked, afraid. All thoughts of love and romance flew out the window.
Her words had been probing the current state of Dorothy and Everett''s rtionship! And now, it seemed there were indeed troubles.
If it were all an act, Everett wouldn''t be so calmly out of touch; he would have hinted something to her!
The more indifferent Everett seemed, the more unsettling it felt to Quincy.
The fear grew within her.
If Everett started not to care about Dorothy, wouldn''t her threats be ineffective?
That couldn''t happen.
Absolutely not.
With no time to waste, Quincy pulled out her phone and dialed Everett''s number.
But no one answered.
She wanted to stay calm, but how could she with stakes so high?
Unable to reach Everett, she had no choice but to call Jonathan.
"Jonathan, it''s Quincy."
"Oh! Quincy, what''s up?".
voice
grievounded weary, likely s
the loss of his
"Well, Jonathan, I heard from my father... you suddenly want Mr.
s to NovelDrama.Org Lopez again?
"Yes, that''s the case."
Quincy coughed lightly, probing, "And Mr. Lopez... he agreed?"
"He? Of course not! But, I have a feeling that this time, he might listen to me." "Why''s that?"
"I think since Everett''s mother passed, it hit him hard. He stopped bringing gp marrying Dorothy. Oh, by the way, Quincy, you know Dorothy, right? Do you have any idea what happened between them? Did they have a fight?"
Jonathan''s question sent a colder chill through Quincy''s heart.
+
Chapter 1076
The news from the hospital didn''t just fill Karen with joy; Sienna was over the moon as well. In contrast, Keh remained remarkablyposed.
After his mother was discharged from the hospital, he called Karen for a private chat.
"Could you find some time to have Dorothy swing by the hospital?"
"Bro," Karen wasn''t unwilling toply, but after so much time had passed, she genuinely wished her cousin could move on, "Can you please stop dwelling on Dorothy? Even if you decide moving forward without Eleanor is what you want, I support you. But you need to start a new chapter, not keep looking back."
"I''m about to head overseas, I just want to see her, that''s all."
Keh''s sincerity was hard to ignore. Karen knew her brother seldom asked for favors, and now that he had, it was difficult for her to say no. "Okay, I''ll reach out to Dorothy! If she''s up for it¡ª"
"If it''s about asking, I can do that myself." Keh cut her off gently, "I want to give her a reason toe without leaving room for rejection."
If Dorothy was asked, she''d likelye up with all sorts of excuses about being tied up with something and unable to make it.
She was avoiding him, Keh knew it.
"Bro, why put yourself through this?"
"I just want to see her, please, for me?"
"Karen, do me this solid." After saying this, Keh added, "And don''t let Jeffrey get wind of this."Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.
He was aware that Jeffrey was in Everett''s camp.
Karen hesitated, then nodded, "Alright."
She turned to leave and make the call, knowing if she promised Keh something, she''d see it through.
True to form, Dorothy arrived at the hospital in a rush an hourter.
Upon entering, she was greeted by Karen''s awkward smile.
"Dorothy..."
Dorothy froze, ncing between Keh and her best friend, "Didn''t you say Keh was... throwing a hunger strike or something?"
That didn''t seem to be the case at all.
Keh caught on and chuckled, "Yeah, I was ''on a hunger strike."""
Karen forced a smile and took a few steps back, "Look, Dorothy, maybe you can talk some sense into my brother. My daughter needs me, so I''ll head out."
With that, she darted away, leaving the room to the two of them.
After all, if she was going to bend the truth for him, this was thest time.
Once she was gone, Dorothy had pretty much pieced together what was happening.
She sighed, "Keh, if you wanted to see me, you could''ve just told me. There was no need to have Karen deceive me." Hearing Karen''s urgent tone earlier, Dorothy almost thought she was rushing to the hospital to see Keh onest time! "If I had told you directly that I wanted to see you, would you havee?" Keh''s voice remained gentle.
Over the years, his demeanor towards Dorothy never changed.
Truth be told, Dorothy couldn''t argue with that.
Had Keh reached out himself, she might not havee.
At such a critical juncture, Dorothy didn''t
into
Want Keh to get dragged
mess again! She had e
already influenced his life.too much.
"Don''t worry, we''re just talking," Keh
his
gestured to the chair beside "Did you know about
my
ns to go abroad for treatment?"
Dorothy nodded, "Yes, I heard."
"They say the doctors overseas are incredible, capable of curing even cases like mine."
Keh''s gaze settled on her.
Observing her slender, weary face.
Chapter 1077
"That''s great, Keh, I''m genuinely happy for you."
Of course, Dorothy didn''t want to see Keh hobbling around for the rest of his life. He was such a proud man, aplished too. Who would want to see him disabled?
"Looks like you haven''t been eating welltely, lost your appetite?"
"Maybe, work''s been hectic."
"No matter how busy work gets, you can''t skip meals! If you lose any more weight, you''re going to start looking gaunt."
Dorothy chuckled, "Well, gaunt it is then."
Did she even care about her looks anymore?
Keh''s gaze lingered on Dorothy, and after a long moment, he sighed.This content ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
"Dorothy, you''re still trying to act tough."
Startled, Dorothy didn''t respond.
"Fighting with Everett? Or is he... not treating you right?"
"No, we''re good," she quickly replied, fearing Keh might probe further.
But Dorothy underestimated how well Keh knew her.
After all, how could she hide anything from the man who had his heart set on her?
"Don''t lie to me. The more you do, the more I worry. Just be honest with me." Keh''s voice grew heavier, and his eyes fell, "In fact, when Jeffrey deliberately mentioned you in front of me, I knew something was off because he usually wouldn''t bring you up."
"He thinks he''s being sly, but not only me, Karen can see through him too! Still, we''re clueless about what exactly happened between you two."
Dorothy quickly said, "It''s nothing, really. Just a little argument, and it''s all good now."
"You''re definitely not okay."
"If you were still together, Everett would know you''re here visiting me in the hospital! This would be the time he''d be frantically figuring out how to call you away from here, not letting me spend time alone with
you."
QUMS
That''s why Keh insisted Karen invite Dorothy over alone.
He wanted to test it.
To see if Everett was still as attentive as before.
Clearly, he wasn''t.
Dorothy hadn''t received a single call since she arrived.
"I... Everett''s just swamped with work today, that''s why he didn''t..."
"Then call him right now, tell him you''re here with me."
The atmosphere tensed, silence falling between them.
As seconds ticked by, Dorothy sighed, "Keh, just focus on getting your leg treated! My issues, you really don''t need to worry."
"After all the effort Everett put into winning you over, why isn''t he cherishing you?"
Keh''s tone was one of firm conviction.
He had already drawn his conclusions.
"What happens between us, it''s our business."
"Dorothy, stop pretending. I know
what''s on your mind; you''re
distancing yourself from me
vel
because you think you''re holding me
back, right?"
"See, I''ve tried too. Got myself a girlfriend, tried to move on and forget you. But I couldn''t. I miss you more than ever! All I ended up doing was wasting Eleanor''s time.
Dorothy pressed her lips together, "But I can never return your feelings, even if Everett and I break up, I won''t be with you."
"But at least! During this time you''re arguing with him, I don''t want you to be alone in Eldorria City. I want to be there for you."
Chapter 1078
Dorothy sprang up from the edge of her bed.
"Stop fussing over me, I''m fine! Whatever happens between me and Everett, I won''t let you get dragged into this mess. Go abroad for your surgery!" "You really think that out of the blue, a doctor contacted me, iming they could fix my leg overseas?"Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.
"...What do you mean?"
How could Dorothy not understand?
Keh sighed heavily, "Never mind, forget I said anything."
When he found out the doctor was rmended by Jeffrey, he started to doubt it.
But just then, he reconsidered, not wanting to share his suspicions with Dorothy! If she understood, she would surely guess that Everett was behind it all.
This meant Everett still cared for Dorothy, enough to send him away.
Keh... didn''t want to be the catalyst for their rtionship.
Let him be selfish then.
For three consecutive days, there was no word from Everett.
Quincy was getting more anxious by the minute.
With no other choice, she decided to confront him at his office directly.
"Hi, I''d like to see Mr. Lopez."
"Do you have an appointment?" The receptionist, taken aback by the request to see the CEO, gave her a curious look.
"...No."
The receptionist smiled apologetically, "I''m sorry, but you need an appointment to see Mr. Lopez."
After all, it''s not every day that just anyone could meet with the CEO of apany.
Just as Quincy was about to pull out her contacts, ready to use her influence to get to Everett at any cost, she spotted Kevin walking through the lobby while on a phone call.
What luck!
She hurried over to him, "Kevin! Wait up."
Hearing her, Kevin nced at Quincy and continued his conversation. After a few more words, he hung up.
"Quincy, what''s up?"
"I need to see Mr. Lopez." Asking Kevin seemed easier than dealing with the receptionist.
At least Kevin could directlymunicate with Everett.
Kevin frowned, "Mr. Lopez is really busy; he probably won''t have time for you."
"It''s really important! It''s about Dorothy''s antidote."
"Antidote?" Kevin looked puzzled but saw the seriousness on her face. After a moment of hesitation, he nodded, Alright, stay here. Mr. Lopez is currently in a meeting, it might take a while before I can inform him. If you can''t wait, you''re free to leave, and Mr. Lopez will get in touch."
"I''ve got nothing else, I''ll wait here."
Kevin nodded and then resumed his work, pulling out his phone and making calls as he walked away.
He seemed very busy.
If Kevin was this swamped, Everett must be even busier.
Quincy tried to calm herself down, hoping things weren''t as bad as she thought. Maybe... just maybe, it was all an act by Everett?
He had risked his life to protect Dorothy before; he couldn''t have just stopped loving her so quickly.
With that thought, Quincyforted herself, although her fists remained clenched tightly.
Kevin took the elevator straight to the CEO''s office and knocked on the door.
Hearing a response, he pushed open the door, "Mr. Lopez!"
Everett
sand in the middle of a
saying sternly, "Let''s call it a del
meeting and nced at Kevin,
for
now. We''ll continue tomorrow."
He shut down hisputer, only to hear Kevin excitedly say, "Mr. Lopez, you were right on the money! The moment & stepped off the elevator, she came rushing over to find me! I did as you instructed, yed it cool, and her desperation only grew!"
Chapter 1079
Back in the day, merely whispering "Dorothy" was enough to get Everett and Kevin to jump. They''d treat Quincy''s words like gospel, bending over backwards to cater to her whims.
But times have changed. Now, dropping Dorothy''s name doesn''t even get them to bat an eyelid. Is it any wonder Quincy''s on edge?
"Let her wait," Everett dered, his voice dripping with strategy. This was a psychological game, a battle of wits. He intended to shake Quincy''s confidence, to make her believe she was the one in control, not him. Given Quincy''s tendency to second-guess everything, she''d definitely smell a rat otherwise.
From the moment Everett decided to bring Dorothy into the picture, he''d been plotting. And this was just the beginning.
"Understood! Just let me know if there''s anything you need," Kevin responded, though hesitation tinged his voice. He wanted to ask for the full story, curious about the real reason behind all this.
Kevin was in the dark, knowing only slightly more than Dorothy. It seemed... Mr. Lopez was staging a y, pretending to have lost interest in Ms. Sanchez, all for Quincy''s benefit.
The Lopez Corporation''s headquarters dominated the skyline, a towering testament to thepany''s might.
The lobby was a hub of activity, reserved for those with appointments. Employees woulde out to greet visitors, guiding them in with strict protocol.
Quincy, sitting on a plush sofa in the lobby, waited impatiently. Neither Everett nor Kevin came down to give her an update.
As closing time approached, she grew restless. Pulling out her phone, she attempted to call Everett again. After several rings, there was still no answer. Was he ignoring her calls on purpose? Rising to her feet, she approached the reception desk, where the staff were preparing to leave.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.
"Hello."
"Hi! I was told Mr. Lopez''s secretary would inform him of my request to see him. I believe he should have been notified by now. Can I go up to see him?"
The receptionist offered a polite
smile.
Well, you could try calling
him. If Mr. Lopez agrees to
he''ll send someone
you."
That was as good as saying nothing at all.
Quincy frowned, frustration evident. She decided to y her trump card.
Poet
"I''m Mr. Lopez''s fianc¨¦e. You can verify this with the chairman of the Lopez Corporation. I can call him front of you if necessary."
in
belongs to wontent
set
The title of Mr. Lopez''s fianc¨¦e certainly carried weight, causing the receptionists to exchange uncertain nces. They hadn''t heard about M Lopez having a fianc¨¦e.
"If you are Mr. Lopez''s fianc¨¦e, then please, try to contact him directly!"
"I''ve been trying, but he won''t answer!" Quincy showed them her call log in frustration. "I just want to check on him."
"We''re really sorry, but we can''t let you through."
"I really am Everett''s fianc¨¦e!"
The receptionists could only offer a polite smile in response.
Just as Quincy was about to argue further, a figure caught her eye.
"Dorothy! Ms. Sanchez!"
Quincy''s shout echoed through the lobby, drawing everyone''s attention, including Dorothy''s.
Dorothy had seen Quincy, and of course, she heard her im to be Everett''s fianc¨¦e...
Chapter 1080
But really, what did their drama have to do with her? Dorothy had bigger fish to fry. If Quincy hadn''t called out her name, she would''ve happily yed the part of the oblivious passerby. "What''s up?"
Approaching, Dorothy maintained a cool distance, about thirty feet between them. She was inside thepany building, leaving Quincy no choice but to stand outside.
"I need to see Everett, it''s urgent."
"Then call him. Why drag me into this?" Dorothy frowned, ready to walk away.
"Ms. Sanchez, you''ll regret it if you don''t help me!" Quincy blurted out in desperation.
At that, Dorothy paused mid-step.
Before she could respond, Kevin appeared from the elevator.
He nced at Dorothy with a smile, then turned to Quincy. "Mr. Lopez has sent me to escort you up."
"Great!"
§á
§á
Dorothy stood rooted to the spot as Kevin took Quincy upstairs, her heart aching in a way she couldn''t describe.
Karen was right.
She had been too naive.
Everett''s initial dislike for Quincy didn''t mean it wouldst forever. Once there was room in his heart, things were bound to change.
So...
Had the space that once belonged to her now been given to Quincy?
Was it hers now?
Dorothy slowly lifted a hand to her chest.
All her conjectures had been ufortable, but seeing Kevin personally escort Quincy, that hit differently!
Just earlier, Quincy had imed to be Everett''s fianc¨¦e at Lopez Corporation.
And soon after, Kevin, the president''s right-hand man, came down personally to fetch her. That sent a clear message, didn''t it?
As official as any announcement.
Dorothy forced a smile.
She was a fool to think Everett''s
coldness was just due to losing his mother, that the scent of Quincy''s perfume on him was because he sought her out for her sake.
"I''m truly an idiot, huh."
Today''s n had gone off without a hitch, except for one thing Everett hadn''t anticipated-Dorothy catching sightof Kevin escorting Quincy upstairs. N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
Given the circumstances, Kevin couldn''t just go up and inform Mr. Lopez about this "unexpected development" and had to proceed as nned.
Once in the president''s office, Quincy caught sight of Everett working.
Kevin smiled. "Quincy, I''ll leave you two. I''ll be outside."
"Okay."
With Kevin gone, Quincy took a seat on the sofa, perfectly positioned to view Everett''s profile.
To this day, Quincy marveled at how the world could produce such a wless man.
His background, work ethic, even his approach to rtionships were impable.
His only w?
He wasn''t hers.
But... it seemed he wasn''t Dorothy''s anymore either.
Quincy had heard about the whole Heather saga. She never understood why Heather threw caution to the wind, even losing her senses over him, but now, she was beginning to get it.
After nearly half an hour, Everett finally closed hisptop.
He adjusted his gold-rimmed sses and leaned back.
"Speak your mind."
"The antidote for Dorothy''s condition is due soon, and you haven''t asked me for it."
Quincy''s opening words were a clear probe.
Chapter 1081
Everett nced up at her, his handsome face betraying few emotions.
After a pause, he spoke, "So you''re here to deliver the antidote?"N?velDrama.Org content.
"Something like that."
"Alright, just hand it over." Everett said, reaching out to continue sorting through the papers on his desk.
Quincy frowned, seemingly puzzled by his calm demeanor.
This was not what she had expected.
"Anything else?"
Everett looked back at her when he noticed she hadn''t moved.
"I get the feeling, Mr. Lopez, that you''re not as desperate for Ms. Sanchez''s antidote as you used to be." She said it with a smile too, trying to hide the panic inside.
At this point, Quincy naturally didn''t want toy all her cards on the table, losing her negotiating edge.
"Had the antidote been due, wouldn''t you have contacted me?"
?
"Busy with work, can''t keep track of the dates, but you remember, that''s enough for me." Everett''s gaze returned to the document in his hand, "Besides, you wouldn''t let her die." Quincy frowned, "And what if I forgot the date?"
"Isn''t this what you obsess over day and night?"
How could she forget?
Everett''s indifference and his routine demeanor towards Quincy were unsettling.
From his words, it was apparent he didn''t seem as concerned about Dorothy''s antidote as before! He even expected Quincy to keep track of the timeline.
"But what if I forget just once, and Ms. Sanchez''s life..."
"If she dies, you''ll be the murderer."
Everett didn''t even bother to look up as he said this.
This calmness was thest thing Quincy wanted to see.
"Are you trying to show me that you don''t care about Ms. Sanchez anymore, hoping I''d just give her the finakantidote?" She steadied herself, making onest attempt to probe. en.swhovels
Since it hade to this, she might as well be direct.
Everett smirked slightly, "If you think I''m putting on a show, then why bothering at all?"
After all, it was she who hade to Lopez Corporation, not Everett seeking her out.
"I''ve just realized, you won''t let Dorothy die. As long as she don heed to waste my time
insisting on the final antiset
Quincy pressed her lips together, "Aren''t you afraid I''ll suddenly decide not to give it to her?"
"Quincy, if this is all you came for, then you might as well leave. I''m busy."
Everett clearly didn''t want to waste more words, standing up to leave.
Quincy quickly stepped in front of him, "Wait!"
He frowned, clearly impatient.
"I don''t have time for your probes. If you''re here to deliver the antidote, just leave it and go."
"I came not only to deliver this round of antidote for Ms. Sanchez but there''s something else!"
Everett visibly restrained himself, giving her a chance to continue.
"You once offered to take Ms. Sanchez''s ce, to bear the poison yourself. I''m here to ept that offer. If you agree to take my poison, and it takes effect within a month, I will give Ms. Sanchez the final antidote."
She had to wait until the poison took effect. That was Quincy''s bottom line.
But after a few seconds of silence, instead of hearing Everett''s agreement, she heard a low chuckle.
"No need for theatrics."
"?"
"Just make sure you deliver the antidote on time."
Quincy was stunned.
Was this his way of refusing?
Chapter 1082
intext
"Anything else?"
Everett frowned, clearly on hisst nerve. "I''m swamped, don''t have time for this."
"You really don''t care if Dorothy makes it or not?"
"Have I not cared? You didn''t let her die, did you?"
Everett stopped looking at her, opened the door, and called out, "Kevin, take her away."
"Sure thing, Mr. Lopez." Kevin hurried over with a grin. "Quincy, this way, please."
Quincy clenched her fists.
No need for any more testing.
Everett truly didn''t love Dorothy anymore, or at least, not as much as before.
If he had t-out ignored the antidote, one might guess he was putting on an act, pretending.
If he had agreed to rece Dorothy straight away, it could mean it was all a y, that he still cared for Dorothy.
But Everett did neither!
He was indifferent, even treating it as if it was just another business matter.
He wasn''t entirely neglecting Dorothy''s wellbeing, but he wasn''t as desperate for the final cure as before.
"Mr. Lopez! Dorothy is the mother of your children, don''t you care at all? Her health is failing; she might notst a few years even with regr doses!" "That''s your concern, not mine."
Everett''s final look said it all. "If Dorothy dies, the cops will investigate her death, and you''ll be the one they''re after, not me."
Kevin chimed in just in time, "After you, Quincy."
Dorothy didn''t even know how she managed to get back to Bay Residence.
She felt like a walking corpse.
Because she had never imagined a day when Everett would truly stop loving her, truly move on.
Through all their breakups and makeups, Dorothy now realized she had been too confident, knowing deep down Everett would always be waiting, alwayse back for her.
But now.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
He was truly gone.
Abigail and Langston hadn''te home yet; in this vast house, she was all alone.
Theughter and joy of the past were gone.
The dream she thought was given by fate was finally being taken back.
Dorothy''s heart ached so much she couldn''t stand straight! She could only curl up, squatting on the floor.
Watching her tears fall one by one, hitting the ground, slowly pooling together...
Suddenly, she grabbed her phone and dialed Everett''s number.
The first time, no answer.
The same on the second try.
On the third attempt, Everett''s voice finally came through.
"What''s up?"
"Everett..." As soon as Dorothy spoke, her emotions overflowed, "I''ll do anything you say from now on, I won''t be stubborn, I''ll trust youpletely, pleasee back, okay?" Everett paused before speaking, "Are you drunk?"
"I''m not, I''m sober." Dorothy''s tears wouldn''t stop falling, "Please, don''t fall for Quincy, don''t leave me behind! I can''t do this alone, I just can''t..."
"Everett, pleasee back. I don''t care about my pride or our fights anymore, I just want you back, I want our family to be whole! Abigail and Langston need you, I... I need you too." She couldn''t imagine life without Everett.
She couldn''t bear to think what life would be like!
"Dorothy, what''s going on?"
"I saw... Quincy went to see you today, you had Kevin bring her up."
Chapter 1083
"Where were you then?"
"Yeah."
Though she really wished she hadn''t been there!
If she hadn''t seen Quincy being picked up, she might have been able to fool herself into thinking that Everett''s feelings could change, maybe he''d snap out of it in a few days.
But with someone new in the picture...
"Everett, are you seriously going to be with Quincy?"
"I''ve got things to do, I''m busy."
"Don''t dodge my question! I just want to know, are you going to be with Quincy?" Dorothy wiped away a tear, trying hard to keep her emotions in check, "If you just need some space because of everything that''s going on with your mom and you''re unsure about us, I can wait! However long it takes! But if you''ve fallen for Quincy and you n to be with her..."
"Dorothy, I told you, I''m busy. I don''t have time for this."
The light in Dorothy''s eyes dimmed.
She forced a smile, "Alright, go on with your busy schedule then."
"I"
"Goodbye."
Dorothy hung up first.
She desperately wanted to fight for their rtionship, to be with Everett, but if his decision was to leave her behind...
Then she couldn''t be a burden to him.
Perhaps... this was for the best.
Back at the office, Everett stared at the disconnected call, taken aback.
Then he dialed the inte, summoning Kevin.
"Mr. Lopez, did you need me?"
"Did Quincy leave?"
Kevin nodded, "Yeah! She even tried to fish for info about whether you''ve been in touch with Ms. Sanchez privately, iming it''s only natural for Mr. Lopez to keep inmunication with Ms. Sanchez since there are ongoing projects at thepany."
Everett nodded.
That''s exactly the vibe he wanted.
It couldn''t seem too abrupt with Dorothy, that would be too suspicious! Anyone would think it was all an act, and instead of hooking Quincy, it would just put her on high alert.
This operation only had one shot, and it couldn''t fail.
"Another thing, was Dorothy there when you went to pick up Quincy?"
Kevin grimaced, "Yes, I didn''t expect it to be such a coincidence! If I had known, I would have gone down earlier."
Everett rubbed his temples.
Actually, having Dorothy show up could further convince Quincy that there was trouble between him and Dorothy, which was a good thing, but...N?velDrama.Org content.
He knew Dorothy''s character all too well; she probably wouldn''t get any sleep tonight!
She was already in poor health.
Her voice on the phone just now was clearly tearful.
"Try to avoid her next time."
"Got it!"
"That''ll be all, you can go."
Everett gestured dismissively. Hearing Dorothy cry earlier had unsettled him.
He wished he could return to Bay Residence right now, to stop her tears and hold her, but for now...
He was so close.
Just one more step.
Quincy had made a proposition for an exchange, and he hadn''t agreed.
She wouldn''t let it go easily.
The next act had to be yed out perfectly, to make it look like she had seeded naturally.
Unable to sit still, worried about Dorothy, Everett was about to head to Bay Residence when Jeffrey''s call came through.
"Everett, Dorothy just called Karen, and I don''t know what she said, but Karen rushed off immediately! Did something happen?" Everett frowned, "She saw me invite Quincy to the CEO''s office."
Chapter 1084
"Ah? No wonder..."
"Is everything set with Keh?"
Everett had to strategize not just around Quincy but also keep an eye out for Keh, who was lurking behind, eyeing his position.
"Don''t even start! After I spoke to them, Karen and Keh''s mom were thrilled. They agreed right away, and Keh seemed okay with it too. But for some reason, Keh suddenly backed out." "...Backed out?"
"Yeah! Refuses to go to therapy now." If Everett hadn''t asked, Jeffrey would''ve been too embarrassed to bring it up, "I don''t know if he sensed something."N?velDrama.Org content.
"Did Karen head over to Bay Residence?"
"Not sure, I''ll give her a call. She probably did."
Everett rubbed his temples, "Karen''s not going to say anything good about me."
Jeffrey chuckled nervously. He knew that much!
Given how protective Karen was over Dorothy, if she found out Everett "cheated" with Quincy, she''d blow her top.
And just as they anticipated, when Dorothy called Karen in tears, Karen was fuming.
"Who''s been messing with you? Don''t cry, tell me, and I''ll get back at them for you!"
Arriving at Bay Residence, Karen immediately hugged Dorothy. She rarely saw Dorothy this emotionally shattered. Even when troubled, she would usually hold it in! Something major must''ve happened to make her cry like this.
Dorothy didn''t want to exin, didn''t want to talk about her and Everett, she just wept.
Karen, putting on her thinking cap, quickly zeroed in on Everett.
"It''s Everett, isn''t it?"
Dorothy remained silent, but Karen pped her hands, "I knew it must be him! Tell me, what happened, Dorothy?"
If it wasn''t Everett upsetting Dorothy, then he would be the oneforting her, seeking revenge on her behalf. It wouldn''t be Karen''s ce to support her best friend; Everett would be the one to react first. "We broke up..." Dorothy''s eyes were swollen from crying, evoking pity, "He initiated it."
"Everett told you he wanted to break up?"
Dorothy nodded.
Karen immediately stood up, "You wait, I''m calling Jeffrey."
Dorothy quickly grabbed her, "No, don''t! Karen, I just wanted someone to be with me for a while, not to confront anyone."
"But I need to know why, right? No offense, but my brother waited years for you, and you chose Everett. And now he''s taking you for granted, even breaking up with you!"
Dorothy lowered her gaze, tears still hanging on hershes.
"It''s because of his mother..."
"Bullshit! His mother was the reason you lost your mom, not the other way around! Besides, that''s all in the past now. Is he just finding out? His mom died from her illness, not because of you, Dorothy!" Why should Dorothy be med now?!
Dorothy held Karen back, not wanting her to confront anyone.
"Karen, who he wants to be with is his choice. If he doesn''t love me anymore and wants to break up, I don''t want to hold him back..."
Him and Quincy.
Dorothy couldn''t bring herself to say the rest.
"What about the years he''s wasted of yours, then?"
Chapter 1085
?
Karen always yed by one rule: never let herself be shortchanged!
After all, if her best friend was involved, Karen automatically assumed she was in the right.
"Karen, love isn''t something you can tally up like a grocery bill," Dorothy said, wiping away a tear and forcing a smile. "And I don''t want to."
It was over. That was that.
If Quincy hadn''t shown up in Everett''s life, Dorothy would have held on a bit longer, even against his cold indifference. But now, there was someone else.
Everything had changed.
"Everett is breaking up with you just because of his mom? I swear, Quincy''s got to be part of the reason."N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
Karen couldn''t believe that the love Everett had shown Dorothy could be overshadowed by his mom''s passing. It either meant his past affection was a facade, or there was more to the story. Dorothy didn''t respond, neither confirming nor denying. Everett had never admitted to anything with Quincy, but all signs pointed that way.
"No, I''ve got to confront Jeffrey about this. If he can''t give me a straight answer, I''m going straight to Everett."
Her friend was not going to be the one to lose out.
"Please, don''t," Dorothy begged.
If Karen intervened, it would seem like Dorothy had sanctioned it. They had loved each other once, shared two kids, and were bound to cross paths again. Dorothy didn''t want to seem desperate. "You!" Karen was frustrated yet sympathetic.
Just when it seemed like all the storms had passed and they could finally be at peace, it all fell apart.
"Dorothy, are you really okay with letting Everett go?"
"What choice do I have?" Dorothy sighed. "By his ount, I owe him. Every time I mentioned breaking up, I was decisive, never considering his feelings. So now, it''s his turn.¡±
"Doesn''t he realize you were trying to protect his reputation? If you had made him take your side publicly against his mom, he''d be the one everyone hated! Dorothy, did you ever tell him that?¡± Dorothy shook her head. "I don''t want his pity."
"Karen, I''m thinking of taking the kids and leaving Eldorria City, maybe even the country."
Dorothy wanted to escape to a ce where Everett didn''t exist, perhaps fooling herself into believing they never met again. With the legal matters settled, moving abroad seemed like a fresh start for her and the kids.
"But..."
Before, Karen would have immediately agreed and started packing. But now, she had her daughter and Jeffrey.
She couldn''t just up and leave anymore.
"Karen, don''t worry about me. I''ll manage on my own," Dorothy assured her, patting her hand. "You stay in Eldorria City and be happy. Jeffrey is good to you. You two will be happy." "How can I not worry? Maybe my brother can-"
Chapter 1086
"Stop! Don''t you dare tell your brother about this."
Karen looked at Dorothy for a long moment before sighing. "What''s all this about, huh? You finally fall for Everett, and now he wants to break up with you! My brother has been waiting for you for years, and you haven''t even given him a chance."
"...That''s exactly why I can''t lead Keh on."
"Everett managed to get with you because he waited long enough, right? My brother has waited just as long, and he wouldn''t mind waiting a few more years. Honestly, you should give my brother a chance." Karen wasn''t in a rush to find the next guy for her best friend; she was just in an awkward position.
On one hand, her lifelong friend; on the other, the brother who had always protected her.
If those two could end up together, well...
It would be a perfect match!
At least, Karen would be happy to see it.
"I''m not going to let anyone in, not anymore."
Dorothy''s heart felt like ake frozen solid.N?velDrama.Org content.
Opening up once had taken all her strength.
"You can''t spend the rest of your life alone!" Karen frowned. "You''re still young. Don''t be so pessimistic! Going abroad is fine, I support you, but take some time to heal, then start fresh! Don''t give in to despair." She couldn''t follow Dorothy abroad, which was already worrying enough, and now this.
"Karen, I won''t attempt suicide again, at least not over this."
Dorothy still had her pride.
Using suicide as a tactic to coerce a man intoing back was something she couldn''t do.
...
Everett borrowed Kevin''s car to return to Bay Residence.
If he had taken his car, Dorothy would have spotted it immediately.
The living room light was still on; probably Karen staying over to keep herpany.
Everett''s gaze lingered on the ss of the floor-to-ceiling window, barely making out a figure inside but unsure whether it was Dorothy or Karen.
Once this was all over, he''d have to rece that ss!
Opt for something that allowed a clear view of every move inside.
He''d originally kept it for privacy, but now he regretted it.
Suddenly!
Everett''s phone buzzed.
ncing down, it was Keh''s number.
This call, at such a crucial moment, sent a sinking feeling through Everett, an ominous premonition.
"Everett, are you really breaking up with Dorothy?"
Right off the bat, Keh went straight to the point.
No need to guess, Everett knew Keh hadn''t heard it from Dorothy, but from Karen.
After all, she was Keh''s own sister. With him and Dorothy parting ways, she''d naturally do everything to y cupid for her brother.
"What''s it to you?" Everett snapped back, his tone far from friendly.
Who talks sweetly to a rival in love?
"If you guys split, it does concern me."
"You had Dorothy''s trust, promised to cherish her forever, yet you ended up breaking her heart! Everett, if that''s how it is, then let here back to me."
Keh was ready to take care of her, to protect her with all he had for a lifetime!
Come back to him?
That phrase really made Everett narrow his eyes.
"She was never yours to begin with. What do you mean, e back to you''?"
"After you two separated, we were doing just fine! Dorothy wasn''t as heartbroken as she is now. We just needed to gather evidence, look after the kids, and Dorothy was working hard, living earnestly! But then you showed up, and everything changed."
Keh had tried countless times to convince himself to move on from Dorothy, that she was happy now.
But all those premises hinged on Everett treating Dorothy right!
Chapter 1087
Every time Keh saw the way Dorothy looked at Everett, it was like watching a live romantic movie-the kind of love that fills the room with its unspoken intensity. So, he knew it was time to step aside. Keh had lost all hope because he felt miracles just didn''t happen in his life. Dorothy wouldn''t leave Everett. He never stood a chance. But then, wasn''t this the miracle he''d been cynically waiting for? And it was Everett who had made room for him, of all people.
"All this talk is pointless, Dorothy won''t ept you," Everett''s voice lost its previous edge, his words slow but filled with certainty. He was on guard against Keh. Mostly, he feared Karen ying matchmake or brewing some other scheme. He was wary of Keh, of Karen, but definitely not Dorothy. She had said in a fit of pique that if she ended up with Quincy, she''d go to Keh, but that was clearly said in anger. Everett could tell the difference.
"When you first pursued Dorothy, she didn''t ept you either. You were relentless for years, and she eventually gave in. You chased her for over a decade, no problem, I can do it too, twenty or even thirty years! But you, you''ve already thrown in the towel."
"Keh, what do you know?!"
Keh just chuckled, "I know nothing, and I prefer it that way! Don''t try to exin anything to me. Even if I listened, I wouldn''t tell a soul!" He wasn''t so generous as to help Dorothy wait for an Everett who might never turn back.
Keh''s words hinted that he had pieced together some of the truth. He knew Everett''s sudden decision to break up with Dorothy had other reasons behind it.
"Speaking of which, I really should thank you for stepping aside."
"Keh, she won''t ept you."
"Maybe not right away." Keh paused, smiling again, "But time changes everything! You haven''t heard yet, but Karen just messaged me, telling me Dorothy is nning to leave the country."
"What?!" Everett''s voice rose in rm.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
"I''ll be leaving with her."
Before Keh could finish, Everett had hung up and was striding towards Bay Residence. He unlocked the door and saw Karen and Dorothy sitting on the couch. Everett''s sudden appearance took both Karen and Dorothy by surprise.
"You''re leaving?" Without thinking, Everett blurted out the question. Dorothy paused, ncing at Karen. She had only shared her ns with Karen, so if the news had leaked, it would have been through her. Karen grimaced, "I mentioned it to my brother." But she hadn''t expected Everett to find out! Dorothy felt cornered, but with Everett confronting her, she saw no reason to hide her ns.
"Yes, I''m leaving. I''ll move out of Bay Residence as soon as I can."
"I won''t allow you to leave."
As soon as Everett spoke, Karen snapped back, "On what grounds? Dorothy is free to do as she pleases. Who are you to stop her?"
"Karen..." Dorothy didn''t want things to escte, gently tugging at Karen''s sleeve.
"You can''t leave."
"Why not?"
Dorothy looked up at Everett, their gazes locking, a mix ofplex emotions swirling between them.
"If I say you can''t, then you just can''t." He was scrambling for a reason, ending up just repeating himself. "Everett, we''ve already broken up. You''re the one who said it."
Chapter 1088
Everett couldn''t bring himself to meet her gaze any longer, his eyes darting away. He had to keep his emotions under wraps. After all, the n had Quincy hooked, and they were just a heartbeat away from securing the antidote for Dorothy...
"We... we broke up, but Abigail and Langston are my kids. I can''t let them go abroad with you."
Dorothy''s eyes widened in shock, staring at him in disbelief. "What do you mean? You want to keep the kids here?"
Karen, overhearing this, immediately got worked up. "The kids are Dorothy''s. What right do you have? It''s you who wanted the breakup, so what grounds do you have to make demands?"
Dorothy couldn''t believe these words wereing from Everett. How could he change like this?
"The kids have to stay here, no matter what. I can''t let you take them."
Everett knew too well that Dorothy couldn''t bear to leave Abigail and Langston behind, effectively anchoring her to stay.
"You''re being unreasonable!" Karen was fuming, itching to give Everett a piece of her mind. "Wasn''t it you who pursued Dorothy first? And then your family didn''t approve, even causing Dorothy''s mother''s death. Did she ever me you? She never thought of revenge, even went ahead to have your kids after leaving you! And you?"
"Your mother caused the death of Dorothy''s only kin. Have you ever thought about how Dorothy is supposed to live her life now? Oh, now your mother is gone and you feel bad, so you decide to drag Dorothy down with you! Everett, I never realized you were so unreasonable."
Dorothy didn''t want Karen to get more involved in this mess, especially since there was Jeffrey in the middle, making things awkward. But it was because of her.
"Karen, let us handle this, please go back."
Dorothy went over to pull at Karen''s hand. But she shook it off, visibly upset, standing up for her friend.
"Everett, you think just because you''re in a position of power, you can manipte Dorothy? Well, don''t forget, it was you who begged Dorothy to be with you! If not for you, there would be plenty of others lined up for Dorothy, not your turn at all!"
"Karen, stay out of this." Everett was getting a headache from her usations. He didn''t like confronting women. Especially since Karen had a temper, and if a real argument broke out, he doubted he could outtalk her. And then there''s Jeffrey... He really couldn''t use any tactics on Karen.
"Why should I stay out of it? Dorothy is my family, and it''s not okay for you to bully her!"
"Karen! Let me talk to Everett, please go back, okay?" Dorothy was mainly worried things would escte. With Karen there, the situation could blow up in any direction.
"Don''t make me leave, I don''t want you to be bullied."N?velDrama.Org content.
"He won''t bully me."
"Not bully you? He''s practically stealing Abigail and Langston!" Karen was so angry she could have pointed right at Everett''s nose, fearless as always. "You heartbreaker, it''s true, men are no good!"
Luckily, Jeffrey arrived soon after. No one had called him; he had just felt something was off, worried that Karen might push Dorothy into epting Keh, potentially backstabbing his own brother. When he got there, Karen was stillying into Everett, word for word, sentence by sentence, calling out his betrayal.
Chapter 1089
"Let''s head back, Karen!" Jeff urged as he tried to catch Karen''s eye, signaling her to leave.
But Karen was seething, her anger blinding her to Jeff''s pleading looks.N?velDrama.Org content.
"I''m not leaving! I won''t let anyone bully Dorothy!"
"She''ll be fine, juste with me."
Out of options, Jeff walked over and, without further ado, scooped his wife into his arms.
"Jeff, put me down this instant!"
"We''ll talk about it at home! Uh... Everett, Dorothy, you guys chat. We''re heading out."
Everett wished for nothing more than their immediate disappearance.
Dorothy could only offer an awkward smile. "Karen, don''t worry about me. I''ll call you after we''re done here."
"Jeff! Let me go, you-"
Somehow, Jeff managed to whisk Karen away.
Now, only Dorothy and Everett remained in the Bay Residence, facing each other in silence.
Once, they had longed for a moment alone. Now, they found themselves at a loss for words.
"You..."
"Everett, I can''t give you the children."
Dorothy didn''t want to hear any excuses. She had to stand up for her own rights.
Abigail and Langston had been without their mother for too long. If she were to leave them behind and move overseas, she couldn''t call herself a mother!
"I can live without the children. Just don''t leave the country."
"And what would I do in Eldorria City? Watch you and Quincy y house?" Dorothy''s voice was cold as ice. "I don''t understand why you insist on me staying! Everett, if you truly care for Quincy, then stop meddling in my affairs. I''ll take the kids with me; they''ll give you two the space you need."
Dorothy would never leave Abigail and Langston with Everett.
It wasn''t just about her reluctance to part with her children; she simply couldn''t trust Quincy to care for them.
If Everett married Quincy, she would be Abigail and Langston''s stepmother.
How could Dorothy ever be at peace with that?
"Listen to me! What you think is happening between Quincy and me-it''s not like that."
"Then what is it like?"
Dorothy was all ears, always waiting for Everett to rify things.
But where was his exnation?
All he had done since returning to the Bay Residence was demand the children-demand she be separated from her own!
"I..." Everett frowned, "Dorothy, don''t ask too many questions. Stay here at the Bay Residence with the kids. Even if we break up, the house is yours to keep."
"I don''t want it," Dorothy refused tly. "I won''t continue living here."
The house held special significance for both of them, which made it all the more painful for Dorothy to consider staying after their breakup.
"If you insist on leaving the country, you can''t take the kids. Without my consent, you won''t be able to."
Everett couldn''t continue. He simplyid out the stark reality in a cold voice.
Whether or not Dorothy could ept it, she had to.
If Dorothy left, what would be of the poison in her system? Everett couldn''t monitor it from afar.
And as for acquiring the ultimate antidote, he needed to ensure its efficacy himself.
As for trusting Quincy? That was out of the question.
"Is this really what you want?"
Disappointment filled Dorothy''s eyes.
She couldn''t understand how Everett had be so unrecognizable.
Chapter 1090
```markdown
"Yeah."
"Is it my mother''s death that''s made you start hating me?" Dorothy could only think of that as an exnation.
He hated himself.
Otherwise, why would he be so heartless?
"...Don''t bring that up.
Dorothy pursed her lips. At this point, she didn''t want to argue with Everett. It was too exhausting, and because there had been love.
The only real rtionship she had, she didn''t want it to end in embarrassment for both of them.
"Everett, I''m begging you, okay?"
Dorothy turned away, refusing to look at him.
Because she didn''t want to cry in front of Everett.
She didn''t want anyone to see her at her weakest.
"I''m begging you, let me take the kids and leave. I promise I won''t contact you again, I won''t disturb you!"
"Dorothy..."
"Maybe you''re right. Our rtionship has too much baggage, too deeply entangled, involving the deaths of both our mothers! Indeed, being together we only hurt each other. So, let''s not be together. It''s a way to free ourselves."
Dorothy wasn''t one to take things lightly. She had been thinking about this for days.
Why she and Everett just couldn''t work out.
From the beginning, the difference in status was something that could never fully be erased! If she had been someone of note, someone whose background matched that of the Lopez family, then... there wouldn''t have been any issue with Heather, would there?
At the root of it, it was because she wasn''t good enough for Everett.
Although she had understood this early on, it felt like a cruel joke by fate.
It let her live a dream, a ludicrous daydream.
Now that she had awoken from the dream, not clinging to it was the only way to preserve thest bit of her dignity.
"What about me if you take the kids away?"
Everett''s voice couldn''t maintain its previously cold tone.
Even though he tried, he still trembled slightly, out of fear.
He was afraid, terrified even!
Afraid that once Dorothy left, he''d never find her again.
Afraid that she would truly give up on him, and even if sheter learned the whole truth, she wouldn''te back to him, like before!
Knowing Dorothy, she wasn''t one to easily trust. It had taken him over a decade of effort to finally make her believe in him.
"You can have more kids with Quincy! She can give you that." Dorothy lowered her head, secretly wiping away her tears, "Just let me have Abigail and Langston. I can''t be without them."
"I can''t be without them either."
"Everett!" Dorothy suddenly turned to face him, her eyes shimmering with tears and disappointment, "Do you really... want me to die?"
Without Everett, and now possibly losing the kids too.
She really felt there was nothing left in this world worth staying for!
"I''m not trying to take the kids! You just need to stay here, stay in Bay Residence, the kids will be with you."
Everett''s intention wasn''t to take the kids away.N?velDrama.Org content.
He just wanted to keep Dorothy.
"Don''t push me."
"Dorothy, just calm down and listen to me." Everett tried not to escte the situation, "Abigail and Langston are attending school here in Eldorria City. Suddenly changing schools, even moving abroad, it''s going to be hard on them! You can''t just think about your own feelings and drag the kids along with you."
"If you don''t want to stay at Bay Residence, you can move somewhere else! I promise... I won''te to disturb you."
Chapter 1091
Before everything was resolved, he wouldn''t leave.
Dorothy remained silent, just watching him. As she watched, a sudden smile appeared on her face.
"Everett, do you know? You were always so gentle that I mistook you for someone kind and considerate... I even forgot who you really are," she said, tugging at her lips. "How could I forget? You''re a businessman, with power, prestige, and influence. After you stopped loving me, what right did I have to negotiate with you?"
She didn''t even need to doubt Everett''s words. He had said it himself. As long as he disagreed, the kids wouldn''t be leaving Eldorria City, let alone the country. Yes! Everett certainly had that power. The problem was with herself. She had forgotten how powerful Everett''s influence was, thinking he would respect her decisions as he used to, even if she was being unreasonable, even if she had abandoned him over and over again.
"You..." Everett''s lips moved, but harsh words were all he could muster, "It''s good you understand."
"What are you nning then? To imprison me if I insist on taking the kids with me?"
Dorothyughed, "Although I don''t know your purpose, let me tell you, you won''t manipte me! I''ll take the kids. If you disagree, then I''ll just have to do it by force."
"You wouldn''t dare!"
"Watch me."
Their eyes locked, and in hers, Everett saw not only disappointment but determination. That was what Everett feared the most. "Dorothy, I''ve loved you. I don''t want things to be this way."
"I don''t want it either. So, after we break up, let''s not linger on this. I''ll take the kids, and you won''t have to think about us anymore."
She wanted a clean break. Once they were separated, she wouldn''t cling on, nor did she want to leave anything behind for him to ponder. "Then wait for Abigail and Langston toe back, and ask them if they want to leave."
That was Everett''sst resort. He couldn''t really confront Dorothy head-on! He couldn''t bear it.
"What do you mean?"
"Abigail and Langston have been with you all these years, barely spending any days with both parents present. Now you want to leave again, did you ever consider their feelings?"
"So, leaving them behind to watch you marry Quincy and bring them a stepmother is considering their feelings?"
"-"
"I''ll ask them." Dorothy didn''t want to continue this topic. She cut him off coldly, When Abigail and Langstone back, I''ll talk to them. If the kids really want to stay with you,
then I... I''ll have to respect that."
She knew she wasn''t the ideal mother, so the kids might prefer their father, Everett. Since he suggested respecting the children''s wishes, indeed, she should ask. "If Abigail and Langston choose to stay, you''ll still leave?"
"Yes, I''ll leave."
II
"Do you have anything else? If not, don''t show up in front of me again."
Dorothy couldn''t help but think
velmet
about Quincy entering Everett''s office, what would happen between them. Even just holding hands or getting dose, she couldn''t bear to imagine that scene! Everett mentioned exining, and Dorothy really wanted to hear him promise like before, swearing he never touched Quincy, always kept his distance. If only Everett said so, she would believe him! Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.
But he didn''t. Other than wanting the kids and forcing her not to leave, he said nothing more.
Chapter 1092
Dorothy had made herself clear - it was time for Everett to leave, but he just couldn''t bring himself to walk away.
He didn''t know when he''d get another chance to see her again.
"Abigail and Langston... they''ll be back soon. Let me see them before I go."
"See them some other time. Today, I need to talk to them alone."
Dorothy wished for nothing more than to get Everett out of the house as soon as possible. If he stayed any longer, she feared she might not be able to let him go, might even beg him to stay...
If it weren''t for Quincy standing between them, Dorothy wouldn''t have agreed to the breakup so readily. She would have been just like Everett, pleading for him to reconsider. But that was only if there was no third party involved.
Now that Everett had epted Quincy into the equation, any action she took would just make her look like a begging fool in his eyes! She couldn''t do it, nor did she want to. "I can''t even see the kids?"
"Oh, I forgot, this is your house. So, I''ll leave. You stay and see the kids, and I''lle back after you''re gone."
As Dorothy spoke, she moved to grab her phone and jacket. Everett quickly stepped forward, grabbing her wrist firmly.
"Have you had enough? Is this really what you want?"
"Yes!" Dorothy''s emotions reached a breaking point. She wasn''t a saint devoid of feelings! With everything that had happened so quickly, was it so wrong for her to feel something? "Dorothy, please, calm down."
"Am I not calm? I think I''m being perfectly calm!" Dorothy tried to pull her hand from his grasp. But Everett''s grip was too strong, leaving her no chance to break free. Despite her efforts, she couldn''t escape his warmth. That warmth made her heart flutter, made it hard for her to let go.
"Even if we''re breaking up, we''re still family to Abigail and Langston. That will never change."
"Yes, we''ll always be family. I never said otherwise." Dorothy frowned, "Now let go of me. Don''t touch me."N?velDrama.Org content.
"Who do you want touching you then?"
Dorothy looked up at him. Was now really the time to ask such a question?
"Definitely not you."
"So, you really want me gone that badly? Dorothy, it was you who kept insisting Ie back to Bay Residence."
And now, she was the one wanting him out of her sight! He had finally found a good reason toe back, and he wasn''t ready to leave just yet.
"It was me, but back then, I wanted
to fix things! thought you were just upset, missing thefort of your mother and wanted some space from me! I never thought you''d suggest breaking up, and I certainly didn''t expect-"
Quincy to be the wedge between them.
How foolish she had been. She had truly believed Everett despised Quincy, that he would always despise him.
"...It''s cold outside. I''ll grab a few clothes before I leave."
Everett didn''t want to upset her
further, fearing her condition might
worsen
He found an excuse togo
back to the bedroom. Dorothy didn''t protest, remaining silent.
Her gaze lingered on Everett''s hand, still gripping hers. Time ticked by and it seemed he had no intention of letting go. Dorothy spoke softly, "Let go. Either hold on forever or let me gopletely."
Her eyes met Everett''s handsome face once more. His brows, his lips, she wanted to see every detail clearly.
"What''s your choice?"
Chapter 1093
"Dorothy, I..."
"It''s okay, I know what you''re going to say." Dorothy couldn''t even bear to let him finish his sentence, afraid to confront her own defeat. "Go get your clothes. I don''t want to make this any harder for either of us.''
...
Truth be told, Everett wasn''t in dire need of any clothes.
He merely wanted to linger a bit longer, to gaze upon Dorothy once more, to take in the sight of what had been their home.
What the future held was uncertain; despite his sharp intellect, Everett couldn''t predict the unforeseen.
All he wished was for Dorothy to remain healthy, to not leave him, not like his mother had... wheeled out of the emergency room. Eventually, the clothes were packed, and Everett had no excuse to stay any longer.
He grabbed a few suits and made his way to the foyer.
"If you need anything, you can call me."
"There''s nothing I need from you that you can give," Dorothy said, her back still turned to him, showing no signs of wanting him to stay.
Everett pressed his lips together, resigned to leave Bay Residence.
Back in his car, he didn''t drive off immediately but continued to watch the living room of Bay Residence.
It wasn''t hard to guess.
Dorothy must be crying by now.
No one knew her better than he did.
Suddenly, Everett''s phone rang.
Pulling his gaze away, he saw it was Jonathan calling.
"Dad."
"You guessed right. Quincy just called
me said she needed a favo
Jonathan paused before continuing, "She wants to have dinner
says it''s to patch things up."
Everett''s eyes darkened as he masked his thoughts.
you,
"y it cool. Tell her I''m not okay with it at first. Then, in a day or two, mention we had a fight about it, and I reluctantly agreed."
"Alright!" Jonathan, now fully trusting his son, agreed instantly, though he couldn''t help asking, "Everett, what exactly are you nning? I''mdost here."
"It''s nothing, just trying to shake off Quincy."
Everett didn''t reveal the full extent of his n to his father.
Having just lost his wife, if he knew this was to make Quincy poison him, Jonathan wouldn''t have continued to assist!
"Nothing dangerous, right?"
Jonathan couldn''t shake off a
feeling of unease, "Everett, you
tell me the truth! I can''t handle more shocks, you''re all I have."
"Don''t worry, I''m fine."
"That''s a relief! I''ll do as you''ve asked. Once this is over, I won''t let the Caldwell family get away with this!"
Jonathan might not understand all the details, but it was clear to him that the Caldwell family was using Quincy to manipte Everett!
If the Lopez family could be so easily manipted, he might as well have lived in vain.
After hanging up, Everett''s gaze returned to where Dorothy was, even if he could only see a silhouette.
On his phone, Jeffrey had sent several messages.
"Everett, don''t be mad at Karen! She didn''t know any better and just blurted out stuff! I''ve calmed her down; she won''t mess up your ns."Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.
"Everett, please, don''t hold it against Karen! I promise she won''t cause more trouble."
Everett exhaled deeply, replying to give his friend some peace of mind, so he wouldn''t worry over nothing.
"Karen is your wife and Dorothy''s best friend; how could I possibly hold anything against her?"
Chapter 1094
Having someone like Karen by Dorothy''s side actually made Everett feel a bit more at ease. Dorothy was the type to keep her grievances bottled up, never willing to voice her troubles, which only made them worry more about her.
**d to hear it! I was really worried you''d be upset.** Jeffrey''s response came quickly, showing he''d been anxiously waiting by his phone.
**It''s fine, just don''t pick a fight with Karen.**
Everett, much like Dorothy, didn''t want to drag their friends into their mess.
But Karen... how could she just let things lie?
After Jeffrey practically dragged her home, Karen had been giving him the silent treatment, refusing to speak with him, and even skipped dinner. Jeffrey had knocked on the door multiple times, but she wouldn'' even let him into their bedroom!
"Honey? Can you please open the door? Let''s talk this out."
"I''ve got nothing to say to you! If you''re siding with Everett, why don''t you just move in with him and forget you have a wife!"
Jeffrey was at a loss, having just confirmed Everett wasn''t upset, and now he had to soothe his wife, "Listen to me, please. Let them handle their own issues. I''m just trying to keep you out of the middle, okay?'' Before he could finish, Karen suddenly flung the door open, startling Jeffrey.
"You''re worried about Everett, and I''m worried about Dorothy being pushed around! It''s clear to me now, none of you men are any good."
"What? How is this my fault?"
"You''re always hanging out with Everett, how can it not be? You''ve been even more of a party animal than he ever was!" Karen rolled her eyes, "I''ve made up my mind. I''m taking the kids to my mom''s for a few days to think things over between us."
"Come on, don''t do that." Jeffrey quickly grabbed her arm, lowering his voice, "I kept you out of it to protect us! Look, whatever Everett''s doing, that''s on him, not me!"
"You''re telling me Everett never mentioned anything about wanting to break up?!"
Karen wasn''t buying it. She even suspected Jeffrey knew all along but chose not to tell her.
"I swear I didn''t know." At this point, Jeffrey couldn''t afford to admit anything, "I swear! Everett just mentioned he was feeling down, and I thought it was because his mom had passed away. It made sense he''d be upset. And after that, you saw I barely hung out with him."
Thest thing Jeffrey wanted was for Karen to leave. It wasn''t just about being lonely; it was about losing control. If Karen left, she''d be even more unpredictable.
What if she spent every day with
Dorothy, trying to set her up with Keh? That would really stir
things up. Currently, Dorothy wamet
e''
single Who knew if she might impulsively agree to Keh out of a momentary impulse?
"Move, I''m going back to my mom''s."
Karen wasn''t having any of his excuses and made to leave.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.
"Look at you! Why are you being like this? What does Dorothy''s situation have to do with me?"
"Jeffrey, it''s through Everett''s mess
I''ve seen men for what they are! I need some time to cool off." Karen crossed her arms, scoffing at him, "Dorothy''s thinking of leaving the country, and I''m considering going with her."
"What?!"
"You better not mess with me right now."
With Karen adamant about leaving, Jeffrey had no choice but to pull out all the stops.
Chapter 1095
Jeff scooped her up effortlessly and carried her back to their bedroom. With his tall frame, he pinned her down on the bed, refusing to let her move.
"Jeff, what are you trying to do? Let go of me!"
"I''d miss you too much if you left," Jeff murmured, nuzzling against his wife''s cheek with a mischievous grin. "I promise, I won''t pull an Everett on you and talk about splitting up, okay? Even if it kills me, I won''t let you go."Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.
"Ha! Everyone saw how hard Everett chased after Dorothy. And what happened in the end? The moment heid eyes on another woman, he was ready to call it quits with Dorothy!"
To Karen, a breakup was one thing, but the reason behind it was entirely uneptable.
Especially since it all boiled down to Everett''s mother?
That was something Karen just couldn''t stomach.
It was his mother who had stirred the pot first, and now Dorothy was taking the fall for it.
"You don''t know the whole story," Jeff blurted out suddenly, his emotions getting the better of him.
Karen''s eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she stared at him. "What do you mean? Is there something I should know?"
"Nothing, it''s nothing."
"Jeff! Are you trying to push me into divorcing you?"
He sighed, "You seriously think Everett wants to break up with Dorothy for Quincy?"
"I can''t say much right now, but just know that whatever Everett is doing, it''s for Dorothy''s best interest. And if you go spilling this to Dorothy now, you''re only going to hurt her."
Quincy was at her wit''s end trying to get close to Everett.
She had tried everything, even begging Jonathan for help, but to no avail.
As Dorothy and Everett''s
rtionship grew tenser, and her et
spies at the Bay Residence reported Everett wasn''ting homeo anymore, Quincy felt cornered. en.swhovels
Desperate, she resorted to groveling before the Caldwell family.
"I need to see Everett. Think of something."
Ronin couldn''t help butugh at her request. "I thought you two were close? Why do you need my help to see him?"
"Don''te crying to me for favorster if you''re just going to mock me now! Let me tell you, if I don''t see Everett soon, you can kiss the
Caldwell family business go"
I''m not threatening you; I''m being
dead serious."
"Why do you need to see him so badly? Tell me, and I''ll consider helping you."
Quincy knew she had to spill some truth if she wanted her father''s help.
"I need to poison Everett, then use that to control him."
"What?!" Ronin almost thought he was hallucinating. "Are you insane? If you want to die, don''t drag the Caldwell family down with you!"
He wanted the Lopez family''s support but certainly not at the cost of their lives.
"It''s toote to back out now! Everett
only bailed out the Caldwell business because I poisoned Dorothy. He had no choice," Quincy said with a coldugh. "Now that Everett and Dorothy have split, if I don''t pass the poison on to Everett, just imagine how the Lopez family will deal with us."
"You''re really trying to get me killed, aren''t you?"
"It''s your fault for forcing me into this mess! If you hadn''t insisted I marry into the Lopez family, none of this would have anything to do with me."
She never wanted to be part of this in the first ce.
Chapter 1096
Here''s the revised trantion based on the provided original text:
What''s with Everett, what''s with Dorothy, they were just names of patients to her once upon a time! Had it not been for the Caldwell family cornering her, why would she ever tremble with fear, linking her fate with a woman already frail in health?
"I just don''t get it, what''s so bad about marrying Everett? Do you have any idea how many women wish for that chance but never get it?" Ronin could never understand his daughter. You''d think,ing from a family as illustrious as the Lopezes, anyone would jump at the opportunity. Howe this stroke of lucknds on his daughter, and it was Jonathan himself who brought it up, yet she''s reluctant! "It''s not about good or bad, he doesn''t love me!"
"How old are you? All this talk about love, let me tell you, in this world, nothing''s more important than money! With power and status, everything else is trivial."
Listening to her father, Quincy felt a profound sadness for him, for her mother, and more so for herself, being used as a pawn in this family.
"Arguing about this now is pointless. If you want to keep the Lopez family within your grip, if you want to cling to that high branch, you''ll have to help me with this," Quincy stated coldly. "Otherwise, if this blows up or if I can''t keep Everett under control, do you think the Caldwells can wash their hands of it?"
Ronin fell silent. Because he didn''t need to think hard to know the answer. Quincy was his daughter, and after gaining control over Everett, her first move was securing an investment for the Caldwell family. Denying it would be futile, no one would believe him.
"You! Why didn''t you discuss such a thing with me?"
Ronin was terrified just hearing about it. He never imagined his seemingly indifferent daughter could pull off something so... sinister. That was poisoning, for heaven''s sake, it could''ve killed someone! "How could I discuss it? Back then, all you wanted was for me to marry into the Lopez family! Did you even listen when I tried to talk to you?"
Back then, Quincy had no feelings
for Everett, envying Dorothy for having a man who loved her was extent of her thoughts. But now..
theContent ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.
things were different. Howevene
Quincy wouldn''t share her change of heart towards Everett with her
father.
"But now, my rtionship with Jonathan isn''t as solid as before! After thest investment fiasco, we barely spoke. He might not even agree to help." "Anyway, I''veid it all out for you. I''ve been carrying this burden for so long, it''s time you thought of a solution."
After hanging up the phone, Quincy
sat in theb chair, holding her phone. All she hoped for now was for Everett to remember Dorothy was still the mother of their children, hoping his feelings wouldn''t vanish so swiftly. But... men''s affections are notoriously unreliable. She had some faith in Everett before, but now, no longer.
ncing at her phone, then abruptly standing up, Quincy went over to theb''s shelves and grabbed a few test
tubes. These were the ingredet?
vern
for the antidote. Fearing Everett might steal them, she neverbined them, keeping them separate. If Everett fell into the trap, the poison transferring from Dorothy to him, she would then let Dorothy go.
This version adheres to the original plot and character dynamics while making thenguage and cultural context more suitable for an English-speaking audience.
Chapter 1097
Aside from Dorothy being of no further use, there was something else. Quincy, as a woman, couldn''t help but feel a bit sorry for Dorothy.
Truth be told, she could have dyed handing over the antidote to Dorothy a while longer. As long as Dorothy didn''t die, the timing of the antidote, sooner orter, didn''t really make that much difference. But Quincy figured, since Dorothy was going to be out of the picture anyway, it might be kinder to let her bow out sooner rather thanter.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.
"Dorothy, you can''t me me, you know. I did ask you about it before."
At that time, Quincy was still hesitating. She thought that if Dorothy would just drop thewsuit, she wouldn''t have to marry Everett and be used as a pawn in their game. That was the reason for their previous conversation. But Dorothy was ungrateful. Despite being asked numerous times, she never changed her mind. So Quincy felt she had no choice but to take this final step.
As soon as Ronin hung up the phone, his heart was in his throat! He didn''t dare waste a second. This was about Everett! The sole heir to the Lopez family. If anything happened to him, the entire Caldwell family would be toast, thanks to Jonathan. But then again, did he have any other choice?
"I swear, I''ve raised a liability!" Ronin cursed under his breath as he dialed Jonathan.
"Jonathan, you mentioned before about joining our families through marriage. I''ve always been fond of your son, really hoped to match him with my daughter! But Everett, I don''t know if he''s just too busy or what, he never has time to connect with my girl. How''s that going to work? Maybe... you could find an excuse? Get the two of them to meet, maybe over dinner?"
"I''d love to! Your daughter''s clearly a sensible girl, even saved my boy''s life. She''d make a far better daughter-inw than Dorothy! It''s just these young people, I can''t really control them anymore," Jonathan sighed as if helpless. "Look, if I tell him outright to meet your daughter, he''ll never agree! We''ll have to trick him."
Ronin brightened up at the prospect. "Trick him? Well, as long as it doesn''t backfire, causing Everett to rebel and sh with you."
"We''ve had our disagreements
before! Especially after his mother passed away, he''s been a bit more.pliant, I''ll find the right time, then tell him to meet me at a
restaurant. You send your daught
novel.ne
Quincy over! I really like her
genuinely want her to marry into the family."
"Are you sure this is okay?" Ronin feigned reluctance, but he was already keen on the idea.
"I don''t see any other way! If you feel this is unfair to Quincy, then maybe we should¡ª"
"Unfair? If she ends up with your son, she''ll have a good life ahead of her! It''s totally normal for the girl to take the initiative these days."
Jonathan chuckled. "That''s settled then! I was worried you might feel slighted, and if the young couple ever hit a rough patch, you''d me me for meddling."
"Not at all! If Quincy and Everett
really hit it off, any spat they might have would probably be due to my daughter''s stubbornness! Everett''s got so much on his te, she needs to be understanding."
"Exactly, our families joining forces is the perfect match! So, it''s agreed." "Agreed."
Even after hanging up, Ronin''s brows remained furrowed. This was different from any other deal, involving actual lives! He was genuinely worried his daughter
might bite off more than sh
could
chew, potentially dragging the entire Caldwell family into a disaster. And they weren''t just dealing with anyone here, but the Lopez family!
Chapter 1098
Dorothy had tried several times to bring up the subject of moving abroad with Abigail and Langston. Abigail seemed pretty easy-going about it, but Langston was obviously avoiding the conversation. Feeling it was too harsh to drop the news on the kids just yet, Dorothy decided to wait a few more days before talking to them about it.
Living in Bay Residence was bing unbearable for Dorothy. The thought of staying there any longer filled her with dread. So, when Abigail and Langston got back from school today, she decided it was time to bring up the subject of moving abroad once again with Langston.
"Mom, can''t we just stay here?" Langston finally asked, unable to avoid the conversation any longer.
"You don''t want to leave, do you?"
He nodded, "I just started school here, and I''ve made good friends. If we go abroad, I''ll have to start all over again."
Dorothy frowned slightly.
Frankly, it wasn''t surprising to hear Langston say this. He always had a unique way of thinking, different from his peers.
But his words made Dorothy wonder if Everett had gone to Langston''s school and talked to him about it.
"Langston, have you seen your dad recently?"
"No," Langston shook his head, his gaze fixed on his mom.
That look made Dorothy feel guilty.
How could she suspect Langston? He was just a child! And it wasn''t like Everett to do something like that...
If Everett was that considerate, why would they have broken up?
"There''s been a problem between your dad and me. I don''t want to stay here anymore, although I''m not sure if you''ll understand, but-"
"I get it!" Langston quickly said, grabbing her hand. "You and dad had a fight, you''re unhappy, and that''s why you want to leave."
"Mm..."
"It''s like with my best friend at school! If we have a disagreement, I don''t want to talk to him either."
Dorothy found his analogy
somewhat fitting, although the rtionship between friends could likely be mended quickly, unlike her situation with Everett...
She couldn''t bring herself to say the words "break up" to the kids, to tell them that the stable life they wanted was about to change.
"Mommy, hug!"
Abigail, not fully understanding their conversation, saw her mom looking upset and wrapped her arms around her neck, snuggling into her embrace. Dorothy gently stroked her daughter''s hair, searching for the right words to say.
"Your dad''s really busy with work. Even if we stay here, he won''te back." "So, mommy, do you really, really want to leave?" Abigail looked up at her.
Dorothy managed a bitter smile.
Did she want to leave?
Of course not.
But without Everett, staying in Bay Residence felt unbearable. Everywhere she looked reminded her of him, and Dorothy feared her depression might resurface. She was even more afraid that one day, in a moment of desperation, she might try to break Everett and Quincy apart!
Yes, she had felt that impulse.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.
To forget about useless things like morals or pride, like Quincy or Heather, and to want Everett back at any cost.
"Mommy... wants to leave Eldorria City."
"Then we don''t have to stay here.
Can we go live with Aunt Karen instead? Langston clearly didn''t want to leave, making it hard for Dorothy to continue the conversation.
Chapter 1099
"Aunt Karen just had a baby, so it''s kinda hectic over there."
"But her ce is huge, me and Lily can be super quiet! We won''t make a peep," Langston insisted, raising his hand as if taking an oath.
Dorothy looked at Langston, letting out a silent sigh. She stayed quiet for a while before finally asking, "What if... you guys stayed with Dad, would that be okay?"
Immediately, Langston''s guard was up. His brows furrowed, "Are you nning on leaving us? Mom, can''t we just be one big happy family? It''s okay if Dad''s too busy toe home, me and Lily won''t nag about wanting to see him anymore!"
"Dad''s not too busy, he even found time toe to school-"
Abigail''s words were cut short as Langston quickly covered her mouth. He had warned Abigail not to mention their dad''s visit, but did she listen? No, because Dad had to go and say he missed his daughter! That girl could spill the beans on everything without even realizing it!N?velDrama.Org content.
"He went to the school?"
Despite Langston''s attempt, Dorothy still caught the words "the school."
At this point, Langston couldn''t deny it. "Yeah, he said he missed me and Lily."
"What else did he say?"
"Nothing much, just stopped by to see us."
Dorothy put on a stern face, "Tell me the truth."
"That''s all! And he only came to the school once, didn''t stay long."
Langston knew the weight of responsibility on his shoulders; he couldn''t let his n fail now.
"Is that true, Abigail?"
Dorothy smartened up, ignoring Langston and turning to her daughter instead.
After receiving a stern look from her brother, Abigail hesitated for a few seconds before nodding obediently, "Yeah, what he said."
Dorothy gently patted her children''s heads, feeling helpless, "I know you guys don''t want to be away from Dad and me, it''s just..."
She paused, realizing that whatever she said would seem cruel to her kids.
"So, what?" Langston was still waiting for her to finish.
previous thought but instead
Dorothy smiled, not continuing et
offered, "How about this? Mommy will look for a new house, and the three of us can move there, okay?" en.swhovels
"So, we''re not leaving Eldorria City?"
"Nope."
"Yay! Yes!" Langston clenched his fist in victory, happily dragging his sister away.
Watching their retreating figures, Dorothy felt herpromise was worth it. She definitely couldn''t stay at Bay Residence anymore; leaving was inevitable. But Eldorria City was big enough to find another ce. As long as they didn''t run into Everett, it would be fine.
Ever since Karen settled down and had a child, life wasn''t about living on a whim anymore.
What Dorothy didn''t know was that as soon as Langston went back to his room, he quickly texted Everett.
"Mission aplished! Don''t forget to update my gaming system!
"Your mom agreed to stay?"Everett''s reply came almost instantly.
"Of course! I have my ways, and Mom always listens to me! She said we''re not staying at Bay Residence but we''re not leaving Eldorria City, so you can stille see me and Lily!" en.swhovels
Chapter 1100
Langston waited a couple of seconds before the person on the other side shed an OK hand gesture.
He couldn''t help but smile, feeling like he was entrusted with an important mission, a sense of aplishment bubbling within him.
Beside him, Abigail peered curiously at her brother, who alternated between smiling and staring at his phone. "Who are you texting?" she asked.
"Dad," Langston replied, his attention shifting back to her as he remembered the more pressing matter at hand. He pulled Abigail closer, adopting a serious demeanor. "Abigail, will you listen to your brother?" "Of course!"
"Then you need to promise me that you won''t mention anything about Dad in front of Mom. If she asks, just say you don''t know, or tell her to ask me."
Abigail furrowed her brows, puzzled. "Why? Why can''t we talk to Mom about Dad?"
"Because Mom and Dad have been arguingtely, and it''s better not to bring him up."
"Arguing?" Abigail''s face scrunched up in concern. "Then we should make Dade home more and stop them from fighting."
Langston patted her head. "You don''t understand, but all you need to do is follow my instructions. Don''t worry about the rest."
"I want to understand! I don''t want to feel left out."
Langston chuckled at her innocence. "You''re not being left out. My sister can''t be clueless."
After all, if anyone was going to call her silly, it would only be him.
...
When Dorothy decided to move out of Bay Residence, Karen was the second to know, after Abigail and Langston.
"Dorothy, why don''t you stay at my apartment? It''s empty anyway, and looking for a new ce is such a hassle. Plus, I worry about you."
"No, I need arger ce now that I have Abigail and Langston with me."
Karen pondered for a moment before suggesting, "What about my brother''s-"
"Stop!" Dorothy quickly interrupted, "Don''t even mention your brother''s ce. I need some peace and quiet with the kids."
Seeing Dorothy''s reluctance, Karen didn''t push further, respecting her decision.
But as long as Dorothy didn''t leave Eldorria City, Karen felt reassured. She could still visit her best friend and not worry too much. That was what mattered. "Dorothy, managing on your own with the kids, I''m afraid it might be too much."
"Not really! Abigail and Langston are growing up and very well-behaved Plus, my project at thepany is wrapping up soon. Once it''s over, I can leave the Lopez Corporation." en.swhovels
That would free up her schedule significantly. Besides spending quality time with her kids, Dorothy could finally have some time to herself, to reflect on what she truly wanted in life.
"How about renting somewhere closer to me? I coulde over and help out with the kids more often."
"No, you''ve got your own daughter to think about. I don''t want to impose on anyone."
Dorothy didn''t want to be a burden to Keh or Karen anymore than she already had. She felt enough guilt towards Keh as it was.
"You always do this! It makes me feel like you don''t see me as your best friend," Karen pouted.Content ? copyrighted by N?velDrama.Org.
She genuinely wished Dorothy would
move closer so they could spend
more time together. Without her,
things just wouldn''t be the same.
Having her best friend nearby would
mean the world to her.
Chapter 1101
"Once everything settles down, I''ll think about it."
Right now, Dorothy felt like her mind and heart were in a total whirlwind - not the best state to figure things out.Text ? by N0ve/lDrama.Org.
It was like the decision to move abroad; she hadn''t fully considered how the kids would feel about it. If it hadn''t been for Everett''s reminder, she might have stubbornly gone through with it without a second thought.
After giving it some reflection, she realized Everett was right. She needed to respect the wishes of her two children, Abigail and Langston, instead of just bulldozing ahead with what she wanted.
But still...
His level-headedness kind of irked her.
In such a tumultuous time, Everett''s ability to stay calm and think things through clearly was a bitter reminder to Dorothy that maybe his feelings had changed.
The Sanchez family didn''t have much stuff at Bay Residence, but Abigail and Langston had quite a bit.
So, when she was house-hunting, a ce with ample storage was a must.
Luckily, with Karen''s help, Dorothy found just the perfect spot quickly enough.
Everything was going smoothly, so much so that Dorothy wondered if someone was secretly lending her a hand from behind the scenes.
Watching her belongings being moved out of Bay Residence, she couldn''t help but smirk.
Who would be there for her now?
In the past, she might have thought Everett, considering he had helped before. But now, it was clear his heart wasn''t in it anymore.
"Dorothy, I''m really notfortable with you living alone. There''s an extra room here, why don''t I stay with you for a while?" Karen broached, her mind racing with concern. This wasn''t the time to let her best friend be all by herself, especially knowing Dorothy''s tendency to keep her sorrows to herself. She might just break down the moment Karen left.
Dorothy knew Karen too well, just like she knew herself.
So, after the movingpany left, she reassured her friend with a pat on the shoulder, "Don''t worry about me! Look, I''m doing alright, aren''t I?" "But that smile doesn''t reach your eyes," Karen pointed out.
Dorothy paused, then her gaze dropped.
"It''s hard to genuinely smile at a time like this. But I''vee to terms with it. We''ve reached this point, and not amount of my crying or fussing will change the oue. Better to ept it sooner rather thanter."
Karen hesitated before asking the inevitable question.
"Do you still love Everett?"
Dorothy gave a wry smile, "Of course."
How could she just stop loving him that easily?
"Sigh, I was hoping if you''d moved on from Everett, maybe you and Keh¡ª"
"It will never happen." It wasn''t the first time Dorothy had to make this clear, "Karen, please don''t keep your brother Hanging on my ount. I''m avoiding him precisely because want him to move on with his life. As for Everett..."
She furrowed her brows, struggling to find the right words to describe her current state of mind.
"I love him, that''s for sure. But I''ve also given up on him, that''s certain too."
At this point, whether she held on or let go wasn''t really up to her anymore.
"Do you hate Everett then?"
Dorothy shook her head, then
nodded, "A little, maybe. If he fell out
of loved could somewhat ept that. But I never anticipated that a guy like Quincy coulde between
us
That was the source of her resentment.
She resented the fact that if Everett couldn''t resist temptation, why didn''t he show his true colors from the start?